Something is leaking

reb · 01-06-2013, 03:40 PM

I have an 04 duramax with a plastic fuel tank, something is leaking down the fuel tank but it does not smell like diesel. It has turned into a good sized puddle under the truck. I don't want to pull the tank yet to find out what it could be. Anyone have any ideas?

lb7dirtymax01 · 01-06-2013, 05:47 PM

The only thing that could be leaking down your tank is diesel, or possibly brake fluid. You may have a cracked or rusted out brake line. Im assuming its leaking out overnight while your truck is parked, so its probably diesel. Are you noticing lower mpgs? is your brake fluid getting low. Check all your fluids , top them off, and figure out whats coming out. Or maybe you got snow in your bed this past week and its melting haha.

reb · 01-07-2013, 07:02 PM

I ended up getting a chance to look into it again after a lot of fluid had drained out of it today and checked the brake fluid... Turns out its the brake line popped right above the tank. What a great design Chevy did on designing that placing the line where water and snow will sit up there forever. It did throw me off how much was leaking after it had just sat there.

Cknight199 · 01-07-2013, 07:05 PM

Had a similar problem today... A kid in my auto class ran towards the teacher to alert him that one of the shop cars was leaking. The teacher and a group of students go over there to check it out...

It was the snow melting off the car... Hahahahahah

Sent from my iPhone using AutoGuide.com App

lb7dirtymax01 · 01-07-2013, 11:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reb

I ended up getting a chance to look into it again after a lot of fluid had drained out of it today and checked the brake fluid... Turns out its the brake line popped right above the tank. What a great design Chevy did on designing that placing the line where water and snow will sit up there forever. It did throw me off how much was leaking after it had just sat there.

I'm glad to see you've pinpointed your problem. First off, whether your fixing it or having it fixed, brake fluid is EXTREMELY corrosive. Clean where it was leaking, especially painted surfaces, after one day of sitting on my old junker (powerstroke) I could remove the paint by rubbing it with my fingers. So be careful haha. Also that brake line may be easier to replace by removing the bed. (8 bolts underneath and a few wiring connectors.) Good luck!

usafduramax · 01-08-2013, 12:23 AM

bed removing ftw..so easy

2300Hz · 01-08-2013, 02:53 AM

I bought a 5-6 foot piece of brake line and two compression fittings to fix this problem on my truck. Apparently using compression fittings on brake lines will fail PA inspection if it is seen, but being between the bed and fuel tank they can't be seen and I have not had any problems with them for over a year.

reb · 01-09-2013, 06:13 PM

Definitely taking the bed off to fix this weekend, and the compression is the easiest way I see to fix it, just wasn't sure how long it would last. Thanks for all the info.

lb7dirtymax01 · 01-09-2013, 08:17 PM

I did a compression fitting on a jeep brake line once. Supposedly a pretty permanent solution. Good luck! Have fun bleeding :/

01-06-2013, 03:40 PM	eBay Motors #1 (permalink)
reb Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 3	Something is leaking I have an 04 duramax with a plastic fuel tank, something is leaking down the fuel tank but it does not smell like diesel. It has turned into a good sized puddle under the truck. I don't want to pull the tank yet to find out what it could be. Anyone have any ideas?

01-07-2013, 07:05 PM	eBay Motors #4 (permalink)
Cknight199 DuramaxForum Veteran Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: SLC, Utah Posts: 1,534	Had a similar problem today... A kid in my auto class ran towards the teacher to alert him that one of the shop cars was leaking. The teacher and a group of students go over there to check it out... It was the snow melting off the car... Hahahahahah Sent from my iPhone using AutoGuide.com App __________________ 2006 LBZ CCLB DRW Suncoast Trans w/ 1056 Billet Garrett 4094 BTLockup Box Built Front End Some More Stuff EFI Live by Starlite Diesel Fastest 1/4 yet: 13.606 (fourth time down the track)

01-08-2013, 02:53 AM	eBay Motors #7 (permalink)
2300Hz Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Altoona, PA Posts: 232	I bought a 5-6 foot piece of brake line and two compression fittings to fix this problem on my truck. Apparently using compression fittings on brake lines will fail PA inspection if it is seen, but being between the bed and fuel tank they can't be seen and I have not had any problems with them for over a year. __________________ 2005 Silverado LT 3500 SRW CC LB 6" SuperLift, 315/75/16, LBZ MP, EGR Blocked

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01-06-2013, 05:47 PM	eBay Motors #2 (permalink)
lb7dirtymax01 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Edwardsville IL Posts: 596	The only thing that could be leaking down your tank is diesel, or possibly brake fluid. You may have a cracked or rusted out brake line. Im assuming its leaking out overnight while your truck is parked, so its probably diesel. Are you noticing lower mpgs? is your brake fluid getting low. Check all your fluids , top them off, and figure out whats coming out. Or maybe you got snow in your bed this past week and its melting haha.

01-07-2013, 07:02 PM	eBay Motors #3 (permalink)
reb Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 3	I ended up getting a chance to look into it again after a lot of fluid had drained out of it today and checked the brake fluid... Turns out its the brake line popped right above the tank. What a great design Chevy did on designing that placing the line where water and snow will sit up there forever. It did throw me off how much was leaking after it had just sat there.

01-09-2013, 06:13 PM	eBay Motors #8 (permalink)
reb Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 3	Definitely taking the bed off to fix this weekend, and the compression is the easiest way I see to fix it, just wasn't sure how long it would last. Thanks for all the info.

01-09-2013, 08:17 PM	eBay Motors #9 (permalink)
lb7dirtymax01 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Edwardsville IL Posts: 596	I did a compression fitting on a jeep brake line once. Supposedly a pretty permanent solution. Good luck! Have fun bleeding :/

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