The FIP is leaking a steady drip drip. I have checked the pipes and am pretty sure it is coming from the middle gasket. How easy is it to renew this? I can see a kit on ebay. And I know I have to mark the top and bottom and get them back in the same alignment. What do I need to look out for when I take off the top of the FIP? Any advice gratefully received!
P38 diesel FIP leak
- Thread starter BigJessie
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Datatek
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Often it's the top gasket that leaks, it runs down so that it appears that the next gasket down is leaking, that was the case on both mine. Apart from the security bolt, changing the top gasket is easy. IMO it's worth doing the top first to see if it fixes the problem.
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I think there's a How To in the Technical Section.
Mark up all sides before doing anything. It has to go back in exactly the same place. Security bolt can be removed by banging a 7mm socket it on but you might lose the socket.
Datatek
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No need to mark the top cover.
I did mine a few weeks back. Worth getting the security bit off eBay or similar. Easier than drifting on a 7mm socket and then trying to find a replacement bolt.
I used a paint pen to mark 3 sides of the pump, and when refitting I ran a small amount of PX7 (diesel works well as an alternative) around the gaskets because I hate installing them dry.
Honestly, it was a piece of cake.
I used a paint pen to mark 3 sides of the pump, and when refitting I ran a small amount of PX7 (diesel works well as an alternative) around the gaskets because I hate installing them dry.
Honestly, it was a piece of cake.
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Thanks for that Bix. I have been watching youtube videos, not just of the P38 but Audi & VWs that seem to have the same FIP. Your assurance that it is a piece of cake is well taken. I shall get the security bit as I can see that mangling the bolt will make reassembly difficult..!
stemac33
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Hi there which seal kit did you get as mine has developed a drip from the rear of the pump, top and middle seem to be dry yet underneath at the rear where the wired sensor is, is wet and dripping when engine is running. Any help as to where it could be coming from would be much appreciated
Datatek
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I got mine from a company with the strange name of Meat & Doria, no idea if they sell in the UK.
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I've found the bosch kits on ebay from Lithuania I think it was
biketeacherdave
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I put up a how to guide on here some years ago I suggest you have a little search if you just replace the top cover gasket the others will start leaking pretty soon after. You do need to mark the top cover position it needs To go on exactly in the same place.
Datatek
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Not the top cover, the next level down needs to be marked though.
stemac33
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biketeacherdave
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Your leak is from the o ring seal listed 51 on your exploded view full instructions on how to in my guide.
Thank you so much everyone. I can see the fuel leaking down the front face of the FIP, yet I also wonder whether there is another leak from the 0-ring. I ordered this kit: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162692454602
But perhaps the Lithuanian one will be better... Once this cold weather has passed I shall get to work and give an update.
But perhaps the Lithuanian one will be better... Once this cold weather has passed I shall get to work and give an update.
Thanks for everyone's advice and I have finally found some time on a day without rain or wind to get to work. I changed the top and middle gaskets. That has stopped the leak. But although I marked the position and put it all back to those marks, the engine is hunting at idle from around 1200-1500 rpm.
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Loosen the top cap bolts ever so slightly and with the engine running, gently tap the top cap towards the front of the car...or the bulkhead. Gently does it now!!
It may leak a little diesel from the pump while your doing this. It's really precise on its position for the idles .
It may leak a little diesel from the pump while your doing this. It's really precise on its position for the idles .
