Diesel leak

Relating to fuel tanks, long range, fuel type, fuel filters and other fuel related queries
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DH70
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Diesel leak

Post by DH70 »

This is probably like asking a doctor to diagnose you over the phone, but here goes.
I have diesel dripping from a bracket on the engine block onto the middle of the front dif, not much, but enough to have the diff wet within 3 hours after cleaning the engine. I can't see where it's coming from, any ideas what it could be?
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Alex Roux
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Re: Diesel leak

Post by Alex Roux »

Does it only leak when the engine is running?
Check the clamps on the fuel pipes. Follow the fuel line from the tank to the engine.
I've had a clamp that damaged the pipe and leaked at that point, but only while the engine was running. I.e. while there was pressure from the pump towards the engine.
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Re: Diesel leak

Post by DH70 »

Alex, not sure, will clean diff tonight after parking in garage and check tomorrow morning.
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Re: Diesel leak

Post by DH70 »

Still clean this morning, so it's happening when engine runs.
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Alex Roux
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Re: Diesel leak

Post by Alex Roux »

Donnie

Just to be clear I am no expert at this, but I would suggest:

Get an old T shirt on, get under neath the car (at least Patrols have die clearance to make this possible), and follow the fuel line. Especially in the vicinity of where you saw the drops. Then ask somone to start the engine, while you hold a little torch up. It could be as simple as a clamp that cut the pipe.

At least it is diesel, a petrol leak can make you VERY nervous.
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Re: Diesel leak

Post by ricster »

Can you put a few pics up from different angles of the motor?

If the motor runs and drives with the same amount of power and is as smooth as a TD42 motor can be, then I'm thinking that it will be a return line from the injectors back to the tank. I say this assuming it is quite a serious leak which if on the inlet side of things, will reduce the diesel pressure going into the injector pump and or injectors. I doubt very much that it is a leak from the injector pump to the injectors as that is under a much higher pressure, but stranger things have happened.

Like Alex said, get under the motor and follow the fuel lines from the tank to the filter and then to the IP. Also check from the spill rail ( the small metal tube thingy that connects all 6 injectors together ) as this sends the unused diesel back to the fuel tank. There is also a small rubber hose if I recall that connects the spill rail to the return pipe to the IP ( which will via the IP send the unused diesel back to the tank ). Age and heat could have degraded that piece of pipe causing a leak. This small pipe is a little tricky to see, as it fits in between the intake manifold ( between no 3 and no 4 cylinders if I recall ) and connects to the top near the back of the injector pump

This is the pipe I'm talking about....
31082010767.jpg
31082010767.jpg (207.14 KiB) Viewed 7501 times
And this is where it fits onto the IP.....
1.jpg
1.jpg (475.05 KiB) Viewed 7501 times
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Re: Diesel leak

Post by DH70 »

Followed Ricster's advice, but there's no leaks visible. (can't load pics, even via flickr)
Got underneath with motor running as Alex suggested, can't see anything.
Next stop....mechanics.
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Re: Diesel leak

Post by ricster »

:confused: :confused: :confused: .....hmmmm... you got me stumped bud !!

Keep us posted as to what the mechanics recon.
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Re: Diesel leak

Post by Grant »

The reason for the leak is the Patrol is letting you know that you need to stop driving like a granny and give it gas. :rolling: :woo:
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if you were never young and crazy
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Re: Diesel leak

Post by DH70 »

:biggrin: I give it heaps of gas, but it still drives like a granny. Maybe I must drive the clutch more and keep the revs in the red to simulate faster driving.
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