Fuel leak, possible update? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Monte · #1 01-13-2010, 09:29 PM

This may be a part II to my earlier thread about air leakage into the fuel line
Fuel/Starting issue 86 300SDL

86 300DSL 205Kmiles or so

Sadie has been sitting since Christmas Eve, when the master cylinder went out. Sitting nose down in a slightly inclined driveway. Was traveling and then waiting on parts, etc, but got her done tonight.

I have noticed what I thought was an oil leak, but with the cold and her not in use I hadn't given it a lot of thought. While working on the master cylinder I realized it is diesel leaking. At the top of the injectors there is wetness around each inlet. Appx 2 cups (total guess) has hit the ground.
This has started either since my MB mechanic changed the glow plugs and tried (unsuccessfully 5 times) to find where the air leak into the fuel was, or since I started parking her nose down in the drive way. Both around the same time, so not sure if one or the other means anything.

First place to start in on this? I noted in another thread, I am a pretty good mechanic, but only about a year into diesels, so I would rather hear from some of you seasoned folks with where to go first. Probably not back to the same MB guy. I have been getting bad feedback from 2 other MB owners on that shop, which I hate to hear. He has serviced Sadie since 91 or 92, but has seemed to have problems fixing anything that has come up with her in less than 2 tries lately...I do know his #1 mechanic opened his own shop, so he may just not have the expertise he had before...

Anyway...thoughts?

Thanks

Mont

layback40 · #2 01-13-2010, 09:51 PM

Mont,
It sounds like its the injector return flexible lines & where they attach to the injectors that is the leak, the hose gets hard & cracks over time. this is a reasonably common leak. I dont think it is the fitting on the hard lines where they attach to the injectors, you could try tightening the fittings if you wanted to be certain.

Monte · #3 01-13-2010, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layback40

Mont,
It sounds like its the injector return flexible lines & where they attach to the injectors that is the leak, the hose gets hard & cracks over time. this is a reasonably common leak. I dont think it is the fitting on the hard lines where they attach to the injectors, you could try tightening the fittings if you wanted to be certain.

It was dark and I was operating with one of those little LED headlight things on, and starting to get chilly so I figured I would get back on it on Saturday, if the weather permits. Thanks for the input. I have a lot of little things I am finding on Sadie...looks mint, but under the hood, things wear and tear...but glad to do them...

layback40 · #4 01-13-2010, 10:17 PM

Little things can be a PITA !! I always have a mental list of many to do. They get done just before they cause a major problem I hope.
If its the return lines, its an easy fix. Make sure you use the proper hose, cheap vacuum hose will degrade quickly. This should overcome your original problem. Fingers crossed!!!