Date:         Mon, 16 Mar 1998 14:45:50 EST
Reply-To:     GMBulley <GMBulley@AOL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         GMBulley <GMBulley@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Diesel injector leaking, was: sniveling lurker no more!
Comments: To: kinnes@EARTHLINK.NET, Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

In a message dated 98-03-16 12:05:14 EST, you write:

<<  I noticed a fuel leak.  Seep actually.  Where the fuel line connects with
the injector 3rd from the back (dont know if that is properly numbered 2 or 3)
there is a small amount of fuel that leaks from this connection.  Any quick
fixes? >>

Kevin--

First off, welcome.

My lawyer would be glad I put this in: a warning. NEVER EVER NEVER work on
Deisel injectors or their fittings with your motor running. Your fuel is under
many hundreds of psi of pressure, and your injectors, or a leak from them can
littterally inject fuel through your skin and into your muscle tissue. NO
JOKE. Motor off=no danger. That being said:

There are only three points on each injector that can leak. There is the
center pressurized connection, where you see a steel pipe surrounded by a 15mm
(?) nut, or the two identical overflow pipes, which stick out like ears from
the injector and have black cotton-covered rubber tubes attached.

It is highly unlikely that the center pressure line is leaking but you can
check. There is a special "broken-ring" wrench you should purchase for
tightening these, but if you are careful, you can use a simple open-end box
wrench. You don't need to make these Magilla-Gorilla tight. about 20-25 lb/ft
is good. Anything more and you may ruin the faces on the nut.

More likely, it is one of the little rubber hoses that take to excess fuel
back to the tank. These should be replaced every few years, if you are anal,
like me, (if not, wait for them to spring a leak, and then replace them).
Also, be double sure to replace the end plug you will find on the injector
closest to the timing belt. Buy an extra while you are at the dealer, and
throw it in the glub compartment. All of this tubing is press fit and pretty
self-explanitory. drop a note if you run into trouble.

gmbulley
cary, nc
"Farmers for Fairness = Ponds Full of Hog Feces"