405 diesal leak

i got a 405 turbo diesal 1.9 with lucas fuel pump and got a serious diesal
leak from the engine compartment near top of engine i think. it appears to
be from cam belt side of engine rather than from fuel pump section on top i
checked all pipes going to pump and nothing from there has anyone got any
ideas? when i say serious i lost bout 1/2 tank of fuel in couple of miles.
it only leaks when engine is running not when ignition is on if that helps

 

Hi,

I'd bet that Diesel pump's drive-end seal is worn. Have a Diesel specialist
to replace the seal. It happended on my brother's '91 205 TD. Come on, it's
a Roto / Lucas pump ?

 

I agree. But I have known it on the Bosch type too, though only once
or twice. Lucas much more!!!

 

usually doesnt make a difference on the make
it usually down to overtightening of cam belt or the occasional fill with
petrol by accident

 

the engine was acting very sluggih hardly any power then the power came
back but with the leak does that work with the theory about drive end seal?
the engine runs fine now but throws diesel out. would it b easier and
cheaper to get replacacement from scrappies ?

 

Doesn't cost that much to get the seal replaced as long as there is no
other damage. Of course you would have to get the pump off, but you
would have to do that whichever route you took.

 

Hi,

It seems it's much more common with Roto's. Damn', my car has a DPC !

Possibly. Third choice, wrong type of fuel return "valve" (don't know the
real term), happened with my brother's car : Bosch valve fit to a Roto pump.
As Bosch's have a lower return pressure, the hole is a bit less big - this
causes an overpressure which cracks the seal. That was the diagnostics of
the Diesel specialist which overhauled the pump. Having later compared with
my return valve, yes it's far bigger on Rotos.

 

Just make sure that the leak off pipes on the injectors are still OK. I had
a similar problem with a leak, top offside of the engine, and it was the
leak off pipe on the timing end injector, the one which is just a plug.
Worth checking before stripping half the engine down.

Brian.

 

sometimes the seal simply goes because the pump bearing is worn
in cases like these a new seal is a temp fix
to be fair a good diesel mechanic can tell

 

Hi,

It makes good sense to me.

Yes. Giving the pump to a Diesel specialist would be my best advice anyway,
as opening such pumps really requires that you know what you're doing - and
I wouldn't consider taking the risk ! Excepted for easy ops like throttle
actuator cover change, of course.

 

if it leaks only when running, its worth checking the fuel return pipe,
as this could be the problem, and it is in the timing belt area,

Fitzy

 

sometimes a tech will just fit a seal though
not even checking for shaft movement
then it will last a short while cos the seals are quite good and then fail
later
suppose some people get rid in the middle!!

 

also bear in mind that if the belt is contaminated it needs renewing too

 

i tried looking for the fuel return pipe but cant seem to locate it in the
timing belt area there doesnt seem to be any pipes around that area at all
i think the fuel return goes round other side doesnt it ????