Newbie introduction - Bought '83 F250 and broke down on the way home

[8ball]

Hello all,

First I wanted to say thank you to all of you who have created this place. I've done quite a bit of reading here as a guest, and I found what I thought was a pretty good deal on a 1983 6.9 truck.

Truck performed very well on test drive and inspection, no major issues at all. However, on the way home I began to notice blueish smoke and noticeable fuel loss (could tell on the fuel guage). Stopped to check and fuel is pouring from the triangle shaped cover on the pass side of the IP. POURING. I could see that part of the gasket was blown out.

Is it even worth the effort to reseal this side cover, or is it an internal seal on the IP that has blown and will continue to leak no matter what? Owner claimed that the IP was less than a year old and had less than 6K miles on it.

Thanks in advance,
8ball

 

[MIDNIGHT RIDER]

Others more knowledgable will know for certain, but I figure that particular seal is external and easily replaced; but then, how would I know, all of my engines have Bosch pumps.


That being said, what type of fuel lift-pump is on this truck, stock mechanical or aftermarket electric ??

The reason I ask is that, if the pump is electric, then there is a possibility that it is over-pressuring the injector-pump and thus the seal blowing out.

If that be the case, it also is in danger of pushing fuel past the main pump seal and into the crank-case oil.

 

[lindstromjd]

What part of Arkansas are you in?

 

[8ball]

SW Arkansas, Nashville.

I suppose it wouldnt be that big of a deal to slap a new gasket on it and see what happens, but I read somewhere that a fuel leak as bad as mine is indicative of an internal IP seal failure, and that nothing will keep the pressurized fuel from finding an outlet.

I'm a newbie to diesel engines, but I'm OK on most other things mechanical. Might find a suitable piece of gasket material and go from there. Just wanted to see if there are any of you who have had a similar experience.

Lift pump is stock, as far as I know. Truck looks pretty unmolested except for a push button GP mod.

 

[TWeatherford]

Definitely throw a seal in there and see what happens. I've never heard of a failing ip blowing that seal out. Not saying it couldn't be the case.

 

[LCAM-01XA]

My guess is that the PO messed w/ the fuel screw and tore the gasket for the cover in the process, likely upon reassembly. Way I do this job is I loosen the bottom bolt only halfway out (if even that), then unscrew the top bolt only till it lets go of the pump but is still threaded in the gasket - the let the cover swing down and hang by the semi-loose bottom bolt, when done messing w/ the fuel screw just swing the cover back up and carefully screw the upper bolt (which at this point is still held in place in the cover by that gasket) back into the IP and lightly tighten first it and then the bottom bolt of the cover. I'm yet to lose a bolt or damage a gasket using this method.

 

[icanfixall]

That side cover is a rubber material for good reason. Any gasket material that might break off from that will ruin the injection pump. So make sure you replace it with like gasket. Any good injection pump repair shop wil have that gasket. Or get one from any Ford or chevy diesel in the wrecking yards near you. They are all the same pump. Just on differant engines. Be sure to keep it clean when you open this cover. Some fuel will spill out and restarting will take some cranking to purge the air ... Don't crank longer than 20 seconds with a 2 minute wait for starter cool down. The bolt head size is 1/4 inch. Sometimes it helps to crack open a couple of injecter lines so the trapped air can purge quicker. Also hold the throttle wide open so more fuel is pumped thru the system. After the gasket is replaced the engine will probably fire up and die out. Thats the trapped air in the pump. No worry. Just crank it for 20 seconds and see if it fires but let it rest to cool down the starter. If it wont fire the next cranking time then crack open the lines to the injecters that are easy to reach. Don't get your hands near the cracked open lines when its cranking or running because that around 1800 lbs of diesel squirting out. Getting that under your skin may cause the loss of a finger or hand.. Or worse... Death... Its not going to shoot out 6 or 12 inches either. Its just dangerous being closer than that to it.

 

[79jasper]

I second what LCAM-O1XA said. Because when I turned mine up I didn't get the gasket right and it leaked fuel like crazy.

 

[lindstromjd]

SW Arkansas, Nashville.

I'm up in Jacksonville, if you ever need help with anything.

 

[8ball]

Any reason I couldn't make a new gasket out of a piece of inner tube? No one around here (RURAL Arkansas) can get just the one seal, the few yards around here don't have any diesels, and I'd rather not spend $30 on a seal kit if I can make one out of a piece of inner tube I already have.

Thanks for the help, guys. You're making me feel a whole bunch better about my IP prognosis.

 

[icanfixall]

The inner tube material may work for a short time but I sure would get what belongs on there. Please don't use any sealant there. That surely will get into the pump and ruin it..

 

[riotwarrior]

I don't know I'd not want to try inner tube in case the fuel degrades that material and causes internal pump issues. You have no recourse then but to replace the pump as you are contaminating it internally.

PM Mel here or phone Mel at Conestoga Diesel and maybe he can get one priority post out to ya.

If it was a get home from back deep in woods, yes I'd use a inner tube for that drive then park truck...LIFE over limb...or truck situation. Otherwise daily driver fix...NO WAY! rubber gets all gummy n breaks down and that surely is not something I want in my IP let alone yours!

 

[Knuckledragger]

I agree with Al about the rubber, but there are other possibilities that may present themselves, such as a soft plastic inner liner in a bottlecap or the corner of your wife's cutting sheet for sewing. I never said that.

Anyway, finding something that will not decay under the presence of diesel oil should not be much trouble in our plastic age.

 

[hesutton]

Did the previous ower say where he got the pump from? Worried he may have gotten a bad rebuild.

Mel at Conestoga Diesel should have that part. Give 'em a call.

Heath

 

[8ball]

Fixed!!

That little side cover gasket was the issue (so far, at least). The super genius, knows everything about everything parts guy in town was able able to get me a pair of gaskets. $3 for gaskets and $7 shipping. The old gasket was almost gooey - it came apart like wet newspaper after I pulled it off. I did make sure to get every bit of it off before installing the new gasket. Got it back together, charged up the batteries, and fired her up. No leaks!

Thanks so much for the help, guys.