Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Fuel leak mystery

[Kalaehina]

Okay here's the scenario-96 12valve, got a Prime Loc, changed fuel filter 3 weeks ago, last week Saturday notice fuel on inside drivers front fender liner, open hood, see fuel dripping down water in fuel sensor, leaks faster under load. Okay got home, checked filter again, still leaking by sensor, figured it was cracked so after tightening all the fuel lines on the Prime Loc mount (a usual suspect) I siliconed all the openings on the water in fuel sensor. Monday, fuel on fender liner AGAIN!, okay, notice fuel by the collar where the water in fuel sensor screws to the filter so silicone the water sensor to the filter, no more leak. Order new sensor, arrived yesterday, installed, drive around for 1, yes 1 minute LEAK AGAIN! Ah how do you suppose I silicone the old sensor and fix the problem, and now get a new sensor and get the old problem? And before you ask I tried the old sensor on 2 new filters. Same problem until I siliconed it shut. There is fuel now on the side of the filter that faces the rear of the truck, suspiciously under those Prime Loc lines that I tightened, could it be just bad luck, it seems like I had a bad sensor and just so happened have a leaky line now:--) . Anyone with a similar experience please help me. Thanks... .....

 

[Kalaehina]

Okay, I put the filter with the siliconed sensor back on and guess what, no more leak! Could I have been a victim of the fuel filter gremlins? 2 bad filters in a row??????

 

[Kalaehina]

I got a new filter from Genos and am about to install it today, now if there is a leak AGAIN, could there be some sort of pressure developing in my system causing a leak at the water sensor seal? Just preparing for the worst. Thanks for any advice.....

 

[Blakers]

Are you sure you don't have a rotted out fuel hose up in behind the filter? Those things are notorious for leaking and making one think the leak is someplace else. And I've had the leak come and go. Cheap fix, but a nasty job. If you do it, get the marine hose so you don't have to do it again.

 

[Kalaehina]

My hose is still good, (coincidentally I was just going to get narine hoses to replace the fuel lines), I know it's the filter because after I siliconed the sensor the leak stopped, when I switched filters it started again.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Have you checked the rubber O-ring on the WIF sensor? It should seal between the filter base and the plastic sensor.



The extra vibration transferred to the Prime Loc from the engine makes the sensor more prone to leak.



Bill

 

[Kalaehina]

Hey good point, never thought about the vibration causing the sensor seal to leak. Well we'll see what happens with the new filter, was going to put it in yesterday but when I went out to my truck she was wounded , had a flat rear tire, so had an unexpected project.