Car: 87 300SDL, OM603.971, 158K Mi

I just noticed that the side plate (or side cover) on the IP was loose and leaking fuel. I tightened the screws up in the lot at the office, and drove home (28 miles). I checked them again and they ahd starrted to loosen again. Anyone had this experience? Any ideas why it would happen after 158k of leakless driving?


Tom Kanis
Cincinnati, OH

Tom,

You can remove the plate and replace the gasket. The gasket is about $5 -$10 from the dealer. Clean it up well, and torque the screws down evenly (don't over-tighten). Use some blue LocTite if you want.

Note: There should not be fuel leaking from that cover - only engine oil. If there is fuel coming from it, you have an internal leak that needs to be fixed by a Bosch shop. If it's just oil you're OK. And if that is the only oil leak you're VERY lucky, the other 3 main seals (1 bottom, 2 rear) are nearly impossible to replace w/o removing the I/P from the car!


Good luck,

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Dave
Boise, ID
Check out my website photos, documents, and movies!

Check for fuel leakage at the pressure valve holders, under the retaining rings on the top of the IP. If the o-rings have gone bad, fuel will run down the side of the pump onto the gasket, causing it to leak.

Cheap fix, new 0-rings and seals cost me a huge $7.81, fixed the rough running on my 87 300D.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!