Injector leak? ISC350

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Injector leak? ISC350

July 12, 2021, 01:57:13 pm

After our run yesterday (currently outside Cody, Wyoming) I noticed what appears to be diesel on the upper passenger side of the engine....where my uneducated understanding is the location of the injectors. That area and below show "wet" but no drips on the ground that I can see. No change to engine performance I can feel or hear.

Unless there's a reason to be concerned immediately, I'll monitor changes and plan a stop at Cummins Coach Care in Billings in mid September. Between now and then we have about 1000 miles in 5 stops over the next 2 months.

Thoughts and suggestions welcomed.

Re: Injector leak? ISC350

Reply #1 – July 12, 2021, 02:00:38 pm

Probably lower than where you saw the diesel, but do check the lift pump for a leak-- a common issue.

And, many times a short-term fix is to just tighten the bolts securing it.

It that is the problem, do not drive too far before fixing it, as leaking while sitting also allows air in with the engine running (it is then under a vacuum) and can damage the injector pump.

Re: Injector leak? ISC350

Reply #2 – July 12, 2021, 02:16:58 pm

Randy,

How about a photo of where the leak is coming from? The amount of diesel and location will help to tell how soon it should be fixed.

Pierce

Re: Injector leak? ISC350

Reply #3 – July 12, 2021, 02:22:36 pm

Brett and Pierce

Away from coach and no internet where we're camping. I'll try and get pics and upload when we're back in town.

How can I identify lift pump?

Pierce, wet starts at top of passenger side...where I assume injectors are located.

Re: Injector leak? ISC350

Reply #4 – July 12, 2021, 03:05:58 pm

Lift pump is on passenger's side of engine.

Go back there and have your copilot turn the key on. The pump will run for about 30 seconds then shut off. Locate by sound that way of follow fuel lines.

Re: Injector leak? ISC350

Reply #5 – July 12, 2021, 05:55:53 pm

Definitely appears wetter on top. See pics. Have appt at Cummins coach care in Billings for Sept 20 and only about 5 x 200 mile days between now and then. Unless there's a trustworthy diesel shop between Cody, Missoula or Glacier area between now and then.

Re: Injector leak? ISC350

Reply #6 – July 12, 2021, 06:09:44 pm

Randy,

Have you confirmed it is diesel fuel and not engine oil?

Irrespective of what it is, to assist either you or the shop in determining the source of the leak, put on some dirty clothes, get a can of WD-40, two rolls of paper towels and an old toothbrush (NOT your own) and clean the area so you could eat off it.

Re: Injector leak? ISC350

Reply #7 – July 12, 2021, 06:11:25 pm

If you have some brake clean clean the area and let it dry and then start the engine and
look for the leak. You need to know what kind of a leak it is. If it is a fine spray I would fix
it right away. If it is a slow drip you might get away with it. The leak is away from the exhaust
which is a good thing. Remember it is summer and hot so you don't want a fire.

Re: Injector leak? ISC350

Reply #8 – July 12, 2021, 06:57:16 pm

It looks like a seep to me rather than a leak. Could be engine oil. Yes, cans of WD-40 and paper towels and when it's clean, see if you can pinpoint the source of the leak. Gun below works faster and keeps your hands clean. I take it that nothing is on the ground under where it's seeping.

I usually connect an air hose and use a 2 gallon jug of cleaner like WalMart sells for about $11. Or HD, Target, etc. The inexpensive engine cleaning gun from a auto parts store will clean it and then the air will dry it so you are ready to spot the source.

Engine cleaning gun: https://www.harborfreight.com/engine-cleaning-gun-68290.html. Comes without hose chuck fitting so you have to compare to your hose, either shop or industrial fitting.

Pierce

Re: Injector leak? ISC350

Reply #9 – July 12, 2021, 07:04:57 pm

I doubt this is the same but I've had two #4 fuel line failures on Cummins ISB engines. They go from nothing to be concerned to real bad real quick. I actually carry a fuel injector line cap and a factory new fuel line and tools to change in my truck.
Scott

Re: Injector leak? ISC350

Reply #10 – July 12, 2021, 08:30:24 pm

After you get the suspect area clean and DRY a light dusting of talcum powder will find me any seeping spots, if all else fails.

Re: Injector leak? ISC350

Reply #11 – July 12, 2021, 09:52:04 pm

How best to confirm i

Quote from: wolfe10 – July 12, 2021, 06:09:44 pm

Randy,

Have you confirmed it is diesel fuel and not engine oil?

