1996 Dodge Ram gas leak

RUSSELLRACH

MEMBER
1996 DODGE RAM
V8
2WD
MANUAL
205,000 MILES

Am smelling a gas leak when I step outside of the truck. Not under the hood or near injectors. More towards the fuel pump. Smell the gas sometimes when I park after driving. Sometimes not then. Sometimes when I put key in ignition and let fuel pump catch up, or when starting.

Is taking longer and longer for engine to catch during ignition. Starter turns over, but is taking a second of so now for fuel to makes its way to wherever. Started a few weeks ago. Took half a second. Now it takes a full second.

Sometimes this is still not the case.

am thiking it is the fuel pump or the fuel filter? Near the pump, or mayeb some type of exhaust valve near the same. Also thinking I should just change it all out.

wonderign what a real mechanic thinks.

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Chances are you have a rusted steel fuel line that is allowing pressure to drop. However, before I would remove the fuel tank to start checking, I would do a fuel pressure test on the system and check for fuel pressure drop off. Once you shut the key, the system should hold pressure for some time. If it drops of quickly, that means there is a leak. Here is the how to for checking fuel pressure. Check it and let me know what you find.

https://www.2carpros.com/how_to/how_to_check_fuel_pressure.htm

If you need the gauge, many parts stores will lend or rent them.

Joe