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[Diamond Black Geezer]

Got a nasty leak, but me being me, I happen to have a spare section of fuel line in excellent nick.  Its the metal one right next to the fuel filter - so I'm guessing this is the fuel return pipe.

Having researched, as per a guide on old OOF, it is suggested that I run the engine, then remove fuse 18, which will cause the engine to die after a few secs, but in doing so, drain the lines. That guide refers to changing the fuel filter, though, not the line I wish to replace. This being the return pipe (well, I am assuming the return pipe) as the car's been sat for a day or two without the engine running, would it have drained back to the tank already by now?

Suspect I should just 'go for it' and only a little will pour out, but just wanting to know what to expect / proper procedure before I get potentially dowsed in fuel. Much appreciated, thanks 

[05omegav6]

If it's connected to the filter, it's the feed line... remove the panel in the boot floor before you do anything... could be a leak at the tank fitting running down the pipe, in which case your replacement section won't help...

Even pulling fuse 18 won't drain the lines, so expect some leakage any way. Best way to depressurise the system is at the valve on the fuel rail... it's why it's there

[Diamond Black Geezer]

It's not connected to the fuel filter (well, ok, technically it indirectly is) is the one adjacent to the fuel filter 

Already had the panel out of the boot (after emptying the boot, which contains every single spare component for an Omega I own!) and aside from being very rusty, the steel plate is all in one piece. The leak is definitely there - at the join, damp, with petrol-soaked grit (rust) all around. Should have taken a snap while I was down there. All pipes before and after the leak at the join are bone dry.

Cheers, for the tip regarding fuse 18 - depressurising the system at the fuel rail was my next port of call, if this fuse trick turned out to be a non-starter. 

[05omegav6]

Pulling the fuse works, but the only way to drain the lines is to open them at the lowest point... so expect to get wet regardless of how you depressurise it

The pump runs at about 6.5 bar, the Fuel Pressure Regulator is 3.0? bar on the 3.0 and all running the engine with the pump off achieves is to use up the pressurised fuel in the fuel rail before the FPR. This is because the FPR is located AFTER the injectors, so once the pressure in the rail drops to 2.9 bar, there will be no fuel passing the FPR, so eventually the head of fuel in the return line will settle to a mean level. This will be at the point where the return pipe crosses the front upper corner of the tank.

As a thought, disconnect the smaller fuel pipe from the fuel rail, above #3 plug, and blow down the pipe until you can hear nothing happening. Refit the pipe and carry on... should then only get a dribble from the line when you split it

[Diamond Black Geezer]

Thanks for that. Nice, detailed explanation. Will give that a go tonight -