Hi, we bought a 93 Hiace import and the diesel pump is leaking. Had the same thing happen to our 91 Corona and had to get the seals done($800). Its the low sulphur diesel thats caused it. I mentioned to the car sales when we brought it that I hope it will be ok on the NZ diesel and he said it should be but the mechanical insurance policy he included would cover it if it leaked. I now see it doesn't cover oil seals and gaskets.
Has anyone had this problem?
Thanks

Yup. It's a common problem with the low sulphur diesel they forced on us.

Anything prior to 1994 will suffer from this.

The only thing you can do is wheel it into somewhere like Alltech Turbo and Diesel on the North Shore and have them strip the injector pump down and fit new seals to it, or sell the vehicle and get one that's post 1994.

Cheers.

I just discovered that our van has developed this problem, and so has a friends. Both vans are pre-1994. We'll probably suck it up and get the seals replaced. I'll let you know what it costs us when it's all done.

pbs

asdex,

Are you able to update me on what the costs were? What part of Canada are you in? I'm in Nova Scotia and I've just discovered that I have the same problem with my 93 Hiace 4wd that I've had for less than 1 month now. I'm having a difficult time trying to get a mechanic to take it on without having manuals, etc.

Sorry I never got back on this one... I never had the work done! As suggested above, I think you need to take your van to a diesel specialist. I called all around with little luck, until I found someone in Edmonton who said they would do it. He was not daunted at all by the fact that it was a JDM. He assured me that the global market on these parts has been cornered by a few manufacturers, so parts are relatively standard and easy to get. As I recall, it was somewhere around $700 that they quoted me. But this price is based on a fuel pump mailed to them - so it may cost more if you hire someone to take it out and put it back in....

So, consider finding someone to take it out for you - which should be any mechanic who has tinkered with these vehicles, and then find a diesel specialist to do the rebuild. With this approach, you don't need to find someone local to do the specialty work, since you can mail the pump.

Hope this is somewhat helpful...

PBS

Thanks for the help PBS.

I've been doing a bit of research in the meantime and found myself a manual for the 3L engine and had it printed. Now that I've taken it apart and know exactly how to get the A/C, belts, fan and timing belt off to access the pump it's a bit less daunting of a task, though I'm still going to get a pro to do it as it's probably a little more than I'd care to take on right now. With manual in hand, it is a whole lot easier to get a mechanic to do the work. Fair enough really.

In the mean time, the Van has been sitting for about a week and the pressure seems to be gone from the pump, which is resulting in it cranking over fine, but not starting when I tried to take it to the mechanic this morning. Have you (or anyone else) ever run out of fuel in the pump, and do you know where the primer (hand pump) is on the 3L engine? I had a good look around and couldn't see one, but it's referenced in the manual.

Thanks again,
NSExplorer