View Full Version : Can a leaking injector cause low compression?
Joey GQ
13th September 2019, 12:46 PM
Hey there!
I have a 93 TD42 Patrol,
Long story short.. I drowned it 2-3 weeks ago, water got sucked in through the air box and the car shut off almost instantly. I got my mate to pull me out.
Waisting no time, We then pulled the glow plugs out and cranked it over. Drove 2 hours home as I had no other choice.
Now in the mornings the car runs rough and blows white smoke. But after about a minute of driving it drives fine, no knocking sounds on idle, no loss of power.
It does have a slight ticking noise under load. I noticed my #4 injector was leaking. Glow plugs are all working fine.
I also did a compression test the results are as follows;
Cyl 1: 430psi
Cyl 2: 410psi
Cyl 3: 420psi
Cyl 4: 240psi
Cyl 5: 410psi
Cyl 6: 380psi
My mechanic suggests I change my injectors, injector pump and glow plugs
My question is;
Could the leaking #4 injector be the cause of low compression in cylinder 4?
Thanks LEGENDS <3
Joey
Ben-e-boy
13th September 2019, 06:55 PM
You've swallowed a gut full of water, (remember that it's a 22.7:1 compression engine, a single teaspoon of water can ruin everything) lost compression on 1 cylinder and the first thing the mechanic wants to do is replace all the fuel system.
When you cranked it over did any water come out?
Unless there is some crucial info you've left out as to why an injector pump/injector replacement is going to restore compression given the current info , I think you need to find another mechanic.
mudnut
13th September 2019, 08:04 PM
It may have a bent rod if it hydro locked.
MB
13th September 2019, 08:25 PM
Depending on how quick it was swamped and how diligently quick it was truly ‘shut off’ could hopefully find #4 with its rings maybe released some water pressure?
Far from a mechanic me but every chance as the top blokes mention your conrods could be stressed too awaiting for next adventure fail to come?
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04OFF
14th September 2019, 07:38 PM
Have you thought about swaping the injector on CYL 4 with CYL 1, then do your compression test again.......... should rule out the injector without spending heaps of $$
First Pooy
14th September 2019, 07:58 PM
Have you thought about swaping the injector on CYL 4 with CYL 1, then do your compression test again.......... should rule out the injector without spending heaps of $$
I was just about to suggest the samething only for shits and giggles just to rule it out, but a leaking injecter will not effect compresion unless you have it half scewed out
"My mechanic suggests I change my injectors, injector pump and glow plugs"
I couldn't stop laughing when I read you swallow water so replace the injectors and pump ? So nothing to do with damaged internals, and a damaged conrod and maybe valve would produce white smoke of a morning of unburnt fuel until it warms up and ticking under load, it will need to be opened up and investaged or wait until it goes boom but most of the time it is cheaper to fix before you do more damage
Bidja
14th September 2019, 11:30 PM
Boil a billy, take that head off and start to have a good look around (safest option).
the evil twin
15th September 2019, 12:13 PM
Bent Con Rod on #4 is my bet
First Pooy
15th September 2019, 01:56 PM
Bent Con Rod on #4 is my bet
I wrecken you are right.
Finezy
16th September 2019, 08:06 AM
Diesel engines being a 'compression detonation' motor, I would say you have caused damage resulting in the loss of compression. I'm sure a bent rod could reduce its stroke resulting in low comp.
Low compression will reduce your motors ability to detonate the fuel giving you symptoms of a fuel issue.
Joey GQ
16th September 2019, 11:23 AM
Thanks for the reply!
Yes water did come out when I cranked it over, my initial thought was bent conrod.
I posted here because I couldn’t believe what I was hearing when I spoke to my mechanic.
Definitely taking it somewhere else haha.
Thanks again
Joey GQ
16th September 2019, 11:28 AM
Thanks for the reply!
After I rule out some other possibilities, I’ll pull the head off and check.
But as most people have mentioned, it’s most likely a bent rod. :(
Joey GQ
16th September 2019, 11:30 AM
No luck with that unfortunately same outcome. Appears that the injector seal is gone.
Thanks for the reply.
Joey GQ
16th September 2019, 11:33 AM
To be honest, I was shocked when my mechanic said that hence why put this post up.
I’ll be taking it to another mechanic with a good reputation.
Fingers crossed it’s something not a bad as a bent rod, but not getting my hopes up.
Thanks for the reply.
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