Leaky pump

[Amber]

Hi guys,
Have any of you experienced leaking pumps from the new diesel and if so what models both Mu and Bighorn. I have a 94 Mu, 93 Bighorn and 89 Bighorn. I've just had to get fixed a 1990 Toyota Diesel Corolla, Toyoto Dyna Double cab and Diahatsu Delta single cab to get new seals etc. With 3 isuzu's left I am getting worried. The mech said they are progressively taking out more and more sulphur from the fuel so the vehicles don't all hit the workshops at the same time. Then it looks better for the fuel companies. Is there any way you can recover these costs from the fuel companies. It cost just over $1000 for the Diahatsu and around $600 for the Dyna. The car is going tomorrow for the repairs. The Mu, if problems do develope is gonna cost me crap loads as I'm not game enough to do it myself. Please tell me my 94 Mu will not be affected. They say it effects the Rotary pumps. I have no idea what mine is

[geeves]

bad news. Harry had a pump start leaking the other week and I know of one other pump a year ago. I am getting a slight diesel smell under the bonnet occasionaly but no obvious leak Yet. Sometimes you can get away with only replacing the top seal which can be done in place but otherwise you already know the rough price. The reason sulphur is phased out slowly has more to do with the way it is suplied and mixed in the tank with the old diesel than any deliberate conspirisy therory. These seals are suposed to be replaced every 8 years as a maintenance item and also the oil companies would point the finger at the government so no recourse against anyone unfortuanatly

[Amber]

Aw stink. Yeah I guess you could call it maintanence. Just a coincidence that they all have to be done at the same time. Wouldn't like to be owning a fleet right now that's for sure. I know of one local company who are flat out repairing theirs and heaps of individuals who have to too. I was hoping our pumps would be the ones that are alright. They said in their pamplets that vehicles after 93 wouldn't probably not be affected but I guess not. Anyone else had theirs done yet?

[geeves]

You could always duck over the hill to Takaka to fill up. They probably still have the old diesel. Pity its also 5c a liter more

[Amber]

LOL! Funnily enough, I am heading that way on the 26th for the holidays, so probably will have to top up with some of that fuel ;D. Going camping at Totaranui but probably not 4x4ing. Gonna chuck on the mountain bike though and hopefully find some downhills and technical singletrack. But don't get me wrong, I'm not one of the greeny mtbers who hate 4x4's or one of those hoons who scare the crap out of hikers.

[geeves]

Ive only ever been over the Takaka hill once. Its very differant country over there. Next time I get the chance Ill spend a few days in the area.

[Amber]

Totaranui and Awaroa are the best beaches in the south island I reckon but then I'm bias as my roots are there. Nice narrow dirt/clay road in through the bush. 4x4 if it's been raining as a few slipery patches, but generally dry and rutted from townies towing trailers and caravans in over the christmas holidays. Man, not long to go, can't wait.

Merry Christmas geeves

Amber

[shinz]

Hi Amber, we're heading off to Tukurua on the 5 Jan, want to check out Totoranui while we're over there, maybe change camps next year . How long you're there for, could keep an eye out for you?
re pumps, ours is a 95 Bighorn 3.1, I'd love to find out that it will be OK. Do they go in a big way if they leak, ie enough to be dangerous or is it more of an inconvenience. Ok , I know catching fire is also an inconvenience too ;D ;D
Cheers, Steve.

[geeves]

If it leaks slow then it just makes a big smelly mess. If it lets go suddenly I think all of a sudden the pump will start doing nothing as oposed to pumping. Prepare for a long walk and expect rain

[Harry]

I don't think they let go suddenly.More of a gradually increasing mess.Fire shouldn't be serious worry,With the pump on the opposite side of the motor from the exhaust and the lower flamability of diesel.mine took about a year to get really urgent.
Regards,Harry.

[shinz]

Thanks guys, Harry, I'll go with your answer, sounds less scary. ;D ;D
Theres certainly no evidence of leaking yet, just wanted to be sure that it wasn't going to do a big dump & stuff my christmas hols up.
Cheers, Steve.

[Amber]

Well, unfortunety Steve, I didn't get your message till I got back, but we left Totaranui on the 3rd so would have missed you. Anyway, mid January is probably the best time to go as its packed full over the Christmas holidays. As for the leaks we have had, (not the isuzu's) they have started with a drip every 10 seconds or so and then just poured out as in drips everywhere along the whole front underneath all dripping at a rate of 1 a second each. Peeing out catostropic. Had to shut down when idling as it only happened when engine running. All 3 vehicles were the same. As I said though, this hasn't happened to the 93 Bighorn, 95 Mu and 89 Bighorn and they have all used fresh diesel. Fingers crossed, but I think it would have happened by now if it was going to as the other 3 vehicles all went within around 2 weeks or so if I remember rightly.

[geeves]

The diesel sulphur was reduced in 2 hits from Marsden point but also some South island diesel was imported direct over the last few years. Also Gull only ever used imported fuel which was very close to the current standard but they are only in the upper north island. Who knows how long the low sulphur fuel has actualy been in the pumps for. I know following trucks up Ngaranga Gorge still gets the occasional smell of sulphur so some of the old stuff is still around.