2001 7.3 Excursion had hesitation problems when cold. Did a little underhood inspection yesterday and found fuel heater lead was unplugged. Reconnected and decided to also drain bowl for water in fuel valve. Drained for 15 sec. as per direction in manuel. Closed valve and started engine, now valve won't seal closed, not streaming fuel out of drain line but a continues drip. Any ideas how to get this thing to seal or am i going to have to get a replacement part. Any input would be appreciated!!!!!!!!

Yogibear00

 

You might and I do mean might can tighten the vavle. This is plastic and cannot be tightened much at all. More likely you need to replace the o-rings. Most of us here have done it at least once. Diesel O-rings is you best source. Fast shipping, good price and great instructions. Link is in my signature.
It's a fairly simply job and you should be able to do it. As far as plugging the fuel bowl heater back up, it may have been unplugged for a reason by the PO and probably not the cause of your cold weather issues. Unplugging the heater usually means it's shorted and will blow the 30amp fuse and prevent starting.

 

If your luck gauge is pegged you can try turning the orings around until you can get new ones or a new unit. Sometimes it works.

 

Yes, sometimes, but only briefly in most cases. If he's only got a slight leak, drive it till he gets new one and only pull the valve once. My fingers are too fat to mess with those little screws too many times in a row.

 

Good point, if it's a minor leak I wouldn't touch it either.

 

I've had some success just opening the valve again then closing it again. Worked well enough to buy me a few weeks till it warmed up to change the o-rings!

 

The reason the fuel bowl heater was unplugged is if it shorts out it will blow a fuse and there will be no power to the PCM. The fuel bowl heater is essentially useless. I leave mine unplugged.