Help! Diesel Fuel Leaking. Replace injector pump gasket?

[cbird]

I recently converted my L300 to burn veggie oil. I then drove 1800 kms north on the stuff. I am now in fort nelson and far far away from any delica mechanics. When I got here (or perhaps on the way) It started leaking oil from the injector pump. I looked at the pump and tried to figure out where exactly the leak was. It seems to be coming from a gasket between the top and the bottom of the pump. The gasket (and pump head) is held in place by four allen key screws.

As I am so far away from a delica mechanic I am going to try to do it myself. How hard is it to replace this gasket? Where can I get this gasket? Is there anything that I should be particularly mindful of when I attempt this?

If anyone has a step by step account of how to get at these allen screws please post it.

Please help!!

[FalcoColumbarius]

Here's what your IP looks like on the bench: A visit to CVI for the Injector Pump & the Master Cylinder.

It's a VI injector pump. You will find the manual for it in"L300 Delica Downloads". I would be inclined to find an IP shop if you can't find a trust-worthy diesel mechanic. The seals are particularly dedicated.

Falco.

[TardisDeli]

Since CVI does many IP rebuilds, you might consider phoning Butch there 604-270-0500 Monday to Friday 10 am to 5pm. He might be able to mail you the rebuild kit of various parts, or mail you a rebuilt IP for you just to pop in.

Also, Glen at CC Autos on the Island is a favourite Guru Phone - 1 250 954 2157 email - ccautos@telus.net web ccautos.ca

Or John at Rocky Mountain Imports mails parts to everyone across Canada can send you parts, and might know who is nearby you. Toll Free 1-800-921-4JDM (4536)
Phone: 1-250-886-4900 (Victoria) . email rockymountainimportsltd@gmail.com web rockymountainimports.net

I recall from the open house display that there are a couple parts that are easy to re-install upside down (sort of springy pins etc) they fit just fine but then dont work properly. Be very careful opening it up, as those parts must be put back exactly (deep concentration and a clean work bench to lay out each part exactly in the direction it was removed is needed).

If it is just a gasket, and I think there are several on the ip, Veg oil often helps swell the gaskets so they leak less, but since you're already doing that then this isnt a helpful hint. There are gasket rejuvenators but they are usually just an oil also. There is a tiny o ring on the bottom about a half inch across, looks like a typical small oring, that can be replaced without opening up the ip, maybe try that one.

Did you have the IP rebuilt when you got it? If so they shouldnt have died if you're just running veg oil and diesel. Have you been adding biodiesel or alcohols or other flammable things or solvents or anti-gelling agents, which can break down gaskets. Another idea, try removing the lines to and from the IP, then turn the ignition key a few times to pump thru (yeah, messy, do it over a gravel area), sometimes a bit of crud get stuck in there, which can increase the pressure as system tries to pump crud thru and might cause too much pressure on the fittings. Same with fuel filter, crud in lines.

Typical symptoms of leaky gaskets are hard to start in morning (cough cough shudder), lots of black smoke when accelerating up hill, because of too much air in system. But they do start. Many of us drove around with leaky IP's and oozy oily covered engines for months until discovering the CVI leaky ip fix. Is your leak bad enuf that you can't start, if so, am wondering if you have other problems. I wrote a long troubleshooting guide in response to "norther ontario - cold/no start" (note no N at end of norther). I can repost it here if you want.

I am happy to phone around to source parts for you if needed.
Good Luck, Christine.

[cbird]

Thanks for all the information. I have figured out that it is probably just the gasket between the top and bottom of the pump. The van runs like a top (it has a couple hiccups when she first starts up). I also loose my fuel prime when she isn't running so i have to pump the fuel pump before fireing her up. I am far far north right now so i think that I am going to have to replace it myself.

[TardisDeli]

Yup, that sounds exactly like a leaky IP, when it loses fuel pressure so you need to pump it a bit before starting after you have left it for 8 hours or so (due to air / fuel leaking hence the pressurized system is no longer pressurized) not NOTE it should start OK if you have had it off only for a short time (half hour or so). And many people just drive around like that as they think thats what diesels do. Even a very minor leak looks horrible underneath, so don't be alarmed by appearance of oily crud under the engine, its only when you actually get a couple tablespoons on the ground that it is a crisis. You may be finding it more noticeable in cold weather (veg oil gets thicker ... I don't add veg into my system if the weather might go below 10 degrees celcius, so I havent started running veg yet this year (I don't have the heated system nor purge arrangements, I just pour it directly in with my diesel).

Another frequent leak spot is at the back of the engine cover, at the gasket, but in the back where you cant reach it there is a HALFMOON scoop shape in the gasket, about an inch or 2 in diameter, the bottom of the halfmoon curve often leaks, just squeeze some liquid gasket goop there.

Do try my hint to undo the fuel in and out lines, only takes a minute, and just expel a couple spoonfuls of fuel as it does help (especially coughing). Another major help is changing the air filter as Delica really needs a clean filter (often people think the IP is bad, as the idle is very rough at all times, when merely the air filter is partly clogged).

Take Care, Christine.

[cbird]

Fixed! I took the top off and put gasket maker on the connection along with the old gasket and no more leaks. I hope it stays that way. Thanks for all the help.

[after oil]

[dr_airtime]

Just picked up used 91 Delica Chamonix in great condition.

Only flag from CVI inspection was that IP is leaking. Haven't investigated extent of leak but I think not major. Have been reading about issue exensively on these forums. I am going to try a couple tanks with Engine Leak Stop additive added to fuel tank, then a couple 1/3 WVO-2/3 Diesel tanks to swell the seals. Both discussed here previoulsy on Delica.ca I also am going to do fuel filter very soon and wanted to try the seafom-in-the-new-fuel filter trick I read about to clean the injectors.

I've heard Seafoam can damage seals so I'm wondering if I should hold-off on Seafoam until I can confirm I've stopped the IP leak with the Engine Leak Stop-WVO treatment

What are everyone's thoughts on the following schedule assuming full tanks?:

Tank 1: Diesel + bottle of Engine Leak Stop
Tank 2: Diesel + bottle of Engine Leak Stop
Tank 3: 1/3 WVO-2/3 Diesel
Tank 4: 1/3 WVO-2/3 Diesel
Tank 5: 100% Diesel. Move WVO out of system.
Tank 6: Change Fuel Filter. Fill new filter with Seafoam, plus add can of Seafoam to tank. Fill remainder with Diesel.
Tank 7: 100% diesel, etc. going forward.

[psilosin]

The engine stop leak trick is popular with the Hilux Surf crowd. The usual method is to wait until you are down below 1/4tank of diesel left, then add 2 bottles of stop leak and drive until almost empty before filling back up with more diesel. Works pretty good but it is temporary...will likely need to repeat within a few months.