Fuel leak issue, any ideas folks?
Discussion
Strange one this......
Merc 250d... Running nicely on 75% diesel to veg oil, that is until today.
The car was reticent to start, so duty garage called out who diagnosed a fuel starvation issue, needed pulling through. So, whilst I turned it over, recovery chap cracked number 2 injector. Car starts and all is well.
However, after a trip to tesco's of about 5 miles I notice a fuel leak dripping from underneath. Previously the engine bay was absolutely bone dry, no leaks at all. I can see number 2 injector leaking, so I loosened it off, put the metal pipe back in correctly and tightented the 14 mil nut.
Following a test drive, it still leaked, so I called the same garage out to have a look presuming it was something that happened as a result of the previous call out.
However, he diagnosed that it was leaking from the rear of the injector pump. Now......this seems very coincidental.
Is there any reason why this could have happened? or could it be fuel pooling somewhere? Literally the nearside bank of the engine is covered in fuel and a not too healthy drip comes out from the lowest point now.
Can anyone shed any light? could it be forcing pressure through the pump have popped an o ring?
Any help appreciated as I'm pulling my hair out.
Merc 250d... Running nicely on 75% diesel to veg oil, that is until today.
The car was reticent to start, so duty garage called out who diagnosed a fuel starvation issue, needed pulling through. So, whilst I turned it over, recovery chap cracked number 2 injector. Car starts and all is well.
However, after a trip to tesco's of about 5 miles I notice a fuel leak dripping from underneath. Previously the engine bay was absolutely bone dry, no leaks at all. I can see number 2 injector leaking, so I loosened it off, put the metal pipe back in correctly and tightented the 14 mil nut.
Following a test drive, it still leaked, so I called the same garage out to have a look presuming it was something that happened as a result of the previous call out.
However, he diagnosed that it was leaking from the rear of the injector pump. Now......this seems very coincidental.
Is there any reason why this could have happened? or could it be fuel pooling somewhere? Literally the nearside bank of the engine is covered in fuel and a not too healthy drip comes out from the lowest point now.
Can anyone shed any light? could it be forcing pressure through the pump have popped an o ring?
Any help appreciated as I'm pulling my hair out.
Edited by silverback mike on Thursday 9th December 19:42
I had a neighbour with a very old diesel Transit (Bosch pump?) that sprang a leak after getting air in the derv line. A seal on the body of the pump gave way. I wonder if the drying effect of air on old viton/rubber seals when it was parked a few days after running out of fuel may have had the seals crack in the air inside?
To be quite honest we didnt see eye to eye about much so I never ofered to have a go at it, thus never did find out what caused the leak but as he kept it on the road with the leak for a year or so I dont suppose it caused him any serious trouble
Caused the rest of us some though, where the derv used to drip on the tarmac there is still a small hole on a bigger patch of very rough tarmac
Any way, the pump can have a seal or gasket failure aided by the "messing about" effect of cracking the pipe joint to remove air too
or a hairline crack on the pipe, if it is a cracked pipe you will see the spray when the engine operates.
If it is ferrfukksake do not put your fingers anywhere near to attempt to find out where the leak comes from, derv fires through that pipe under immense pressure, it could cut your finger (OFF!
) if it hits yoour skin
(my very cheap money is on a leaky seal)
To be quite honest we didnt see eye to eye about much so I never ofered to have a go at it, thus never did find out what caused the leak but as he kept it on the road with the leak for a year or so I dont suppose it caused him any serious trouble
Caused the rest of us some though, where the derv used to drip on the tarmac there is still a small hole on a bigger patch of very rough tarmac
Any way, the pump can have a seal or gasket failure aided by the "messing about" effect of cracking the pipe joint to remove air too
or a hairline crack on the pipe, if it is a cracked pipe you will see the spray when the engine operates.
If it is ferrfukksake do not put your fingers anywhere near to attempt to find out where the leak comes from, derv fires through that pipe under immense pressure, it could cut your finger (OFF!
) if it hits yoour skin(my very cheap money is on a leaky seal)
Mike,
Post the question here
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/index.php
Someone's bound to have an idea.
Best of luck
Nigel
Post the question here
http://www.mbclub.co.uk/index.php
Someone's bound to have an idea.
Best of luck
Nigel
Could be you have just run out of luck. Bio fuels are more acidic and naturally lower in lubricity. Engines designed to burn something like B85 will use different seal material. Whatever the score if the high pressure pump is leaking and it isn't obviously some of the spigots/ nuts being loose I think it will be new pump time. I would try and find a pump specialist and see what they can do for you as a new once will be a lot.
Try here http://www.vegetableoildiesel.co.uk/ some merc/veg oil experts.
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