Hi all. Thanks to this forum I think I've pinpointed the fault with my 1999 TD5 ES. It started to misfire intermitently, having just turned 70,000 miles.
I found the red multiplug to the ECU and it was full (almost literally!) with oil. I cleaned it out but the problem came back after a day or two. I used WD40 as it was all I had at the time and only did the ECU end so probably not thorough enough.

Anyway, I'm awaiting delivery of a new injector harness which should be here in a few days.

My question is, can I still use the vehicle and will it cause any long term damage. I was hoping to travel about 200 mile round trip at the weekend.
Not overly comfortable with "lumpy running" but better than my other car which my wife refuses to get into!

At the moment I'm just hoping it's the harness that's at fault of course...I may well be asking more questions if that doesn't work!!

Thanks
James

I run my 1999 TD5 without the new harness and look out for oil periodically... I clean it out with WD40,tissues and an airline.

No problems so far and I've been running it that way for a year or so since I first saw the problem...

it was not lumpy running or a misfire that lead me to the harness though... I drowned the ecu in 4 feet of water during some flooding..!!!!

Em, interesting. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that it is the harness at fault! I've read that that can cause the problems I'm experiencing. I think to clean it properly I would have needed to clean the injector connections to the harness and the plug which is at the front nearside of the engine casing as well.

I'll fit the new harness anyway, it's not a major expense and may be a quick fix.

Back to the original question, is it likely to cause any harm to run it as it is at present until the new harness arrives?

Thanks

dont be tempted to touch the injectors, other than to clean them without taking them out... unless you've had a word with uncle CharlesY first..

as far as harm is concerned... no it wont harm... well no harm to mine as yet!!

do yerself a favour....if ya dont go wading too often, take the rubber seal off at the red plug at yer ECU and then drill i tiny hole [abt 1 or 2 mm] on the underside of the plug near the 5 yellow leads on the right....these go to the injectors. you will still have oil in the leads which is going to seep out and more than likely cause trouble again. if yer seepage is exceptionally bad, the oil sometimes gets into the ecu and can cause problems, so give it an easy way out. one of my TD5's did this and ferked up the board in the ecu. the general consensus is that the oil dissolved some of the copper in the leads on its way out, and then gets onto the ecu board and starts to short everything out. some guys drill a small hole at the plug at the front of the engine, but not recommended. you can run into trouble with water getting in there.

Many thanks to you both. I'll carry on using it whilst waiting for the new harness.

Not sure I'll brave drilling a hole just yet......I'll wait to see if I get much more seepage after the new harness first I think!

Thanks again. Great forum which I'm sure I'll be using a lot more!!!

James

hi m8,just changing the injector harness wont solve the problem,that harness plugs into one of the main engine harness'es,thats how the oil is able to get to the ecu.if the ecu is'nt badly contaminated yet,you could change both harnes'es,and seal the plug end[the internal face inside the rocker cover with some sealant] this will stop it from occuring again.

Hi i changed mine about 4 months ago as i had the same issues and it did cure the problem!

The main contamination seemed to be in the plug on the cylinder head rather than the ecu.

change the harness and see if that cures the miss fire (it will cure the oil leak) before changing the rather expensive engine harness!
you may need to give the ecu plug and socket a good clean but once done it should stay clean as you have cured the leak!