Fuel Leak ?

[mikefossl]

I have a Westerbeke 44A which has been running fine for the four years that I've owned the boat. It has 1100 hrs and had the 1000 hr service completed 2 years ago by Total Yacht Works in Mazatlan. At that time the injectors were pulled and professionally cleaned.

Lately I noticed that I had an accumulation of a little fuel at the bottom of a wire bundle which was dripping onto the pan. I tracked things up to the fuel rail to the injectors and used small pieces of blue towel (4"x2") to gauge the amount. I've attached a couple of pics to illustrate. After wiping everything down I ran the engine for 20 min with the blue towel in place. The first and last injectors leaked slightly. The middle two were dry.

Is this amount of fuel a significant problem?

Can someone tell me the correct sequence to loosen and re-torque the injector and fuel rail connections?

Thanks!

[DeepFrz]

They should not leak at all. Can you tell where the leak is? I can't tell from the picture.

[mikefossl]

I've added another couple of photos. You can see a little accumulation on the top of the grey hex part of the injector. That's after running about 5 min.

Thanks.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by mikefossl

I have a Westerbeke 44A which has been running fine for the four years that I've owned the boat. It has 1100 hrs and had the 1000 hr service completed 2 years ago by Total Yacht Works in Mazatlan. At that time the injectors were pulled and professionally cleaned.

Lately I noticed that I had an accumulation of a little fuel at the bottom of a wire bundle which was dripping onto the pan. I tracked things up to the fuel rail to the injectors and used small pieces of blue towel (4"x2") to gauge the amount. I've attached a couple of pics to illustrate. After wiping everything down I ran the engine for 20 min with the blue towel in place. The first and last injectors leaked slightly. The middle two were dry.

Is this amount of fuel a significant problem?

Can someone tell me the correct sequence to loosen and re-torque the injector and fuel rail connections?

Thanks!

Had this on an old Wuaquiz Chance 37 I delivered... tried tightening but could not stop it... no manual on board so just left it... smelled a bit on the hot engine but no problems. Told the owner and left it to him to sort...
So happened his fuel tank was dirty as well... first bit of swell had the filters clogged... went back in and bought a 25L container and ran her directly of that... worked a treat...

[delmarrey]

On the VW's there is a copper gasket that seals that area up. But I don't find any on the Westerbeke injector.

You may have to take it to an injector specialist to see how it's sealed. Maybe it's the gasket #15 seeping down. See link below.

Westerbeke Parts Books


.

[Ironhorse74]

The copper washers are called a banjo washer. I believe those are number 15,17,27 and 28 in your exploded view. It is very possible to over and under torque the washers.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse74

The copper washers are called a banjo washer. I believe those are number 15,17,27 and 28 in your exploded view. It is very possible to over and under torque the washers.

If they start leaking you can anneal them. Heat on a flame until red hot, then dump in cold water. Now they are soft again and able to seal the connection.

Replacing them is easier and cheap if you have a source.

ciao!
Nick.

[captain58sailin]

The crush washers, can have a scratch on the face that will allow fuel to leak, or the banjo fitting surface could possibly have a minor scratch, I would start with replacing the copper crush washers, when you pull the fittings off examine them closely for mars if needed some really fine emery cloth and smooth out any raised scratches. I had a similar leak that was fixed by just replacing the washer.

[WorldWind]

Leaking diesel on a hot engine can = disaster .
Ask me how I know .
Bad day boating..

[Charlie]

Diesel Injector Cleaning DIY - PeachParts Mercedes ShopForum Is a link to rebuilding Mercedes injectors. You don't have to go as far as this but when you take the body apart spread a little Permatex aviation #3 to the body threads. This is a common leak point. Sorry I had written more but it got lost in cyber space and I have to go PM me if you want more info.