I've re-done the valve cover yet again (thank you everyone for the EXCELLENT advice), and I think that is 95% good (I'll put some more miles one and watch it).

I cleaned the engine today (once again) and drove about 25 miles and I still have something going on near the rear (firewall injector). If I wipe the fluid it's not really black enough to be oil, so I think it is fuel. The sides of the injectors are bone dry as I replaced the return lines not too long ago.

Can the injector be leaking fuel at it's base? Can you tell from these pics?

If so, what is the fix? When I did the return fuel lines I checked the torque with my new 27mm monster socket I bought (Hazet?) just for the job and everything looked properly snug to my torque wrench.

Now what? Remove the hardlines, torque them down a little more or remove and reseat? Looking at my engine book there might be a "sealing ring" and a "collar" on the injectors?

Thoughts?

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
~shell
As of 2/2010:
2001 CLK55 0o\=*=/o0
13.6 @ 106mph
10K mi
1984 300SD
260K mi and going and going...
97 S600
46K miles
1991 Sentra SE-R (extremely dorked with)
www.se-r.net

another view...

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
~shell
As of 2/2010:
2001 CLK55 0o\=*=/o0
13.6 @ 106mph
10K mi
1984 300SD
260K mi and going and going...
97 S600
46K miles
1991 Sentra SE-R (extremely dorked with)
www.se-r.net

these leaks are driving me batty!

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
~shell
As of 2/2010:
2001 CLK55 0o\=*=/o0
13.6 @ 106mph
10K mi
1984 300SD
260K mi and going and going...
97 S600
46K miles
1991 Sentra SE-R (extremely dorked with)
www.se-r.net

this one is not nearly as bad - second injector from the front...

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
~shell
As of 2/2010:
2001 CLK55 0o\=*=/o0
13.6 @ 106mph
10K mi
1984 300SD
260K mi and going and going...
97 S600
46K miles
1991 Sentra SE-R (extremely dorked with)
www.se-r.net

That almost looks like flaking paint. If it was the injectors they would most likely have at least one of them be wet on the outside.

when I replaced my injectors, they had an air leak coming from the little prechamber alignment hole. Soot or other combustion materials could be coming out if it. Take a spray bottle and squirt around the base of the injector while the engine is running and you might find something.

Yes, the injectors can leak at the bottom if the heat shield/seal isn't doing it's job. They will bubble, though, while running if this is the case.

Some oil is normal, I suppose, I've never seen a diesel engine that STAYED prefectly clean forever.

Drive it a while and see -- lots of times, the small combustion leaks at the injectors go a away with a few heat cycles.

Peter

__________________
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!

bodyart...did you spray anything,such as WD-40 on your throttle linkage after you cleaned your engine? i just cleaned my engine yesterday,and hit my linkage up with some WD-40 to keep it moving freely....i got some overspray on the valve cover and around the injectors too...and they look exactly like your pics do...kind of shiny,but no visible liquid to speak of...did you try wiping everything off with a rag and driving it for a bit? i guess that way you could tell if its fuel or not

Thanks for reminding me, usually I fill a cap with Auto Tran Fluid (ATF) and use a q-tip to push fluid into the ball joints of the throttle gears.... there is no wd-40 overspray in that picture

After I washed the engine the area was bone dry. Now it is wet at the base of the injector. Notice on the angle of the first pic that the side of the injector is dry and nothing is leaking down the side from the return lines. As far as I can tell the valve cover isn't leaking either.

I think when it is running I might spray some water with some dish soap and see if it bubbles? Is that worth trying as a way to diagnose? Or, should I clean / dry the area with some brake cleaner and then just let the car idle and watch the area?

If the leak is at the base of the injector, what should I do next?
*Pull the hard line and braided return lines
*Pull the injector
*Replace what piece to stop the leak???????? <------
*Retorque
*Make new / install fuel return line
*Reinstall hardline

Is that it?

__________________
~shell
As of 2/2010:
2001 CLK55 0o\=*=/o0
13.6 @ 106mph
10K mi
1984 300SD
260K mi and going and going...
97 S600
46K miles
1991 Sentra SE-R (extremely dorked with)
www.se-r.net

geez man...a q-tip??? youre insane man...just insane

how bout let me know when,and if ever,you decide to sell that car

i also had two injectors that leaked at the base, just a small amount.
the leaks just stopped after about 1,000 miles
i would try driving it for a couple of weeks then re-inspect them for leaks........

__________________
Gretchen 1981 240D 4-spd 213,000 mi
1979 240D 4-spd 298,000 mi parts car

1994 BMW 325is
1991 Dodge turbo diesel
1997 ford expedition

BILL

i have similar problem with my 1989 190D 602 motor. i have tried lots of things , i am pretty sure its the seal between prechamber and head or the pM itself. i am waiting for the tool that by mistake i ordered from mecedes and they say it will take 7 -10 days to get here.