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Diesel Leaking - Injectors?


KennyB57

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Hi,

 

Hoping that someone out there may be able to help with the above subject (A friend has mentioned that the user 'EUROSERV' has a good knowledge on engine issues, so if you happen to read this would appreciate your thoughts!)

 

I have a Swift Bolero 682fb on a 2014 Fiat Ducato 2.3 multijet chassis, and prior to Christmas was about to head out for a few days break, so started the engine up, and after a short while noticed a strong smell of Diesel, got out of the cab and then heard a dripping noise coming from under the engine, so got down and checked underneath, only to find a continual fast dripping amount of fuel coming out onto the floor.

 

Having stopped the engine the flow of fuel also ceased, and after numerous checks found the leak was coming from within a black cover situated on the right hand side of the engine (looking from the front) and slightly below the fuel injectors, the cover is secured with 8 bolts and has the initials FPT across it, but unsure what is behind it?

 

As the engine runs without any issues, and the 'leak flow' does not vary when using the accelerator, I'm thinking that the leak may possibly be from the return fuel pipes, and may have come off due to compression on start up of the engine?

 

I do have a short video and numerous pics of the area showing where the leak 'appears' to be coming from (though not sure if I can post these on the forum site?)

 

So wondering, 'Is this something I could fix myself' or do I require expert mechanical help?

 

If it is the latter, 'Are they're any recommendations' for a Mobile mechanic service who specialise in Fiat Diesel engines around the Market Drayton/Shropshire area (Mobile preferred due to the excessive fuel leakage) or if need be a Garage/Dealer (that's if the breakdown service would take the vehicle under the remit of Home-start?)

 

Any help or advice would be welcomed!

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Kenny.

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Hi Kenny and welcome to the forum.

 

It rather sounds like your fuel filter has sprung a leak. Google 'Fiat Ducato Fuel Filter Leaks' and see what info that turns up. Or try a search here on the forum but results can be a bit hit and miss.

 

'Euroserv' has recently closed his van rental business but does still occasionally post on the forum, you could try emailing him through the email address in his profile...

 

https://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums/view-profile.asp?action=view&uid=3275

 

Keith.

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If you have breakdown cover then I would have them take a look and possibly organise recovery to a garage if needed. If its a fuel filter problem then the leak would be from the top right area of the engine bay where a black plastic or metal bodied filter is mounted. Your thoughts on a leak from the injector return lines is a possibility. Rodent damage may have occurred.

Leaks from the filter will continue with the ignition on and without the engine running as there is a 12v priming pump in the fuel tank.

I suspect it is the injector leak off return lines causing the problem, hopefully just a connection or damage to the pipework. The leak off return pipework has 'quick couplings' that may have failed or have come loose.

The worst case is possible injector problems or high pressure fuel pump or fuel rail problems.

 

Mike

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Hi Mike,

 

Thanks for getting in touch,

And regarding the filter, mine is the 'metal bodied' type situated top right of the engine as you stated, and there is no leakage from that area, so I am convinced its the injector leak off return lines causing the problem!

 

I will also take your advice on using the breakdown cover, but of course will need to ensure it goes to a competent garage for repair (hence the request for recommendations in the local area)

 

Have looked at some videos on YouTube regarding the return fuel pipes and they are held in place by a small clip, so hoping it's something as simple as this!!

 

Again thanks for your input, much appreciated,

 

Regards,

 

Kenny.

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KennyB57 - 2019-01-11 10:57 AM

...'Are they're any recommendations' for a Mobile mechanic service who specialise in Fiat Diesel engines around the Market Drayton/Shropshire area (Mobile preferred due to the excessive fuel leakage) or if need be a Garage/Dealer (that's if the breakdown service would take the vehicle under the remit of Home-start?)

 

Kenny.

 

Kenny,

 

There is a past forum member who runs a MH service business in Telford who has had previous very good recommendations. If you could get your MH transported to him it would be a good move. But do give him a call first!

