2000 7.3l quick FUEL SYSTEM input needed!

[catfishez]

Hey guys, This is my first post on powerstroke and I'm desprate!
2000 7.3l f250 4x4 supercab:

Ok fuels leaking pretty steady from the ole hole at flywheel.. I google and its not the orings of the drainvalve.. So I continue to look.

The mount or tubestay for the tube that goes from the back of the passenger's side head into the front of the passenger's side outlet of the fuel filter housing has worn a hole in the tube

1st question- what purpose does this tube serve?

So the tube is out of the truck and I REALLY need the truck tomorrow and fear that the dealer will have to ship one in.

2nd question-This is going to get me banned but can I pinch the tube off on both sides of the leak and drive the truck without repercussions?

Before someone drives to my house and punches me.. I realize that the tube might be a fuel pressure return tube of sorts and that pinching it is out of the question.. but if it serves an ancillary purpose for flexibity of drivablity that I can live without for a week, I'm pinching the sucker so I can make rent this month!

Thanks in advance guys!
Steve

[Jarrod B]

ok the lines to the heads are necessary so pinching is bad. and they are the fuel lines to the head. so the line that has the hole, is it copper or a flex hose?

[catfishez]

it's basically brakeline.. steel it seems. I'm headed to the parts store now to see if brakeline will substitute for a minute.

To be clear I'm not talking about the main fuelhose that supplies the casted fuel rail, rather a smaller tube with a diameter similar to brakeline that exits in the rear of the head and goes to the top of the fuelfilter housing not the bottom.

[Jarrod B]

if ya can post a pic of it

[catfishez]

Thats for the advice and help.
Ford had the part in stock and judging from the comments of the seasoned parts guys.. It's a fairly common occurence- he knew just what I was carrying as I walked in the door, never looked up a part number, just went to the back and came out with it. The other guy looked at me with a smirk and said "did you have fun finding that leak?".
I wrapped plenty of pvc elect. tape around the tube where the brace contacts it before installing it to ensure this never happens again.
So problem solved and hopefully this will pop up on a search for the next guy going through it... if your that guy, I don't envy you but have fun!

[Jarrod B]

lol glad you were able to get it fixed