After a quick assessment, Bentley identified that a fuel leakage was occurring near the top of the fuel tank in select models. Pinpointing the underlying cause of this minor leak, however, took from July 2022 to August 2023.
The inquiry revealed that in certain circumstances, the electrical connectors linked to the fuel supply unit inside the fuel tank can become excessively hot. This heat could melt the flange material, subsequently leading to a leak near the tank's top.
The company faced challenges in identifying why the electrical connectors on the fuel supply unit were overheating. Ultimately, they found that when poor-quality fuel is present in the tank and external temperatures are elevated, the rotors of the fuel pump might get obstructed.
In such situations, the vehicle's onboard computer instructs the fuel pump to attempt to clear the obstruction. While this action could free up the rotors, it also places additional stress on the electrical system, potentially causing the fuel supply unit to overheat.
To address this, Bentley has developed an updated kit with a revised flange design that employs larger wiring and connectors to avert any future incidents. As of June, the fuel supply unit's design has been modified, so vehicles manufactured after that point are not affected by this problem.
Nonetheless, the condition could impact 3,527 Bentaygas manufactured between March 2016 and June 2023, spanning the 2017-2023 model years. Bentley has not reported any instances of injuries, fatalities, or accidents associated with this issue. However, fuel leaks pose a fire risk, prompting the recall of the affected vehicles.
Bentley intends to begin contacting owners on September 29 to instruct them to take their Bentayga to an authorized dealer. There, a technician will install the updated kit to mitigate the risk of overheating components.
Source: Carscoops
