Guys,
My mechanic-fella is stumped and so am I. He's discovered that I have a diesel leak under the car. He's managed to locate the source of the leak, but has got no idea what to do about it.
The leak is coming from a hose that stops about 1 meter in front of the fuel tank. The leak isn't very big, but it does spray around and on the tank etc. I've take a picture of the hose...
Yes, that's easy. It's diesel, not coolant or air con. water or anything else. The back of the vehicle is probably coated with it (giving a greasy feel).
If you have fluid leaking from that hose, then it is definitely diesel. The high pressure diesel area on your Espace (common rail and injectors) is enclosed with a rubber type cover over it and a metal 'tray' underneath which leaking diesel will fall in to. At the right hand side there is a small hole with the rubber hose attached which ends down underneath. You have a high pressure diesel leak, and the diesel is coming down and out underneath where it is picked up by the airstream and blows back. You need to get the leak fixed as soon as possible, because it can only get worse. The diesel leaking and blowing back will eventually coat the underside particularly on the right causing the tank strap rubbers to deteriorate, and also get on to the brakes, and tyres, and will sweep up the back and even cause the rear wiper blade to curl!
When working at Renault I had this a number of times, and one was so bad, we had to replace the rear caliper and pads because of contamination, as well as the tank straps, and rear wiper.
The high pressure area is unfortunately very difficult to get at being buried right back under the front, but you have to find out where it is leaking and possibly replace the defective components. Note, the injection pipes are all done up to a torque and must not be undone, otherwise you have to replace them. It may be a slightly loose high pressure joint, and although these are torqued, you can tighten them once with another few Nm. You should clean the area after work and recheck for further leaks.