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I know that I don't visit or post here a lot, but this is a very useful forum- especially for the inexperienced. For any and all newbies here, if you here the phrase 'blue spring upgrade' please research it. And it is worth doing for a $50 fix. DO NOT do a "cheaper" fix such as RTV because you believe "it is just as good". I have never did the upgrade or did anything with the fuel regulator since we have owned our 350. However, whoever did do the work did the "cheap" route. I am surprised that fixed lasted this long. Here is a visual for when you fix something do it right the first time.
BTW: Rusty Axlerod, awesome write up on the upgrade. Came in very handy and was very helpful.
Who would do that? An inexperienced diesel forum member who used a "how to" thread, maybe buying a spring alone without the gasket kit, or maybe just trying to stretch the spring as some did with 7.3L trucks. (Stretching a spring only breaks steel molecules making the spring fatigue shorter). They probably worried about a leak, or a "fix" because it did.
It could have been worse, no o-ring at all. BTW, did it ever leak?
The only reason a Blue Spring or any spring replacement is necessary is if the fuel pressure is out of spec.
Who would do that? An inexperienced diesel forum member who used a "how to" thread, maybe buying a spring alone without the gasket kit, or maybe just trying to stretch the spring as some did with 7.3L trucks. (Stretching a spring only breaks steel molecules making the spring fatigue shorter). They probably worried about a leak, or a "fix" because it did.
It could have been worse, no o-ring at all. BTW, did it ever leak?
The only reason a Blue Spring or any spring replacement is necessary is if the fuel pressure is out of spec.
Can you even do that? Maybe there is some dark forces counterfeiting bluesprings....Or worse yet maybe there is an after market bluespring supplier? I wonder if there may be someone buying up used OEM springs and painting them blue for individual resale?
After looking back at the closeups I see the original gasket is actually broken, hence the red silicone 'gasket'.... prolly trying to save $20 bucks by just stretching the existing OEM spring and nothing on hand to replace the o-ring with after breaking it taking the cover off.
Sure you can. Not only eBay but there are some diesel retail places where I think the product is questionable.
Here is a spring only you can get from a seller in Turkey.
And another from the good old USA.
My first real corporate employment got me into spring design and manufacturing more then I cared for. Everything about spring design is critical, and very much the quality of the metal and the control of the heat treating process. Some of the diesel sites that are well known are buying aftermarket kits, spring and o-rings made in Asia. Not that I'm disparaging Asian manufacturing, but aftermarket sources over there tend not to have the quality control or desire for it like when a USA or European owned company is involved.
Obviously they figured they would need WAY too much stop-leak to pour in the fuel tank to be able to fix this leak so they went with a sure-fire solution to the leaking gasket.
Have you checked the fuel bowl/filter for pieces of that 'redneck gasket'?
I'm not sure why or who? I just know it wasn't me. I grew up around vehicles and the montra was, "If you're gonna fix it, fix it right the first time." We bought the truck used in 2011, and this is the first time I cracked that opened. When compared to the new gasket, the old one seemed flat and brittle. I have put too much time, money, and energy just to see stupid stuff like stop my truck.
NEWBIE MESSAGE: To all NEWBIES, please listen to these guys. Yes, they cut up and joke, but when it comes to giving advice they know their stuff.🍻🔧🛠⚙🔩
Obviously they figured they would need WAY too much stop-leak to pour in the fuel tank to be able to fix this leak so they went with a sure-fire solution to the leaking gasket.
Have you checked the fuel bowl/filter for pieces of that 'redneck gasket'?
We made sure to clean the bowl and double checked the filter. Whoever opened that up the first time possibly use channel locks and not line wrenches.
They had also used the same grey RTV on some flat O-rings in the cooling
system. You can see some of it in the cooling fins inside the oil cooler on the
coolant side in the video. They did it to the block drains and the outlet pipe
for the heater supply. All cases of flat or missing O-rings.
I cooled down a few weeks and the next time I was near that dealership I
had around a 30~45 minute chat with the service manager. He turned around
and offered me the job. I thanked him, But said no thanks.
I think that is what happens when the lot child wants to move from washing
cars in the lot up to working on them. I have sense found other "Issues".
One root beer to many to look like that, but on the bright side its red.
Not sure he needed high temp for this project? I guess it worked to stop the leak but can't believe how much they thought they needed!
Now the Real question...what else did this yahoo do, working on this engine. Cause you might just have to yank some out of the oil pan or coolant system too.
Came in very handy and was very helpful. 
Maybe there is some dark forces counterfeiting bluesprings....Or worse yet maybe there is an after market bluespring supplier? I wonder if there may be someone buying up used OEM springs and painting them blue for individual resale? 
