Volvo D6 Diesel Leak

[Midnightsun]

Seems I have sprung a small leak on my port engine. Before I start ripping things apart, is there a common place to look for a leak on these engines after X amount of time? Definitely coming from the engine and not the tank. Saw it last end of season as there was a little diesel in the bilge. No evident tell tale signs of diesel running down the engine that I can see. Probably about 2 cups worth that I was able to see. The port engine has always had a small "dirty" trail under it and assume this is from this leak which has gotten worse with time. Hard to tell where it's coming from though however after I remove the engine top, I my be able to see what is going on. Just looking for some advice on someone who may be in the know about this which may save me a bunch of work. Will be into this on Friday morning.

[Viper]

If you're certain the engine is the source, try the easy things to get at first such as the fuel filter assembly. Of course check all hose connections. I'd be surprised if the leak was on the high pressure circuit because I would expect to see other symptoms but you never know.

[bud37]

Check the fittings in areas where feet can go when accessing or climbing around, sometimes the lines get bumped and it loosens a fitting down the line a ways just enough to weep.

[Midnightsun]

I will be into the engines tomorrow and will be searching for it. Need to do impellers also as its been 8 years so long overdue. Got plenty of time to rip things apart this weekend as my wife is in London, UK with our daughter so working on the boat and making a mess is not an issue.

[Phrancus]

8 years!?

two tips: 1) use kitchen towel (paper) and put it under the engine. It will show where the drops land. Look from there and you'll find the source. Then use the force and all will be well.
2) use a diaper on that spot if you can't get it fixed in time. One of my engines drips a tiny bit from a gasket that I should have replaced. Not enough to go through the hassle of replacing but pretty fouling to the bilge water.

[Midnightsun]

8 years!?

The impellers in the D6 are really well designed and seem to last forever. When I purchased the boat it had 1000hrs on the engines and was 9 years old. Original impellers were in there and they looked as good as the new ones I put in. Will snap a shot of the ones I remove this weekend. Have not looked at the engine hours for quite some time but another 9 years have past and I put maybe 450 hrs on the engines since then.

[Midnightsun]

Found the leak haphazardly just now. My fuel transfer pump seems to be leaking at the shaft from what I can tell. Will use a couple of vise grips to shut down the leak and either remove and service the pump or get a new one. You can see the drip under the screw head in the red circle. Would say about 1 drop/15 seconds.

[Viper]

It's a common source. Glad you found it.

[Midnightsun]

Just found the shut off valves on the tanks that will shut off the drips. Guess I will order the minor rebuild kit and rebuild as the pump which probably has less than 1 hr run time time on it since new and it's over $400. https://www.go2marine.com/jabsco-pump-s ... 90200-0001

[Midnightsun]

Just an update, after changing the small shaft seal, the unit runs great and no more leaks. Used it several times this summer, no problem. I did hang a spare shaft seal on the unit just in case this ever happens again and will be able to repair immediately if required.