Fuel Leak!

[Calabrio]

With the wheels off the car, I decided to also change the fuel filter.

After removing the plastic clip, the bottom of the filter popped right out, but on it I saw a plastic ring attached. I used the tool to remove the top.

Now, upon reinstallation, it has massive fuel leakage. I've tried installing the plastic ring, in both directions, but it has not solved the problem.

Has anyone experienced this before? I'm hard pressed to think of a solution.

 

[Calabrio]

This is how the fuel filter appeared after removing it. That plastic O-ring is not supposed to be on it. I think it's part of the compression fitting. I'm hoping there is a way to fix that fitting.

Here is a picture of that ring by itself.

 

[Calabrio]

 

[chicken]

did you try to just put it back into the line, its pretty common on ford fuel lines its just sort of like an o-ring, well now u posted more pics just pit it back inside and you should be fine

 

[Calabrio]

No luck. It's still leaking, bad.

I took the O-ring, flat side up, and tapped it into the lower fitting.
It still continues to leak.

Does the T-Bird use the same fuel fitting?
Can I just hit a salvage yard, cut the end off of a t-bird, and then connect it using hose and some clamps?
In case of emergency, can I cut this one off and install a hose and clamps instead?

 

[chicken]

i wouldnt sugest cutting those lines!!!!!!! i dont know why it would still leak? was there any other seals in the line? there might need to be an o-ring around the skinnier part (just thinking out loud i havent had one come out in a long time so im not sure)

 

[Calabrio]

I just don't know.
Let me just double check, is the following accurate-

That plastic ring goes into the lower fitting with the flat side up.
It is recessed, so I'll have to tap or pressure it into position.

 

[Calabrio]

internals dissolved. The O-rings inside there are missing.
There's a repair kit available at NAPA for $20, but I'm worried about my ability to cut the old line off from the metal line, and slip the new hose, warmed to make it softer, over it.

 

[chicken]

i did one of those repair kits once, if poss you could try to just take all the seals etc out of the replacement part and put it into your line's connector if not you can change the end it sux but now too bad

 

[Calabrio]

yeah, 2 minute repair I stretched out it about six hours.

I trimmed the new one to length. put it in a cup of boiling water for 30 seconds, and it slipped right over the barbed steel tube.

I was going to swap the guts, but they didn't want to come out. I was so worried about cutting the line that I lost the entire day fighting that thing, spraying gas all over.

 

[94m5]

but you got it fixed, correct?

 

[Calabrio]

but you got it fixed, correct?

Yeah, better than new.
Ended up being a very simple problem to address.

The o-rings in the lower quick connect appeared to have dissolved. NAPA has the connector kick for about $20.

Cut it to length, stick it in warm water, then just slip is over the barbed end of the metal line coming under the car.

A two minute problem that I managed to turn into a six hour dilema.
And thanks ChickenViii for the support during the process. It's the fear of the unknown that is the most inhibating on some of these repairs.