Who said running on veg oil mix was ok????

[Wolfracer]

Hi all,

I don't run veg at all, but my pump leaked a lot fuel
a couple of years ago, so I put 2 litres of ATF in
the tank, and it stopped it leaking after a couple of
days. But last year I had to have it resealed at my local
garage. (pump off job not cheap). It might work with
veggie, allways worth a try,

Gman.

Worth a try...
unless anyone can see an issue with putting ATF through the fuel system?

[Rustinho]

Worth a try...
unless anyone can see an issue with putting ATF through the fuel system?

Shouldn't be a problem. Elsewhere on the forum it is recommended to fill a new fuel filter with ATF to clear out the fuel lines from that point onwards...

[TonyN]

Veg oil often leaks from old rubber seals, going back to derv usually fixes it, or renewing the seals sorts it properly, it would probably start leaking soon anyway.

Its usually the top lid seal, which is easy, the outer lower side seal you can also do without removing pump, its only the inside lower one you need to take pump out for. which is tedious, but not overly tricky, think changing cam belt, and then a little longer up get pump out and renew seals..

Veg oil and leaking pump seals is well covered here, also its cleaning properties on the fuel tank, leading to blocked filters.

But all fixable things, and then you can happily veg out the rest of the time.

[POPEYE]

ATF is fine throught the fuel system, it's quite an aggressive "cleaner" which is a good thing, when i was useing veg my seal started leaking, its due in part to old seals (rubber as opposed to the neoprene? stuff the new ones are made of) and the thicker veg oil, i always added white spirits or petrol (a couple of Lt's per fill) to help thin it, the leak stopped after returning to derv and thats when i started adding the spirits/gasolene that was a couple of years back and it's been fine since, should i need to strip the engine again i will replace all seals on the pump but till then even a small leak is fine, FFS dont pay some soddin garage, one quoted me £2,500 to get the pump reconned, they were a fuel injection "specialist's" (c##ts)

[dieselboy]

My 2.4 used to leak a little bit when running high mixes of veg. Someone on this forum suggested mixing in cheap white spirit with the veg / derv mix to help the seals stay pufft. They recommended 1 litre of white spirit to 12 litres of veg. However I used to use 1 to 2 litres of white spirit to a full tank of veg / derv mix. Then sometimes I wouldnt use any at all.
I bought a seal kit from roughtrax and fitted what I could without removing the pump and of course this made little to no difference, but I wasnt about to remove the fuel pump!

In my personal experience with my 2.4, I could run 40 litres veg, 1 or 2 litres white spirit and the rest topped up with Diesel and this would not leak at all. you could also then run a tank or so of the usual mix and then add in a litre or two of white spirit to keep the seals pumped up.

If you run your tank down to the almost empty and put a decent amount of only Diesel in, does the leak stop?

[Wolfracer]

Ooooh! It I hadn't already paid my fees I'd pay 'em straight away! Thanks for all the advice guys, and sorry for the thread hijack OP - it's sort of still on topic.

Will stick the ATF in and a bit of White Spirit for good luck and report back.

BTW. Did it again this morning, but coming home, not a drop. I assume its the temp difference thinning the oil?

[lawsy]

mines got wose, but havent topped up with regular diesel yet..

made another purchase so been playing with that and its big engine

Veg oil often leaks from old rubber seals, going back to derv usually fixes it, or renewing the seals sorts it properly, it would probably start leaking soon anyway.

Its usually the top lid seal, which is easy, the outer lower side seal you can also do without removing pump, its only the inside lower one you need to take pump out for. which is tedious, but not overly tricky, think changing cam belt, and then a little longer up get pump out and renew seals..

Veg oil and leaking pump seals is well covered here, also its cleaning properties on the fuel tank, leading to blocked filters.

But all fixable things, and then you can happily veg out the rest of the time.

tony, have done the top seal, i seem to be getting a little out from the screw in sensor up top, but it looks liek most of my leak is coming from the backof the pump, but with my limited knwledge and monkey hands i didnt want to go further...

so need to pop n see you i think...

have picked up a second hand pump too just in case its had it, did you get my message the other day?

cheers

steve

[TonyN]

I recently used my last good pump...

I have one with a leak out of the rear seal, and toying with the idea as pulling it apart and seeing what happens, but have always been told you can't dismantle the rear bit without recalibrating it all, which I can't do.

Might go for it and see what happens.

[Wolfracer]

Didn't leak this morning....sods law I know, but still put in 4 litres of white spirit and 2 litres of atf into about 40 litres of VERY veggie oily derv.... run's a little better now, and no leaks. will see in the morning though. Fingers crossed....

[lawsy]

When you say ATF do you automatic transmission fluid - or something else?

[Spoggle]

My fuel pump started to leak well over a year ago now, it started as a drip but tends to throw a fair bit out now. But it only leaks when the engine is cold, once it gets hot the leak appears to stop. No doubt one day it will dump all the fuel out onto the road in one big gush. I too am a ham fisted idiot when it comes to anything to do with bits of the engine that are hard to see or reach, so havent done anything to try and sort it out. As for paying £2500 to get it sorted, well I could get another , or perhaps 2, trucks for that sort of dosh. Think I'll give the white spirit a try, whats best Gin or Vodka

Spoggle

[dieselboy]

Spoggle does using only Diesel stop the leak? The second I put a relatively large amount of Diesel in, even if there was residual veg / Diesel mix in the tank the leak would stop. I only noticed my leak after being parked up. It did leak whilst running though but stopped after parking and leaving it to drip for a little while. It never gushed though. Looked more like a cat was following me and weeing under my truck when I was not looking.

[dazandcaz]

I think you guys have jinxed my fuel pump. I noticed today a damp patch of clear oily substance, at a glance i thought it was coolant but after a sniff and almost a lick i decided that it's veg oil. seems to be towards the rear of the engine where it's dripping from though?
i am going to have to make time on the weekend to have a better look.
So in the approx 3/4 of a tank of 50/50 veg to diesel how much white spirit and /or atf fluid should i try just to help out temporarily?

[Spoggle]

Spoggle does using only Diesel stop the leak? The second I put a relatively large amount of Diesel in, even if there was residual veg / Diesel mix in the tank the leak would stop. I only noticed my leak after being parked up. It did leak whilst running though but stopped after parking and leaving it to drip for a little while. It never gushed though. Looked more like a cat was following me and weeing under my truck when I was not looking.

I stopped using veg when the leak first started and havent used it since. So to answer your question , yes it leaks when just using derv. It leaks like hell when its first started up but stops or a least slows down after about 5 miles. I dont have a cat under my truck, its more like a very large cow. Have to say that I've noticed that I visit the filling station quite a lot these days. I suppose that I could sell a kidney and get the timing belt done and the pump at the same time.

Spoggle

[dieselboy]

Give it a lick. It will be alright provided it's not acid, liquid MDMA or cat wee. It was recommended 1 litre of white spirit to every 12 litre of veg. I got away with 1 litre of white to a full tank (40 litres or so veg, rest diesel). I think it is majority trial and error. Pour in some and see if your leak improves or stops completely.

Leeky Seal: