[Vwdiesel] not starting...leaking fuel from somewhere

[Val Christian]

> We tried to get the rabbit going today. We towed it behind my father's truc=
> k for a few trips around the block. No joy!!!!  When we got back, I noticed=
>  fuel leaking from somewhere. It was all over the front of the block.
> If I have a bad injector seal, could that prevent engine startup?  Too much=
>  compression loss?  What is involved with fixing that?

You need to isolate the fuel leak.  And you need to establish that you're
getting fuel into the cylinders.

Never seen injector seal leaks cause this, but the injector distribution
harness (all the metal tubes) could have a leak or two.  And based upon
experience, you would have problems starting the engine with two of four
cylinders not getting fuel.

FWIW, check your rubber return lines, because those will crack, especially
if rather fragile (old).  Working other fittings, and pulling them off,
and putting them on could cause a break in the rubber tubing.

What has been done to establish that fuel is getting to the injectors, and
is helpful in limited bleeding of the fuel system, is to loosen the
injector fittings (17mm wrench).  Then turn the engine over with the
"throttle" full.  Do it until you see that each injector site has
fuel leaking.  Air in the system, may, but does not always, present some
bubbles at the 17mm compression fitting.

If your fuel distribution harness has been damaged due to overtightening,
or other causes, then you will also see leakage.  Using compressed air or
other cleaning approach, clean things up, and start again.  You might use
the starter for some more testing.

With compression loss, you may eventually get the engine running,
especially if it's good and warm.  Usually poor compression gets a
little better after the engine has run a bit.  Sticky rings may
be the cause of that.

If I've covered old ground in prior posts, please forgive me.

Good luck.

Val