Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L) Diesel Topics Only

leaking returns

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 08-19-2014, 06:27 PM
beersy50's Avatar
beersy50
beersy50 is offline
Senior User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Otego NY
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
leaking returns

The return lines on the right bank are leaking pretty bad. Also my truck is doing this crazy idle thing. It starts out smooth then shoots right up to 4 grand!!!! Is this caused by the return lines? Also on the 5 mile trip home it had a knock sound, it wasn't consistent, it would come and go, is this an ignition knock or a bearing thing, please tell me its the former. I'm freaking out right now, I need this truck an I cant afford to replace it or an engine rebuild. Please give me some advice. Thank you.
 
  #2  
Old 08-19-2014, 07:38 PM
Macrobb's Avatar
Macrobb
Macrobb is offline
Postmaster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Return leaks will cause hard starting, usually. You just need to replace the O-rings. Get yourself a 50-pack of '111' size code Viton O-rings from Mcmaster-carr, because it's cheaper than buying a few elsewhere(<$10 including shipping). And you'll end up needing them.

I'm going to suggest the others are fuel/injector issues. You probably want to try the ATF trick first -- pull the fuel/water seperator, empty it. Refill with ATF. Reinstall, and start the vehicle. Let it idle for 45 seconds and shut it off. let it sit over night. Start it and run it hard.

That will clean up a lot of deposits. and stickyness

edit:
Beyond that, give it a new oil filter(Get the oil filter for the next generation 7.3 Powerstroke -- it fits the same, but is 1qt larger and lasts longer) and some good clean oil and call it good.
These engines are remarkably robust, and chances are it'll just keep running for another 100K+, even if it is a problem. I've seen too many people on here turn what was a workable(if worn) engine into a costly project; if you don't have the money to fix it, just keep an eye on it to see if it gets worst, put some cleaner through the various bits, and she'll probably stay together, though I'd expect it might well use oil and/or not get good fuel economy(14-16 instead of 17-19).
 
  #3  
Old 08-19-2014, 08:55 PM
beersy50's Avatar
beersy50
beersy50 is offline
Senior User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Otego NY
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
The truck starts pretty darn good. About 4 years ago I did injectors, IP pump, return lines, glow plugs (the beru ones), and a bunch of other stuff. the truck sits a lot and doesn't get a lot of miles. could the injectors have gone bad already?

I will try the ATF thing tomorrow.

What do you think about the knonking sound?
 
  #4  
Old 08-19-2014, 10:00 PM
Macrobb's Avatar
Macrobb
Macrobb is offline
Postmaster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 3,860
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Originally Posted by beersy50
The truck starts pretty darn good. About 4 years ago I did injectors, IP pump, return lines, glow plugs (the beru ones), and a bunch of other stuff. the truck sits a lot and doesn't get a lot of miles. could the injectors have gone bad already?
No, but things might get sticky. Your injectors won't wear out under 100K or so(at least new ones; used/"remanufactured" ones are a crapshoot -- I have had one die completely at 10K)
The o-rings, however... are finicky. You touch them and they leak. This is why you keep a large pack of them around; easy/cheap replacements. I also cover them with wheel-bearing grease when installing them; it seems to help.
Originally Posted by beersy50
I will try the ATF thing tomorrow.

What do you think about the knonking sound?
Either injectors or something more serious. But it might go away with cleaning, in which case it wasn't serious.
And if it is serious, just drive it, because you can't rebuild the engine; unless it gets /really/ bad, you're probably fine. Though we'd need a video or something to see more.
 
  #5  
Old 08-20-2014, 06:41 AM
beersy50's Avatar
beersy50
beersy50 is offline
Senior User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Otego NY
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I'll try to get a video up tonight or tomorrow. Thank you for the advice.
 
  #6  
Old 08-20-2014, 09:35 AM
rc31080's Avatar
rc31080
rc31080 is offline
Cross-Country
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 73
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
One thing to add to what Mac has already told you. You can pull the filter and dump the oil out and inspect it. If the oil is "sparkly" then it has metal in it which is indicative of a bearing issue. Usually, if its a bearing, the knock is constant.
 
  #7  
Old 08-20-2014, 04:37 PM
beersy50's Avatar
beersy50
beersy50 is offline
Senior User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Otego NY
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
RC31080, that's news I wanted to hear. Ill try that when I do the ATF thing.

Also, I just went out to start it so I can take a video and the batteries are dead, so video tomorrow then.

I really appreciate the advice, I'm quickly losing confidence in this truck and just want to set it on fire. The advice gives me an place to start, thank you.
 
  #8  
Old 08-25-2014, 06:01 PM
beersy50's Avatar
beersy50
beersy50 is offline
Senior User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Otego NY
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Sorry I didn't get back here sooner, life gets in the way of plans some times. I have a video now trying to remember how to post it.
 
  #9  
Old 08-25-2014, 06:28 PM
beersy50's Avatar
beersy50
beersy50 is offline
Senior User
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Otego NY
Posts: 253
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I hope this works:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPV3...ature=youtu.be


edit: well it kinda worked, It did idle up a lot higher the other day, but its still doing it.
 
  #10  
Old 08-27-2014, 09:10 AM
rc31080's Avatar
rc31080
rc31080 is offline
Cross-Country
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 73
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Have you done the ATF treatment and looked at your oil?
The knock is hard to tell from the video. If your oil doesn't look like it's got metal in it, then i'd do the following.
Get a new fuel filter, fill it with ATF and let it sit for a good 24 hrs. and then fire it up and drive it hard.
 
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
brian42
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
18
11-15-2021 09:54 AM
Justin Lawson
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
11
03-20-2019 08:00 AM
eightball8
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
6
12-08-2015 11:44 PM
bren7176
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
4
04-24-2011 09:42 AM
terrapin88
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
9
03-27-2011 10:51 PM



Quick Reply: leaking returns



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:57 AM.