Fuel leak HELP !
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Garden Grove CA
Fuel leak HELP !
Hi all, newbie here long time reader from So Cal, first post. Fuel leaking sometimes from my lt4. Car has 31k. It only does it at cold starts. Fuel leaks arround the oil drain plug area. As the engine warms up the leak stops. The problem started after i had a new clutch installed by the dealer. Any suggestions? anyone here experienced this? It only leaked twice in the past month...drives me crazy I took the car in to have it looked at but no leak...Thanx guys.
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Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Texas
Re: Fuel leak HELP ! (1996blklt4)
You sure it's fuel? Did you smell it? At idle, the fuel pressure is ~37psi. If you have a bad o-ring or a split fuel line, it's pretty apparent.
The lines run along the passenger side frame rail then up the blower motor case before crossing over to the fuel rail mounted to the engine. Turn the key to "RUN" without starting the engine. The fuel pump will run for ~2 seconds and will pressurize the system. Feel around all the lines and connections for leaks.
The only way it could get to the location you describe is to dribble down the back of the engine, which by definition implies it's leaking where the lines meet the fuel rail or where the fuel pressure regulator bolts to the fuel rail. If it was leaking at the fuel filter it'd have to magically jump over the passenger side cat without catching fire.
Also, fuel leaks don't "stop" as the engine warms up. The fuel evaporates. This constitutes a significant fire hazard.
If the fluid is clear and doesn't have a strong gasoline odor, it's most likely clutch fluid from a failing slave cylinder.
The lines run along the passenger side frame rail then up the blower motor case before crossing over to the fuel rail mounted to the engine. Turn the key to "RUN" without starting the engine. The fuel pump will run for ~2 seconds and will pressurize the system. Feel around all the lines and connections for leaks.
The only way it could get to the location you describe is to dribble down the back of the engine, which by definition implies it's leaking where the lines meet the fuel rail or where the fuel pressure regulator bolts to the fuel rail. If it was leaking at the fuel filter it'd have to magically jump over the passenger side cat without catching fire.
Also, fuel leaks don't "stop" as the engine warms up. The fuel evaporates. This constitutes a significant fire hazard.
If the fluid is clear and doesn't have a strong gasoline odor, it's most likely clutch fluid from a failing slave cylinder.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Garden Grove CA
Re: Fuel leak HELP ! (1996blklt4)
Jim, thankx for the reply, yes i smelled it and it was gasoline, however, it stained my driveway. I assume that the leaking gas washed some oil from the oil pan on the way down. I only saw it leak once when i started it about a week ago. I opened the hood immediately and strong gas fumes were comming from the fuel rail area while it was dripping under the car in the area i mentioned earlier. Now i check it every time i start the car, no smell, no leak under the car so far....Went to two Chevy dealerships, they think i`m crazy. The problem doesn`t seem to duplicate again...but how safe am i driving it like this ? should i buy a fire extinguisher and keep it in the car? I`m so obsessed with this car now and really wouldn`t want to see it burn under my eyes... If this was your car where would you start considering that the car does not act up ? Thanx !
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Joined: Apr 2000
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From: Texas
Re: Fuel leak HELP ! (1996blklt4)
One possibility is that for whatever reason the injectors are not fully seated in the fuel rail. Unlikely, buy none the less possible.
It it was my car I would do several things....
- I wouldn't drive it until I was satisfied it was fixed. A small fire extinguisher may give peace of mind, but will likely not be much of a match for a fuel fire.
- I would visually examine the injectors and the fuel pressure regulator to verify they're properly seated against the fuel rail. Since I do my own work, I would buy new o-rings for the injectors and the pressure regulator and change them all. A dealer will probably charge close to $100 for this work, most of which is for ~45 minutes of labor.
- I would visually verify there's no evidence of leakage around the fuel filter and I would verify the lines to the filter are tight. It's doubtful this is where the leak is but since it sits by the passanger cat, I wouldn't chance it.
- I would examine the back of the engine and the bellhousing area for signs of leakage. Raw fuel will leave a definitive path if the block and/or tranny are marginally dirty.
It it was my car I would do several things....
- I wouldn't drive it until I was satisfied it was fixed. A small fire extinguisher may give peace of mind, but will likely not be much of a match for a fuel fire.
- I would visually examine the injectors and the fuel pressure regulator to verify they're properly seated against the fuel rail. Since I do my own work, I would buy new o-rings for the injectors and the pressure regulator and change them all. A dealer will probably charge close to $100 for this work, most of which is for ~45 minutes of labor.
- I would visually verify there's no evidence of leakage around the fuel filter and I would verify the lines to the filter are tight. It's doubtful this is where the leak is but since it sits by the passanger cat, I wouldn't chance it.
- I would examine the back of the engine and the bellhousing area for signs of leakage. Raw fuel will leave a definitive path if the block and/or tranny are marginally dirty.
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Garden Grove CA
Re: Fuel leak HELP ! (96GS#007)
Jim, you`re awesome, on monday i will go to a Corvette shop here near me and i`ll give them a "to list". Seems that Chevy dealers are reluctant to deal with my car, is that because the car could become a liability for them considering the fire hazzard..? I haven`t found a mechanic yet that could diagnose or give a s..t about my car. Seems like unless they`re working on their own cars they just don`t care...and they get paid too...I`m sure that there are some good ones out there, but i haven`t found them yet. If anyone from So Cal reads this and knows a good mechanic drop me a line, i would appreciate it. Thanx
