Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

Fuel leak on right side of engine

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 19, 2022 | 04:13 PM
  #1  
queen of spades's Avatar
queen of spades
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 67
Fuel leak on right side of engine

Fuel is dribbling pretty good on the right side of engine, only notice during or right after acceleration. It's leaking on the exhaust pipe and down the back/right side of the engine. Thought it may be the bowl shutoff valve o-rings, so I replaced them but no change in leak.

What else could it be?
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2022 | 05:12 PM
  #2  
bigb56's Avatar
bigb56
Logistics Pro
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,609
Likes: 324
From: Arizona
Club FTE Silver Member

Most likely the fuel line that is fastened along the right side, it wears through where it is clamped to the engine with a metal strap clamp. Most of us have added extra padding to that strap after learning that it is a common issue. Unfortunately to replace it requires removal of some stuff up top and I don't recall what it all is. I did mine when I replaced my turbo as it was easy to get to with everything I had to remove for that job.
 
Reply
Old Dec 19, 2022 | 09:24 PM
  #3  
queen of spades's Avatar
queen of spades
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 67
Are there any upgraded aftermarket options or is standard OEM Motorcraft (minus the clamp) the best option?

 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2022 | 03:46 AM
  #4  
FinnishStroker's Avatar
FinnishStroker
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 2,907
Likes: 788
From: Kinnula,Finland
CNC FAB 4 corner feed or RiffRaff Frx.
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2022 | 07:59 AM
  #5  
queen of spades's Avatar
queen of spades
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 67
Isn't the Riffraff Frx for the injector side? The return line in question mounts to the opposite side of the fuel bowl.
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2022 | 08:13 AM
  #6  
Kwikkordead's Avatar
Kwikkordead
Fleet Owner
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
I used some NPT fittings, a length of fuel injection rated fuel hose and split loom to protect the hose. Been running it that way for a good ten years now.
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2022 | 08:27 AM
  #7  
queen of spades's Avatar
queen of spades
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 67
Originally Posted by Kwikkordead
I used some NPT fittings, a length of fuel injection rated fuel hose and split loom to protect the hose. Been running it that way for a good ten years now.
Did you use barbed NPT fittings like this?

 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2022 | 08:39 AM
  #8  
Kwikkordead's Avatar
Kwikkordead
Fleet Owner
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Originally Posted by queen of spades
Did you use barbed NPT fittings like this?
Yes. And some angle fittings as needed to get the hose assemblies to fit without sticking up in an awkward fashion as well. It's been too long to remember exactly which ones. Just work with it and the proper configuration will become clear. Get HD split loom. Some of the cheaper stuff deteriorates and crumbles. The fuel hose itself if unprotected will wear away pretty fast if it comes in contact with metal. Then you have another leak.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Dec 20, 2022 | 08:46 AM
  #9  
Kwikkordead's Avatar
Kwikkordead
Fleet Owner
Shutterbug
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 25,090
Likes: 1,112
From: Rio Rico, AZ.
Also, these hose clamps are excellent. 360 degree compression and they don't tear up the outer layer of the hose.
ABA brand 21013 13mm clamp or 21014 14mm clamp.
https://www.busdepot.com/21013
https://www.busdepot.com/21014
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2022 | 09:23 AM
  #10  
duck fan's Avatar
duck fan
Because racetruck
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 104
From: Monterey Bay, CA
Club FTE Silver Member

Sounds like the passenger side fuel line leak that is common. I would suggest an upgrade to stainless braided line kit from Riffraff Diesel. Much more resilient than rubber hoses, and less points to leak from than stock.

Riffraff Diesel 7.3L Fuel Feed Line Set

You can also go back to stock, but not sure that I would.

Ford Motor Company - Passenger Side Fuel Line
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2022 | 11:35 AM
  #11  
queen of spades's Avatar
queen of spades
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 67
Got the spider pulled today. It's 2 celcius outside, windy and rain. Miserable.

Would it be okay/safe to briefly start truck with the spider pulled just to verify where the leak is happening? Pretty sure I replaced the return line in '15 right after I bought the truck. Even deleted the clamp:


 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2022 | 12:02 PM
  #12  
RacinJasonWV's Avatar
RacinJasonWV
Lead Driver
5 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 6,855
Likes: 2,332
From: WV
Club FTE Silver Member

People do it. But beware, these things have amazing sucking power and will pull ANYTHING nearby into the pen hole.

Not sure if you’re calling the line in the photo the return line, but just to be clear that is a feed line for the head. The return line comes out of the fuel bowl on the drivers side top.
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2022 | 12:05 PM
  #13  
queen of spades's Avatar
queen of spades
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 67
Went ahead and started, spotted where a leak is happening, trying to get video uploaded now.
 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2022 | 12:16 PM
  #14  
queen of spades's Avatar
queen of spades
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,056
Likes: 67
The leak is best seen near the end of this clip. The drain valve assembly is brand new and torqued down properly. I replaced it yesterday thinking it was the o-rings (the old one looked fine including o-rings).

However it looks like the leak is above the drain valve and leaking down around it.

What else could be causing a leak near the front of the valley and up high? Looks like it is just streaming out there at the end.

 
Reply
Old Dec 20, 2022 | 12:29 PM
  #15  
RacinJasonWV's Avatar
RacinJasonWV
Lead Driver
5 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 6,855
Likes: 2,332
From: WV
Club FTE Silver Member

That darn connector is in the way. But it looks like maybe from around the lid oring.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:58 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE