Freaky Diesel Leakey:(

[philmeup1]

Hello everyone,

It's been a while since I've been on here. Things have been pretty quiet I guess. Well, until recently.....

I have a 1993 Super Exceed that I've owned for almost 8 years now. I had problems with fuel leaks in the past, and so for I've had both fuel tanks refurbished with a new fuel sender and a fuel pick-up on the rear. My mechanic has replaced some of the lines as well. Everything was good until a couple of days ago.

I started my van and let it run for 10 minutes before leaving for work. I could smell diesel and noticed a spot of fuel (about the same diameter as a pie plate)where my van was parked. I drove it to work and left it for the day. Upon leaving, I notice there's no leak this time around, even after letting it warm up for several minutes. So I go home and park it back in my driveway for the night. The next morning I go out to check for a leak, and nothing. I start the van and let it warm up, and when I come back out, it's leaking once again. So I go to work, leave it for the day, and when I come out, no leak. I start the van and let it warm up for several minutes, still no leak.

So I call my mechanic to discuss this perplexing issue the van's having. He suggested possibly a return line that's worn, or possibly bypass hoses?? He's already replaced most of them. I had the injector pump rebuilt, but that was about 6 years ago now. Maybe it's leaking again? Regardless, why is this leak so sporadic? Whatever it is, shouldn't it either be leaking all the time or not at all?? Even if it was only when the engines running, it doesn't seem to be leaking every time I run the engine.

So I thought I'd put the question on here to see if there's something common that might be the issue. When it was leaking the other morning, it was up at the engine I think around where the injector pump lives. More on the left passenger side and in line with where the front tires are. The van is running fantastically right now, but the leak kinda sucks. Diesel stinks and is so pernicious.

Anyway, that's the story for today. I hope everyone is safe and well. Any input is greatly appreciated:)

Cheers,

Phil

[philmeup1]

I know my post on this is quite ambiguous, and I've done a bit more research. I fired the van up the other day when it was very cold outside. After a few minutes it started leaking again. diesel was dripping off of the drive shaft and on to the ground. My guess is that possibly the injector pump is leaking until it warms up and the seals expand.

Of course, I'm not a mechanic, and a wannabe at the best of times. It seems quiet on here these days, however, if anyone wants to offer their opinion, I'm all ears.

Cheers,

Phil

[deskinthewoods]

Hey Phil,
If you have a UV light (I picked up a small UV flashlight at Princess Auto) you’ll be able to see the leak more easily in the dark. Diesel glows bright green, like antifreeze.

I’ve also heard some spray foot powder on areas in question and you’ll see the tracks after a short run.

When my injector pump started leaking it was the big o-ring behind the big nut centred in amongst the injector tubes.

If it’s quite a lot coming down and the engine still runs well I’d guess the return hose from the IP or the return hose from the injectors.

Hope you track it down!

[philmeup1]

Thanks for the reply deskinthewoods.

I had to fire up the van and move it for snow removal today, and it didn't leak at all. I'm just going to keep monitoring it and perhaps get a UV light as you've suggested. I'll also look at those fuel lines with my mechanic. I think you're right that it's probably one of these things. I had the injector pump rebuilt, but that was about 7 years ago. I'm not sure how long it should go before needing another rebuild. More recently I've had to do lots of work on my fuel tanks (both resealed now) with a new fuel pickup on top of the rear tank and some of the fuel lines repaired.

I feel I'm getting closer to the cause. Thanks for your help and advice:) I'll post on here if I get anywhere else with this intermittent problem.

Cheers,

Phil

[GreyDC]

I'm just curious if you found out where the leak is coming from.

[TardisDeli]

Hiya Phil. Good to see you are still Delica-ing!!

Are you sure leak is diesel? Usual common leak is oil from turbo, drips down onto shaft, then runs along shaft and drips down (or flies backwards under vehicle when driving). Or ... again with oil, when idling engine too long (i.e: camping with fear of engine not starting in the morning), the pressure of the oil in the engine system pushes oil out which drips down).

I know there is a teeny tiny o-ring (size of my girly baby finger) at base of IP pump, rubber dies with age, Delica would run a bit rough-er as now air can get in.

Would it help you wedge bits of cardboard throughout engine area (not in fan blade area!!) to see where fluid is dripping from (ie under IP injector).

Cheers, Christine.

[philmeup1]

I'm just reading this now, lol. I haven't been on here in months. And my van hasn't been leaking in months as well. Perhaps it has something to do with the cold weather? I haven't driven it much as I started a new job, and all I do is work now.

