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1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  

Large Fuel Leak..

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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 05:52 PM
  #1  
tekguy4's Avatar
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Large Fuel Leak..

ok.. changed the oil and fuel filter like I have done a ton of times.. straight forward everything goes smooth. Start truck-nice and quiet she loves fresh oil, going let it idle a few and then recheck oil level. Walk away and come back in a few minutes and fuel is dripping like crazy.

Shut it down, get the hose and run some water to get fuel to run off, figure its the fuel filter housing, reseat it, start again and double check housing when running no leaks, look under truck and its dripping, figure its water, wait a minute and its obvioulsy diesel, no visible leaks up top and the fuel is dripping down around bell housing on right side, large leak..Fuel filter isnt leaking and the bleed valve is closed, dark out and there is no way I am going underneath with any kind of light source, going to wait till daylight

any ideas?
 
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 07:23 PM
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Drain valve o-rings are a common leak, but if it's running down the bell housing I'd check the fuel lines in the valley where they connect to the heads. Check the fuel lines where they go into the fuel bowl too and the return line.
 
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 07:39 PM
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You need to get back to basics. Mop & clean the "valley of Death" squeaky clean and dry. That is where you will find your leak. Get a bright flash light and a good quality mirror capable of being snaked into the nooks and crannies of the valley.

Start the motor and then search for the leak. Go slowly and be patient.

Here are some places to check.

1) Very rear of the fuel pump at the weep hole.
2) Banjo bolt at rear of fuel pump.
3) The blue fuel lines from the pump.
4) Bottom of filter housing.
5) the sensors on the drivers side of fuel bowl.
6) Fuel bowl drain valve.
7) All lines & Connections to the fuel bowl.

By this point....you should have located the leak (s).

Let us know how you do.
Rog
 
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 07:45 PM
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I second number 5 damn sensor would leak like crazy and not all the time either made it a pain to find the leak
 
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 07:49 PM
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i just restarted truck.. and yeah fuel is pouring down right rear of block/bell housing

I will go thru it starting tomorrow,,, thanks for replies guys
 
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 07:59 PM
  #6  
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dumb question, but what do you guys find works as the best engine degreaser on these?
 
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 08:08 PM
  #7  
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"Simple Green" works well. DO NOT wash your engine when it is HOT. Warm or cold. NEVER use pressure water and avoid water around any and all electrical connections.

The reason that the fuel is draining out the back on the passenger side is that the valley drain hole is located there.

Good luck and happy hunting. Ya just gotta believe that you are smarter than a fuel leak.

Rog
 
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 08:27 PM
  #8  
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Originally Posted by kawa
"Simple Green" works well. DO NOT wash your engine when it is HOT. Warm or cold. NEVER use pressure water and avoid water around any and all electrical connections.

The reason that the fuel is draining out the back on the passenger side is that the valley drain hole is located there.

Good luck and happy hunting. Ya just gotta believe that you are smarter than a fuel
leak.

Rog
lol.. its pissing fuel so I hope its obvious or I will change my screen name to 'stevie wonder' lol
 
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 08:34 PM
  #9  
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You will find it, just do a good valley prep before you start. Lots and lots of paper towels poked and crammed into the tight spots to get that valley CLEAN.

Rog
 
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Old Dec 19, 2010 | 09:22 PM
  #10  
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the o ring on the fuel filter is famous for leaking. ive had it a few times myself.
 
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Old Dec 21, 2010 | 06:48 PM
  #11  
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where can I order any seals/orings I may need?

got a chance tonight to look and the leak is so bad that the valley is filled with fuel within a few seconds..
 
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Old Dec 21, 2010 | 06:56 PM
  #12  
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And the fuel is coming from.............................................. ...........?

ROG
 
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Old Dec 21, 2010 | 08:02 PM
  #13  
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Exclamation

Originally Posted by mountaineer27
the o ring on the fuel filter is famous for leaking. ive had it a few times myself.
X2 on that. According with the symptoms you described in the first post, I bet that the o-ring with a base and a bevel is malpositionated or the cap is a little loose. Check it out.
 
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Old Dec 21, 2010 | 08:09 PM
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Maybe the old oring came off and is still in the fuel filter canister plus the new one.
 
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Old Dec 22, 2010 | 10:15 AM
  #15  
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sorry, I have been getting home late last few nights, the fuel filter cap o-ring is not leaking

by the time I start the truck and come around the valley is full and I cant see leak.. but its been in dark by myself, I am going to be digging into friday during day

I dont mind going ahead and replacing more stuff than I need as the truck is 14 years old and just about to break 200K...

I would like to just go ahead and order any seal that the fuel filter housing may have (besides the cap o-ring -)

thanks for the replies
 
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