Audi produced the 2nd generation A3, a small family car initially released in 1996, from 2003 to 2013. This upgrade to their popular three-door hatchback saw the A3 receive two more doors, a sleeker body design, and a new Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) system that enabled it to run far more powerfully than ever before. Some 2nd generation A3 owners report that their car has problems with leaking fuel.
The clearest place a fuel leak will manifest itself is in puddles of gas or diesel forming underneath the car when it is parked for any amount of time. If the leak is large enough, you might also notice a drop in the car’s fuel economy. While other problems could also be the cause (such as bad spark plugs or cracked engine coils), the relative frequency of problems in the A3’s fuel lines would be a good place to start the diagnosis.
There are two main places from which a fuel leak might stem—obviously, there are other options, but these are the most likely. First, there is the tandem fuel pump cover. Due to bumps, jostles, and other common wear, a bolt on the cover becomes corroded and begins to leak fuel. The second place is in the fuel line leading to the 2nd fuel injector. The diesel A3 uses a Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) system for maximum fuel economy, but sometimes the extreme stress and pressures exerted by the TDI system can cause certain parts to fail.
Many customers report that fitting their fuel pipes with anti-vibration weights eliminates the problem from occurring again. We also recommend taking your car to a nearby Audi repair specialist as soon as possible for a more complete examination.
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