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POSSIBLE FUEL LEAK?

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Old Dec 22, 2009 | 12:35 PM
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Question POSSIBLE FUEL LEAK?

My WIF light went off and I drained the fuel out of the HFCM no less than a dozen times. I have not seen any amount of water or gel that would set off the indicator. Before I was to take it in and get looked to see if it was a bad sensor I added some Stanadyne diesel fuel treatment that was proportional to the amount in the tank. Since that has happened I noticed that at about 3,000 RPM when I accelerated there was some stuttering/hesitation in the engine. There were no other indicators like smoke, etc... The next day after I got home I noticed that there was a fuel smell and some fuel stains in the parking spot. I looked under the Excursion when it was stopped and running and dont see any fuel leaking from the HFCM or anywhere else. It just snowed 19" here so there was a lot of water dripping from the low points but nothing from a point that I would think would be associated with a fuel leak. I did not hit anything that would rupture a line in the snow either. Does anyone have any ideas?
 
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Old Dec 22, 2009 | 02:32 PM
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sounds to me like some bad fuel, the only other thing that I would recommend is looking that the filters. When was the last time you changed them?

Also verify that you got the drain valve closed and get some new fuel in the truck those may also help.
 
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Old Dec 22, 2009 | 02:43 PM
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Thanks Senix

I keep a maintenance log on my Excursion and will have to check the last time I replaced the fuel filters. I know that I did but just dont know when. I looked at the HFCM nut and it looks flush. I dont want to play with that too much because I know that they are prone to stripping. Once I can find a dry place to get under the truck I will drain the HFCM again and see if there is anything in it. Do you think that the filter is clogged and fuel is draining through there? This is the first time that I have had any problem with the vehicle since I bought it six years ago.
 
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Old Dec 22, 2009 | 04:57 PM
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more than likely it is just bad fuel and draining it and burning will solve the problem.
 
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Old Dec 22, 2009 | 05:59 PM
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what engine?
 
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Old Dec 22, 2009 | 07:48 PM
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It is a 6.0L on a 03 Excursion.
 
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Old Dec 23, 2009 | 04:42 AM
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on my 6.o when the wif came on it would not go out until i took the front driveshaft(4x4) down,removed the whole unit from the frame ,disassembled the manifold from the filter housing and cleaned all the gunk around the wif sensor,cleaned the contacts and reassembled carefully using racor filter.now is the time to replace the 6mm drain plug with the updated brass one. sounds harder than it is .it goes pretty quick .
 
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Old Dec 23, 2009 | 08:43 AM
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Thanks sandmanf250

That is what I was afraid of. I will have to take some time at the Hobby Shop on base to do this. I am going today to get a new tank of gas and see what happens.
 
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Old Jan 5, 2010 | 11:55 PM
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Leak at Fuel Filter Regulator

Similar situation, although no WIF light, diesel running off the transmission, however the leak originated up front at my fuel filter/regulator, located up on top of the engine. There is a key shaped O-ring that wore out and deformed/shrunk. Likely due to constant use of Diesel Kleen and just age. (203,000 miles on Truck).

The leak trickled down and was blown to the back of the engine/transmission, while driving down the freeway. I would check it right after I stopped and saw the drips at the back of the engine. After leaving it parked for awhile and checking again it ran down off my lower radiator hose and then onto the pavement below just behind the radiator.

2003 F350 CC Long Bed King Ranch
 
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Old Jan 6, 2010 | 08:46 AM
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Had that seal go out on mine too. However, it only created a constant drip and strong diesel odor...no performance issues though.
 
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