Detroit 3cyl fuel leak - help

[Ncostello]

We've got a piece of machinery here at work with a Detroit 2-cycle 3cyl turbo diesel. It keeps getting fuel in the crank case at a high rate. It can't go one day before the oil is flooded with a gallon or more.



We've been told by a local diesel mechanic that its either the injectors or the fuel pump... with the pump seal being the cause 99% of the time.



But we just replaced the injectors and the pump. We're still getting diesel just the same. So obviously thats not it.



Where else should we look? Could the head be cracked or where else can fuel come from?? We've got a spare motor with the same head we can get machined and checked out. My vote is for the head. But I'm not the mechanic here so I can only give advice.

 

[InfernoB]

Make sure your fuel tubes are not leaking or cracked.

 

[Ncostello]

The tubes have been cleaned and checked for leaks. I am told they remain dry and do not leak. So I guess it has to be a cracked head? There is no other place for fuel to leak into the oil?

 

[chuckwilson]

Under the valve cover they should be wet with oil not dry!!!!! If there are any that look dry they are leaking fuel & washing oil spray off the tubes. Change the dry ones.

 

[Ncostello]

Good point. I will tell the mechanic this. He's a good guy... but sometimes can't see the forest cause the trees are in the way. Like all of us at times.



But I will say I think I remember him telling me that he ran the engine and watched the tubes... and didn't see any leaks. When he said dry... he might have meant no fuel pouring out of them. If this is possible with the valve cover off. Maybe I'm wrong... but I thought thats what he did to verify he didn't see any fuel in the quantity we are getting.



I'll verify that he witnessed the tubes under running conditions and not after a valve cover remove. Come to think of it... I think he ran dye in the fuel too and couldn't locate dye in the valve train. Does this sound right? I've heard of dye in oil.



Please understand I don't work in the mechanic shop at work and only get my info in passing or casual conversation. So I'm going off weeks of hit and miss conversation. I'm just trying to help him out without doing the work.



Wherever its coming from... an hour or two of run time and the oil is completely flooded. PS: Its a Gradall Excavator. The type with an engine for the chassis (truck) and one for the excavator.

 

[chuckwilson]

The next thing is how much idle time does it get. & we check them after they run with the cover on, they will wash clean if they are leaking.

 

[Ncostello]

No idle time during use. When they fire it up... they are digging at full governed RPM. When they are done... its shut down after a few minutes of cool down idle for the turbo charger.

 

[TBurow]

i have a 3-53 that threw a rod, ran great i am taking apart if you need something i will part it out

 

[Ncostello]

OK. Thanks. I'll check. In my original post I stated we had a spare engine for parts. It has the head... but many other parts have already been robbed.

 

[PToombs]

Did you ever find the leak?