[pjb515]

Hello all,
Sorry, not sure if I am embedding the pic ok, i have a link too:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ar6Sux1DCPvQmnOTcdpZwGmC-G4y
I found a fuel leak (The little curvy brown line at red arrow). I want to try to seal it up somehow but even though I disconnected the battery some fuel keeps coming out of it because I can't remove the gray connector. Service manual says using only your fingers, press the gray connector towards the center and pull straight out. The gray connector doesn't seem to give at all when I press on it. What am I doing wrong? Also, any tips on sealing the crack would be appreciated. I think I've got some epoxy so I'm gonna go with that.
Thank you!

[3PedalJake]

Push both the line and the connector towards the center, they should both move then hold the gray ring in and the fuel line should pull out.

[pjb515]

I should clarify it is just seeping out not spraying. Ok i will try that. Im at autoparts loking at plastic repair stuff
Thanks!

[pjb515]

I can push the fuel line towards the gray ring about an eighth of an inch maybe a quarter. But the gray ring kinda wiggles around in place, doesnt really move other than that...

[RayLivingston]

The ONLY safe way to fix that leak is to replace the part. That type of plastic is notoriously difficult to "glue" with any method other than thermal welding. Almost nothing will stick to it, so any attempt to repair it will be very short-lived.

[pjb515]

I don't mind if my attempt to repair fails, I'll be no worse off but if it works it'll be great.

I can't get that gray ring off so I'm waiting around now, hoping the seepage will stop and I can try the repair.

[RayLivingston]

Your best bet, BY FAR, would be to remove the pump, dry it out, then use a soldering iron to heat-weld the crack. Many epoxies will not take well to exposure to fuel, and will NOT stick to that plastic. It might last a bit longer if you rough it up, to give it some "tooth" so the epoxy can adhere mechanically, but you are very unlikely to end up with a long-term fix. I'd be surprised if it lasted a few months, and fuel leaks are not to be toyed with.

[pjb515]

Thank you Ray. Let's not debate. I agree with you to some degree. Please remember not everyone here is a mechanic, or has the money to hire someone to do repairs.

While the connector stays on, a minute amount of fuel flows back and seeps out the crack in the photo. The crack is tiny and the seepage is almost nonexistent but just enough to prevent me from applying a sealant. If I can get the connector off I should be ok.
I'm obviously doing it wrong, but I don't know why it hasn't come off when I've wiggled it every which way.
If anyone has any suggestions I would appreciate them, thanks!

[Sgop335]

Agree That connector is a hit or miss annoying for sure when I changed my fuel pressure regulator.
First, have you depressurized by removing the fuel pump fuse and running car etc.?
I think the gray part slides back and hose then pulls out

[pjb515]

Originally Posted by Sgop335

Agree That connector is a hit or miss annoying for sure when I changed my fuel pressure regulator.
First, have you depressurized by removing the fuel pump fuse and running car etc.?
I think the gray part slides back and hose then pulls out

No, haven't done anything with the fuse. I disconnected the battery and there's only a gallon or so of gas in the tank.

[jdstrickland]

I have seen that kind of connector have tangs on the inside that catch on a ridge around the end of the pipe.

Push the pipe into the connector so that the tangs are not bound up on the ridge, then there is a tool that slips in to open the tangs, then you can pull the pipe out. When the pipe is out, the tool comes out easily. Forgive me if I am wrong, but I recall the tool as being a Ford thing.


Do a Google Search for FORD FUEL LINE DISCONNECT TOOL, here is an example from Harbor Freight (not a recommendation, just an example),

https://www.harborfreight.com/fuel-l...RoCqYUQAvD_BwE

[jdstrickland]

Are you sure that's not a threaded fitting? There are flats that look like they are for an open end wrench.

[Sgop335]

Originally Posted by jdstrickland

Are you sure that's not a threaded fitting? There are flats that look like they are for an open end wrench.

Its not threaded. I have done this on a n54 335i

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by pjb515

Hello all,
Sorry, not sure if I am embedding the pic ok, i have a link too:
https://1drv.ms/u/s!Ar6Sux1DCPvQmnOTcdpZwGmC-G4y
I found a fuel leak (The little curvy brown line at red arrow). I want to try to seal it up somehow but even though I disconnected the battery some fuel keeps coming out of it because I can't remove the gray connector. Service manual says using only your fingers, press the gray connector towards the center and pull straight out. The gray connector doesn't seem to give at all when I press on it. What am I doing wrong? Also, any tips on sealing the crack would be appreciated. I think I've got some epoxy so I'm gonna go with that.
Thank you!

Cam you take a pic of the other side of the connector

[pjb515]

The service manual has the diagram which shows exactly what is in my picture, and you can see it says to just use your fingers; it's not threaded and has a little play no matter which way you move/turn it.

[pjb515]

I can't get that thing off so I'm leaving it alone instead of using more force and breaking it. The miniscule seepage that has been occurring is even less now, so I think it's just a matter of time before the fuel stops running out and at that point I'll try the plastic sealant stuff I got. Thread closed, thanks everyone!

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by pjb515

I can't get that thing off so I'm leaving it alone instead of using more force and breaking it. The miniscule seepage that has been occurring is even less now, so I think it's just a matter of time before the fuel stops running out and at that point I'll try the plastic sealant stuff I got. Thread closed, thanks everyone!

CTA Tools 3468 Fuel Line Disconnect Tool - Compatible with BMW https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EDN3VPG...2W809VA77YJ2XS

That's what you need

[RayLivingston]

It is entirely possible the plastic piece INSIDE the gray piece, which is supposed to release the fingers that hold the tube in place, is broken. I've had that happen more than once. If so, it will likely be very difficult, if not impossible, to remove the hose without destroying the connector. On some, there is still room to use an external tool to release it, but the "flange" on the hose in the photo makes using those tools impossible. It appears to me if you can't get it to release, you'll have to cut the connector off, which means a new pump or sender (whatever is under there).

[JJT211]

Yea fuck that connector. It's a MASSIVE pain in the ass.

I've gotten it off before but it took me an hour each time. And when it does come off...it just just decides it's ready. I need to get back to it cuz I think the fuel level float is tangled inside after replacement causing fuel level gauge issues, but I just can't get it again.

Fucker

[krhodes1]

Got to love German plastic. I just had to replace one of the fuel pumps in my Mercedes wagon (it has three, because Mercedes) because the plastic top of it cracked all to Hell and lots of gas was seeping out - it's underwater when the tank is more than 1/4 full, to add to the fun.

Though to their credit, MB uses a fuel pipe connector that comes apart easily, you just squeeze a button on it and pull.