I just got done with a headgasket on my 3.0 slow and ive just put everything back together and I noticed whenever i get done driving there is a slight to heavy odor of fuel coming from under the hood on the passenger side, it seemed like its coming from the passenger fuel rail. I went ahead and replaced the injector rings and replaced all the copper gaskets on my fuel rails but this didnt make a difference. I've been doing some reading and it sounds like this could be the fuel pressure dampener (little flying saucer deal) that bolts my fuel line down to the passenger side fuel rail. Also im geting an odd steaming tsss tsss tsss noise like water hitting a steaming pan or something from behind the intake manifold and sort of on the same area as the dampener. I heard this is pretty typical when they go so I was just wondering if anyone else has experienced this and if they could shed some light on what it might be. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

Fuel smell on that side (particularly when you can't see anything) after driving can be coming from the Vacuum Canister. The Canister is "drained" through the Thermal Vacuum Valve (in the water manifold aft of the lower intake manifold). Lots of us have broken off one of the ports to that valve (usually the upper, which is the one that goes to the canister).

So trace the vacuum line from the canister; is it connected to anything? If not, there are numerous write-ups from people who have successfully repaired one, or replacing that valve is about $50.

 

Yea il give that a shot i was actually wondering if it the smell had anything to do with the charcoal canister or the thermal vacuum valve. Hopefully thats the case because the fuel pressure dampener is pretty expensive. Heading out to my truck right now.

 

I tracked my leak/smell to the fuel pressure dampner,can it be rebuilt or does it have to be replaced?