Irrespective of what it is, to assist either you or the shop in determining the source of the leak, put on some dirty clothes, get a can of WD-40, two rolls of paper towels and an old toothbrush (NOT your own) and clean the area so you could eat off it.

How best to confirm I f it's engine oil or diesel?

Re: Injector leak? ISC350

Reply #12 – July 12, 2021, 09:53:53 pm

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – July 12, 2021, 06:57:16 pm

It looks like a seep to me rather than a leak. Could be engine oil. Yes, cans of WD-40 and paper towels and when it's clean, see if you can pinpoint the source of the leak. Gun below works faster and keeps your hands clean. I take it that nothing is on the ground under where it's seeping.

I usually connect an air hose and use a 2 gallon jug of cleaner like WalMart sells for about $11. Or HD, Target, etc. The inexpensive engine cleaning gun from a auto parts store will clean it and then the air will dry it so you are ready to spot the source.

Engine cleaning gun: https://www.harborfreight.com/engine-cleaning-gun-68290.html. Comes without hose chuck fitting so you have to compare to your hose, either shop or industrial fitting.

Pierce

Sounds like a good plan. Do you remember the specific Walmart cleaner?

Re: Injector leak? ISC350

Reply #13 – July 12, 2021, 11:39:08 pm

Quote from: floridarandy – July 12, 2021, 09:53:53 pm

Sounds like a good plan. Do you remember the specific Walmart cleaner?

Yes, it's an even better deal at about $11.67 plus tax for 2.5 gallons. Purple Power Degreaser Concentrate, 2.5 Gallons - Walmart.com After I used it up, I didn't want to go all the way down to WM so went to Home Depot. Think it was a dollar or two more than WM.

Pierce

Re: Injector leak? ISC350

Reply #14 – July 12, 2021, 11:56:37 pm

This stuff is amazing from costco - safe and water based- my airplane IA turned me on to it when we has cleaning my engine at the annual.

http://www.costco.com/oil-eater-cleaner-5-gallon.product.100278868.html

Re: Injector leak? ISC350

Reply #15 – July 13, 2021, 12:02:29 am

I buy the same thing doesn't hurt aluminum.

Re: Injector leak? ISC350

Reply #16 – July 13, 2021, 10:25:17 am

Quote from: floridarandy – July 12, 2021, 09:52:04 pm

How best to confirm iHow best to confirm I f it's engine oil or diesel?

Smell it. Diesel fuel has quite a distinctive odor. Compare with a whiff from your fuel tank.

Engine oil has much less odor and is black.

Yes, with accumulated dirt over time, sometimes color is hard to distinguish.

But after cleaning (don't forget the tooth brush for tight areas) it will be quite a lot easier to determine.

Re: Injector leak? ISC350

Reply #17 – July 13, 2021, 11:00:49 am

Keywords for researching and buying these products are biodegradable, non-abrasive, non-flammable and phosphate-free.

Pierce

Re: Injector leak? ISC350

Reply #18 – July 13, 2021, 11:13:16 am

Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart – July 13, 2021, 11:00:49 am

Keywords for researching and buying these products are biodegradable, non-abrasive, non-flammable and phosphate-free.

Pierce

Agree IF you are going to clean the whole engine.

But, unless the whole engine is caked with gunk, I have just used WD-40, a tooth brush and lots of paper towel. More critical for an electronic engine, as I really don't like using lots of water around electric connections.

Re: Injector leak? ISC350

Reply #19 – July 13, 2021, 11:37:48 am

Quote from: wolfe10 – July 13, 2021, 11:13:16 am

Agree IF you are going to clean the whole engine.

But, unless the whole engine is caked with gunk, I have just used WD-40, a tooth brush and lots of paper towel. More critical for an electronic engine, as I really don't like using lots of water around electric connections.

Yes, if I use it on the entire engine, I bag the ECU and alternator. With the Detroit, the ECU is pretty weather proof and most of the wiring including all the electronic unit injectors/Jake is internal and located under the valve covers. WD-40 works great in smaller areas. I started using the purple stuff after we broke a hydraulic hose. The mess was incredible not only in the engine compartment but the toad was covered with oil. Had to drive it to the car wash first so we could see out of the windshield. Lucky we didn't catch fire.

I like using anything on a warm engine. In winter or high humidity, it sticks around longer on a cold engine plus the oil/grease is removed easier if warm.

Pierce