3 questions

[Tx_Atty]

I did not get my fuel filter top tight enough last night and now have 3 related questions I hope are simple -

1 - the leak was small but after rinsing the underside I still see some "stuff" I think is probably a mix of water and fuel. I drove several miles after the rinse so expected it to be dry but wasnt entirely. Is there a valley under the filter bowl that would likely hold any fuel and/or water (sprayed from the underside) that would dribble down the backside of the oilpan?

2 - just to the front of the oil pan is a rounded metal piece with several bolts holding it up. What is this and how important is the gasket? I noticed a drip come from the seam and a piece of gasket was sticking out which I removed.

3 - I finally found the end of the tube that is the fuel bowl drain - what size hose should I get to slide over the end of it to extend it down further?

Thanks a lot guys!

Peter

 

[hheynow]

3 - I finally found the end of the tube that is the fuel bowl drain - what size hose should I get to slide over the end of it to extend it down further?

IIRC the I.D. is 5/16". Cut it long enough to clear everything then zip-tie wrap it. When I had mine attached was when I was using dino but remember that B-100 will melt rubber.

 

[powerboatr]

1 - the leak was small but after rinsing the underside I still see some "stuff" I think is probably a mix of water and fuel. I drove several miles after the rinse so expected it to be dry but wasnt entirely. Is there a valley under the filter bowl that would likely hold any fuel and/or water (sprayed from the underside) that would dribble down the backside of the oilpan?


the gasket on the fuel filter is plain old rubber correct? if it is it will swell up and may cause sealing issues.
if its nitrle then you can remove it, clean it off and lightly coat it with some grease or oil and carefully seat it and slowly tighten the cap watching to see that it stays seated.
as for the fuel in the valley, it takes forever to get it to burn off or drain.
when the engine is cool, tkae some good dishwashing soap and put it in a hand sprayer and saturate teh valley area, let it stand a few minutse then use low pressure flow of water and rinse it off, it will eventually all drain out th eback down the tranny and converter bell housing,

as for #2 its been to long since i looked at the bottom of a 7.3

 

[95_stroker]

1.) Ahh, the dreaded V.O.D. valley of death which can hold many objects including ; oil, fuel, o-rings from FPR screen cleaning, bolts, nuts, washers, electrical connectors, wrenches, screw dirvers, beer cans, and currently the FBI is reportedly digging in the V.O.D. of a suspicious looking PSD for Jimmy Hoffa remains.

2.) Could you get a picture of the offending leak you speak of?

3.) What hheynow said.

 

[Tx_Atty]

I'll get a picture tonight. When I got to work I looked under the truck again and there is a mess all the way back. This time it is down the back of the oil pan and blown all the way back to the rear. I dont smell fuel like I did yesterday so I hope this is all related to my loose lid and not some other leak that is just now surfacing. I wiped and smelled the mess underneath and it feels watery and very little smell but there must be fuel in it because I would expect it to evaporate on the highway otherwise.

Thanks for the input. Im going to wipe it all down by hand tonight and I'll put up a picture of the metal thing. It sounds like it may be just remnants of my spray job yesterday but I wanna make sure.

 

[hheynow]

Peter, When your engine is stone cold, spray some brake cleaner around your fuel pump area, turbo pedestal & in the dreaded Valley 'O Death. It will evaporate or drain in the hole. Re-inspect for the leak location.

 

[Tx_Atty]

picture

here is a picture of where the drips are coming. What is this part and how important is the gasket around it? A piece about 2 inches long came out last night from one side.

Thanks!

 

[tubzz]

that looks like the inspection cover for the TQ converter/clucht.you got the starter on the right and the oil filter on the left.that would be the back of the engine.
and if you had a fuel leak in the valley it would run down in it also.

 

[Tx_Atty]

cool, so I could remove this tomorrow and clean it out? I have seen drips come off several different times today but still dont have the strong fuel smell. What about the gasket? Do I need to replace it?

 

[whatabudro]

There shouldn't be a gasket it's basically a dust and debris cover.