fuel line replacement on 01 E-350

[appserve]

I broke the fitting on the cap that attaches the fuel return line to the filter cannister and it is stuck in the fuel line nut. I have the fuel lines (pair) loose but cannot get them out of the engine. Can anyone help? Can flexible lines be used?

[strokin_early_99]

Fuel bowl parts can he had here: Powerstrokeshop.com

The hard lines that go up the front of engine and behind the alternator are all bolted in place in the same location as a ground cable with a bolt. Take out the bolt, accessible from the front of the engine. Then you can take out the rigid fuel lines. What part of the return line broke off? Was it part of the hard line? Or was it just the threads on the outlet?

[appserve]

I have the part for the fuel bowl. the rigid lines are loose but it looks like you have to take the A/C compressor and a bunch of other things off just to remove the rigid lines. The threads of the part of the fuel bowl fitting are broken off in the fitting on the end of the return line.

[strokin_early_99]

Just start taking things loose/off until you can wiggle the lines out. From you are saying about the AC being in the way on the driverside, you must have a 94-97.

[appserve]

I was afraid of that. Actually it is a 01 van. thanks

[strokin_early_99]

You might think of pulling out the fuel bowl to gain some extra space and get the broken threads out that way.

Just a thought

[BruceM]

I'm in a similar boat with my 00 F-250. Went to change the fuel pressure regulator O-ring with a nice new viton one (it was seeping) and upon putting the brass nut just snug the cast aluminum threads just snapped off. Been working on vehicles for years and never had something like this happen. Looked like the line had been off before though, so who knows who cranked down on it before.

Replacement part was in stock at the dealer for $30, but I'm actually having a heck of at time getting the broken threads out of the line. I have even gone as far as to buy the whole fuel line assembly just in case I can't get it out. $150 there that I didn't want to spend. Though I dunno if I'll end up even being able to use them since the push to connect fittings are stuck at the bottom where they meet the flexible lines at the frame.

How hard is it to pull the fuel bowl?

[appserve]

I ended up cutting the end with the nut off and found a hydraulic repair shop that had the nut and put a compression coupling on the new piece of steel line. He happened to find the nuts in a salvage place and said they are rare. He said Ford has a lock on the parts. Good luck.