Fuel Supply assembly leaking!

[goatsauce]

Why does Ford hate me?

Been systematically overhauling a 94 XLT with the 4.0. Been smelling strong fuel fumes while driving. Last few days noticed black nasty on the garage floor.

Dug in to solve it ... crap. The return line is leaking right at the most expensive place possible. (I'm assuming it's the return line, because when it's running it dribbles out like an old man peeing, slow but consistent... I'd expect the supply line to have a lot more pressure.)

I'm not afraid to "fix" the line by bypassing the broken piece and splicing in a replacement. The assembly (F47Z-9S286-A) is not available from anywhere but dealers for appx $130.

All you guys who heavily mod your trucks speak up. I'm sure there's a cost effective alternative.

I've seen some "repair kits" from Dorman, etc. Is it a pain in the a$$ to cut/splice/repair using the nylon kits? Can I use regular rubber fuel line and hose clamps? Would I need high pressure line on the return line?

This truck is becoming a money pit, but y'all know you can't just give up on a Ranger.

CLARIFICATION: the leak is coming from broken nylon under the braiding. The metal tubing simply wraps around the frame, then becomes nylon again. I'm wondering if it's safe to cut the braid and splice in a replacement, basically bypassing the molded assembly.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I've used brass airline [I think, or similar oxy/acet repair] fittings and hose clamps.
EDIT; sorry, I didn't look at the pic close enough. If it's the ss braided line, I'm not sure of a solution.

richard

 

[97RangerXLT]

I had an olds 88 that did the same thing, only it was on the high pressure side. I had Napa make me a new one with hydraulic fittings to clamp the new rubber to the metal portion. worked great for the next 4 years and 50k when we traded the car it still had no issues. I think I only paid 20 or 30 bucks for it as well.

AJ

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

This is a go/nogo situation. ie; the fix works or it don't. Being on the return, I can't see there being high pressure....so fix it. I HAVE fixed high pressure lines temporarily and they are still working.

Richard

 

[holyford86]

when I did my engine swap I couldn't find any lines that would work correctly down there so I removed them from a donor vehicle, dried and cleaned them of gas then heated them up at the crimp with a torch and removed the hard steel line from them. Then using the correct clamps and high pressure fuel injection hose, I did what I needed to do to make them fit, no issues almost 2 years later.