Ford 1520 fuel pump leaking fuel into engine oil

buckparty · Jan 1, 2015

Ok, happy new year! I have found absolutely nothing on this anywhere. On my late 1980's ford 1520 with about 600 something hours on it I have a problem. Diesel fuel is leaking into the engine oil. I don't know how fast it is leaking but it is in fact diesel fuel. I checked the oil like I always do before I use the tractor and after an extended backhoe mission I found the engine oil a good ways above the full line. I drained the oil and replaced it, didn't use the tractor at all since then and shut off the fuel valve while it is sitting. Not sure if it will leak while not running or if the tractor needs to be running. It is not an injector problem because the tractor runs great like it always did. I want to know specifically where the fuel would get into the oil from inside the pump and if there is a gasket or seal that would let this happen that I can replace without removing the pump from the engine. Never had one off on a diesel. It seems like there is some weeping from the gasket around the flat surface where it mounts to the motor. Not many hours for pump failure? Any ideas?? Shibaura engine. Again I have seen some things that seals are prone to failure inside the pump just want to know which ones and what is involved in replacing them??? Thanks tractor peeps.

kirkawilson · Jan 1, 2015

Here is previous discussion on possibilities:

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/owning-operating/231205-diesel-engine-oil.html

Soundguy · Jan 1, 2015

Shaft seal, usually like an umbrella seal

buckparty · Jan 1, 2015

Thanks Kirk. That was an interesting read but they never posted what the problem was. Someone else at the end said they had their injectors cleaned and that solved the rising oil level problem. Maybe that's a good place to start. The only problem with the injector thing is you would think the tractor would run like crap and mine doesn't. Some of my mechanics at work that work on reefer units say fuel pump internals are leaking fuel into the oil. Everything I read on here says take it to a shop and have the pump checked. Doesn't seem like something a non pump specialist can handle on the bench. I wonder if I take the pump off, what is involved with reinstalling it. Would I be able to do it here or do I need to take the whole thing (tractor) to the dealer??

kirkawilson · Jan 3, 2015

Buckparty, here is a couple of pages from my repair manual on fuel injector pump repair. Note the warning on cleanliness during repair. I don't see the seal that Soundguy referred to in his postings.