Diesel Fuel leaking from bottom of engine/tran

[KEVINAM]

I just notice a smell and stain of Diesel fuel from under my 2000 Ford F250 XLT Super Duty Styleside SuperCab.
What could cause diesel fuel to leak from the rear of the engine 00 7.3 fuel seems to be coming from an inspection cover on the bottom of the engine?

I took to a mechanic that works on our cars/truck, they stated its on top, back end of the engine. Dont work on diesel's and would have to take it too a Ford dealership to be fix....
DONT want to pay them the bank...can anyone help me with what it could be and what to look for??? a new owner and a rookie at this...
thanks....

[Meatco1]

Watch this video, should answer your question.

POWERSTROKEHELP.COM - The Information Source for Ford Power Stroke Diesel Owners

Richard

[klhansen]

Originally Posted by KEVINAM

I just notice a smell and stain of Diesel fuel from under my 2000 Ford F250 XLT Super Duty Styleside SuperCab.
What could cause diesel fuel to leak from the rear of the engine 00 7.3 fuel seems to be coming from an inspection cover on the bottom of the engine?

I took to a mechanic that works on our cars/truck, they stated its on top, back end of the engine. Dont work on diesel's and would have to take it too a Ford dealership to be fix....
DONT want to pay them the bank...can anyone help me with what it could be and what to look for??? a new owner and a rookie at this...
thanks....

Welcome to TheDieselStop

I can think of two things (well 3) that may be the cause of your leak.

1. The fuel supply line runs between the filter housing (front of the valley) to the back of the passenger side head. There's a bracket under the turbo pedestal that may have rubbed thru the fuel line. That's probably the worst case.

2. The connection at the rear of that line may be leaking. It's located under the turbo outlet pipe and uses a rubber ferrule to seal the line to the fitting on the head. It's kind of like a brass compression fitting with the brass ferrule, only the ferrule is made of rubber material.

3. There is a plug at the back and front of each head that closes off the fuel gallery in the heads. They're sealed by o-rings. Could be one of those has let go.

4. (OK I lied) Could be that the fitting in #2 above has cracked the head where it screws in (tapered threads overtightened). THAT would be the worst case.

Wadda they mean, not a diesel shop??! It's not a diesel specific problem, it's a LEAK!!

AND the Ford dealer is NOT the only place that can fix it for you. Other shops willing to tackle it (really most likely relatively minor issue) can do the job for a lot less than a Ford dealer would nick you for it.

It's even do-able by the reasonably skilled back yard mechanic.

Good luck, and post back for more info if you need it.

BTW, be careful about those videos. The guy has made WRONG statements in some of them. Generally good, but lacking in some areas.

[KEVINAM]

Thank you for the help,
need to ask a good web site for a parts/picture diagram in detail of the engine compartment to the problem I have...Im sure I can get up inside and look and smell my way to the leaking fuel, but it would be nice to see first, a look at the diagram/description of what you were saying.....Im not a dummy with 4X4 but they were gas, not diesel.
......

Originally Posted by klhansen

Welcome to TheDieselStop

I can think of two things (well 3) that may be the cause of your leak.

1. The fuel supply line runs between the filter housing (front of the valley) to the back of the passenger side head. There's a bracket under the turbo pedestal that may have rubbed thru the fuel line. That's probably the worst case.

2. The connection at the rear of that line may be leaking. It's located under the turbo outlet pipe and uses a rubber ferrule to seal the line to the fitting on the head. It's kind of like a brass compression fitting with the brass ferrule, only the ferrule is made of rubber material.

3. There is a plug at the back and front of each head that closes off the fuel gallery in the heads. They're sealed by o-rings. Could be one of those has let go.

4. (OK I lied) Could be that the fitting in #2 above has cracked the head where it screws in (tapered threads overtightened). THAT would be the worst case.

Wadda they mean, not a diesel shop??! It's not a diesel specific problem, it's a LEAK!!

AND the Ford dealer is NOT the only place that can fix it for you. Other shops willing to tackle it (really most likely relatively minor issue) can do the job for a lot less than a Ford dealer would nick you for it.

It's even do-able by the reasonably skilled back yard mechanic.

Good luck, and post back for more info if you need it.

BTW, be careful about those videos. The guy has made WRONG statements in some of them. Generally good, but lacking in some areas.

[klhansen]

This diagram might help you.

Powerstrokeshop.com - Fuel system parts diagram

Another place to look is the fuel drain valve (yellow handle on the back of the fuel filter bowl). The o-rings can crap out and (usually) leak thru the drain line. The valve outlet connects with a slip-on hose to a steel line that drops out the front of the engine valley, so if the hose is not connected well, the leaking fuel will go into the valley.