"damp" Injector; should I be worried?

[pradoblivious]

Hey all, I have an injector that is constantly damp around the base..

whereas my other three injectors look more or less like this:

The base of this particular injector always looks like this:

That's bad, right?

 

[Nas90tdi]

Not necessarily.
It could be a simple as the return line leaking. Check the small line that links the injectors and runs back. It's the return line for any unused fuel.
Could also be a seal. Also,not that big of an issue. That tiny bit of seepage won't actually cause you any short term issue.
How long have you have the truck? I have had several diesels over the years seep a bit of diesel when they started being used again after periods of storage. Seals and O-rings shrink slightly and then expand after being exposed to fresh diesel.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

I agree with Nas90tdi, most likely a seal or similar.

What engine is that BTW? Direct Injection? 13BT?

 

[pradoblivious]

yes, Sorry I meant to say it's a 13bt in the original post. I've had the engine since mid December. Recently it's rough to start in the morning with a lot of white smoke, and it sometimes idles like it's missing a cylinder. Guy I bought it from supposedly had the injectors rebuilt.

It's had air-in-the-fuel-line trouble before so I'm going through and re-checking everything. Last time the culprit was a banjo-bolt on the lift pump (according to a mechanic.. I never found it myself), but this "feels" different. Whereas before it was rough-idle at 1000rpm, this time it's rough starts, white smoke, and rough idle after it's been on the highway for a while.

 

[pradoblivious]

I've been reading the other leaky injector threads and it sounds like, if I want to mess with re-seating the injector I need to email hiflow, and get my hands on an injector washer kit.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

I've been reading the other leaky injector threads and it sounds like, if I want to mess with re-seating the injector I need to email hiflow, and get my hands on an injector washer kit.

I'm not familiar with the 13BT setup, but with the deisel I have, yes, I definitely need a washer kit every time the injectors are removed/replaced. You can just buy Toyota ones too. Use the Megazip website to find the part number (assuming you know what vehicle your 13BT came out of).

 

[Sd1975]

So I was going to start a thread on this just now but found this one haha. I've only had mine since Saturday and am already working out some kinks. I noticed this damp injector this morning while it was idling. Was actually more "wet" than in this pic. So I probably need a washer kit? Is there any kind of o ring also? I have been on mega zip, just wanna make sure I order correct stuff.
1991 LJ78

 

[Sd1975]

Also, is this the air inlet hose? Looks to be very stiff and cracked

 

[AirheadNut]

So I was going to start a thread on this just now but found this one haha. I've only had mine since Saturday and am already working out some kinks. I noticed this damp injector this morning while it was idling. Was actually more "wet" than in this pic. So I probably need a washer kit? Is there any kind of o ring also? I have been on mega zip, just wanna make sure I order correct stuff.
1991 LJ78View attachment 1913898

It’s hard to tell from the photo, but I would make sure that’s not engine oil leaking down from the valve cover gasket before pulling injectors. Also, I would strongly reccomend installing a PCV catch can, it will prevent further oil getting into the intake and leaking all over the manifold. There are photos of this in the first thread in my signature.

 

[Sd1975]

New to this platform, is changing valve cover gasket on these pretty straight forward?

 

[Sd1975]

Is the valve cover gasket what is sometimes called the rocker cover gasket?

 

[Sd1975]

IS it possible the oil is coming from the inlet hose going to turbo? If you look at my other attached photo, this hose has cracks all over it and most of the oil is right underneath. The hose has become extremely hard and cracked

 

[Nas90tdi]

Yes, rocker cover/valve cover gasket is the same thing.
It's very easy to change. Just make sure you use a bit of sealant at the cam carrier step up. It will leak a bit there if you don't seal it in the corners.
I would clean all that up and change that gasket before pulling injectors. As @AirheadNut said, sure looks a lot like oil.
That is the intake hose.And, yes, it could easily be dumping some oil out. The vent hose that goes into the side of you intake by the air filter can pull a lot of oil through the intake.
Most of us have plugged that and either vented directly to air down by the frame or installed an oil catch can. Your intake will stay much cleaner that way.
You can buy silicone hoses to replace those 2 sections. I will see if I can find the link. I replaced mine back when I first got my truck before I installed the intercooler.

