2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Fuel return lines

[SHobbs]

Ok I have a fuel leak somewhere on the back of the engine. Looks like the "T" in the return line at the back of the head is leaking a little. I was wondering if anyone has rerouted these lines or is it possible without affecting their purpose? Here is what I am thinking, come off the back of the head with an AN or a banjo with a rubber line. Come off the VP44 with a rubber line and follow the fuel supply line back to the firewall then use a T and connect the line from the VP44 to the line off the head to the steel return line or use a rubber line all the way back.



The current set up seems to allow for several leak points that are hard to access. The idea I have would allow easier access to the connections and possibly improve them. Am I off track here or do these lines have to stay the way they are?



Scott

 

[JKreiss]

Hey Scott, did you get anywhere with your brain storm session. My 99's got evidence of fuel leaking out of that T connection and running down the return line. I'm hoping this is contributing to my hard start problem. It only does it when it's parked uphill. If I park it facing down hill, no problems. I was hoping you had made some progress with your idea.



Joe

 

[SHobbs]

Joe,



Not yet, been a little busy with work. I have some vacation time coming up after this week, will give it a go then and see what happens.

 

[grimesja]

I had the a similiar issue. It turned out that I had a cracked line on number 4. I could not physically see it leaking while it was running but it slowly developed a stain. A cracked line would also allow air to bleed back in the VP-44 causing a hard start. Just my thoughts from my experience.

 

[JKreiss]

Yeah i had the dealer replace a line already and all the injector tubes, washers, etc. This didn't fix the problem, go figure, and they wouldn't budge an inch when i brought it back. Long story short i'm back to square one and doing things myself. My leak is at the T connection below the drain manifold on the return line. I'm not sure as how to fix it, other than replacing everything. I'm not a big fan of the design of the connector. Are these lines we can order? I'm almost positive this is where my starting issue is coming from, i hope. Thanks for the update Scott, looking forward to any developments you can come up with.

 

[The patriot]

I'm going through fuel line hell right now.

I plumbed in a Racor filter and it keeps losing prime overnight.

No visible leaks. Wrenched the living he** out of the racor cover and all hose clamps. Still no joy.

 

[JKreiss]

Sorry to hear that. This is really frustrating, i'm trying to rule out the possibility of an electrical failure of the VP and want to solve this fuel leak thing. I'm guessing it could be solved by replacing the return line but the connection to the fuel manifold is such a crappy design. Not sure what else to do. Has anybody had to by factory replacement lines. Otherwise it looks like i'll have to make my own. What's the pressure coming through the return line?

 

[JKreiss]

Well a little update... I ordered a new seal and return line fitting. (the one that comes out of the bottom of the "T"). I had wetness in that area and had fuel running all the way down the return line. I replaced the seal and tightened all the connections on the return lines. I Also replaced the check valve on the VP44 itself, ruling out that possibility. I was confident with the work and assumed that should seal it up and cure the uphill hard start. Well left it overnight, and low and behold, cranks forever (5-7 seconds) before it starts. It's done this 3 mornings in a row now since the work so i assume i didn't fix it. Once it starts it will start up immediately over and over. If parked nose down, it starts immediately when left overnight. So in short, my problem remains and it's back to the drawing board. Any suggestions?