Diesel leak...

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Tue Aug 30, 2011 1:26 pm

My TXD has decided it's going to start leaving a little patch of diesel when parked up. It's under the sump, fuel pump side. I can't see where it's dripping from but my guess is it's the pump area - under or behind. Is there a fuel return somewhere near that might be leaking a bit? Kermit suggests a in injector leak off pipe, so I'll investigate...

It doesn't drip when the engine's running, but when it stops, it'll drop a few drips. 99% sure it's diesel and not oil.

KevR · Post by **KevR** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 12:18 pm

I would have thought if it's a return pipe, it would only leak when the engine's running. But if it's on the feed side it wouldn't leak when running due to suction in the pipe, but might suck air in through the crack/hole in the pipe.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 4:43 pm

Well, had a good look round today and can't find any leak. Put it up on a ramp briefly (it refused to drip of course - but we could see evidence of a leak on the sump). Thought it could be oil, but subsequent drips do smell of fuel. It still drips after stopping - and I am pretty sure it's diesel. I think I need to get it steam cleaned underneath so when I get it up on a ramp we have a chance.

If, when stopped, I squeeze the bulb, should I hear a faint bubbling as if there is a hole somewhere (though I'm darned if I can locate it!)....?

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 6:26 pm

Sounds like it could be from the injection pump

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 7:19 pm

I was trying not to think about that

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 7:53 pm

I know it's not good news, but should it turn out to be so, at least the car is at home and it's not gushing fuel out hundreds of miles from home.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 8:14 pm

Guess so

So I think it's going to cost a lot in time, money and hassle to fix. Would it be a good idea to get another Bosch pump, overhaul it and fit it (so I don't have a pump-less BX sitting outside for any length of time)?

How quickly/suddenly can they fail (ie get to the 'gushing' phase?!

)

mike22861 · Post by **mike22861** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 8:43 pm

never had one suddenly gush sometimes its wear on the throttle shaft leaks fuel out its more likely to be the injector return pipe thats leaking tho

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 8:53 pm

Like Mike says, the Lucas pumps tend to leak on the throttle spindle and only a little bit. But if they fail on the input shaft like I suspect yours has, they can suddenly gush fuel out at quite a bad rate.
I once went out to change a bosch pump which had blown the seal out from the end of the pump, a local dealer sold him a new seal to fit, but of course it was the wrong size.

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 9:40 pm

Ken, just need to clarify: does "Lucas pumps tend to leak on the throttle spindle and only a little bit. But if they fail on the input shaft like I suspect yours has" apply to the Bosch too?

Mine's got a a Bosch pump. The pump's just been rubbed down with an oily rag here.

Post by **docchevron** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 10:13 pm

Philip Chidlow wrote:Ken, just need to clarify: does "Lucas pumps tend to leak on the throttle spindle and only a little bit. But if they fail on the input shaft like I suspect yours has" apply to the Bosch too?

yes, quite common on Bosch VE pumps.. Easy to fix though!

I assume it's dripping down the front of the sump? Or the cambelt cover end of the sump?

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Wed Aug 31, 2011 10:19 pm

Can the new seal be fitted without removing pump from the car?

Post by **docchevron** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 1:11 am

yep, if you're careful..

citronut · Post by **citronut** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 8:12 am

i have seen the them leak from the seal behind the sprocket, which also can be fixed in situe,

with the lucas pump it was a case of replaceing the pump lid and spindle O ring/s, because when the seal fails the spindle wears the llid,

all the part for this used to be around £14 quid from LSUK,

regards malcolm

Oscar · Post by **Oscar** » Thu Sep 01, 2011 9:52 am

Peter Cross at Rochester City Diesel is a smashing engineer, a nice bloke, and usually happy to help over the phone.

01634 813305

Oscar