Ball Bearing in Pre-Chamber ?
 

I posted this note on the Diesel Forum but wanted to see if any of you had anything else to add before I go farther.

I pulled out the Injector nozzles in my 81 240D and then removed the heat shield. I looked down through the hole with a flashlight and noticed what appeared to be a steel ball loose in the pre-chamber. I removed the steel ball with a magnet and it looks like a steel ball bearing. It is the same diameter as the hole. The other pre-chambers do not appear to have anything loose in them. Does anyone know where this ball could have come from ? Am I assuming correctly that it should not be there ? If it's not supposed to be there could it have caused problems ?

It's been suggested that this is part of the pre-chamber that came loose. It is a perfect ball bearing that does not show any sign of being broken off. Do I need to replace the pre-chamber ?

Thanks,

Scott

In the middle of the prechamber is a deflector ball. It is a shaft that has a swollen spot in the middle and the injector sprays on it and the spray is further atomized.

I presume yours got loose and has shaped itself by a little high speed banging around.

Look closely at the other chambers, This ball shaped protrusion is probably black from soot when in place. If your suspect one doesn't look like the rest get a new chamber and all will be apparant.

Ball bearing
 

Thanks Steve. Once I took the ball bearing out I could see the deflector you are talking about. All my other chambers look the same now that I have taken the ball out. You are right that they are covered with soot. I am amazed if this thing could be formed by banging around since it is perfect. I am assuming that if the ball really is not part of the deflector that it would cause the fuel not to be atomized as well ? I plan to get the injectors cleaned and checked, and then I'll reinstall and see what happens. Any potential harm in this ?

Scott

Are you saying that you had the ball plus the deflector in one prechamber? If the ball was the deflector then you definitely need a new prechamber.

Driving with a defective prechamber causes various problems.

Ball
 

Yes Steve, I am saying it appears that the deflector is still in place and there was a ball in addition to the deflector. I am going to look and compare to the other chambers again. Thank you for your insight and help.

Scott