Fuel pump leak on veg oil

imperial21 · Unread post by **imperial21** » 10 May 2011, 21:36

My Td xantia is running on veg at the moment and i have noticed that the veg oil is coming out of the pump i can see it runnung down the engine

The chap i bought it from says that it did it befor and that the problem is the return fuel pipe to the tank is blocking, he says that if i run it on just diesel it will be fine again ! Has anyone else had this problem or do they know how to over come it ?

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 10 May 2011, 22:04

Pop the return pipe off the passenger side of the pump and apply an air line to it incase it is blocked.
More likely the seals have come to the end of their lives and need replacing.
Easiest way is to get hold of an older non-armoured pump, replace the seals on that and then swap pumps over.

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 11 May 2011, 06:03

As Xac says, the seals are almost certainly past their best...

Do clean away any spilt veg on the engine and pump as soon as possible as if it is left it will harden (actually it will polymerise - turn to plastic) and then it will be a ****** to shift.

Xac's old pump is the only one I know that's effectively encased in a plastic coat

Martin Beevers · Unread post by **Martin Beevers** » 11 May 2011, 12:04

Reduce your mix Mike.

She did that only when I ran her 100%. Try about 90% and see what happens.

imperial21 · Unread post by **imperial21** » 11 May 2011, 18:35

I have run a mix of about 1/3 diesel to 2/3 diesel, I thought that would be about right ! I did wonder if the pump is the problem ! How long can they last like this ?

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 11 May 2011, 18:56

Leaking a little they can go on and on and on and on and on, a bit like a meeting of the Rambler's Association...

Normally it's the mess the leaks make that finally causes action to be taken. A pump has to leak very badly before performance is affected substantially.

Years ago it was common to see diesel tractors, especially those with CAV (Lucas) pumps almost dripping and still going strong...

It's the mess that's a big problem. See my earlier comments about polymerisation. The outside of your engine will end up looking like a well-used chip pan...

Xaccers · Unread post by **Xaccers** » 11 May 2011, 18:57

Does bullet proof your engine and prevent rust though...