Diesel Leak
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Diesel Leak
Went to start up my 1997 F250, 7.3L tonight. It has been running just fine. Anyways, it cranked for about 5 seconds before it popped, then fired up, leaving gray smoke for a second. After shutting it off, diesel was leaking from underneath the rear portion of the engine compartment and onto the ground. I quickly put a bowl underneath and it dripped for just a few minutes, then stopped. Looking down through the top of the engine compartment and fuel filter bowl, I don't see anything. I have to work graveyard tonight and tear into it first thing in the morning. Any suggestions on what it could be or where to look first?? Thanks
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Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Texas
There are a few places to start. Do you have fuel in the valley underneath the fuel bowl? The best thing to do would be to start it up, get a good flashlight and watch it while its idling and try to see where it is coming from. It could be fuel lines off the fuel bowl, fuel pump, two fuel fittings in the back of the head (driver and passenger side), or the O-Rings on the fuel rail plugs. Those are some places to start. Fuel in the valley would be the first clue of it coming from up top, which would be bowl or pump. If its leaking pretty bad, the valley will fill up and fuel will start running down the back of the engine making it seem like its coming from there. Let us know what you find!
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Yep, fuel under the pump and bowl, in the valley when the truck starts up. I can easily check three of four hoses visible. The one going from the bowl to the pump is tough to see and access. Can't tell for sure on that hose. Definitely though coming from under the bowl and pump. The pump was replaced less than a year ago by a mechanic in town. Gonna have to pick up a tiny mirror at the tool store to look underneath, otherwise I will have to wait till the weekend and pull the bowl I guess.
FOREIGN GURU
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Celaya, Gto. MX
. I had the same problem and fixed with JB weld inside and outside and has working fine since, several years. 
edit: with that price Id go to e-fuel system.
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Ya, I just thoroughly cleaned out the bottom of the bowl, removing the heating element, The bottom of the bowl has numerous more pits that have started. The one that is leaking is very close to the manual drain valve. Probably better just replacing it with a new one. I would be taking a chance with the JB weld, plugging up the drain valve hole and would pretty much be painting the whole bottom of the bowl with it. I do a lot of hunting and don't feel like getting stuck in the middle of no where with another leak.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,590
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From: Texas
Ya, I just thoroughly cleaned out the bottom of the bowl, removing the heating element, The bottom of the bowl has numerous more pits that have started. The one that is leaking is very close to the manual drain valve. Probably better just replacing it with a new one. I would be taking a chance with the JB weld, plugging up the drain valve hole and would pretty much be painting the whole bottom of the bowl with it. I do a lot of hunting and don't feel like getting stuck in the middle of no where with another leak.
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I appreciate that Byron. I found one and waiting another couple of days was almost impossible. Too many responsibilities right now to have only one car running in our household. It has been a bear rescheduling everything due to being down one vehicle. Thanks again.
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weekendwarriorfsw32
1994.5 - 1997 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
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Jan 16, 2009 08:02 PM