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Car Forum / Dodge / Dodge Trucks / March 2006

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FUEL LEAK, CUMMINS 98 12V, ABOVE THE STARTER AND BELOW THE FUEL/WATER SEPARATOR...HELP!

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randolf_scott@hotmail.com - 05 Mar 2006 02:24 GMT
Guys,

Fuel leak between the starter and fuel/water separator on 98' 12V
motor.  Anyone know if this is a no-brainer?  I've washed the area with
degreaser and rinsed and dried, but haven't started it yet to look/feel
for the leak.  Waiting on some daylight so I do it right.

If someone has had similar problem or can help me diagnose I'd be
forever grateful.  Just don't have the time right now to go ripping the
thing apart chasing a fuel leak.

Thanks,

Randolf
Nosey - 05 Mar 2006 06:21 GMT
> Guys,
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Randolf

Don't feel around for a leak. It's very dangerous. A pinhole leak in a high
pressure fuel system can inject fuel into your hand. It's very painful and
this type of injury often results in amputation.
Signature

Ken

Tom Lawrence - 05 Mar 2006 07:53 GMT
> Don't feel around for a leak. It's very dangerous. A pinhole leak in a
> high pressure fuel system can inject fuel into your hand. It's very
> painful and this type of injury often results in amputation.

Nah, he's on the low pressure side, well away from the injector lines -
10-15 psi at most.  The only danger there is getting your fingers a little
oily  :)

As to the problem itself, it could be a rotted-out section of fuel line
itself, though that usually manifests as an air leak, causing very
poor/rough running.  The fittings on the fuel filter canister (particularly
the heater element) have been known to leak, as well.  A technique that
works well is to wash the area down with degreaser, let it dry, then blow a
little talcum powder around the suspected area.  The talc will readily show
the tracks of any leak, leading you right back to the source.
Nosey - 05 Mar 2006 15:15 GMT
> Nah, he's on the low pressure side, well away from the injector lines
> - 10-15 psi at most.  The only danger there is getting your fingers a
> little oily  :)

I know it's all low pressure before the injection pump but I get nervous
when people say they are going to feel around for a leak anywhere near high
pressure systems. It's possible the leak is in an injector line spraying
fuel into that area. It may not be likely, but still possible.
Signature

Ken

Joe Myers - 05 Mar 2006 10:13 GMT
If you have the OEM fuel filter, you might want to make sure the old
gasket isn't still stuck to the housing from the last change. The
other thing that happens on 1st gens is the rubber return hose cracks.
I have both on 89 and a 00, so have run into some of these problems.
If its the filter gasket, you'll find the time after it blows out on
the road. If it's the return hose, you might have hard start or other
performance troubles.

joemyers

>Guys,
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
>Randolf
Lorne - 05 Mar 2006 16:52 GMT
I have had to replace both rubber lines on my truck. They both had rotted
out near where they connect to the steel lines near the motor. Really long
arms would be a big asset to do this job!.  Lorne
> If you have the OEM fuel filter, you might want to make sure the old
> gasket isn't still stuck to the housing from the last change. The
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>>
>>Randolf
randolf_scott@hotmail.com - 06 Mar 2006 01:53 GMT
Thanks for all the replies.  I got out this morning and drove it hard
and stopped after every few miles to look for leak, but only thing I
came across was a little film of diesel around where the fuel/water
separator attaches to the mount (guess it's screwed on?).  How do I
tighten it?

It was NOT enough diesel to suggest where all the diesel came from.
Saturday I found the starter drenched in diesel and it dripping from
the bottom of the bell housing.  This "film" was small in comparison.
I will mention that before I degreased and cleaned the area Saturday I
cracked open the fuel/water separator and made darn skippy it was
closed firmly.  Wonder if it hadn't cracked open under vibration and
that's where all that diesel came from?

Note:  I did inspect the rubber fuel lines that run around the area and
they were never degreased/washed and have always been dry as a bone.
It would suggest they haven't rotted yet...but I'm no expert obviously.

Where is the fuel filter on my 12V?  Inside the fuel/water separator?
Thinking it might could use changing.

Randolf
Tom Lawrence - 06 Mar 2006 04:46 GMT
> Where is the fuel filter on my 12V?  Inside the fuel/water separator?
> Thinking it might could use changing.

Yep.  How long has it been since you changed it?  Anywhere between 10K and
15K is the usual interval.
randolf_scott@hotmail.com - 06 Mar 2006 18:22 GMT
Tom,

I've never changed the fuel filter on mine.  I got it with 120k and now
it's at 170k.  No fuel filter change.  Maybe it's time???

I did inspect the rubber fuel line piece behind the filter and up
against the block.  It kinda looks like it's in the process of
cracking.  When I drive to see daddy-in-law this weekend I will employ
his help in replacing both the filer and that stupid rubber line.

How do you tighten or remove the filter/fuel/water separator????

Randolf
Lorne - 06 Mar 2006 18:39 GMT
There are two lines there :-) supply and return.  Lorne
> Tom,
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Randolf
Joe Myers - 07 Mar 2006 09:23 GMT
If you cange it and haven't done it before and it has the old style
connector on the bottom of  the filter can disconnect it first so you
don't mess up the wires, and when moving the probe plug to the new
can, be careful, as it is plastic and although sturdy, you can break
it. Clean the probe electrodes. Oil "O" ring before screwing it back
on. Also oil the filter can gasket(make sure the old one is off).
Don't overtighten the new can.

>> Where is the fuel filter on my 12V?  Inside the fuel/water separator?
>> Thinking it might could use changing.
>
>Yep.  How long has it been since you changed it?  Anywhere between 10K and
>15K is the usual interval.
 
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