On the 7.3 it is very common to develop a fuel leak after some age and mileage on the top of the engine behind the fuel bowl. There is a drain valve back there that allows you to drain the sedemnt and contents out of the fuel filter bowl. The problem is that after years of none movement if this valve is moved and sometimes without moving it, it will start to leak. It can at its worst pour out. Have no fear there are 2 easy ways to fix it.

#1. You can get 2 new orings for it
#2. You can buy the whole new valve assembly for about $50

All you have to do to diag this is VERRY CAREFULLY lay on the motor while it is running and watch the bottom of the valve with a mechanics mirror. You will see them leaking.

The other common place it the the fuel supply line on top the right side head. It is known to wear on the bottom of the glow plug bracket and also there is a clamp that holds it to the turbo pedistal that does more damage then good and will wear through.

However the drain valve is far more common then the fuel line.

 

Is this a heads up or did it happen to you??

Just a warning to guys before you post....BRAND BASHING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AT THIS SITE.....PERIOD....

Carry on....

 

It is a heads up. This is very common. It hasnt happend to me yet but it will.

 

hey john, ive got fuel leaking out of a small tube coming down the front of the engine on the passenger side, when i turn the "water in fuel" drain, then it comes out like crazy. when i switch it off, it slows the leaking but it never stops. is this the problem that you are talking about, but maybe my truck has an extension hose so instead of leaking in the intake, it pours out of the bottom? :humm:

 

Just had this happen on my buds truck, easy fix. And when it leaks alot of fuel pours outa that thing! At least his did.

 

Like Jon said about the passenger's side fuel line. I just happened to check my line the other day because I had the turbo spider out to replace the o-ring on the IPR due to a small seep that was developing. I had purchased a new line back in 2006 because I knew about the potiential problem of the fuel line bracket rubbing a hole in the fuel line.

I modified the bracket for the fuel line to accomodate a small piece of fuel line to insulate the bracket from the fuel line. The factory bracket is loose and when dirt, sand and grime get between the bracket and the fuel line, normal engine vibration begins to work like sandpaper on the fuel line. The clamp modification is tight and should keep the 'grinding' of the fuel line to a minimum.



Modified Bracket

Modified bracket in place by the turbo pedestal

New fuel line that has been sitting around since 2006

 

That happened to my 1999 F-250 at 141,000 miles, I bought the little plastic part that has some o-rings for $42.80, and it was leaking alot, and I couldn't turn on my A/C cause the smell of diesel would come in the cab !!

 

Does anyone have a diagram on how to replace the valve assembly.
I have a 1997 f250 powerstroke

 

i can smell diesel walking around my truck and in the truck with the AC on but i have no leaks at all under the truck. I can drive it 200 miles and park it idled for 10 minutes and not one drop of anything is on the driveway. If there was a leak anywhere it should show up on the ground right? 2001 7.3 with 145K

 

I can smell diesel quite a bit when I first start mine in the morning after it is warmed up I cant smell it. Idk what causes this if the bowl is empty and its just taking in so much fuel and you can smell it or what