Oil in the ECU?

lightning · Dec 7, 2014

On my 2005 Defender l had a lot of oil in the ECU plug and had the harness replaced. (The Defender was still running fine though)

Do l need to take the ECU apart to check for oil inside? I searched online and some say yes, others no.
It does not seem straightforward to take apart, being sealed with silicone.

Galvernisednuts · Dec 7, 2014

I would clean the red plug area with some solvent if nowt else
The harness was replaced when? Could be residual in the remaining eng harness working it's way out or was a cheapo inj harness fitted, I've seen some poor aftermarket ones not last long

lynall · Dec 8, 2014

Remove red plug and clean with brake cleaner, spray brake cleaner into the ecu through the vent holes and give it a shake and drain, refit and check red plug once a month for a couple of months and you will see the flow will have stopped, the problem is capilliary action of oil in the main engine loom and you have to wait for it all to wick down.

aaronmorris · Dec 8, 2014

lynall said:
Remove red plug and clean with brake cleaner, spray brake cleaner into the ecu through the vent holes and give it a shake and drain, refit and check red plug once a month for a couple of months and you will see the flow will have stopped, the problem is capilliary action of oil in the main engine loom and you have to wait for it all to wick down.

You see I have always used brake cleaner for this job, but then someone told me don't use it as it swells the seals

Maybe he's talking crap, not had a problem myself.

oatcake · Dec 8, 2014

I used brake cleaner on mine and the seals did swell, but only because I used half a can!!
The seals pushed back in though so it's not a problem.
I replaced the injector harness and it's stopped. Planning on changing it every 2 years as a serviceable item so it doesn't happen again.

lynall · Dec 8, 2014

There are different types of brake cleaner, Iirc the wurth one caused the seals in my pump up dispenser to swell up and jam it, stripped and cleaned swollen bits in normal brake cleaner and all was good again, so there may be some truth in what you were told.

oatcake · Dec 8, 2014

The only brake cleaner I am aware of and use comes in aerosol tins and is purchased from the local pound shop! Lol

aaronmorris · Dec 8, 2014

lynall said:
There are different types of brake cleaner, Iirc the wurth one caused the seals in my pump up dispenser to swell up and jam it, stripped and cleaned swollen bits in normal brake cleaner and all was good again, so there may be some truth in what you were told.

Ah, I've had that problem before too actually, although mine was caused by putting thinners in it :doh:

oatcake said:
The only brake cleaner I am aware of and use comes in aerosol tins and is purchased from the local pound shop! Lol

You can buy it in gallon cans cheaper and put it in a reusable pump up dispenser as mentioned above and is what I use.
I prefer it in them too as opposed to the aerosol tins.

lightning · Dec 11, 2014

Well, l prised the lid off the ECU and there is no oil inside at all.

However, six weeks after the injector harness was replaced l am still getting a fair quantity of oil at the connector on the ECU.

I have cleaned it a couple of times, as advised on this forum.

I take it this will eventually stop happening?

Galvernisednuts · Dec 11, 2014

I use brake cleaner in aerosols but hook out the delicate orange rubber seals first then they can't get bothered

Oil in the ECU?

lightning

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Galvernisednuts

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lynall

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aaronmorris

Head's a shed

oatcake

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lynall

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oatcake

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aaronmorris

Head's a shed

lightning

Well-Known Member

Galvernisednuts

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