I did diesel purge today on the 300SDL... the engine was really quiet and running great.... BUT I've noticed something else - I've noticed that the colorless Lubro Molly in the clear bottle was slightly stained with something that may have been engine oil...

I've posted before here, when I pulled my tank, drained the fuel and discovered that it looked like it had 2-cycle oil in it or something else...:
Proper diesel color...

One member commented that it's possible that the oil is getting into the fuel through the lift pump - well, I didn't wanna believe it but after the diesel purge today I guess those suspicions may be getting confirmed. How big of a deal is this and how do I troubleshoot it to isolate the lift pump.

I don't drive the car much yet, still working on few things and such, so I have no idea about oil consumption yet. I've topped it off recently after a fresh oil change and plan on keeping an eye on it, but nothing to report yet.

Meanwhile, what would you do next to try to isolate it?

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1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

Remove the lift pump and new seal if suspicious. Also although I remember no mention of cross contamination could be occuring inside the injection pump. It uses engine oil to lubricate itself. These are the only two points fuel and engine oil really get in close proximity to each other. You may as well check the valves in the pump and kit them once you have the lift pump off as well.

Usually apparently it is the lift pump though. There has never been an injection pump report for cross contamination on this site to the best of my knowledge. You are probably not going to be the first.

THanks - How difficult is this task and is there a lift pump re-build kit with these seals available? I only saw the lift pump itself ($178) available...

__________________
1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

I've looked through the on-line FSM but didn't see instructions on how to remove the fuel pump... is removal of the fuel thermostat required first or no. Is there anything to worry about in affecting the injection pump timing, or start of delivery timing when removing/replacing the fuel pump? Wouldn't wanna mess any of that up...

__________________
1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

Not familiar with the 603 engine. Suspect nothing has to be disturbed other than unbolting the lift pump and disconnection of the fuel line. Others will know and respond quickly if I am wrong.

Only way you can mess with timing is if you mess with the IP bolts way on the other side of engine, around the vacuum pump. You are nowhere near there.

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