Anyway, thanks for your input. I'm still loving the van as it's been such a fantastic vehicle over my nine years of ownership. I'm hoping to keep it for many more years to come

[GreyDC]

Hiya Phil. Good to see you are still Delica-ing!!

Are you sure leak is diesel? Usual common leak is oil from turbo, drips down onto shaft, then runs along shaft and drips down (or flies backwards under vehicle when driving). Or ... again with oil, when idling engine too long (i.e: camping with fear of engine not starting in the morning), the pressure of the oil in the engine system pushes oil out which drips down).

I know there is a teeny tiny o-ring (size of my girly baby finger) at base of IP pump, rubber dies with age, Delica would run a bit rough-er as now air can get in.

Would it help you wedge bits of cardboard throughout engine area (not in fan blade area!!) to see where fluid is dripping from (ie under IP injector).

Cheers, Christine.

My buddy is looking at this Delica with an intermittent leaking issue. The current owner suspects it's the turbo. We'll take a closer look soon after we finished installing the new tires and xd wheels on the truck.

[Furi]

Hey Phil,
If you have a UV light (I picked up a small UV flashlight at Princess Auto) you’ll be able to see the leak more easily in the dark. Diesel glows bright green, like antifreeze.

I’ve also heard some spray foot powder on areas in question and you’ll see the tracks after a short run.

When my injector pump started leaking it was the big o-ring behind the big nut centred in amongst the injector tubes.

If it’s quite a lot coming down and the engine still runs well I’d guess the return hose from the IP or the return hose from the injectors.

Hope you track it down!

Would return hose from the IP or the return hose from the injectors seal up and stop the leak when the engine/IP warms up?

[deskinthewoods]

I wouldn’t think so. I don’t think those lines/hoses would warm up significantly as the fuel running through them wouldn’t get very hot. Maybe if the leak was only on really cold winter days?

[Furi]

I wouldn’t think so. I don’t think those lines/hoses would warm up significantly as the fuel running through them wouldn’t get very hot. Maybe if the leak was only on really cold winter days?

Temps are moderate. There is a lot of fuel leak which I would imagine would cause a bad start, but engine turns over at first crank. It also happened suddenly so my thought was the return line, or something similar. But your right; hoses probably won't seal as everything heats up. Baby powdered what I could and left side and the back nozzles/center plug stay dry so believe its coming from the right side; which has very little visibility unfortunately.

Access/visibility from bottom is also limited but could see the drops coming from bottom right back of the block with the nozzles and center plug. So figuring fuel sliding down right side and dripping from the bottom. Anything else on the right that could leak that much and not effect the operation of the pump? This is on an L400. Had a leak on my previous L300 which I narrowed down to center plug and was an easy fix.

[deskinthewoods]

I can’t think of anything off hand (it was a couple years ago I did the rebuild) but my guess is it may be time to just pull it and rebuild it.

It’s a project to do it but I managed following https://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/ve- ... 17456.html and extra guidance from @growlerbearnz. MARK EVERYTHING!!! Every screw and orientation!!! (Though if I had the money I’d consider paying someone to do it, but I think you like to wrench some yourself)

[Furi]

Planning on doing the whole pump... just wanted to buy some time. And as much as I like to get my hands dirty, resealing the pump is a bit beyond my comfort level. Specially since I might get on the road with her...

It is a pickle though. Its not the return line. And leak doesn't effect starting, and engine runs smooth. Which kind of tells me it must be from a seal that is not part of the pressurized flow of fuel from the tank to IP to nozzles. Otherwise it would suck in air. Question is which seal would fit that description? From the location of the drip I would guess its this seal. But no way I can confirm as its right next to the engine with 0 visibility.

VEschemAltComp8-leak.jpg (52.4 KiB) Viewed 6312 times

[deskinthewoods]

So, I guess, get a rebuild kit (not expensive) and maybe pull the pump and just replace that oring? Seems an easy one once the pump is out.

GB said to remove the bracket from the engine, not the IP from the bracket, and that will preserve the timing setting.

[Furi]

Yea. Been looking at some videos to remove the pump. Seems bit of work and I don't have the space to do it... and since its out, and I'm not 100% sure that is the seal that is leaking, mind as well do the whole pump. So I'm back to holding off til I can get the whole pump resealed by a pro!!! Meanwhile no short drives for her...