return fuel line question
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 124
Likes: 5
From: Jeffersonville, IN
return fuel line question
How important is the return line that goes to the supply side at the fuel filter? is is center of this photo. I saw a youtube video saying if you block this off, it will prevent the fuel from siphoning from the supply side back into the tank when you have air intrusion. I am looking for a temporary fix until warm weather and a little more prosperity. I live in a subdivision so I can't just drop the topper & bed in the yard and the truck won't fit in my garage so I have figure some logistics about where and how to pull the topper and bed to properly access the tanks,fuel lines, etc...
I am thinking about testing the idea by starting the truck and pinching this line with visegrips to see if the truck stays running then, leaving it pinched for about an hour before restarting to see if the truck starts more quickly. I know it is a poor solution but I would like to use the truck until I can fix it correctly.
UPDATE: It made absolutely no difference. It ran the same after I pinched it closed and didn't start any quicker after it was pinched.
Last edited by Andy47130; Feb 16, 2019 at 04:51 PM. Reason: update
i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,446
Likes: 5,517
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
not sure about the 6.9 engines, bu with the 7.3 there was a TSB that said to remove that line and cap it off to help prevent fuel drain back from air intrusion.
it has been disconnected on my 88 since around 1990
it has been disconnected on my 88 since around 1990
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,947
Likes: 509
From: Edmond, OK
Andy, I saw a similar video on YouTube (maybe the same one). I also tried to use vise grips to block off the hose but it didn't change the drivability of the truck. 
I plan on removing it completely, I just haven't gotten around to it. You would also have to change the routing of the return hose from the #1 injector after blocking the fitting.
I plan on removing it completely, I just haven't gotten around to it. You would also have to change the routing of the return hose from the #1 injector after blocking the fitting.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 124
Likes: 5
From: Jeffersonville, IN
Andy, I saw a similar video on YouTube (maybe the same one). I also tried to use vise grips to block off the hose but it didn't change the drivability of the truck. I plan on removing it completely, I just haven't gotten around to it. You would also have to change the routing of the return hose from the #1 injector after blocking the fitting.
I plan on removing it completely, I just haven't gotten around to it. You would also have to change the routing of the return hose from the #1 injector after blocking the fitting.
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 363
Likes: 37
From: Corinth, TX
the one in your picture that the return line is connected to,
1,3,5,7 passenger side. 2,4,6,8 drivers side. from front to back
google is your friend, also the FAQ/tips section here has a lot of great info especially about return lines,
1,3,5,7 passenger side. 2,4,6,8 drivers side. from front to back
google is your friend, also the FAQ/tips section here has a lot of great info especially about return lines,
Last edited by Scott in TX; Feb 19, 2019 at 04:01 PM. Reason: bad picture
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 3,947
Likes: 509
From: Edmond, OK
Right on. 
You could either change the number #1 injector return line cap so it "dead heads" and only connects to the #3 injector, or you could route the return line fitting across the engine and attach it to the #8 injector. I suppose you could also put a cap on the #1 injector return line cap. I have 2 sets of old injector return line caps so I could just get the appropriate cap from my stash.
You could either change the number #1 injector return line cap so it "dead heads" and only connects to the #3 injector, or you could route the return line fitting across the engine and attach it to the #8 injector. I suppose you could also put a cap on the #1 injector return line cap. I have 2 sets of old injector return line caps so I could just get the appropriate cap from my stash.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 224
From: Nevada
I eliminated the return line also. You will have to cut the rubber line a couple inches
from the injector cap nipple and stick in a screw or something to seal off the hose.
As careful as I thought I was being, the cap started to leak fuel from it being moved
around. I have a bunch of used caps , some I got from PNP which looked new or I
would have left them there.
Used one with only one nipple. Then the next one started to leak from messing with
the first one.
Ended up just removing the whole side and replacing all the
"O" Rings and was done with it. Been dry ever since.
I have not had any problems with eliminating the return line.
Charlie
from the injector cap nipple and stick in a screw or something to seal off the hose.
As careful as I thought I was being, the cap started to leak fuel from it being moved
around. I have a bunch of used caps , some I got from PNP which looked new or I
would have left them there.
Used one with only one nipple. Then the next one started to leak from messing with
the first one.
Ended up just removing the whole side and replacing all the"O" Rings and was done with it. Been dry ever since.
I have not had any problems with eliminating the return line.
Charlie
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i ain't rite
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 65,446
Likes: 5,517
From: Marlboro Mental Hospital.
when i eliminated it on my 88 i took it off the filter housing and put the bolt in the line up there then put a hose clamp on it and left it that way until i changed return line o-rings a few years later.
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