Finding the IP Leak

[InTheDogHouse]

Hey All, Have a diesel leak on top of the motor and can't find extactly WHERE it's coming from. Looks like the side plunger has issues, but then the rear injector lines also look wet. Please look at the pics and let me know what YOU think. Thanks for your time.

P.S. Engine is in an RV that has 43K original miles but was sitting unused for many years - if that helps any. Thanks again!

 

[timothyr1014]

I cant tell too much from the photos (probably cuz I am just sick of fuel system probs this week), but where is the fuel showing up?

I have found that generally an IP leak you will find fuel in the valley pan, where as if its thee return lines or the injectors you will find duel in the GP cups. My usual method of finding leaks is to fill the fuel filter with ATF, pull the air cleaner assembly and FSS power wire and have someone crank it....the red of the atf will create a trail thats easier to follow than diesel (and it cleans up the fuel system a bit too)

 

[idi traveler]

That looks more like horse power sweat than fuel leaks. I think timothyr1014 has a good idea. You might degrease everything and try the atf trick. But I wish my engine looked that dry.

 

[plywood]

Still, you were working on this mooooooonths ago.

Hard to tell from pictures, kind of looks like oil being blown back by the fan in some places.

Back to work yet???

 

[InTheDogHouse]

Great memory plywood! Yeah, I thought I had it licked back in December. Started leaking again recently on our first trip in the RV. Engine still runs great, just don't like the random puddles of diesel fuel that collect underneath. They seem to be warning me of a future failure.

Gonna spray the valley pan/IP/etc. with Gunk, hose it off and let dry. Then put cardboard underneath and see if I can locate the leak. Might be something easy, eh?

If there is ever a failure, I DID buy a rebuilt pump from Pensacola back in December as well as a return line kit that I carry with me in the RV just in case. Still, don't want to have to do an emergency swap while on the road as my first experience with the IP.

Thank again for remembering plywood!

 

[plywood]

I know it sounds a little funny, but I've often thought if you got it clean and maybe lightly blew some flour or something around in there after it ran for a while it might help make the leaks obvious, haven't tried it though, guess I thought of that after I got all mine fixed.

Of course you wouldn't want any in the intake, but other than that I don't think it would really hurt anything.

 

[InTheDogHouse]

Not a bad idea there plywood. Gonna try to place pieces of cardboard underneath first though, since she's so CLEAN now! Thanks again for your advice and interest.

 

[timothyr1014]

like I said...try some ATF in the filter, run it for a min or so, then take a look around....the red really makes it easy to play follow the trail, and it wont hurt anything it gets into.