smell of fuel

Afternoon all.

P38, 1998 2.5 derv.

Had cold (and hot) start issues previously. Hot start fix works perfectly. Cold start issue helped immeasurably by replacing leak-off pipes after reading advice here. Also, slight smell of derv which I thought was due to the leak off pipes, but now i've replaced them it's still there.

It's not BAD, and only noticeable when the engine is running and you're stationary with the heater/ac on.

Any suggestions on where to look please? I can't see anything obvious from a glance around the engine but... who knows!

Injector unions have been known to seep a bit, but this usually burns off on a hot engine...

Check the condition of the FIP, as I think I recall reading somewhere the seals can leak....

Also the Fuel filter too...

When spill pipes leak the fuel is held in the injector recess. That can cause a smell. Number four injector leaks from plastic surround for electrical fitment. Recheck your spill pipes, look in the injector recesses, it won't over flow just gets burnt off as fumes. Also the FIP and O rings in and out of filter. Should be reasonably easy to spot.

thanks gents - stuff for me to check over the weekend! Blast of compressed air should clear the injector recesses - and I'll try and spot any leaks around the filter

much appreciated.

RossDagley said:

thanks gents - stuff for me to check over the weekend! Blast of compressed air should clear the injector recesses - and I'll try and spot any leaks around the filter

much appreciated.

Click to expand...

What did you use to replace the leak off pipes and did you replace the link from the 1st injector to the FIP?
If you used silicone tube that could be the cause of the smell, mine has had a vague smell of diesel ever since I replaced the leak off pipes with silicone. This has now swollen considerably as the chemicals in diesel seem to react with it, I've just ordered some proper leak off pipe

Datatek said:

What did you use to replace the leak off pipes and did you replace the link from the 1st injector to the FIP?
If you used silicone tube that could be the cause of the smell, mine has had a vague smell of diesel ever since I replaced the leak off pipes with silicone. This has now swollen considerably as the chemicals in diesel seem to react with it, I've just ordered some proper leak off pipe

Click to expand...

Yes Keith silicone is no good for road diesel. I use it for plant running off red, there is very little reaction and recommended it for the spill pipes. But it is no good. Road diesel must contain chemicals red does not.

Does it now start immediately? If not you might want to have a nose around the tank. When I replaced the in-tank pump on mine I found that the pipes on top were pretty corroded. I know that this should give a smell all the time but a small leak might only happen when they're under pressure from the pump.

As for silicon pipe, if you want to use it you can get it with a diesel proof liner, but my old brain can't remember the name.