1997 7.3 fuel leak

[clatterindiesel]

Hi folks. Just curious, I recently bought another 7.3, but this time a 1997. It has a K&N airfilter and thats it. I have noticed that my first tank in the front tank, of fuel and i am at 1/4 tank and have about 140 miles on trip meter. At this rate Im looking at 8-9mpg, maybe 10 if i am lucky. I have located a fuel leak, as there is fuel in the valley. I havent been able to diagnose where it is coming from yet. The truck runs and idles amazing, with ample power as if nothing was wrong. I am just curious if a tiny fuel leak, could cause such a terrible fuel mileage. I know I should be at least getting 15 hwy, if not better. Any ideas or suggestions for something else that might be wrong would be helpful. Thanks!

[bondsman]

Check the sensors on the fuel bowl. Look at the hoses real good for leaks. If it is leaking under pressure, it can really spit some fuel out.

[jeffh286]

i had a problem like this once that drove me crazy for monthes i changes so many parts like the lift pump fuel lines all the orings in the fuel bowl and nothing seemed to stop the leak it ended up being my water in fuel sensor its a 2 piece part half metal half plastic it was leaking at the joint on the bottom thats why i could never see it hopes this helps good luck the part was about 50 bucks

[sola]

8 miles per gallon is not bad for a 97! i get 5 mpg in summer with ac on! fuel economy was not an issue in 97! diesel was cheap less than a buck

[storkerlovr]

OBS + fuel leak. its not an option, it comes standard from the factory

Originally Posted by sola

8 miles per gallon is not bad for a 97! i get 5 mpg in summer with ac on! fuel economy was not an issue in 97! diesel was cheap less than a buck

what in the hell are you doing!!!! holly cow. 5 mpg. are you running down the highway in 4low??? i get 21mpg in mine

[greasyF250]

fuel bowl drain valve, o rings could be going

[clatterindiesel]

Thank you all for your input. I have tracked down what I think is the leak and getting the hoses from ford on friday. I know that might not be the most economical of places to make a purchase, but with the hoses needing to be a certain length and material i think that will be best. I don't know what kinda issue the guy that gets 5mpg has, but I am mainly concerned with if the leak could be causing the terrible fuel mileage I am getting or if I should be looking for something else as well besides a fuel leak. I have changed oil, filter, fuel filter and cleaned K&N air filter. Fuel is leaking, and I am getting terrible mpg. Just wanting to make sure I may not have any other issues other than fuel leak causing the low mpg. BTW, this is not my first powerstroke. I had a 2001 350 with 38 inch tires and I got 14mpg with compensation for tire size. I hardly ever had to fill that thing up as much as I am with this one.

[sola]

3.55 is not an agressive gear so you might get 12 mpg. 4.10 + AC = 5mpg in mine 97xlt 4x4 extended cab!Plus i drive it hard, has been this way since 97. my 2003 f-350 gets about 12-14 mpg

[clatterindiesel]

Well, just finished the blue hoses under fuelbowl. That did not fix the problem, but certainly slowed it down. Now, I am back to square one. Any other quick fixes or o rings or gaskets that could be the culprit?

[73rvhauler]

I would say check banjo bolt. Water in fuel sensor or fuel heater sensor oh or o-ring on drain valve. Personally I had enough of chasing a leaking gost and ditched the entire system. Went with a beans and now is ready for any other upgrade I may have in future