Fuel Rail Connection Popped Off 1grfe
 

Hey guys, last night I was going to pick up food. Getting on the highway I punched it to get up to speed. After coming to a stop we noticed an extremely strong fuel smell and smoke coming out of the engine. Didn't see any leaks so I drove it home and parked it. Didn't get a CEL. Came out in the morning to fuel all over the driveway. So I started pulling out the airbox so I could get a better look, thinking an injector was cracked or an oring was bad. No fuel residue anywhere. Started up the truck and fuel came pouring off the drivers side valve cover, onto the catalytic converter. Sourced the leak to the fitting that connects the fuel line to the fuel rail. What looked to be a black retainer clip was hanging off and the fuel line was barely hanging onto the fuel rail nipple, so I pushed it back on until it clicked and put the retainer back on. My question is what would have caused this and should I replace any of the components? My head gaskets were replace Aug 2018 and I'm wondering if they didn't put that back on properly. Any one else have this issue? Thanks.

That sounds like someone didn't push the retainer clip back on all the way and it gradually worked itself off. Scary, that could have ended very badly. Takes a lot for one that's properly installed to just fall off. To be safe, I'd run it in the driveway for a while just to make sure, maybe take a few spins around the block and check to see if you still smell something. Fuel pressure is up around 42 psi, so if that's not connected right it should be obvious. Glad you're okay.

Yeah, it freaked me out. Glad it didn't ignite. Lol. I clicked it back into place and tugged it a bunch without the retainer and it seemed to be tight. I put over 20k on it since that head gasket work was done and drive it hard. Just went to my buddies about 10min away and it did good, no leaks. Going to keep an eye on it and maybe wrap 2 zipties around either end of the retainer to be safe. Couldn't believe the amount of fuel pumping out with no CEL or fuel delivery symptoms.

Anytime you have an opportunity to add some zipties, go for it...I'm a firm believer in the power and usefulness of zipties for the win! :trophy:

Zipties are the modern day equivalent to bailing wire in a mechanical situation, both of which I keep in my tool box, there are some areas/applications where a ziptie will melt but not good old bailing wire!!