Oil leak

[Diesel Phil]

Anyone know where my oil is leaking from? (2L TD)

It drips over quite a wide area, from the front valance back to the bulkhead in a band at the driver's side end of the engine. I can't narrow it down to any one place. When I drive along it smokes gently, wisps of smoke come out from under the bonnet which is most obvious at traffic lights. I did think it was steam, but there is an oily smell to go with it.

It takes about two weeks to go from max to min on the dipstick. There's a large black stain where i usually park, and a smaller one at all other locations i sometimes park.:(

Diesel Phil, hoping it's not critical

[Tram2468]

Phil,

I started lossing oil from my Monty 2L TD about 6 months ago, before it was fixed it was performing just like yours!

Try looking along the back top of the Cam cover - I think it is the fuel lift pump was detached on mine! Drivers side of the block - both bolts were missing and oil was flowing out onto the hot exhaust manifold.

Let me know how you get on

[E_T_V]

Fuel lift pumps often come loose so worth checking. Also check the condition of the cambelt. If there is oil on that then the leak is most likely to be coming from the crank seal. Oil and cambelts really don't mix.

[countrydude]

Fuel lift pumps often come loose so worth checking. Also check the condition of the cambelt. If there is oil on that then the leak is most likely to be coming from the crank seal. Oil and cambelts really don't mix.
I sincerely hope it is not the crank seal and just the lift pump then, as a fellow perkins driver and sharing the same name!! I would rather cut a new gasket and reseal than take on another mammoth task like a crank seal!!:banghead:

Good luck, let us know!

[Diesel Phil]

Well, amidst the blackness and grime stuck to it, the fuel lift pump looks fairly guilty. It doesn't feel loose though.

It is the round thing with the odd white cap on a stick, right?

Should i take it off, fit a new gasket, put it back together and see if the leak stops then?
And do i remove the 2 bolts that go into the block, or take it apart by undoing the 5 or 6 bolts around the perimeter of the round thing?

Diesel Phil, or "Oil Phil Frequently"

[E_T_V]

Yes the fuel lift pump is the thing with a white blob on a stick bolted onto the cam cover with two bolts. Simply undo the bolts, apply some gasket goo and replace and that will cure the oil leak. Quite often the bolts have a habit of undoing themselves giving rise to oil leaks which then drip onto the nice hot exhaust.. lovely burning oil smell anyone?? :D