 

https://davenewell.co.uk/

 

Keith.

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KennyB57 - 2019-01-11 10:57 AM

 

...Having stopped the engine the flow of fuel also ceased, and after numerous checks found the leak was coming from within a black cover situated on the right hand side of the engine (looking from the front) and slightly below the fuel injectors, the cover is secured with 8 bolts and has the initials FPT across it, but unsure what is behind it?

 

Kenny.

 

Kenny

 

The 2.3litre motor of my 2015 Ducato-based Rapido motorhome has the black plastic cover you’ve described (though in my motor’s case the cover does not carry an “FPT” marking).

 

This cover protects the chain-drive that connects the motor’s two overhead camshafts. The cover is attached to the cylinder-head by 8 bolts (as you’ve said) and the 1st photo below shows the chain-drive behind the cover and the threaded holes into which the cover’s securing bolts go.

 

Consequently, if there were to be leakage from the cover, it would be oil that leaked not fuel.

 

I’m guessing that you have not removed the large black plastic cover (2nd photo below) that protects the top of the motor’s cylinder-head. It’s possible that the fuel leakage is coming from an injector leak-off hose, but removing the cylinder-head cover (quite easy to do) should allow you to accurately identify the source of the leak. The likelihood is that there’s a fairly severe fuel leak somewhere beneath the cylinder-head cover and the leaked fuel is then spilling over the rear end of the head’s top-surface and running down on to the camshaft-drive cover.

 

Once the cause of the leak has been identified, you may be able to decide whether addressing the problem really needs to involve your motorhome being transported to a garage, or whether the repair can be carried out by yourself or by a mobile engineer visiting your home.

 

https://www.yell.com/s/mobile+mechanics-market+drayton.html

93092953_ducato2.3camshaftdrive.jpg.b4885a62f040fdfede95124acb25e72e.jpg

1300482152_enginetopcover.jpg.78a4dcc0116504b499fd8959d93925e6.jpg

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Hi,

 

I would like to thank all of you who kindly replied to my post, and offered your help, advice and thoughts on the issue, and having managed to get some decent weather this morning finally got around to removing the engine cover to check the injectors and the return fuel lines.

 

As soon as I removed the cover I could see straight away that it was the return fuel line between the 3rd and 4th injector, this had a rather large chunk missing out of it! and I'm guessing 'witzend' you were correct about the possibility of rodent damage as there was no residue from the pipe around the hole, so mystery solved!

 

Again thanks to all who have contributed, and hopefully it should be fairly straight forward to fix!

 

Regards

 

Kenny

IMG_8574.jpg.6daf9106dbaeec9958256f8052c6ea4e.jpg

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Hi Derek,

 

Many thanks for your reply and also the pictures, these were very helpful, especially with my question regarding the black cover and identifying what was behind it, "Now I know" :-)

 

Also appreciate your guidance on removing the engine cover and checking the fuel return/leak off hose, and as you can see from my last post, I had done this earlier on today and found out what the problem was (Impossible to miss really!)

 

It may be worth mentioning (for anyone who may have the same issue in the future) that the leak appeared to be coming from (what Derek has identified as) the chain-drive cover for the overhead camshafts, and the reason for this is that there is a 'drain hole' situated on the top of the block (where the injectors are positioned) which is between the 1st fuel injector and the casing, and the hole runs out at the bottom of the chain drive casing as a 'drain off' from the injectors.

 

I will replace the leak off hose myself, and also be thankful that I may have saved myself some serious money in repairs and transport costs!!

 

Thanks again everyone :-)

 

Kenny

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KennyB57 - 2019-01-14 3:11 PM

I'm guessing 'witzend' you were correct about the possibility of rodent damage as there was no residue from the pipe around the hole, so mystery solved Kenny

 

Glad all sorted but can't take credit for rodent suggestion that was Mike Fitz's post

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