leak from bundle of hose behind fuel filter

[parkerb]

hi all,
follow up to my 2011 post http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...el+filter+leak

2002 windstar with 176k. Discovered another mess while performing an oil change. I had already wiped most gunk off before this photo but i've outlined the staining in red. same slight smell of gas, but nothing strong to have noticed when exiting the van. The stainless steel (correct me if i'm wrong) lines are fuel pressure from tank, return line and vapor. Below that are 2 brake lines.

perhaps from the extreme summer heat the pinhole vented?

anyone with experience of issues here? am I correct to understand if something was wrong with the return or vapor line i'd have a check engine light?




tia,
parker

[12Ounce]

It's been a while since I have been in this area. But I wonder if the larger stainless steel lines are not ac. I would suggest the high pressure fuel line from the tank/pump would be the line that includes the filter.

I would release a few of those plastic piping-stays and spread the lines a bit. Then with some temporary paper/cardboard wrapping you might can better locate the leak. It may be ac lubricant.

Good luck.

[parkerb]

cargo van, no rear hvac. when I tried to separate from the retainer it was tight, worried i would worsen any deterioration. i will report back

[wiswind]

Monitor brake fluid level in case it is brake line.
Remembering from my 1996 Windstar, there were 2 fuel lines, 1 is the high pressure from the fuel pump and the other is the return line. Fuel runs through both, but 1 will be higher pressure. Pressure regulator opens to release extra fuel to maintain the proper fuel pressure on the fuel rail to the injectors.
All that babble to say that the return fuel line could be leaking as it has little pressure. I would expect that the high pressure one would have gotten worse by now if that were it.

If you wiggle the fuel line and it gets real bad or even breaks, then you could cut/trim and splice the spot with high pressure fuel hose secured with fuel hose clamps.