JD 450C Fuel Injector

[Anonymous-0]

Apparently the fuel injector on my 450C trackloader is leaking right where it connects to the block. I've been advised to send it out to be rebuilt (for about $800-900), and that it'll probably take two weeks or so to get it back.

I've done very little work on diesel engines... was just looking for a sanity check and ensure there aren't other alternatives I should be looking at.

Thanks!

 

[JDemaris]

Who the heck are you getting your advice from?

Your engine uses "throw away" pencil injectors and there is no process to "rebuid" them.

The Chinese are hammering them by the thousands and you can buy a brand new injector for $45.

Also, if your injector is leaking where it enters the block - it is NOT an injector problem, assuming it's an engine compression leak. It means
you need a new teflon seal that costs around one dollar.

 

[Mark12]

The leak is at the fuel injection pump... not the nozzles. Sorry I wasn't clear about that.

 

[JDemaris]

Well, if the pump is leaking where it connects to the block, the leak ought to be motor oil, not diesel fuel - correct? The injection pump is a self-contained unit and full of diesel fuel. The engine is full of engine oil. Between the two there is simple gasket. If the gasket leaks, engine oil drips out and has nothing to do with the injection pump.

 

[Mark12]

Maybe I misinterpreted what I was seeing? The only way to see the leak was to use an inspection mirror and look on the back side of the fuel injector pump.

The machine was just returned after having a bunch of work done on it. Both the driver and mechanic said the leak was diesel fuel.

I'll pull the side engine cover and see if it's possible to get a picture of where it's leaking...

 

[Mark12]

I obviously didn't comprehend what I was looking at...

I've now pulled the cover and "sniff-tested" the leak. It's clearly diesel fuel and the leak is clearly coming from the pump itself.

 

[Mark12]

Here's where it's leaking.

 

[Mark12]

One more shot.

 

[Mark12]

Given that and the zip-ties cobbled together to hold in what I presume is a plug of some sort, worthwhile getting the fuel pump rebuilt?

Thanks again and sorry about the misdirection.

 

[JDemaris]

A complete seal and gasket set for that pump costs around $14. Many of the seals can be replaced from the outside without any major work.

I'm not clear though as to exactly where the fuel is leaking. Obviously it's NOT where the pump mounts on the engine.

Also, it's hard to figure what those zip-ties are doing. All the plugs are threaded into the pump. I'm wondering if someone had the throttle-shaft out of the pump and lost the snap ring that holds it in. There's a cap on the outside of the pump that rotates whenever the throttle is moved. If that ring is missing, the cap would fall out - and it looks like the zip-ties are riding against it.

 

[Mark12]

One more picture. Keep in mind, since the picture is a mirror image, you're looking at the bottom of the fuel pump. The leak appears to be right where the larger "bolt" meets with the housing.

Sounds like I'm better off trying to get a seal kit and maybe the clip (bone yard for that?) rather than paying to have the thing hauled back to the dealer...

 

[JDemaris]

That leak is from a broken o-ring on that big hex-plug. That plug can be unscrewed, taken out, and put back in with the pump on the engine. Just be careful since there are some small parts inside. That cap has a spring inside, a spring guide, a piston, and a end-cap. It's not as complicated as it sounds though.