any one here planning on becoming mobil soon

[Jones'n4chrome]

Way to go Rudy! Good job.

[teamgreen]

Sometimes it makes sense to remove the part or whatever is in the way. On the other hand, you'd have to catch all the coolant that spills when you remove the hose. This is probably a last resort for you but I just thought I'd put that out there.

[Bob]

If worse comes to worse you can use those diesel cans from the drivers seat. Here is how to do it.
1. Take fuel line and run it to the drivers area
2. Fill mouth with diesel (be careful not to smoke or swallow)
3. Insert fuel line into mouth
4. Blow hard. The harder you blow the faster you go!

[Dennis The Bus Dweller]

I gotta hand it to ya Rudy, Your really marching on

[ezrablu]

I agree! Great job! And thanks for keeping us updated on your progress

[Rudy]

Here's the news.

I've been at this task since this morning. I have tools strewn around the bus. I smell like diesel fuel. (I don't mind that so much).

Even after tightening the 6 screws that hold the top of the fuel pump on, It is still leaking.

I am very dismayed.

I took a few pics. I will post them as soon as I can get centered. I am frayed at this moment.

It doesn't look like much coming out of the fuel pump, but when I look under the bus, it is alarming how much drip there is. I took pics of that also.

I talked with Mark O. today. He does not have much experience with the 1160 CAT motor.

I am hoping that I can replace just the top half of the fuel pump. I do not want to have to take the unit out and not get it back on the correct cam upon re-installing.

Either way, I think I have to get a new pump.

I am so dismayed!

[Bob]

I hate when that happens! You know if I was there I'd be crawling in it with ya! I am wondering....are you CERTAIN it is the pump and not the fuel lines going to or from it? Fuel does run and drip from the lowest point.
Before doing anything major I have learned to eliminate without any doubts every possible easy fix...or at least try too.

[Rudy]

Bob, After reading your post, I did a test and deduced that the leak is NOT coming from the fuel lines.

After speaking with Chuckles today, I think I have an idea of what is happening.

Chuckles told me of a vent hole for the diaphragm. It makes sense because the diaphragm will not move without an air escape.

Even though I can't see the vent hole, I believe THAT is where the leak is.

If the diaphragm develops a leak, the fuel will pass through it and drain on the bottom side of the pump.

When the diaphragm is intact, the pumping action will be maintained above the rubber element which is where the fuel lines are.

It makes sense to me. I sure hope I am correct. If so, I feel better knowing that a new fuel pump will fix the problem.

I'll post pics later and ask specific question of the brains in our family.

Gotta go get the diesel off me now.

A hearty Merci Beaucoup por mes amis dans mon bus famille.
In English: Thank you very much to my friends in my bus family.

R the manic mechanic

[Bob]

If you do end up needing a part (it would be awesome to find a diaphram) remember our friend Shawn in Springfield...he works at the O'Riely parts warehouse and can get some things at cost. I know that they do carry a pretty good supply of big rig parts. It wouldnt be too much $ to have it sent to you from there.
Good luck!!

[Rudy]

Bob, your concept of how the "universe" works is what makes you such a powerful person.

I will give Shawn a call.

[Sharkey]

Well, first off, I know ~nothing~ about your particular injection pump, all of my knowledge is of the Bosch VE pumps.

I don't know about a "diaphragm" in your pump, but the naturally-aspirated VE pumps don't have one. The N/A VE pumps with the altitude compensator and turbo diesel pumps do. Neither of these help you.

What I can tell you is that since the introduction of "Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel", there have been all manner of fuel system problems in a variety of vehicles. ULSD makes seals and gaskets shrink, providing many potential leaks. The injection pumps of my own and a friend's VW's leak like a sieve when they have a high percentage of ULSD in them and stop when filled with straight or high blend biodiesel. This leaking affects the shaft seals and cover plate gaskets on both pumps.

It might be possible that you could get a gasket kit and replace a cover gasket yourself. However, you should know before even starting this project that you must maintain operating room cleanliness around an injection pump that is opened under the engine compartment of a vehicle. Even the tiniest speck of dirt will clog an injector, and any grime or grit in the pump will spell it's doom. It would be best to take the pump off for servicing, that way you could thoroughly clean it before opening.

I have opened and serviced pumps while still on the car, but it's no fun, and if you encounter any "Jesus springs" during disassembly, you will be totally screwed, much better to have that stuff pop out in a contained space.

Injection pump shops aren't going to be of much help to you. The mindset of all of them is that injection pumps aren't a user-serviceable item (which is BS), and none of them will undertake a simple pump repair without a complete rebuild and trip through the flow bench. They not only have the corner on the market, but also are very wary of callbacks due to fixing only the customer's complaint and then taking it in the shorts when something not related to the service they performed happens.

Short story is that you will either need to repair this pump yourself or buy a rebuilt one from a fuel injection shop. Third option I'd try is to find some biodeisel and finish topping up your tank with that, it might be enough to swell the seals/gaskets and stop the leaks. Of course, you'd be putting any remaining rubber parts of the fuel system at risk if you left that fuel in long-term, but if your interest is in getting moved first and fixing the bus second, it would be a cheap and easy temporary fix.

Also remember that diesel is combustible, not flammable, Another option for moving is to route the leaking fuel into a container under the bus, keeping it off the road, and just drive it as-is. A sloppy solution, but not particularly dangerous if the fuel is not being atomized and/or coating hot exhaust manifolds, etc.

[Rudy]

Sharkey, I like option C which is to drive it like it is. I am worried about the fuel getting on the exhaust pipes as seen in the photos enclosed.

SO! Here is the unit that kicked Rudy's ass today.

[Dennis The Bus Dweller]

Just bring a good size fire extinguisher with you just in case

[Sharkey]

??? I don't know a thing about CAT engines, but that doesn't look anything like an injection pump to me. What it looks like is a "lifter" or "pusher" pump, designed to move fuel from the tank to the actual injector pump. Does it only have two lines connected to it? One to the tank and another to the injection pump, perhaps with some filters in between somewhere?

The actual injection pump will be more complex, with a linkage connection to the accelerator pedal up in your driver's position. A lifter pump may not be all that expensive to replace.

Option #4, take the lines off this pump (if indeed, it is a lifter pump) and instead get a cheap electric fuel pump from the auto parts store. Put the electric pump in the line in place of that mechanical pump and call it all good for your trip. (of course, you'll have to wire the electric pump up to your ignition switch...)

[teamgreen]

Rudy
I just bought a universal fuel pump from Oreily. I think it was $60 and was ok for gas or diesel. I hope you get it worked out soon. Sounds like you have plenty of help here.

I just found out today that I will be "mobile" in a day or two. I thought I was going to have much more time but my lot has changed ownership. I will be completing any repairs on the streets of a certain city in Ca. Not excited about that but it will be just the motivation I need to get outta here!