 

[Sd1975]

Okay thank you. I'll just get that gasket and do that then. Any leads on where I can find that in the US (not sure where u are located).

 

[Nas90tdi]

Amazon.com: Mishimoto MMCP-22525BL 2.25" to 2.5" Silicone Transition Coupler, Blue: Automotive

Buy Mishimoto MMCP-22525BL 2.25" to 2.5" Silicone Transition Coupler, Blue: Coupler Parts - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: Upgr8 Universal 4-Ply High Performance Straight Coupler Silicone Hose 76mm Length (2.0"(51MM), Blue): Automotive

Buy Upgr8 Universal 4-Ply High Performance Straight Coupler Silicone Hose 76mm Length (2.0"(51MM), Blue): Hoses & Hose Clamps - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

You will probably want to replace the clamps to. I personally hate spring clamps with a passion. Some like them, but I am not one of them.

Might try Kurt at CruiseOutfitters in Utah. He carries some parts and can get the rest if you don't want to order from overseas.

I am sure someone will chime in with a few more suggestions stateside.

 

[AirheadNut]

Also, clarification on what @Nas90tdi said, don’t plug the hose that comes from the rocker cover, vent that to atmosphere or through a catch can. The spot in the intake pipe where that hose connects is what should be plugged.

 

[Nas90tdi]

Good catch. I am so familiar with everything under there it made sense to me. But, I can see how that might mislead someone who wasn't sure where that all goes.

 

[Sd1975]

Yes, rocker cover/valve cover gasket is the same thing.
It's very easy to change. Just make sure you use a bit of sealant at the cam carrier step up. It will leak a bit there if you don't seal it in the corners.
I would clean all that up and change that gasket before pulling injectors. As @AirheadNut said, sure looks a lot like oil.
That is the intake hose.And, yes, it could easily be dumping some oil out. The vent hose that goes into the side of you intake by the air filter can pull a lot of oil through the intake.
Most of us have plugged that and either vented directly to air down by the frame or installed an oil catch can. Your intake will stay much cleaner that way.
You can buy silicone hoses to replace those 2 sections. I will see if I can find the link. I replaced mine back when I first got my truck before I installed the intercooler.

That would be great if you could post link, thank you

 

[pradoblivious]

IS it possible the oil is coming from the inlet hose going to turbo? If you look at my other attached photo, this hose has cracks all over it and most of the oil is right underneath. The hose has become extremely hard and cracked

Yes, it's possible the oil could be coming from the turbo inlet hose. That oil would be blowby being piped into the air intake from the pcv hose. As other's have said it's healthier to have a pcv catch-can.

I would replace your inlet couplers with silicone first and see if that solves your oil leak, before messing with the rocker cover gasket.

 

[pradoblivious]

Amazon.com: Mishimoto MMCP-22525BL 2.25" to 2.5" Silicone Transition Coupler, Blue: Automotive

Buy Mishimoto MMCP-22525BL 2.25" to 2.5" Silicone Transition Coupler, Blue: Coupler Parts - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com: Upgr8 Universal 4-Ply High Performance Straight Coupler Silicone Hose 76mm Length (2.0"(51MM), Blue): Automotive

Buy Upgr8 Universal 4-Ply High Performance Straight Coupler Silicone Hose 76mm Length (2.0"(51MM), Blue): Hoses & Hose Clamps - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

You will probably want to replace the clamps to. I personally hate spring clamps with a passion. Some like them, but I am not one of them.

Might try Kurt at CruiseOutfitters in Utah. He carries some parts and can get the rest if you don't want to order from overseas.

I am sure someone will chime in with a few more suggestions stateside.

Are those couplers for the 2lte? I've been wondering what diameter my couplers are for the 13bt.