Oil (?) in Vacuum Hard Line?
 

Getting ready to pull the engine from my '81 300SD
Undid the vacuum lines at the hard line (near fuel filter) ... and found oil (?) at the fitting?
Is this indicative of something??
I was not expecting to find it ... and now I have a feeling that there will be a few more parts to order?

thanks for the help!!!

here are a few images...
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-U...o/IMG_5160.JPG


https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-d...o/IMG_5153.JPG

Vacuum in the hard line is sign of the diaphragm in the shut down actuator failing and leaking oil into the system. I'll be if you pull the drivers side kick panel you'll see the ignition switch assembly sweating oil as well.

X2

Ditto,
Check your stop valve with a hand vacuum pump. It should hold vacuum indefinitely. If you don't have a pump, and pull off the stop valve, test it by pushing in the stem and holding your thumb over the vac tube and see if it stays in. Replacement stop valves are $$$, though I stumbled on a lot of new ones I'll soon be listing on ebay for much less. When you put a new stop valve in, best to install an in-line clear filter so you can see oil next time before it gets everywhere.

Remove the small hard vac line (brown/violet) from the shut off actuator, is there oil in that?

If so, you need a new actuator.

well ... i can say that the car shuts down instantly when i turn off the key.
i have never noticed any issues there ...
the whole 'fuel' side of the engine is a complete oily mess ... so i don't know if there is any particular leak from the switch itself.
my plan is to clean that side of the engine when it is pulled...

i snapped this quick pict before i left today
there is a small amount of sludge on the tip .. but the inside looked clean?
i won't be able to do any other diagnostics until next week ...
i do have a vac pump ... so that will be one of my checks when i get back
along with behind the instrument cluster.

any other thoughts what it might be?


https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-C...o/IMG_5163.JPG

You may need to rebuild the vacuum pump or replace...I know of the older diaphragm type....oil in the hard line, means a tear in the diaphragm.

I have the newer type pump (single line).

When I look at the brown/purple line... What would constitute a lot of oil?
Or at least enough oil to indicate a failed shutdown valve?

Thx
Geoff

The pic looks good to me.

No shut off issues, your actuator seems to be fine.

Any oil residue at the ignition switch?