Fuel leak.

[02AleroEco]

Ok so when i got the car used a few years ago the mileage was great. but now more and more its starting to get worse and worse.

I have new tires with under 10k on them. keep up with oil changes, flushed coolant. new plugs. new fuel filter.

I only drive under 100 miles a week, and it uses half a tank.

If i drive obviously the gauge drops, but if i come to a stop, it will drop more. and if i shut the car off, let it sit, and restart it again, the gauge will drop even more. this shouldnt be happening correct.

I dont think that this could be the pump, or injectors, because i have tried the fuel injector/ system cleaning stuff, time and again, and it hasnt helped all that much.
whaat im starting to think that it could be a leak. but the problem with that is, that i never see puddles, so im thinking the leak if it is one, is spraying fine enough to just evap? But to check for this how would i look for it, and where would i start without dropping the tank. Rail, or injectors? and with gas prices i really would like to get this prob fixed as soon as possible.

Any advice, or help from ppl that have seen this problem and fixed it would be great. and its in the 2.2Eco forum, so thats then engine size, my cars yr is an 2002 with aprox. 115000 miles.

[[ion] C2]

Park on a clean driveway and take a look for puddles and their locations? Check your injector area to see if fuel's all over the place?

[Midgear]

if your gauge is moving that much.. then there should be a pretty noticeable leak somewhere..

something I notice is when im driving UP a hill, my gas gauge will act like its runnin out of fuel.. if I park somewhere where the nose of my car is facing downward.. the gauge will move up.. as far as 1/4 of a tank in some cases.

[02AleroEco]

ok, ill try that. now i havent looked at the injectors yet.
and nnot to sound like an idiot, but where are the injectors located? or the general area

[CactusWill]

If you were leaking, you would smell it.

[02AleroEco]

yea thats the other thing, every once in a while i do smell fuel.. but not often, only like once every few weeks, and if i fill up, but again it goes away fast

[[ion] C2]

and nnot to sound like an idiot, but where are the injectors located?
under the fuel rail, check for any spewing fuel/leaks along the fuel lines that go to the fuel rail, or the FPR on the left end of it, they sometimes leak

[Midgear]

im not trying to steal the thread or anything.. look how friggin' small that belt is! lol

the one for the 3400 is about 8 times that size.. wheres the power steering for the 2.2 at?

[02AleroEco]

oh u did not just steal my thread.. hahahahaha jk.. its all good.

and thanks ion. ill check this in the morning, and come back to te forum if i have any other questions

and if the rail is leaking, how much of a pain in the ass is the rail to change?

[Midgear]

oh u did not just steal my thread.. hahahahaha jk.. its all good.

and thanks ion. ill check this in the morning, and come back to te forum if i have any other questions

and if the rail is leaking, how much of a pain in the ass is the rail to change?


considering its location.. it should'nt be that hard.. gotta pull the intake manifold off the V6 to get the fuel rails off lol

[CactusWill]

im not trying to steal the thread or anything.. look how friggin' small that belt is! lol

the one for the 3400 is about 8 times that size.. wheres the power steering for the 2.2 at?


Thats actually a good question... The power steering resoiver is on the opposite side of teh belt on mine, so without going down for a closer look in the rain, I'm guessing maybe electrically assisted.

[02AleroEco]

haha back to me! lol.. if its leaking, could i get away with installing new O rings?

[Midgear]

haha back to me! lol.. if its leaking, could i get away with installing new O rings?


yar.. that'd be the only thing that I know of on the fuel rail that would be the cause of a leak- bad O rings..

[02AleroEco]

yar.. that'd be the only thing that I know of on the fuel rail that would be the cause of a leak- bad O rings..

ok.. so then if it comes to changing them, will i need to start the car, and remove the relay cuz cut off pressure?

or if not. what is the process to do this?

[Midgear]

fuel system will depressurize after a while.. and even then you're still going to loose just a bit of fuel if you're removing the rail to replace O rings..

it evaporates lol

[jayson_waltz]

yeah if you need to let off fuel pressure just pull the fuel pump fuse or relay and start the car.

but try this to check for a "leak", know its happened to people i know. crawl under the car and see if there is a bolt shoved in ur tank bottom where someone has been draining ur gas. and get a locking gas cap. i now a couple people that have had gas stolen lately

[02AleroEco]

so i could just shut the car off, wait a bit, and then just go into changing them? sweet

[jayson_waltz]

so i could just shut the car off, wait a bit, and then just go into changing them? sweet
no, there will still be fuel there that will drain out when you take off the rail

[Midgear]

so i could just shut the car off, wait a bit, and then just go into changing them? sweet


let er' sit for a good 15 - 30 minutes.. have you a couple beers while you're waiting..

im not sure if theres a specific way to depressurize the system.. but hell its not like its going to explode in a firey vortex of flames that engulf your face and destroy your house and kill all your animals.

was that to much detail?

[02AleroEco]

ok. i plan on filling the car, after i change them if it comes to that, i have a half tank right now

[02AleroEco]

let er' sit for a good 15 - 30 minutes.. have you a couple beers while you're waiting..

im not sure if theres a specific way to depressurize the system.. but hell its not like its going to explode in a firey vortex of flames that engulf your face and destroy your house and kill all your animals.

was that to much detail?

hahaha no.. if that did happen it would b my parents house, and the only animal is me hahahahahahahahahahahaha:p

[jayson_waltz]

im not sure if theres a specific way to depressurize the system
yea there is actually. i'll post tommorow after i look at the GM manuals at work. but for a 2.4 its unplug the harness by the fuel pump, start the car and let it die, do a couple dry cranks, and your ready to go.

