29th April 2012, 21:20
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Holyhead again.
Posts: 1,507
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Willem
I've restored and maintained several Leylands and if problems like you've describe occur it has to do with fuel issues. Today's diesel is much more aggressive than diesel from decades ago. No sulfur and all kinds of additives that may harm the fuel filters along the fuel's travel to the pump and from there to the injectors. The lack of sulfur may cause problems with the pumps, either the DPA or the line pump. Lack of lubrication may cause early failure of the pumps. Another problem are the fuel filters, both inside the tank and those smaller ones built in the fuel line. The older filters are made of fine copper wire and today's diesel will attack the copper in a way that it, in due course, entirely dissolves the copper. The copper particles can clogg the next filter in the fuel line, but at the same time, the diesel will dissolve that filter too. The copper particles will enter the pump with all kinds of disasterous effects to the pump.
So, make sure the fuel tank and fuel lines are absolutely clean, replace the fuel filters with ones that are able to handle modern fuel without braking up fuel filters like the old copper ones. Furthermore, it might be wise to add sulfur replacements from time to time. Just to protect the pump, specially the DPA rotation pumps will undoubtedly be very happy with some extra TLC.
The Leyland engines are very reliable indeed, we have one that has done more than 1.5 million miles........ Older vehicles must be checked regurlarly, specially those that are hardly ever used. And last but not least, it might be better not to start the engine if you don't intent to drive the vehicle at all. Instead, remove the injectors and put some engine preservative oil into the cylinders. Starting an engine without driving it warm will cause severe clogging of the valve and valve seats with soot in due coarse. Starting the engine without driving it warm will also cause deterioation of the seals, causing engine coolant entering the engine oil. Therefore, always check the oil for water prior to even look at the starter button......
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Blimey! So much I didn't know about diesel engines! Many thanks Willem.
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