DRC related fluid leak ?

[dhali]

On parking up my car today I noticed what seems like oil drops on the floor behind the car . On closer inspection I noticed a large patch with tell tale drip on the bottom of the fuel tank and righthand side exhaust pipe just before the rear silencer and on the underneath of the silencer itself . Is there anything DRC related above the fuel tank ? The fluid is a similar colour to fresh engine oil but the consistency seems thinner ( if that makes sense ) . There is no signs of any fluid on the engine under tray as was the case when the oil cooler pipes went earlier this year . Any help appreciated.

[Surrey Sam]

Been a while since I owned a B7 but I think there is a DRC line that goes over the fuel tank, which now seems to be prone to rusting through given these cars age. There are also 2 DRC pressurised system valves located around the spare wheel well. So worth crawling underneath and having a poke around to see what going on. It does sound like a large DRC failure, so I wouldn't be driving the car, as you can cause more damage to the system should you be intent on keeping it.

[dhali]

Been a while since I owned a B7 but I think there is a DRC line that goes over the fuel tank, which now seems to be prone to rusting through given these cars age. There are also 2 DRC pressurised system valves located around the spare wheel well. So worth crawling underneath and having a poke around to see what going on. It does sound like a large DRC failure, so I wouldn't be driving the car, as you can cause more damage to the system should you be intent on keeping it.

Thanks Sam. I won't be driving it and have a look around those areas .

[Jon_J]

Been a while since I owned a B7 but I think there is a DRC line that goes over the fuel tank, which now seems to be prone to rusting through given these cars age. There are also 2 DRC pressurised system valves located around the spare wheel well. So worth crawling underneath and having a poke around to see what going on. It does sound like a large DRC failure, so I wouldn't be driving the car, as you can cause more damage to the system should you be intent on keeping it.

Thanks Sam. I won't be driving it and have a look around those areas .

The valves are under the cover that’s sit under the spare wheel well.


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[dhali]

Thanks jon

[bennn]

That definitely sounds like DRC fluid to me.

Do yourself a favour and sack it off.

If you do decide to keep it you'll be in for a huge bill if the pipes have sprung a leak and it's only a matter of time until another part of it will fail.

[dhali]

That definitely sounds like DRC fluid to me.

Do yourself a favour and sack it off.

If you do decide to keep it you'll be in for a huge bill if the pipes have sprung a leak and it's only a matter of time until another part of it will fail.

Thanks . Looking at the pipes they are very corroded in places and I was wandering last time I had the wheels of how long before they would let go Funnily it seems ( if it is the pipes and not the valves ) they have gone from a place where I least would expect have them too . I think I will ditch the DRC even though it is a very good system when it works . My experience with coil overs ( I have kwv3s) on the b5 is I find them to harsh for everyday use (probably showing my age ) even though I have them on the recommended settings I’m looking into the Koni damper setup as mentioned here mated to the -20 H&R springs I already have fitted.

[neil_f]

This is exactly the same symptoms/scenario I had a few months ago. Fluid leaking in the same place as you've mentioned and it was due to the metal pipe above the petrol tank corroding and then leaking. Mine also started making a loud knocking noise due to lack of fluid in the system. Had to drive 25 miles home when the noise first started, also the front felt very underdamped over bumps. I've got the koni dampers fitted with oe springs and would highly recommend them for daily use.

[dhali]

This is exactly the same symptoms/scenario I had a few months ago. Fluid leaking in the same place as you've mentioned and it was due to the metal pipe above the petrol tank corroding and then leaking. Mine also started making a loud knocking noise due to lack of fluid in the system. Had to drive 25 miles home when the noise first started, also the front felt very underdamped over bumps. I've got the koni dampers fitted with oe springs and would highly recommend them for daily use.

Good to know . Did you leave all your pipes in place and cap them off ? Can you pm me a price of what they cost as have sent him a message but haven't heard anything back yet . I will be fitting them myself .

[bennn]

That definitely sounds like DRC fluid to me.

Do yourself a favour and sack it off.

If you do decide to keep it you'll be in for a huge bill if the pipes have sprung a leak and it's only a matter of time until another part of it will fail.

Thanks . Looking at the pipes they are very corroded in places and I was wandering last time I had the wheels of how long before they would let go Funnily it seems ( if it is the pipes and not the valves ) they have gone from a place where I least would expect have them too . I think I will ditch the DRC even though it is a very good system when it works . My experience with coil overs ( I have kwv3s) on the b5 is I find them to harsh for everyday use (probably showing my age ) even though I have them on the recommended settings I’m looking into the Koni damper setup as mentioned here mated to the -20 H&R springs I already have fitted.

Go for Koni adjustables mate. They work very well with H&R Springs. I have them fitted to my car on the OEM springs and its great. Fully agree with Coilovers.

[neil_f]

This is exactly the same symptoms/scenario I had a few months ago. Fluid leaking in the same place as you've mentioned and it was due to the metal pipe above the petrol tank corroding and then leaking. Mine also started making a loud knocking noise due to lack of fluid in the system. Had to drive 25 miles home when the noise first started, also the front felt very underdamped over bumps. I've got the koni dampers fitted with oe springs and would highly recommend them for daily use.

Good to know . Did you leave all your pipes in place and cap them off ? Can you pm me a price of what they cost as have sent him a message but haven't heard anything back yet . I will be fitting them myself .

Got them fitted by a local garage as I didn't want to tackle it myself incase the dreaded pinch bolt was seized. They left the pipes in place and capped them off. Charged £120 to fit the four dampers which to be honest was worth it compared to me lying in my driveway trying to fit them. Cost £605 delivered for the dampers. Steve usually has a listing on eBay for them.

[Surrey Sam]

That was a great price for the work done.

[neil_f]

That was a great price for the work done.

Yeah a local garage I've used for years . Old school type backstreet garage (no fancy waiting area etc) but proper mechanics . Got my rear discs skimmed for £60 by the same garage which I think is a great price as well. They also fitted four lower suspension arms for me for £60 compared to the local audi specialist that wanted to charge me £140 to fit just two arms ! Same specialist also wanted to charge me for a new front anti roll bar due to the bolt for the front drop link being slightly cross threaded. Local garage re tapped thread and fitted a new bolt with no charge whilst doing the suspension arms. Anyway going a bit off topic from original thread.

[Shockerboy]

Hi Dhali , Your parts should be well on their way now . apologies for the one day delay in getting them from the warehouse . look forward to hearing from you when they are in and working . Ill e mail the instructions as the day i packed your goods my printer was playing up , stand by ! many thanks .

[dhali]

No worries Steve . Looking forward to fitting these and trying them out .