1991 7.3 Fuel leak
 

My 91 7.3 is leaking fuel somewhere on the right side of the engine. The vacum pump, lift pump, and the fuel line from the tank to the lift pump are soaked. The fuel heater, injectors, and return lines all look good. I'm wondering if it could be the lift pump itself which is leaking? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

if its a machanical pump it will have a weep hole if the diaphram has a hole in it it will leak from it just like water pump does

Thanks, that is what I needed to hear.

also check your oil sometimes it will get diesel into the motor if the diapham is leaking
hope that helps

I had that happen on my 86, that weep hole blew fuel everywhere...except into the crankcase. :tu:

There is quite a bit written in the forum & info on the web about replacing the lift pump and being sure to get the flat spot on the cam lobe. The importance of getting the lever under the lobe is understood. I'm wondering if there may not be a simpler method to ensuring the cam is indeed in the proper position than pulling out I phones, mirrors & and contorting our aging bodies around the vehicle much to the amazement of our neighbors.

When I removed the two 9/16 bolts holding the pump to the block, I noticed tension on the arm. The cam was enaging the lever. Using a deep socket on the crankshaft I rotated the engine until there was no tension on the lever & the pump slid right out.

At that point I called my Diesel buddy (who had been forewarned) with my usual, "...I got it all apart..." to check out my thinking. If the pump slid right out with no tension, then the lobe must be in a position for the new pump to go in. I had test fitted the new pump & it slid in with no tension.

He agreed as long as nothing had moved, there was no tension on the lever, the new pump would go in & be in the proper position. He closed the conversation with "...call me when you get it back together..."

So I got it all buttoned up, much to the amusement of my neighbors (video soon to be posted on Youtube), and after bleeding the air through the Shrader valve, everything went just fine.

Thanks,

Bill