Wife smelled some diesel fuel fumes in the garage tonight. I pulled the cover off the motor and immediately noticed some yellowing against the straps on the lines, and some pooling on the top of the filter.





I'm probably going to take it to my indy or the dealer to address...but should I tow, or should I drive it there?

Do these things turn catastrophic?

 

This is quite common and you should not be immediately concerned. It needs to get fixed, but it is a low pressure fuel line and diesel is generally non- combustible even if the hose becomes undone/ cracks.

I have never seen this become "catastrophic".

 

Yep, not that bid of a deal. I had a leak there for a couple weeks before I fixed it. Cracked fuel line.

 

I had a hard to find leak from new on return line above steering column. It was enough of a leak I could smell it after parking it, but then dissipated. It took 40k miles and almost three years and I finally found it to show the service advisor. It does not take much diesel to stink for sure.

 

A little late but any exhaust component is hotter than diesel flash point. I don't know exactly the flow path this leak will take but fix it now. Could it get turbo, cat, i.e., hot stuff? Maybe. I have seen equipment roast from this.
It wouldn't surprise me too much if the next step is government mandated "not combustable" diesel but for now, drive the car to get it repaired only.