Leak around common rail

[Stevo69]

Hi,

Looking for help. I own a 2009 Avensis 2.0 litre diesel. I have recently found that once the engine has warmed up, there are quite strong fumes within the cabin, coming through the ventilation system. I did replace the cabin air filter but this made no difference. Looking around the engine compartment, I have noticed that the sponge material beneath the common rail is saturated with diesel. It also looks like the spillage has seeped further down the engine block.I cannot pinpoint a particular leakage point, all nuts appear tight. Anyone any previous experience of this or what the problem may be?

[Duggerz]

From what you've said it sounds like you're on the right track. Once the engine block is hot the diesel will vapourise and it only needs a small amount to cause quite a stink. Having said that, the fan intake sits in a plenum behind the bonnet and should be sealed off by a rubber strip and it's worth checking that's in place because if not fumes would be able to get into the cabin. For the fault itself, have you run the engine with the cover off after wiping down the rail then checking for evidence of a leak? Even at idle the issue in the rail will be plenty enough to express the fault.

[Stevo69]

Thanks Duggerz.  I left the engine running today with the bonnet up and the cover off. Once the engine had reached its normal temperature, I turned on the air circulation and could clearly smell the fumes in the cabin. Could this be pointing to something other than a leak in the area of the common rail?  It is quite awkward to get everything wiped clean around the common rail, but i'll give that a go and check for leaks. I dont think there are any leaks on the fuel lines to/from the common rail.  Could it be leaking at either end of the common rail (around the pressure sensor)? Is there a reason for the sponge/absorption material beneath the common rail?