Leaking diesel (fuel lift pump?)

[mogindo]

I have a fuel leak, which drips down from around the wadding plug opening. (That is where it drips down to from the top of the block, which the right side is all wet).

The top of the front differential is also very, very wet. I inspected the fuel lift pump and yes its was wet on the bottom, but most concerning is that the entire side of the engine is wet (diesel). I don't think its the injector pump as that's dry on top, bottom and sides.

The area around front injector was a little wet, but after I dried it, it stayed dry.

Could the fuel lift pump leak at the engine block gasket? If not driven the leak is not there, but if I drive around and stop, I can see about 10 drops in first 10 minutes.

Any ideas?

BTW, I live in Indonesia and drive Japan Import '97 Disco TDI 300.
I just finished a tank of subsidized fuel, which can be crappy and filled up with Shell today.
I think it could have been the crappy fuel that has done some damage.

[langy]

One thing to try and then give the engine a wash to confirm:

either:

use small tie wraps on the injector leak off lines where they connect to the injectors.

or

find some Mercedes Benz diesel leak off line to replace them. When it is exposed to diesel it shrinks onto the nipples of the injectors.

The leak off lines do get a bit loose after time

[Blknight.aus]

if the lift pump is leaking diesel out of the block -pump joint STOP driving and check the oil IMMEDIATELY

A fuel pump leaking out of that joint is also contaminating the engine oil with diesel and that will eventually cause a runaway.

There is a drain hole in the bottom of the lift pump that is ment to drain all the diesel out if thats where its leaking from its time to replace or rebuild the lift pump. You're better off replacing it with a facet type fuel pump. Theres plenty of threads about that here.

[rick130]

I'd be having a long, hard look at the fuel spill lines too.

They are a known leak point, and as langy suggested, get some MB hose, often diesel shops will give you a foot for nix.

If it is the lift pump, and it's not coming from a loose fitting/dodgy nipple do as Dave suggested.

[roverrescue]

i recently built up a 300 to replace the flogged one in the defender.
Brand new lift pump
5 hours on the new engine and the pump starts hosing dieso from the crimped join between the upper and lower halves.

On the advice of justin cooper (JC) have changed it out to a delphi pump which seems leak free thus far. He has had several brands leak from new, delphi are the best available.

S

[mogindo]

Thanks everyone.
I think the injector leak off pipes are good, I cleaned it few days ago and they seem to stay dry. I also dried the area right above the pump/engine joint, on the block and after a 100k drive it was wet again. So I assume it must be from somewhere there, or maybe as Roverresc suggested that crimped joint, that would explain why it spits above the pump/engine joint.


What Blknight said is concerning, I think its coming from the joint between the block and the pump, and I certainly don't want diesel contamination in my engine oil.

I will change the pump if I can get one here, but I was going to order one from the U.S. Part ERR5057. Fuel Pump Mounted On Engine (Part # ERR5057) - Land Rover diesel parts from Atlantic British (http://www.roverparts.com/Parts/ERR5057.cfm), I have not idea what type it is. I will go to local LR shop and see if they have the pump here, then I will just swap for new and go from there. New pump wouldn't hurt anyways and its an easy job.

[Blknight.aus]

Save the effort...

remove the mounting plate, seal it up and bolt one of these to it

Facet Fuel Pump External 12V 1 5 4PSI Fitting Kit Included | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/230785818933)

Take the power feed off of the injector pump with a spade jumper

[mogindo]

So it turns out that I was completely wrong about the leak (and Langy and other were right). I washed the engine yesterday and this morning after taking a short ride I looked at it again.
Yap, its the first cylinder leak off line, one going back to the pump. But its plastic, or rather hardened rubber I guess.

Its interesting the way fuel runs down the engine.
Short ride and only front of the engine was wet, that is how I know its that pipe.
Long ride and everything was wet including the fuel lift pump joint.

Thanks all, now I need to get a new leak off pipe, in Indonesia. :)

[rick130]

If you can find a diesel specialist shop, they'll more than likely have the Mercedes Benz fabric braid covered hose.

It's excellent stuff, remove the old Bosch, plastic stuff and simply push the new hose on

[loanrangie]

I just came across this thread and think i have found my leaking diesel problem, in lieu of proper diesel hose could i use 1/8 " fuel line for the return injector leak off to pump line ?

[matti4556]

I went to my local mower repair shop and got some whipper snipper fuel line - pretty fluoro green silicone type stuff - nice firm push on fit and hasn't leaked in 2 years.

[lenleggo]

Save the effort...

remove the mounting plate, seal it up and bolt one of these to it

Facet Fuel Pump External 12V 1 5 4PSI Fitting Kit Included | eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/230785818933)

Take the power feed off of the injector pump with a spade jumper

Hi, thanks for all the great info. I've followed this link and its no longer valid. Any chance you could update your advice please, so I don't order the wrong part :-)

Many thanks

Len