Hello,

I have discovered a fuel leak on my Ducato (2012, 2.3 multijet 150). It is a slow drip that only occurs when the engine is running.

I think it is coming from a metal pipe coming out of the fuel pump and then dripping on to the oil filter underneath.



https://photos.app.goo.gl/fRKK4Fp7f2FbVt917

Hopefully you can see from the image taken from underneath the oil filter lookin upwards, it seems to be leaking from the metal pipe connection just above the oil filter.

Any help or advice appreciated.

Hi

That looks like a bolt.up union

Have you tried tightening a little ?

( dont force it.. just add a little tension..and see if it 'creeps')

varesecrazy said:

Hi

That looks like a bolt.up union

Have you tried tightening a little ?

( dont force it.. just add a little tension..and see if it 'creeps')

Click to expand...

The problem I'm having is getting a spanner on it. Can't get at it from underneath or above and the radiator blocks access from the front ?

I have removed my fuel lines and brake vacuum line off my engine to remove my gearbox.
Unfortunately, they use nylon plastic and become brittle over time.

Most likely one of yours is cracked?

I disconnected mine completely and one drips diesel regularly even though completely disconnected?

My brake vacuum line just cracked off on removal with just a little pressure.
Even the radiator hose fitting snapped off trying to remove the expansion hose.

I can confirm the plastic components do go brittle with age.

I haven't replaced my hoses yet...my gearbox is my priority.
There is an art to replacing the nylon hoses...as they are quite hard.
Anyone else done this before?

Hi,

I do not have specific knowledge of the 3.0 JTD, but the pipe in question looks suspiciously like the HP pump outlet. If this is the case the pipe will connect with the fuel gallery, which is situated at the cylinder head level of the engine, but probably concealed under an engine cover.

The fuel pressure on common rail engines, is typically 20,000 psi, perhaps higher in multijet engines.

On consulting a page from a partial download of a manual for the Iveco 2.8JTD, a tightening torque of 20 Nm is given, but this requires a special torque wrench.

There are two stated requirements when tightening the union nuts, on the pump, fuel gallery, and injectors. The hexagon behind the union nut must be held with a second spanner, and if the pipes have been removed, they must be replaced. (I note that it is difficult to approach the union with just one spanner, never mind two.)

While my source information is dated, I doubt that the method will have changed significantly.

However perhaps a forum member, with access to eLearn for the X250 could confirm, by perhaps looking under Procedures-Engine-Fuel System.

For anyone who may be interested, I am attaching the appropriate page of the Iveco Manual.

Yes, the HP fuel pipes should always be replaced if they are disconnected for any reason. I think it is often the case that independent repairers in particular may not bother, e.g. when changing timing belt and water pump on the 2.3 engines if they take the route of removing the water pump and HP fuel pump as one and split them on the bench.

The way to get reasonable access to the OPs union nut is probably to remove the oil filter. You will lose the volume of oil in the filter, but not the sump since the filter sits higher. If the oil isn't due for a change, fit a new filter when done and top up the oil to level after running the engine for a minute or so to refill the filter. Otherwise, do a full oil change at the same time.

Tightening torque for all HP and LP fuel pipe unions is 25Nm +/- 2Nm in eLearn and the Iveco engine manual, and all pipes and unions must be replaced with new ones whenever it is necessary to disconnect them.