Fuel All over.

[icb12]

I hopped in my rig this morning and everything seemed normal. It had been idling for a few minutes, was mostly warm. Everything seemed ok.

I went a couple miles, just hopped on the highway when I started getting a strooong smell of diesel. I work at an airport at night so I thought maybe its my work clothes (jet fuel). Then I look down and realize my fuel gauge is going nuts, the fuel level is dropping like a rock. So I quickly get off and pull over and pop the hood.

Somehow the fuel filter cap had come unscrewed and diesel was all over the engine bay, I mean everywhere, leaking down on my steering, all over. It was also smoking, which makes everything look much more serious than it may or may not be.

I screwed the cap on tightly, and headed home with a pit stop at the fuel pump.


Everything seems fine now. Except when the tach hits 2k I get a rejection noise and nothing happens. Kind of like its just revving but not going anywhere. Im not sure what is going on here. Its never done it before.
Ideas?

Also as a side note, could diesel get into the transmission and mess up my clutch? The clutch feels like its slipping BADLY, and its also never done that before. The letoff of the pedal is almost twice as far out as normal right now.

As another side note, is there anything I should do as a result of diesel getting all over everything?? Should I change the fluids or should everything be ok?

EDIT: Been cleaning it up and making sure that was the reason it was leaking. Seems like that WAS the problem. Also, doesn't seem to be having issues at 2k anymore. At least not in 2nd gear. Clutch is still acting stupid. And Im still curious as to whether or not there is anything I should do to prevent other problems from occuring. Thanks!

[dray8165]

If the cap popped, I'd be a little concerned that my fuel regulator was stuck - easy enough to check with a fuel pressure gauge or by just dissasembling it and visually inspecting. The fuel will run down the valley, out the drain, and saturate your clutch. Others with this problem indicate it will eventually burn off. If your fuel filter cap is showing signs of wear, you might want to replace it with the WIX filter that comes with a new cap. Best of luck.

[icb12]

Originally Posted by dray8165

If the cap popped, I'd be a little concerned that my fuel regulator was stuck - easy enough to check with a fuel pressure gauge or by just dissasembling it and visually inspecting. The fuel will run down the valley, out the drain, and saturate your clutch. Others with this problem indicate it will eventually burn off. If your fuel filter cap is showing signs of wear, you might want to replace it with the WIX filter that comes with a new cap. Best of luck.

That makes sense. I'll look and see if the regulator is stuck.
So I can expect the clutch to return to normal after a while? Thats good, I was a little concerned.

Thanks dray.

[fosterp51]

I just purchased a 2000 f 350 7.3 and I have a small drip of diesel coming down and dripping of the rear of the exhaust manifold on the passengers side. Any suggestions?

[dray8165]

Originally Posted by fosterp51

I just purchased a 2000 f 350 7.3 and I have a small drip of diesel coming down and dripping of the rear of the exhaust manifold on the passengers side. Any suggestions?

The most common site for these to leak is the yellow drain valve assembly at the back of the fuel filter assembly. The fix is fairly painless - you pull out the four torx screws, clean it up, and replace the 3 o-rings. A great place to purchase them is here:

Replacement O-rings for Ford Diesel Engines

[fosterp51]

I will have to look at this better. I seen no fuel at all when I looked yesterday down in the valley. I wasn't really sure what I was looking at....but since last night I have learned where the fuel filter was and water separator. Because I also have water in fuel indication on. This is my first diesel so I'm learning. I appreciate all the info. After I finsih servicing the tranny I'll take a look at that again. Thanks

[Dietoremain]

im guessing your clutch is fried. it happened to a member with an OBS with a ZF5.

[Dietoremain]

I just ruined my clutch

[fosterp51]

It looks like my fuel leak is coming off the back of the passenger side head where a line and fitting is attached. This is next to the exhaust pipe coming off the turbo at the firewall where it comes down. Is there a banjo fitting there? I don't see any evidence of the water separator drain leaking at all.

[HOUTX01X]

http://www.dieselorings.com/docs/fueldrain.pdf