fuel injector leaking after reseating?

[calvintml]

Hi, I pulled all the injectors on my 2006 T1N and reseated them (had to have 3 of them rebuilt in the process). Injector one looked like it had been manipulated before. There was a nut on the stretch bolt, which essentially made it stretch earlier than it would otherwise. I didn't think to much of it, and didn't include the nut when reseating it, but now I'm having in issue of fuel pooling right past that first injector (See pic) after reseating it (none of the other 4 are having issues, used new seals and bolts for all of them).

So my question is this: Is there any way that this fluid is not due to a leak around the copper seal. I.e. is this early black death or is it a separate problem for example, fuel line leak? It only shows up after the the van is driven aggressively (I don't see it happening when idling). I tried tightening down the bolt just a little more, but still happened after a drive. Any advice is welcome! Would you just try to reseat it? Thank you.

 

[Cheyenne]

That rather sounds like a previous bodged repair after a hold down bolt snapped and blocked the lower threads. I would hazard a guess that your new bolt (it is a new bolt isn't it?) has bottomed on the broken bit down the hole and is not clamping the injector correctly. Measure the depth of the hole compared to the length of the new bolt, even with a stiff piece of wire if you have nothing better!

 

[calvintml]

That rather sounds like a previous bodged repair after a hold down bolt snapped and blocked the lower threads. I would hazard a guess that your new bolt (it is a new bolt isn't it?) has bottomed on the broken bit down the hole and is not clamping the injector correctly. Measure the depth of the hole compared to the length of the new bolt, even with a stiff piece of wire if you have nothing better!

Thank you!
Yes a new bolt. It must have been a very little amount that is stuck in there since it does seem relatively snug, but I agree very suspicious for what you're thinking. In general, something was off about torquing that bolt compared to the others, seemed much stiffer going in throughout.

The nut was about the head of the bolt, would you go back to the nut, and hope that enough threads are caught to stretch the bolt appropriately? Or try to drill out what's in there? I'm hesitant to do that because of the chance for more damage unless I get more specific guidance.

Thanks again.

 

[ECU]

Ir thete was a previous repair anything is possible. Are you sure it is fuel?
If it is, could it come from tubing to the injector?
Watch out, high pressure fuel line leaks can cut or kill yo.
A leaking injector can often be seen when running. Blowing exhaust like stuff around injector.
I think you could use the nut as a tightening thing. Loosening the nut will tighten it to the head. A good thing.

 

[owner]

I have something similar on one of mine. A previous botched repair means there is something lodged hard into the bottom of the bolt hole, so a new bolt binds on that rather than tightening the fork.

So in my case I just cut off about 5mm off the end of the new bolt. Its been fine since. Like you I didn't want to drill out whatever is down there in case it sets off a chain reaction of crap.

 

[3Play]

Sounds like the nut was a spacer to keep the bolt from hitting the aforementioned botched repair at the bottom.
Was the nut too big and able to spin at the top of the bolt?
Hopefully you didn't torque the bolt without the nut too hard, (Into the botched repair) or you could fracture the bottom of the head material creating coolant, or oil leaks...

 

[calvintml]

Sounds like the nut was a spacer to keep the bolt from hitting the aforementioned botched repair at the bottom.
Was the nut too big and able to spin at the top of the bolt?
Hopefully you didn't torque the bolt without the nut too hard, (Into the botched repair) or you could fracture the bottom of the head material creating coolant, or oil leaks...

I hope so too! Maybe I went 180 degrees past 7nm instead of 90 degrees, I didn't hear anything too terrible or feel any changes. Fingers crossed.

Thanks everyone, waiting for a new bolts and washer, and then I will probably grind down as suggested by owner. Hopefully there are enough threads in good enough condition to crush that washer into a proper seal. I will also replace the fuel return line in case that's the culprit.

 

[tbuyan]

I will also replace the fuel return line in case that's the culprit.

One thing at a time. The fuel pipe is easy, but expensive (~ $50). Just swap it with one of the others. They're all identical.

 

[calvintml]

One thing at a time. The fuel pipe is easy, but expensive (~ $50). Just swap it with one of the others. They're all identical.

Well as an update I ended up doing an m8 tap placed an m8 to m6 inset and was able to torque it down to 7nm and a 90 turn. It felt right so I’m hopeful. And also I hope that inset doesn’t fail catastrophically.

Fuel line also replaced because it cracked when I removed it.

anyway up and running for now

 

[calvintml]

Ir thete was a previous repair anything is possible. Are you sure it is fuel?
If it is, could it come from tubing to the injector?
Watch out, high pressure fuel line leaks can cut or kill yo.
A leaking injector can often be seen when running. Blowing exhaust like stuff around injector.
I think you could use the nut as a tightening thing. Loosening the nut will tighten it to the head. A good thing.

Pretty bummed. After all that it continues to happen, and now I'm coming back to this comment, perhaps not fuel and instead oil and a cracked head? Is there a way to tell if I'm not confident in my ability to tell the difference ? Would there be any other source for oil at this location?

 

[calvintml]

Pretty bummed. After all that it continues to happen, and now I'm coming back to this comment, perhaps not fuel and instead oil and a cracked head? Is there a way to tell if I'm not confident in my ability to tell the difference ? Would there be any other source for oil at this location?

Maybe it’s just water 😂. I’ve had the cover off to monitor and this area for the first injector is right under the lip of the front hood. Would be a happy idiot if so.

 

[calvintml]

Maybe it’s just water 😂. I’ve had the cover off to monitor and this area for the first injector is right under the lip of the front hood. Would be a happy idiot if so.

Not so lucky.

took out injector and inspected the area—didn’t notice an obvious crack.

trying to swap to different injector. The one in was a new to me rebuilt injector from a dealer

maybe recut injector seat next?

 

[calvintml]

Not so lucky.

took out injector and inspected the area—didn’t notice an obvious crack.

trying to swap to different injector. The one in was a new to me rebuilt injector from a dealer

maybe recut injector seat next?

Still leaking with new injector.

 

[calvintml]

Still leaking with new injector.

At a loss so if anyone has any more thoughts I’d be grateful.

 

[cian128]

are you 110% sure it is fuel and not coolant?

 

[calvintml]

are you 110% sure it is fuel and not coolant?

are you 110% sure it is fuel and not coolant?

Not sure what it was, but now it is coolant.

I took out the injector and bolt while the engine was hot and the coolant started coming out the bolt slot.

Thinking of trying some gasket maker in the hole until I can replace the cylinder head

 

[owner]

Here's what I did (x2 on mine SMH)...
1. Got the bolt and hole super clean and dry with carby cleaner.
2. I wasn't shy with the red RTV. A small blob down the hole and the whole bolt coated with it.
3. Insert and properly torque that injector, but do not run the engine, leave it overnight to cure.
4....
5. Profit.

 

[calvintml]

Here's what I did (x2 on mine SMH)...
1. Got the bolt and hole super clean and dry with carby cleaner.
2. I wasn't shy with the red RTV. A small blob down the hole and the whole bolt coated with it.
3. Insert and properly torque that injector, but do not run the engine, leave it overnight to cure.
4....
5. Profit.

Sounds like a plan thank you!

 

[calvintml]

Sounds like a plan thank you!

So the coolant is no longer leaking and that may have been a bonus issue because the puddle is still there. Almost certainly seems like oil, not fuel. Not coolant. I guess im not sure what the consistency of liquid combustion product would be. Only happens under load. Any thoughts?

 

[ECU]

If the engine is running, can you see puffs of stuff comming from the injector area. That would be not good.