Thread: Diesel Leak II

Hi All,

Now that I have a few days to wait for replacement pipes, I was wondering what is the recommended 'bush mechanic' fix for the situation of a broken injector pipe if you were in the middle of nowhere?

In a moment of rash thinking, I considered trying to kink the end of the broken pipe to block it off, so we could limp along on 3 cylinders to a bigger town. Fortunately I thought a bit more about it and remembered that liquids are not compressible. If I'd managed to kink the pipe, the pump would have been dead-headed and something else would have busted - perhaps my near new distributor head seals??

A better idea would be to run a plastic tube to a collection bottle and empty that back into the tank from time to time. But it seems a better way would be to tube the broken pipe into the return line to the tank or perhaps the inlet side of the filter.

But it also seems this would need some fittings to be made up to do the teeing-in? And given this seems to be a very rare failure, is it worth making preparations for such a work-around? Watchafink?

A stick of Knead-It would see you going..

We did this on a mates SD33T years ago and the repair was still going strong 3 years later when he sold it...

So long as its only one i jector on a tdi or suzi..

Use a bit of hose and attach the snapped injector line to the spill lines. You may need to rearrange thr injectors or at least the spill banjos to allow you to do it. I wouldnt want to drivr far or fast but it works on the series diesel. You and also remake the lines with normal.copper and olives but you may kill the injector. They dont last forever

Then tweak the valves (if you can) so the exhast valve never completely closes and the I let valve opens late and closes early (exhaust valve adjustment tight inlet as loose as you can get it preferable remove the pushrod)

Originally Posted by Leo109

Hi All,

Now that I have a few days to wait for replacement pipes, I was wondering what is the recommended 'bush mechanic' fix for the situation of a broken injector pipe if you were in the middle of nowhere?

In a moment of rash thinking, I considered trying to kink the end of the broken pipe to block it off, so we could limp along on 3 cylinders to a bigger town. Fortunately I thought a bit more about it and remembered that liquids are not compressible. If I'd managed to kink the pipe, the pump would have been dead-headed and something else would have busted - perhaps my near new distributor head seals??

A better idea would be to run a plastic tube to a collection bottle and empty that back into the tank from time to time. But it seems a better way would be to tube the broken pipe into the return line to the tank or perhaps the inlet side of the filter.

But it also seems this would need some fittings to be made up to do the teeing-in? And given this seems to be a very rare failure, is it worth making preparations for such a work-around? Watchafink?

Thanks Tombie & Dave,

I've used Knead -it many times and know it bl**dy good stuff but I didn't think Knead-it (or ordinary copper tube for that matter) would handle injector pressures. Would have been pretty hard to do too - the break is right at the injector nut.

The sheared pipe is about 6mm OD and 1mm ID - 2.5mm wall thickness. If that's what's needed to contain the pressure, I thought copper tube would split immediately - but I defer to the knowledge and experience of you guys.

Dave, is the valve tweaking to reduce the compression and pumping power used by the dead cylinder?

the copper doesnt last forever, the bodge I did it for didnt need to make it past 500Km. I made up a second line ready to go if the first one failed and never heard back so I assumed it made it and worked ok. It held up for the test for me so that was good enough to let it go on the advise of take it slow and easy and it should make it.

Yes, keeping the exhaust open and restricting the inlet is all about reducing the pumping losses of the disabled piston.


if the break is right at the injector nut dont fret, just grab another 1/4 or 6mm brass olive, clean the end of the metal pipe and reassemble it by flexing the pipes in the middle.

you can see me doing pretty much this in the repair I had to do on fozzy for the CCCCC trip on the way up when I blew an injector line out of an olive. if you read up one of my reviews there.

All sent today express aus post ian, should see them shortly! Sent the whole set still clamped together ☺☺☺

Jc

Originally Posted by Leo109

courtesy, I must say, of a well-known and benevolent AULRO luminary.

By the way, did I mention that the AULRO luminary is the illustrious J.C.? Many thanks mate

Hey not a problem mate the least i can do. You continue to deliver great service to us while you 2 are travelling and working this great country . Would be great to finally see you guys again. I still relate the story of how and where we actually met in person!!! ☺

(Oh by the way. Neither paul or i have ever seen a tdi injector line broken. After all the years and countless vehicles wr have worked on...not 1. Ever.You are just so special right now....����)

Jc