I was checking all the fuel line fittings to make sure I was getting a good stream of fuel. All good out of the tank and to the filter, the fuel looked clean and normal, but when I got to the other side by injector pump, I found a loose line that was leaking. I traced it from end of injector pump to filter housing. I tried tightening it but still leaking. I disconnected line at injector pump and pressed the bleeder on lift pump, and found this is the fuel line bringing fuel to injector pump. The rubber seal appears to be hardened and brittle. If it is leaking fuel, could it be sucking air? Can I replace just the rubber seal or have to replace line? Does it have to be exact line or could I get a copper line and bend it myself? Could this be my main problem or just another that needs fixing? This is a picture of line with arrow pointing to leak.
Screenshot by Lightshot Thanks in advance
Well, for no more than the price of a filter, I still go for a filter. This total eliminates the chance. At 19 degrees, with summer blend and no additive it could have gotten the best of you. A plugged filter from gelling will look great, just fine and nearly new. But it is plugged up with that "waxy substance and you can't tell it by looking at it.
Now for your other auestions. You said you were familiar with gasoline engines. For my comparison, I'm going to "pick on" the old 390 Ford engine from the early 1970's cause it is a engine I understand and am familiar with. I hope you understand the old 390. The good news an old diesel engine is relatively simple.
The old 390 had points, a condenser, vacuum advance, distributor, coil, plug wires, spark plugs, carburetor and so forth. Throw all that stuf2f away cause you don't need any of it.
Now, let's talk about the diesel and what parts on the diesel serve as all the stuff we just threw away on that old 390. The injectors take the place of both the spark plug and the carburetor. The injector injects a spray pattern of fuel into the cylinder with extremely high pressure (usually about 3,000 psi). The fuel lines from the injector pump to the injector are like and serve the same type of job as plug wires, but there is a difference. plug wire care electricity to the spark plug and fuel lines carry fuel to them injectors. Now, electrcity travel super fast. So, if you go to Napa and buy plug wires you will get short ones and long ones and so forth and every thing will work out fine. With a diesel and it's fuel lines that womy work. The fuel don't travel as fast as electricity. Therefore all the fuel lines have to be the exact same length in order for every thing to work out. So, if you need fuel lines, it is best to get them from the manufacturer. ( If you need help getting parts, let me know and I can help you get in touch with mf dealer.)
Now, the injector pump. It kind of serves the same function as a fuel pump on the old 390 and is mechanical like the old 390. However there are some big differences. For starters fuel pressure on a 390 was like 7 psi
I can't remember the pressure coming out of the injector pump, but it is alot. Now here the next big difference. The injector pump takes the place of and serves as the distributor. Inside that injector pump are little tiny pistons. Just as the distributor turns on a 390 and the rotor cap deliverers the spark to the right plug wire via the distributor cap, the injector pump turns and each little piston pushes the fuel to the right injector via the fuel line.
From them then injector pump back to the tank it is basically like that or a gasoline engine.
Here is the another big difference between gas and diedel engines, a diesel required absolutely no electricity to keep it running. All the old tractors 60's and 70's did not need electricity to make the run. You needed the electricity to turn the starter and run the lights. Not these engineers think they are getting cute and creative by put all these electrical and electronic gadgets on the new tractors. Those need electricity and the engineers are making a mess out of things for a guy like you or me.
So can you system suck air and cause trouble??? Yes. Can you replace the they rubber piece that serves as a seal and is all weather checked??? Yes, but you'll probably have to go thru a mf dealer. Can you replace the fuel lines??? Yes, but copper and rubber are out. The fuel lines on a diesel are steel. I've never seen a diesel with anything but steel fuel lines. Hope this helps