[02AleroEco]

ok.. great thank you

[02AleroEco]

i couldnt find any trace of a leak in the rail, or injectors.

[Nate's Alero]

hmm... pressure leak only when car is running?

[Redog]

Is the car running bad otherwise.

Plugs could be fouled

[Beholder88]

I believe the power steering on these motors is driven by the cam drive belt.

[[ion] C2]

there's no belt, it's gear driven

to empty the fuel system to remove the rail/injectors you pull the fuse for the fuel pump, start it, it dies, crank it for a while afterward.

it didn't seem to work too well, heh.

[02AleroEco]

thats what im thinking, but i havent gotten my hands on a gauge to check it yet.. and i dont wanna spend 50 for a gauge im only gonna use this once lol.. but yea im prolly gonna have to bring it to a shop then? and have em smog it.

ill check the injectors one more time just to see.

[Vinalero]

C2;381484']there's no belt, it's gear driven

to empty the fuel system to remove the rail/injectors you pull the fuse for the fuel pump, start it, it dies, crank it for a while afterward.

it didn't seem to work too well, heh.

Ditto

Steering pump is gear driven. If you take the fuel rail out, you wont get any leaks as long as you dont pull the injectors. Otherwise, even if you depressurize the system, you'll have a good amount of fuel leaking everywhere on your engine , been there done that.

[02AleroEco]

i looked again. and i did happen to find a dried spot thats stained.. not sure if its fuel, or from the tranny.. and yes i smelled it to see if it reaked of fuel, but i didnt really smell nething.. snd i wouldnt think that if it was gas the smell would linger forever anyway

im gonna take a pic later, then post it up, for the opinions of yal good folks.

[FrankTheTank]

i'd just poke around with a torch until you find it...

[02AleroEco]

Is the car running bad otherwise.

Plugs could be fouled

i changed the plugs 15000 miles ago.. its idling at close to 1000rpm, but im not sure why.. which could be another question. what would cause that?

[02AleroEco]

i'd just poke around with a torch until you find it...

hahahahaha uumm. yea me and fire dont get along, things usually go BOOM!! so yea that prolly woudnt b a good idea with me.


and plus doing that is just plain stupid!

[02AleroEco]

I think i figured out the problem...

Im almost positive that it is the Fuel Sending unit.. which means i needa new pump.

Because ive been researching, and talking to friends, and that is the conclusion we are coming to. since everything tuneup wise has been done, and no puddles have been found, or lights on the dash.

Ill check that tomorrow, and hopefully thats it

[02AleroEco]

still havent found the issue. dont wanna replace pump til i know for sure.. i was, however, talkign to a few ppl and said that it could be the PCV valve.
Because now the car is idling at 1000-1500 rpm. thats not normal

Thoughts?

[ndottaylor]

I saw this thread and I have a gas leak thats coming from this part... but it only happens when the engine is cold or pretty close to it... I have no idea whats its called... any help would be awesome

[01OldsAleroGt]

That would be the Fuel Pressure Regulator...they have a tendency to leak. gotta change it out.. i had to do the same on my 3400 when i first got it

[ndottaylor]

That would be the Fuel Pressure Regulator...they have a tendency to leak. gotta change it out.. i had to do the same on my 3400 when i first got it

Thanks for the info... i could see the gas running from it when i cranked on a cold start...

And 02AleroEco i apologize for stealing your thread for a sec

[02AleroEco]

I saw this thread and I have a gas leak thats coming from this part... but it only happens when the engine is cold or pretty close to it... I have no idea whats its called... any help would be awesome


Do u have an Eco engine??

[01OldsAleroGt]

from the pics.. that would be the QuadCam 2.4

[02AleroEco]

Where is the regulator on the 2.2? im sure ive been looking at it the whole time.
and Where is the PCV located? i thought it was right near the rail. but i think im wrong

[ndottaylor]

Do u have an Eco engine??

naw man... it's the 2.4

[02AleroEco]

damn lol.. y does no one have an eco lol.. this engine sucks, its supposed to get amazing mpg, right?

[01OldsAleroGt]

actually.. between the eco and quadcam.. BIG time aftermarket scene

just go to j-body.org... they can answer any question about the 2.2 Eco and 2.4 QuadCam

[meadus101]

[QUOTE=02AleroEco;381568]hahahahaha uumm. yea me and fire dont get along, things usually go BOOM!! /QUOTE]


You have that problem too? http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=HdtFwc3cg50

[02AleroEco]

actually.. between the eco and quadcam.. BIG time aftermarket scene

just go to j-body.org... they can answer any question about the 2.2 Eco and 2.4 QuadCam

Thanks


^hahahahaha funny video.. but in all seriousness when ever i touch fire something always goes boom!! lol

[01OldsAleroGt]

i don't mean to crap up the thread..buuut

http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p61/mugenaccord86/1203644039034.jpg

but besides that good luck.. and definitely check the Fuel Pressure Regulator whenever you get the chance... hope you fine your issue

[02AleroEco]

hahahaha thats hilarious..

but yea, i decided to go less restrictive intake, to solve it temperarily. i got a Cone filter today.. and put it in, the car is driving alot better, and sounds deeper during acceleration.. i just need to get new piping, and put that in aswell.. now obv. i took out the stock box, but should i get a heatshield for the cone, or is it all set?