Hey All,

I took my 96 into an indie shop to get the seals replaced on the injector pump(fuel was seeping out the top). When I took it in, it sounded like a normal 96, very quiet for a diesel. When I picked it up, it sounded like my dads '87 diesel. When I asked what happened, he said because fuel was seeping, the pressure was low to the injectors which caused it to be quiet. Now that the leak was fixed the pressure was back to normal and thus the noise. He said he will lean it out to reduce the noise but that I would probably lose a little power as the result. My question.... If these were designed to run quiet, with full power, why can't that be achieved by replacing the seals and reset to factory specs? He did mention he used factory shims to adjust the pump. Any input would be helpful.

Matt

The delivery valve seals consist of an oring and crush washer. The pump/inj's can develop a clack after seals are replaced. Using diesel purge helps some folks and more often than not time helps. Mine quieted down after 2 DP's and ~1000 miles.

They have been known to make noise if over torqued too. Troque is three steps: 30, 30, 35NM.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

As Terry was saying the air which gets into the lines during the repair has to work its way out...drive it for several days and see if it gets better...90% of the time it will.

If not then he probably didn't use the correct procedure to torque them. The fact that he said something about "leaning it out" scares me though...what the heck is he talking about? I don't think he knows what he's doing if he thinks he can "lean out" a diesel or even adjust the '96 in some way.

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

Thanks Guys,

The clacking didn't sound like it was coming from the pump, but rather from the engine. I have driven it a couple of hundred miles, so maybe I'll give it another couple of hundred and get some diesel purge. As far as the "leaning out", that seemed a little suspicious to me too, as one would have to play with the injection timing to adjust fuel flow?

Matt

I don't think the IFI computer would appreciate that.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

Identical situation happened the last time I had the fuel leaks fixed on my '99 E300TD.

I didn't ask for an explanation, since I picked it up over the weekend and the mechanics were off, but I kind of like the TAT-TAT-RATTLE-RATTLE-TAT-TAT sound.........these cars make. The RAT-A-TAT-TAT noise level increases at just above idle...too.

Hey, it's a diesel, after all.

The only reason I bought the newer year was because it "didn't" sound like a diesel:-). Did the noise on yours eventually "go away"?

The last time I took it in for fuel leaks was in late November. Another close to $700.00 bill. I picked it up December 1st, and have only driven it a few hundred miles since then.......it's almost as loud as it was on Dec. 1st. This car's engine was much quieter when new. The panels underneath are pretty well trashed from being wet with leaking fuel all these years too. That may be one reason for the extra noise level. But it has always spewed wet diesel fuel smell out from under the hood, when running, and for hours after running. The MB dealers I've taken this car to, all insist that all year models of their diesels are supposed to leak fuel, as they have never fixed all the leaking fuel points. I don't know the future with this car, but I have reams of service receipts from all the months it's been in for servicing fuel system leaks.

Joe - They only leak or smell of fuel when there is a problem. Your past/present history with YOUR car is unique here on the forum.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

I realize those things, TM.

I then learned MB has a differing stance on diesel fuel leaks than the rest of the population too.

I have done everything I could with MB dealers and MB in NJ to get it fixed, but it never happened. My last car was a '83 300SD, and my other vehicle is a Ford PowerStroke 7.3 turbodiesel. --Neither one leaked or leaks fuel. My Mom and Dad bought new MB diesels in the '60s & '70s.......they never leaked either. The MB dealers taking the stance that "they all leak," was new to me in 2000 when it was first told me at Park Place MB in Dallas, TX.

My engine got louder too after I did this job, but it gradually quieted down. Give it about 1000 miles and some injector cleaner / cetane booster.

SRJ, these cars are NOT supposed to leak anything. Sounds like a BS dealer excuse. What happened to the thread where we gave you a bunch of advice? As far as I remember you never replied.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

I know they're not supposed to leak, DA. MB dealer personel: "all diesels leak."

I called MBUSA in Colo. Spgs, CO. The lady gave me the man's name at MBUSA, the liason to MB NJ. I e-mailed him explaining my car's continuing fuel-leaking problem. He said, he would contact MB NJ. MB NJ, sent me a form letter saying they did all they could for my car when it was in warranty, and now considered it a closed matter, since out of warranty.

I took the car back to Park Place MB in Bedford, TX in late November, and picked it up Dec. 1st. Bill came to just under $700.00, before my MBUSA Club Member discount.

I highly suggest you dig up the thread that you started on this topic and read all the replies there.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

Thanks for all the input. Mine has never leaked, that's how I knew I had to replace the IP seals. Last time it leaked I replaced every fuel hose in the engine compartment. I guess I don't like the mess diesel fuel leaves and it really wasn't a big deal to do either.