leaking injector

Sturdybloke · Post by **Sturdybloke** » 10 Mar 2006, 18:00

Evening to all. Im having a bit of a problem with my 418 Td, and I know that this is a french forum but for those not in the know the Rover is fitted with a XUD from the 405/Bx. Right on to the problem - It has a very small (very small) fuel leak from where the injector screws into the head. I have replaced (twice) the copper sealing washer and the button washer that sits under the injector. Has anyone else had this problem as im all out of ideas after replacing the seals twice

the engine runs smooth untill its done about 200 miles on the new seals and then it develops a ever so slight shudder as its not getting all the fuel into the cylinder as some of it is escaping up the threads. Any ideas are much appreciated.

AndersDK · Post by **AndersDK** » 10 Mar 2006, 18:51

The seals depends on make of injector system. Go to your local indy diesel specialist or Bosch agent. They will instantly know what you need.

Sturdybloke · Post by **Sturdybloke** » 10 Mar 2006, 19:11

The first time it leaked was with seals bought from a local motorfactors (the H/G went so the 1st set of seals were in the kit that I bought when rebuilding the head) then a short while later they (the motorfactors set) started leaking so I went to Citroen and bought a set, and now 200 miles later they (the 2nd set) are leaking.

It was a toss up between:- replacing a H/G and having injectors that leak

or

Having injectors that dont leak but having to put 2ltrs of water in the expansion tank every 20 miles...............

Post by **Peter.N.** » 10 Mar 2006, 20:14

If its fuel thats leaking the problem is not with the injector to head seals, if these leak you will get a build up of what looks like pitch around the bottom of the injector. Either the body of the injector where its screwed together is leaking, or its coming from the leak off connections and running down. Try fitting another injector, or if you dont have one, swap it over with another one and see if the problem swaps with it.

Sturdybloke · Post by **Sturdybloke** » 10 Mar 2006, 20:37

if these leak you will get a build up of what looks like pitch around the bottom of the injector.

Eh, whats pitch?

bxbodger · Post by **bxbodger** » 10 Mar 2006, 21:07

Black tarry stuff.

Its unlikely to be leaking past the washers- the threads themselves are very tight, let alone the washers. I agree with Peter- its coming from the body joint, or, more likely , the joint with the pipe.

I think your best bet is too give it a good wipe over so its clean, nip the pipe up a little and try and see if it still leaks- leaks, wether they be from the cooling system or fuel system never seem to come from where you initially think they come from, so a good clean up is a big help..

Presumeably its just one injector thats leaking?

Sturdybloke · Post by **Sturdybloke** » 10 Mar 2006, 21:17

Yes, thats it the hard black brittle stuff. It was the two injectors at either end of the engine cyl numbers 1+4 but now its just no 4 (cambelt end). Its deffo coming from the threads as the body of the injector is dry and if you look carefuly you can see a small air bubble every so often. Time to apply hylomer methinks!!!!!!

Post by **Peter.N.** » 10 Mar 2006, 22:42

I dont think applying anything will stop it leaking as you have a very high pressure in the cylinders. Do you have a proper deep socket to tighten the injectors? they do have to be screwed down tight. Provided the surface of the injector and the head are clean, there is no reason why they should leak when you have fitted new copper washers. The small ammount of leakage you are getting past the injectors is very unlikely to affect the running of the engine.

KevMayer · Post by **KevMayer** » 11 Mar 2006, 18:17

One of my injectors is moist. It looks like diesel is leaking from the mid joint of the injector. This is on cylinder 2. The other 3 are fine.

I've tried tightening with a spanner but it didn't make any difference.

I have a problem at start up from cold. The engine fires up but runs roughly as though one cylinder isn't contributing. Lots of white smoke comes from the exhaust too. Could it be an air leak on this injector that is causing my problem. When the engine has warmed up slightly it runs smoothly without any smoke. The problem goes away. It's only when starting from cold after standing say overnight.

Is the only answer to fit new injectors ? (its done 131000 miles).

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 11 Mar 2006, 18:49

I don't think your moist injector is anything to worry about or has anything to do with the smoking problem.

Look at it this way - if you drive your car 160 miles - about 1 gallon of fuel will go through each injector. How much fuel has your car injector in the 160 miles -- is it significant?

So - your smoking is nothing as interesting as an injector problem but an air leak or a glow plug.

Post by **Peter.N.** » 11 Mar 2006, 19:48

Your smoking problem, or hopefully your cars, is probably due to misfiring on one cylinder when cold, the smoke is unburnt fuel. The most likely cause is one or more defective glow plugs. Thats certainly the first thing to check before looking for something more serious.

JohnTurbo · Post by **JohnTurbo** » 13 Mar 2006, 18:42

I've just changed injectors, and had lots of issues with number 4 injector leaking fuel...very fast in the first instance.

The problem here is that the number 4 has a casting feature which makes using a spanner a bit tricky. To get them tight enough to not leak, especially when they are gunked up from previous leaking requires an injector socket, or a long series 27mm socket to get the required torque. (check ebay). I was using a 500mm breaker bar, and a serious about of force...and that did the trick fine. Had similar issues with the XUD i had in my old 418sd. That injector leaked from the body too, so i rebuilt it and put it back and it was fine. I've never bothered changing a copper washer.

I had to borrow one from a scrapyard, but now i've bought one...4 quid.