• Hello Guest, welcome to the initial stages of our new platform!
    You can find some additional information about where we are in the process of migrating the board and setting up our new software here

    Thank you for being a part of our community!

Anyone else have a leaking B20 fuel pump?

spock345

spock345

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 3, 2016
Location
Livermore, CA
My B20's mechanical fuel pump seems to like to leak oil where it bolts to the block. I always have a drip underneath. I've gone through both new and homemade gaskets, two kinds of RTV, gasket sealer, and a new spacer. What do I need to do to get the damn thing to seal?

Before I tackle any other leaks (I think the gearbox front seal is weeping) I'd like to get this figured out and eliminated as a leak. Given that oil travels backward along the underside of the car when driving. Might as well start with the front.
 
Last edited:
Oil can leak from the fuel pump area for several reasons.

1) Incorrectly installed gaskets or spacer. The spacer and gaskets are not symmetrical. I've seen them installed the wrong way many times.
2) Cracked spacer.
3) Warped pump. Over tightening the pump can bend the ears and cause the pump to leak.
4) A plugged PCV or excessive blow by can cause the pump to leak from the vent hole on the underside. Some pumps can also leak from the pivot pin for the pump arm depending on how they're made.
 
alschnertz said:
How's the engines's compression?
Click to expand...

Last I checked compression was fine. The spacer is new without cracks. Gaskets installed the right way around. I'll check the compression again tomorrow. Might as well do that.

I wonder if the flange is warped or if the pin is leaking.
 
I was only thinking that the crankcase may have excess pressure (from combustion) and it's blowing by the fuel pump and rear main seal since you have two leaks.
 
hiperfauto said:
Oil can leak from the fuel pump area for several reasons.

1) Incorrectly installed gaskets or spacer. The spacer and gaskets are not symmetrical. I've seen them installed the wrong way many times.
2) Cracked spacer.
3) Warped pump. Over tightening the pump can bend the ears and cause the pump to leak.
4) A plugged PCV or excessive blow by can cause the pump to leak from the vent hole on the underside. Some pumps can also leak from the pivot pin for the pump arm depending on how they're made.
Click to expand...

I've checked 1 and 2. The pump may be warped but it is difficult for me to get a straight edge on it to check.

Does the B230 blow by trick of unscrewing the filler cap and seeing if it is forced upwards work on the B20?

Right now I have the B18 style PCV setup with the little valve in a line from the breather box to the manifold and filtered air going through the cap. Should I be running the B20 version?
 
alschnertz said:
I was only thinking that the crankcase may have excess pressure (from combustion) and it's blowing by the fuel pump and rear main seal since you have two leaks.
Click to expand...

I am not entirely convinced yet that it is two leaks. I've found that if you have a leak at the front of the motor oil can easily get strewn about behind along the undercarriage. I hate troubleshooting oil leaks.

I hope it isn't the rear main seal. That means it is time to drop the gearbox. Again. Although I'd have to do so to fix the gaskets on the M41 anyway. I resealed the overdrive unit but the gaskets on the front and rear bearing housings on the four speed section are still original and probably leak.
 
spock345 said:
I've checked 1 and 2. The pump may be warped but it is difficult for me to get a straight edge on it to check.

Does the B230 blow by trick of unscrewing the filler cap and seeing if it is forced upwards work on the B20?
Click to expand...

Yes.

Right now I have the B18 style PCV setup with the little valve in a line from the breather box to the manifold and filtered air going through the cap. Should I be running the B20 version?
Click to expand...

I don't think it matters which setup you have as long as it's functioning properly. I like the B20 version as there's no PCV valve to rattle.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top