Injector line cap spacer
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
Injector line cap spacer
I've got a couple of injectors leak badly in my 88' E350 van. I decided to go ahead and replace the caps and return lines. On the second injector on the left bank (from the front, drivers side of van) there is some sort of plastic spacer between the hard line and the return line. It is threaded on top like the injector and has a hex nut at the bottom that screws on the the injector like the normal hard line. Anyone know what that is for? When I try and unscrew the hard line the plastic piece twists taking up all the torque, so I can't get the line off. Since its van I don't have much room and can only swing the wrench. Any ideas on what the grey spacer is and how to get the line off without breaking the spacer?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 2
From: Poway, CA
Can you hold it in place with a wrench while you loosen the line, then remove it from the injector?
The pick-ups have a metal doohickey that goes between the injector line and the injector itself on the first injector, passenger side. I was told it has something to do with the timing, but I was also told vans don't have them. Don't know if what you're seeing is the van equivalent to this or.....?
Mike
The pick-ups have a metal doohickey that goes between the injector line and the injector itself on the first injector, passenger side. I was told it has something to do with the timing, but I was also told vans don't have them. Don't know if what you're seeing is the van equivalent to this or.....?
Mike
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 125
Likes: 2
From: terre haute IN
the cap on the injector should be 5/8 right? on the van engine i have been pulling apart, it had the same thing your talking about and it has a metal nut looking thing underneath it that screws onto the top of the injector. it also takes a 5/8 just double wrench it to keep the lower nut in place while you undo the line. then it should just come off with your fingers because you have already broke it loose... good luck hope this helps!
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
I was able to put wrenches on both ends and get it loose. My main question was what the part was in case I broke it. Timing adapter,eh. I had called the dealer and the the parts guy said he did not have anything like that in the parts manual but but since he sounded like he was born after my van was I doubt if he knew much from experience. Thanks for the quick help. This is the best car/truck site that I have ever been on.
Clueless spectator!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,587
Likes: 6
From: Denver, CO
They are useless anyway, so if you can find a #4 injector line from a truck at the junk yard, you can eliminate it, but don"t just take it out or you will screw up the timing to that cylinder, or so I have heard. I would like to find a #1 line from a van for my truck so I can get rid of my timing adapter if anyone has one. It would making timing with the feret a little easier.
Good luck,
Mac.
Good luck,
Mac.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 125
Likes: 2
From: terre haute IN
PM sent, i got ya bro!
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
I got all the return lines made up, the old lines off and the o-rings replaced. I pressed the caps and return lines in place but when I screw down the hard line it does not contact the cap like the it did before. I measured the caps and they are about .018 shorter and the caps can float up and down a bit. Is this OK? I got the lines from DCP. Are they reputable?
Clueless spectator!
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,587
Likes: 6
From: Denver, CO
You should be fine, the fuel is contained between the two O-rings on the injector. The injector lines on both my trucks don't contact the caps and one is two years plus into the last return line kit, and dry as a bone. Run it for a while, and look for pooling of fuel around the glow plugs.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
Got everything back together and fired it up. It leaks badly above and below the caps on the 5th and 7th cylinders. The rest seem OK. Where do I go from here? Do I replace the O-rings again on those injectors?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,360
Likes: 821
From: Mi'kma'ki
try pushing down really firm on those two caps.they may not have fully seated.if they seat further,you'll know it.you'll feel it and maybe even hear it "snap".
make sure to press real firm on the others as well.when seated correctly,there's no mistaking it.having them lubed up with lots of petroleum jelly really helps.
make sure to press real firm on the others as well.when seated correctly,there's no mistaking it.having them lubed up with lots of petroleum jelly really helps.
Thread Starter
|
Freshman User
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
Well this really sucks. I pulled the two caps that were leaking off, checked the o-rings and they looked good, put a bunch of Vaseline on them and put the caps back out and fired it up. I fired it up and everything looked good. I went a took it for a 15 minute trip came back and fuel was leaking all over the place. I pulled the engine cover and it looks like most of the caps are leaking. What brand of return line kit have people had good luck with? I hate to blame the kit but I don't know what else to do at this point. Any suggestions? I guess I can try and get a kit from Ford but I'm sure Its would be expensive. I got mine from DCP here is the link: Injector Installation & Return Line Line up to 1991, Diesel Care and Performance Inc
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,101
Likes: 2
From: Poway, CA
PM a guy on here named Russ. His screen name is typefour. He sells an awesome kit at a reasonable price. Definitely use lots of Vaseline. Also, do a search in this sub-forum for 'Zycam'. There's a trick involving the use of their bottle's cap that I've used with great results.
Mike
Mike