fuel leak - Diesel Forum

clev · 10-31-2009, 03:27 PM

I smell diesel when I walk by the van after running it; sometimes there's a few drops on the floor under it. Looking up from the bottom, it's wet but I can't find the leak. However, the copper drain, from the water drain, is wet with fuel. Question: Does the 'Pull Valve' for draining water in the fuel go bad? If so, is it a difficult job to replace?

blageurt · 10-31-2009, 07:17 PM

It's not the valve It's the o-rings on or part of the valve . As you know on Vans nothing is easy . . . you can get the kit a few places but here is an option
Replacement O-rings for Diesel Engines

clev · 10-31-2009, 10:05 PM

Thanks blage, but help me out a little more if you can/will. I clicked on your link under '99's and it brought up 5 kits, I assume the fuel drain kit is the one I need. Also, do you have a link for the O-ring replacement?

rpm1 · 10-31-2009, 11:04 PM

Clev-try this. http://www.thedieselstop.com/forums/...eplacement.pdf

It "may" be easier to remove the whole fuel bowl. If you do, then you can replace the orings for the fuel lines.

clev · 10-31-2009, 11:13 PM

Thanks, rpm; I'm printing the instructions as I type. I have to use this van all this week and will not have time to do this job. If I plug the tube to stop the seep will that cause any problems? It's not leaking very much, but I'm concerned about a fire.

blageurt · 11-01-2009, 04:03 PM

Mine was leaking for a year and leaking steady, I would not worry about a fire , since it will leak down the back of the block between the TC and the engine. I agree with RPM as removing the bowl will get all of the o-rings and all of the potential leaks . . .

**midwestconnection** · 11-01-2009, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clev

Thanks, rpm; I'm printing the instructions as I type. I have to use this van all this week and will not have time to do this job. If I plug the tube to stop the seep will that cause any problems? It's not leaking very much, but I'm concerned about a fire.

They call it the valley, the area in between the two cylinder heads on a V8. It has holes in the back that drain leaks rather than filling up.

There should be no fire danger unless you plug these up.

The fuel filter is really hard to get at unless you have a good shop and lights and the know how.

You will probably have to remove the blower to get at it. No fun if you haven't done it before.

Not to bad if your a good mechanic.

rpm1 · 11-01-2009, 07:17 PM

What blower are you talking about?

Clev, I have a couple extra fuel bowls. I can send you one to go through, and then you can swap it on the van with less downtime.

But, honestly, if you have the extra time and money, I would just delete the thing, do a regulated return, and put your filtration on the frame rail. Easier to change filters, possible better filtration depending on how you do it, and less stuff in the way on the engine when you need to get in there for something else.

**midwestconnection** · 11-01-2009, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rpm1

What blower are you talking about?

.

I guess it's a turbo?

clev · 11-02-2009, 10:27 AM

Well I think I just learned a very valuable lesson. The fuel was leaking and blowing back on the exhaust; that was why I was worried about a fire, so I 'plugged' the drain pipe; bad idea. I guess it also serves as some type of vent because when I cranked it up, fuel blew all over the place. I unplugged it, cranked it up again, and fuel gushed again. I can't tell where it's coming from, so I'm just going to start removing everything to get at the fuel bowl. I have no idea what I'm looking for, any help would be appreciated. RPM, I'm blown away with your generosity, thank you for your offer. However, I have to fix this today. Parents and relatives flying in for a visit Wednesday and I need this van for pick up of people and luggage.

rpm1 · 11-02-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by midwestconnection

I guess it's a turbo?

You don't need to remove the turbo to remove the fuel bowl.

Quote:

Originally Posted by clev

Well I think I just learned a very valuable lesson. The fuel was leaking and blowing back on the exhaust; that was why I was worried about a fire, so I 'plugged' the drain pipe; bad idea. I guess it also serves as some type of vent because when I cranked it up, fuel blew all over the place. I unplugged it, cranked it up again, and fuel gushed again. I can't tell where it's coming from, so I'm just going to start removing everything to get at the fuel bowl. I have no idea what I'm looking for, any help would be appreciated. RPM, I'm blown away with your generosity, thank you for your offer. However, I have to fix this today. Parents and relatives flying in for a visit Wednesday and I need this van for pick up of people and luggage.

So how did it go? You may be past this point, but I would just remove enough stuff to find out where the fuel is gushing from, and go from there. Don't need to start the engine, key on should do it. I don't think plugging the drain line should cause any problems.

When you get it back together, put a length of hose on the solid drain tube so next time you need to drain the bowl, it wont be all over the front of the engine.

clev · 11-02-2009, 07:50 PM

I have the fuel bowl removed. I removed the serpentine belt, the alternator, and flexible intake pipe to give a little more room. I did turn the key on to see where the leak was coming from and fuel did come from the drain line as well a steady drip from the back of the fuel bowl; couldn't determine exactly where. Now that I have it out, I'll follow DieselOrings PDF instructions for cleanup and O-ring replacement. Bob at DieselOrings does not have a kit for this so I'm at the mercy of my stealership. They don't have a kit either, but the parts guy that I spoke with said that they have individual o-rings and should have everything. I need to pick this up tomorrow and would prefer a hardware store if I new the exact sizes of the o-rings. Yes, when I take them out, I could compare, but something that looks exact could be just enough off to produce a leak. Anyone know the sizes?

clev · 11-02-2009, 07:54 PM

RPM, I don't know that plugging the drain caused the major leak, but prior to plugging, it was a drip. Afterwards, fuel gushed from somewhere around the fuel bowl. Also, you mentioned relocating the fuel bowl. Is there a link for that procedure? I'm definitely interested. Finally, is there any other place that fuel could be leaking other than the fuel bowl?

rpm1 · 11-02-2009, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clev

RPM, I don't know that plugging the drain caused the major leak, but prior to plugging, it was a drip. Afterwards, fuel gushed from somewhere around the fuel bowl. Also, you mentioned relocating the fuel bowl. Is there a link for that procedure? I'm definitely interested. Finally, is there any other place that fuel could be leaking other than the fuel bowl?

It's not relocating the bowl, it's getting rid of it completely. I have a single filter under the van now, but no pics. Walbro gsl-392 fuel pump in the stock location. I will be replacing it with this.

As far as places for fuel to leak in the engine compartment. The fuel goes into the fuel pressure regulator with an o ring. Then the fpr seals to the bowl with another oring. Then on the other side of the fuel bowl the outlets each have an oring, which go to the heads which have an oring. Rear of the passenger side and front of the driver. Since the heads are the same, there is an 1/8 npt plug on the front of the passenger side, and the rear of the driver. (doubt those are leaking). Other possible leak sources are the water in fuel light plug, the water heater plug, the drain, and the oring on the filter bowl cap/lid itself. Or I guess a crack in the filter housing.

Been going back and forth with bob(guzzle02) from dieselorings as well. I am next to certain that the van and the truck fuel bowls are the same. So just order the stuff for a truck, or if you can wait order from bob. I don't know the sizes of the orings, but you wouldn't want to get them from a hardware store anyways as they need to be oil resistant. Viton, fluorosilicone.....

clev · 11-02-2009, 09:12 PM

Thanks RPM. I talked with Bob this afternoon about bolt location. I have to have this van up and running by tomorrow afternoon, so ordering is not an option. Based on your answer, I'm assuming there is no other place to leak except in and around the fuel bowl. So, I'll replace all 0-rings and sleeves.

When you eliminate the bowl, how do you deal with the 2 fuel outlets? T them into one? And what do you do with the FP relief valve? Plug it?