Sir Sam wrote:
Ok so red project CRD I just picked up, codename: "Ruby" was having some issues getting the fuel injector hardlines to seal against the fuel rail, no matter what I did, careful torque, keep straight, etc.
I tried some very fine sandpaper to cleanup some scoring marks from being removed and reinstalled several times(some from before I owned it), to no avail.
Finally out of desperation I took some old rubbing/buffing compound from a dremel kit and used it as a lapping agent. I coated the metal hardline with a little bit and then tried to work it against the rail seat by hand keeping it plum as possible.
With about 1-2 minutes of work and refreshing the compound, and a good cleanup to remove the compound, I reinstalled it. To much surprise and pleasure it was sealed! I have never had so much trouble getting the hardlines to seal, and just this small bit of "lapping" managed to solve the leak.
Maybe this will help someone in the future, I was expecting to have to find a used rail and new hardlines! Very pleased with the fact it worked!
I've reclaimed some lines over the years too, it's about a 50/50 chance.. but it's worth the try!!
I took the adapter fitting out of the injector... then clamped the line in vice. put the adapter in a hand drill, and used valve compound to 'lap' in a new surface.. clicking forward and reverse every couple seconds... The ones that wouldn't 'come around'.. were from a distorted/cracked nut..
Yeah, I've saved a few hundred bucks over the years!!