Replaced HG - Now Leaking injectors

[vwmike]

My friend just replaced the head gasket on his 80 Rabbit Diesel (engine code CK) and now the injectors are leaking. He didn't remove the injectors from the head, only removed the lines but now they leak at the head and in between where the injectors screw together in the middle. The only answer we've been able to come up with so far is that the brake cleaner he used on it ate the seals. Does anyone have any better ideas?

[vwmike]

Well, the 'seals' are made out of steel, so I doubt that brake cleaner did anything to them directly.

I would have to ask, if the injectors were't removed, then are you sure that the leak is between the injector and the head and not from the fuel union at the top of the injector or the return lines. What you're seeing is bubbles appearing around the base of the injector?

He says he's actually seeing bubbles (I haven't seen it).

[chrissev]

My friend just replaced the head gasket on his 80 Rabbit Diesel (engine code CK) and now the injectors are leaking. He didn't remove the injectors from the head, only removed the lines but now they leak at the head and in between where the injectors screw together in the middle. The only answer we've been able to come up with so far is that the brake cleaner he used on it ate the seals. Does anyone have any better ideas?

I had the same problem with my TD jetta.  Injector #1 was actually spraying fuel out of the base (hit me in the eye, that eye is still a little red).  I got some heavy duty anti seize compound and took the injectors back out and put it around the threads (heavy coating) then put the injectors back in again and torqued them (didn't replace the heat shields, oops, but they were new anyway from when I'd put the injectors in the first time so it was probably OK).  I left them overnight and then started it next morning.  No leaks at all and hasn't leaked since.  Try it.  Might work for you.

[Hammy]

Make sure the threads in the head, and on the injectors are perfectly clean, or you stand the chance of breaking the injector boss on the head!!!!! Trust me, I did this, and was not happy, as I had to change the head. I never even got to the torque spec.  :cry:  Life's lessons are sometimes hard to swallow. lol. :roll: