What should one do if an injector has fuel pooling around it?
 

What should one do if an injector has fuel pooling around it? My newly acquired 94 s350 has fuel pooling around the space around the injector and the cloth lines are saturated with the fuel. i know the obvious thing to do is tighten the injector but was wondering if there are other steps I should take,

The obvious thing to do, IMHO, is to replace the cloth-covered lines.

I have never had a leaky injector, even the engines in which I replaced the injectors none had ever leaked. Im asking the forum do to the lack of experience I had had with this issue. I dont want to start replacing parts unless I am sure it is the best answer.

I've never had a leaky injector either, and I wouldn't expect one to just start leaking unless it has been disturbed. On the other hand, I've seen lots of leaking return lines, which are quite cheap and easy to replace. If one of them is wet, then that's pretty strong evidence that it's leaking.

Leaking fabric covered tubes (fuel return lines on the injectors) are a common problem on the older OM615 / 616 / 617 engines - I know that for sure.

It is a cheap fix for those engines - I guess it is the same for you. Why not have a look on fastlane and see if they're expensive - probably not.

If the return lines are saturated, then that is where the leak originates.

If that rubber has never been replaced, then it is 18 years old.

Just make sure that you do not nick the metal injector nipple.

Is there a way to tell for sure where the leak may be coming from? Replacing these lines were on my list on things to do but it would also be nice to be able to deduce where leaks are originating from.

Ok then Ill replace the fabric lines first!

can anyone help with a link or part # for the cloth covered fabric lines? i need to do this repair as well

Sure, the best link is to go to the top of this page and select "Buy Parts". Which also supports this forum.

well, i did that, but i dont need 5 meters of hose, and i;m not sure if the other hose is for the return lines.. sorry anyway

Sure.

Make sure the engine is hot as it will show the leak quicker. Wipe all leak or area with kitchen towel. Spray brake cleaner liberally round all injectors. It will evaporate real quick and the surface should look dry. Run the car and check for leak. Leak always flows down stream so if you do not see any wet patch near the return hose then it is not from the hose. There are really 3 places that fuel could leak around a non-damaged injectors.

1) The top nut
2) return hose barbs
3) injector body screw on seam.

Good luck.

What did 5 meters cost?

You do not need 5 meters. 1 meter is enough. May be around $3/m. Cannot remember.

What no one has mentioned is that if since you owned the Car you have not pulled on those Hoses it is likely they are all getting old and dried out.

As far as cost goes I keep extra Hose in my Trunk because with the price of Fuel a leak is more costly than having extra Hose.
The Hose has a leak free life of about 5 years if you are using only Diesel Fuel. After 5 years they are on barrowed time.

NAPA sells the stock Fuel Return Line; don't know what the length is.
VW Dealers also sell it.
Where to buy fuel return hose VW RAbbit
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=238219&highlight=Rabbit
The Thread with the part numbers
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=210922&highlight=return+line+part+number


Injector return hose plastic tube
any lawnmower/chainsaw repair shop should have hose that will work too.
I bought a 50' box of 1/8" tygon clear fuel hose and the stuff holds up for about 3 years.
cost me like 15.00
The brand I used is Oregon, it is a Tygon fuel hose.
Tygothane (Saint Gobain is the Manufacturer)
U.S. Plastics is the retailer.
http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/default.aspx?catid=864&parentcatid=856&gclid=CPfkzZXthqgCFY1n5Qodyn524Q
More Notes: Authousaz has this info next to the Fuel Return Line: Fuel Hose/Line; 3.2mm ID x 1.9mm;
According to this site: Convert inches to mm - Conversion of Measurement Units
1/8"= 0.125"=3.175mm
So 1/8" ID Hose is actually a little tighter than the 3.5mm stock Hose.

I think the guy said you can go to Lawnmower Repair shops and buy the Plastic Tygon Hose by the foot.