Need Help in finding cause of front engine area Fuel Leak !! - Diesel Forum

GEE · 12-25-2007, 04:52 AM

I noticed a pretty good amount of drippage(didn't know what is was yet) on the ground underneath the front engine area of my 99 PSD this morning while I was letting the truck idel a few minutes to warm up in the Cold. Looking from under the front while idling later this afternoon again I could see an open end aluminum hard line just in front of the motor facing downward towards the harmonic balancer direction with fuel leaking out while the motor is idling/running.
Freak'in thing is leaking like a hole on the bottom of a 2Liter Bottle of pop.
WHAT THE HECK IS IT and WHAT"S THE CAUSE OF IT ? Is it an overflow fuel filter drainage line? Could a clogged up fuel filter cause it? If so my truck hasn't experienced any hesitation or bucking associated with dirty filters and my oil and fuel filter were changed just less than 500 miles ago. Oil & fuel filter get changed every 3000 miles.

Please help?

jelsas26 · 12-25-2007, 08:53 AM

Have you checked the water drain valve on the fuel bowl to make sure it is closed? It is located on top the motor attached to the backside of the fuel bowl. The fuel bowl is under the powerstroke cover if your engine has the cover. If you flip it one way it will run fuel out. If you flip it the other way it will close it off and it sounds to me that it is partially open.

ptaft · 12-25-2007, 09:22 AM

Sounds like the same problem I was having. DON'T panic! 1st check that the water/fuel drain lever is shut. (it is right behind the plastic powerstroke banner at the font of the engine, the handel is yellow and it needs to be pointed to the right side (passengers) of the vehicle) If the drain handle is shut then you need to replace the fuel water drain assembly (just a complicated ball valve.) don't worry it is fairly simple it requires a torques socket and 1/4 inch ratchet. there are four screws that hold it in. the replacement drain assembly cost me $70.00. solved all my fuel leakage problems. BUT 1st check that the drain valve is CLOSED.

Graupp · 12-25-2007, 09:29 AM

I had a similar problem, just last month.....with the cooler weather...
Bottom line, it started gushing upon warmup....big puddle on the driveway....
I took it a local diesel mechanic, and he diagnosed a drain valve problem and a fuel line replacement, that runs back on the right side, above the valve cover....
It took him about 2 hours, and $250 to do the job with parts...
It's a very tough area to get to, to work on, and he was laying on a pad, across the top of the engine to work on it...
He earned his money!!!! Everything works fine NOW!!!

Cool_Canuck · 12-25-2007, 11:43 AM

The fuel filter drain valve is probably the culprit. With the ULSD, the O rings change shape and start to leak. Couple of bucks for O rings, follow these instructions and you're good to go.

International will sell you a complete drain assembly for $12.00.

Graupp · 12-25-2007, 03:03 PM

You're right about the ULSD being the culprit...
The mechanic tried to sell me some additive....
Instead, I went to TDS, and reseached about 2 stroke oil, that I'm currently using....

**Kanman** · 12-25-2007, 07:50 PM

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: XS_SUV</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I had a similar problem, just last month.....with the cooler weather...
Bottom line, it started gushing upon warmup....big puddle on the driveway....
I took it a local diesel mechanic, and he diagnosed a drain valve problem and a fuel line replacement, that runs back on the right side, above the valve cover....
It took him about 2 hours, and $250 to do the job with parts...
It's a very tough area to get to, to work on, and he was laying on a pad, across the top of the engine to work on it...
He earned his money!!!! Everything works fine NOW!!! </div></div>

WoooooooHoooooooooo $250, oh man are these mechanics getting brave. Not sure how long it takes you to earn $250 but that guy saw you coming a mile away.

In reality it should cost you about $3.00 and 30 minutes of your life, including time to eat a sandwich. Click Me What was it that was said on this board recently about Auto Mechanics and Ethics??? LOL yeah right!

Graupp · 12-25-2007, 10:03 PM

He also replaced part of the fuel line, running back on top of the right hand valve cover.....
THIS WAS NO EASY JOB....SPRAWLED OUT ON TOP OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT....HE USED FORD PARTS, AND GAVE ME THE INVOICE FROM THEM [DIRECTLY]
He charged me 2 hours plus parts.....trust me...I was happy to have someone do it on such short notice, as diesel was spewing all over my driveway.....
The temperature up here in NC was in the 20's, and there was no way in H**L I was going to do it!!!!
SO YOU PAY!!!!

stout99 · 12-25-2007, 10:14 PM

Sometimes it's like that. Right before I had to fix mine (o-rings) someone on here had just been to the dealer where they wanted to replace the bowl because of the leak. Quoted them something like $800 IIRC. They ended up getting just the valve replaced for about what you paid. It was only because they asked about the valve though. These forums can save you a lot of money. When it warms up outside, that is. lol

Rollie · 12-26-2007, 05:49 PM

would these o rings cause the fuel to run into the valley? Mine is a constant stream below the shut off, or should I look at something else

GEE · 12-26-2007, 10:51 PM

Thank you all for the helpfull suggestions as the problem was exactly that...the o-rings in the fuel filter drain valve. "Cool-Canuck" thanks for the very helpfull link with great step by step instructions!
There hasn't been ONE problem or question Diesel Stop members haven't helped out with yet.......ROCK ON ladies and gents!!!

vicious44 · 12-27-2007, 02:24 AM

THIS SITE KICKS A**, EVERY TIME I HAVE A PROBLEM, SOMEONE HAS A SOLUTION ALREADY, MY WEEKEND IS SAVED, THANKS GUYS!!!

CPUNeck · 12-27-2007, 05:54 AM

Yes

Graupp · 12-27-2007, 10:08 AM

MINE WAS RUNNING INTO THE VALLEY....

The mechanic diagnosed it as a fuel line leak....
He said the metal fuel line rubs up against the valve cover, and wears thru from the constant vibration...

I guess "IF" the o-rings are leaking, it could run about anywhere..[into the valley ??]

My 'wag' would be your 0-rings

Rollie · 12-27-2007, 03:10 PM

Do you have a international part number for a 2000? I went to the intl dealer and talked to them and all they could find was a 2 screw hole valve and the 1999 and up is a 4 screw type.

If you have a 97 or older the part number 1823562c91 looked like it for 15 bucks but I dont have that style and I have nothing to compare it to.