Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > 4 wheels > Light Overland Vehicle Tech
Light Overland Vehicle Tech Tech issues, tips and hints, prepping for travel
Under 3500kg vehicles, e.g. Land Cruiser, Land Rover, Subaru etc.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London and all over West Africa
Posts: 680
Gaining Engine Oil: OM366A Mercedes

Hi Guys

After a bit of advice.

OM366A engine in a Mercedes 1617.

Last few days she has been belching out exhaust, way more than usual, even when at running temperature, and have been gaining a significant amount of engine oil.

Initially thought it was water getting in the oil as the smoke was a whiteish colour.

However, she is holding her temperature very well, she has not needed any water adding to the header tank, and when we changed the oil there was no sign of water in the sump/oil drained out.

Therefore thoughts lead us to think she is leaking diesel into the oil supply. The oil does appear quite thin, and the oil filter element had a purple tinge to it suggesting diesel contamination.

First thought: injecters not tight, so leaking diesel into oil supply in the cylinder head.

However, all injecters tight, no concerns there. Return line also tight (where it screw into the side of each injecter)

She has full power, drives along fine as usual, but belching out smoke and like we say, gaining oil.

Looking through the Merc manual, I discovered a page detailing the replacement of O rings below where the injectors sit.

So, if you pull out the injectors, you are left with the cavity they sit in. But there is a protective sleeve in this cavity, that can be removed with a special merc tool, and apparently an O ring sits below this protective sleeve.

These O rings do come with the head gasket set, always have done, but I've never acutally replaced them. The manual suggests that if these O rings are old/perished, then water can get into the water supply. But we are convinced it is not water, but diesel.

Do you guys think diesel could get into the oil supply from these O rings? I guess if the injectors are spraying into the combustion chamber, there is potential that it can escape into the oil supply due to these O rings being worn?

Also thought the timing of the engine is wrong so delivering too much fuel, leading to excess diesel in the combustion chambers hence the excess smoke, but we have not played around with the timing on the injector pump, so find it hard to believe this is the issue.

Any thoughts appreciated.

David
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
think it more likely to be the lift pump that sends oil to teh injector pump. Had the same thing on my Massey Ferguson. Usually it is the rubber diaphragm that splits.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London and all over West Africa
Posts: 680
Thanks for the thoughts.

Only thing that makes me think it might not be that....if the rubber has split causing diesel to leak into the engine block (and therefore the oil supply), then surely air in turn can get into the diesel supply via the lift pump? That would result in loss of power/difficulty starting etc as would need to bleed the fuel system of air.

This is not the case, she starts perfectly every time and no loss of power at all.

However will check regardless.

Any other thoughts appreciated.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Bribie Island Australia
Posts: 678
Likely an injector has failed and is leaking fuel into a cylinder and then trickling down into the sump passed the piston rings when the engine is stopped. The white smoke is an indication of over fuelling/unburnt fuel when the engine is running.

Best thing would be to get each injector tested and calibrated.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London and all over West Africa
Posts: 680
Thanks for the thoughts Roger.

I forgot to mention we had all 6 injectors out less than a month ago. Pressure tested them, all fine, no signs of leaking, atomizing the diesel perfectly.

The nozzles are only 30,000kms old also.

So can't believe they are leaking this significantly having only tested them a month ago.

On a 1,000km drive through Europe this week she gained approx 2-3 litres of oil (and we think it is diesel in the oil).
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: J10 M40 UK
Posts: 362
you need to watch for level getting high enough that it starts to run on the sump oil (runaway) , also there is a serious risk of damage to bearings with diesel diluted engine oil .
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12 Oct 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: newquay cornwall uk
Posts: 15
I had the same problem with Mercedes 352A in my unimog. Changed the fuel lift pump and cured the problem. A repair kit is availiable for the lift pump.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London and all over West Africa
Posts: 680
Hi tac2Rman

Yes, agreed. We changed the oil when we noticed it had gained 2 litres or so after a days drive.

Then we checked all the injectors area, tightened everything, hoped we had cured it, and then it continued, so swapped the oil again.

We are not driving it until we solve this problem, so hopefuly no damage done so far.

Neil, agreed, we will check the lift pump. If we unbolt it from the engine block and manually prime it with the priming handle we should notice diesel leaking around the back (ie the side which bolts onto the engine block)

Any other thoughts appreciated.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London and all over West Africa
Posts: 680
Just a thought.....if lift pump is leaking diesel into the engine block where it bolts on, then surely it can draw in air as well? That would lead to starting problems and power issues as air in the diesel system.......as before, we have had no power issues and she starts fine first time.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12 Oct 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: newquay cornwall uk
Posts: 15
When the fuel lift pump on my Unimog was leaking diesel into the engine oil I had no running problems or starting problems. Another possibillity is a crack in the injector leakoff pipe .
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 12 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London and all over West Africa
Posts: 680
Thanks again for suggestions Neil. Yes, we will take return pipe off and blow compressed air down it and see if any holes/fractures this would piss diesel into the oil supply if the culprit.

Will report back. Thanks for all your thoughts.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 12 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
All you need to do is take the pump off and work the operating lever. Diesel will squirt out from the split in the diaphragm. It will pump enough to feed the injector pump without any injection problems. The diluted lube however will lower oil pressure, and wreck your crank and big end bearings. the diesel will dissolve the carbon in the piston ring grooves and allow it to piss oil into the cylinders.

You have spent more time debating this than fixing the fault would have taken.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 13 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London and all over West Africa
Posts: 680
Hi Oldbmw

Thanks for your advice. Can't check the problem myself as I am not currently with the truck.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 14 Oct 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
I had the same fault with my Massey tractor. It has a fuel tank above the engine and I first found it very weird that my oil level was rising, and oil pressure dropping. Took me a while to figure out how it was happening. At first I thought the fuel was gravity fed direct to the injector pump, but it isn't. The Tractor uses a lift pump to lower the diesel .

The four gallons or so of lube oil/diesel worked well in my oil burning stove
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 8 Nov 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: London and all over West Africa
Posts: 680
In the end: a leaky injector!!

Couldn't believe it. We had all 6 injectors out just 4 weeks before this problem happened. We had hooked them all up to a pressure tester. They all held 180-200 under load, absolutely zero sign of dribbling or leaking, and the spray pattern very good (for all of them).

Yet 4 weeks later one started leaking.

Injector in cylinder 1 was the culprit. It must have been leaking significantly to have caused the amount of smoke and oil gain we were experiencing.

Anyway, problem solved, the old girl is back to normal thankfuly.

Cheers for all of your advise much appreciated.

David
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Finally, a single cylinder adventure bike colebatch Which Bike? 305 27 Aug 2015 16:04
eninge oil in Botswana? dstehouwer sub-Saharan Africa 6 8 Dec 2013 19:25
XT600e oil leak bm150875 Yamaha Tech 6 18 Sep 2013 07:28
best engine oil for DRZ 400 in Addis? TigerTiger Suzuki Tech 1 5 Feb 2013 20:18
XT600E 2002 Engine Oil Trichelia Yamaha Tech 17 17 Nov 2011 14:25

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 18:30.