Bad Fuel Leak

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Oct 15, 2005 | 10:31 PM

threejacks

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From: Kentucky

Bad Fuel Leak

I had a need to leave my truck at idle for a long period of time (an hour maybe) and sometime during this time it developed a fuel leak. I had a 1/2 tank of fuel when I started, just happened to notice fuel gauge at 1/8 tank and thought something was wrong with gauge. Within 10 to 15 minutes truck died, out of fuel. It was right at dark so I have not been able to really check things out but have found valley below and under fuel filter saturated with fuel. Since there is no fuel in truck I can not see where leak is. It will be in the morning before I can get back to it. Does anyone have any quick suggestions what may be wrong and where to start looking for my problem?

Oct 15, 2005 | 10:44 PM

wycowboy

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couple things I can think of right off the bat, beast to worse
1 The gasket around the fule filter can be miss instaled or damaged. if this is tha case you should see leaking fuel from the to p of the fuel bowl.
2 the sensor on the side of the FPR is a commem place to see leaking . you a can get a new one at ford for 60 ish dollars.
3Yuo have a leak in one of the fuel lines going to or coming fromyour fuel pump
4 fuel is leaking from the weep hole in tha bottom of the Fuel pump. this also means your fuel pump is going.
sound like it is leaking a lot is it dripping out under the truck??
hope that helps.. goodluck J

Oct 15, 2005 | 11:07 PM

threejacks

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From: Kentucky

Thanks for your reply.

1. It is not coming from filter cover gasket. Everything is dry on top, just wet under and in valley.

4. Engine quit running before I could check under truck for leak. Also truck was not in same location when ran out of fuel.

Oct 16, 2005 | 09:39 AM

1997F-350

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From: SHELTON, WA

well no matter whats leaking its gonna run out under truck. the back of the valley has a hole in it designed for this on the passenger side.

also check where the fpr mounts up to the side of the bowl.
or you may even check your fuel bowl drain valve it may be open. lucky you if it is.
or some of the mentioned earlier things.

Oct 16, 2005 | 09:57 AM

psdpusher

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97-F350 is absolutely right about the drain valve being open. That will dump fuel in a hurry. I have also heard of the fuel filter housing itself cracking. Evidently they weren't built out of the strongest stuff. This would certainly cause the fuel to come out of the bottom of the housing area. I had to replace the FPR assembly a while back on my 97 due to a leak and it also caused fuel to only show up in the valley. Either all or part of that assembly seems to be made out of pewter! Not completely sure about that though.

Oct 16, 2005 | 10:01 AM

barebackjake

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From: STEPHENVILLE,TX!!!!!

fuel drain valve orings or the line that comes up in the bottom of the ipr. could still be the fuel pump too.

Oct 16, 2005 | 05:52 PM

threejacks

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From: Kentucky

Two holes in the bottom of fuel filter canister. One the size of a pencil eraser, one a bit smaller. Cleaned and sealed with JB Weld as recomended by some others that have had the same problem. Waiting for the 15 hour cure process before putting it back together. Will see tomorrow if that is the only problem.