CRITICAL ADVICE NEEDED ASAP 96 Ford Explorer V8 AWD XLT/gas leak from unknown nipple

[fiddlesticks81]

Intro: Let me start with thanking everyone here, you all f***ing rock I'm a layman when it comes to vehicle repairs, this is my first Ford, and you have a chance at saving multiple lives by helping me.
I need advice ASAP regarding a 100% definite pure petrol leak in a 1996 Ford Explorer XLT V8 AWD. I bought it last month for $1,100 from a longtime buddy, it has 220,000 miles on it. When I asked him about any/all problems it's given him through the years he said the biggest repair (done himself personally) was replacing the fuel pump recently. I asked him right off WTF was the loud hissing and strong fuel odor on every startup/shutdown about, was just the vacuums and pump doing their job. Trusting all was well I didn't stop to look under the hood and seriously inspect until yesterday, fuel odor was killing me.

It was only then I saw the tranny fluid was dark/brown, oil 1 QT low but good color, coolant low, and the most dangerous part.. seeing pure gasoline slowly bubbling out this nipple :/ Having no idea what it was for I first thought it just needed a cap of some sort (in fact a bike tire cap fits it perfectly but I'm 110% sure that's not the solution lol), then wondered if it was missing a vacuum line, then I freaked out and found you all. Please help me figure this out before I kill myself or others, I don't trust shops and besides that can't afford them.

Thank you in advance



I'm not sure how to attach pics BTW, just keeps saying to enter URL. All I could think of is posting the pic of the nip as my profile pic. Whatever works right?

 

[Joe Dirt]

Welcome to the forum! :wavey:

I would check his connections, check his work.

The cover for the schrader valve on the fuel rail is just a dust cap, it won't hold any pressure back. If your valve is leaking, you might have a bad schrader valve (it's just the test port, it's not hooked to anything normally)

(dead links)

 

[fiddlesticks81]

Update: I finally got the leak stopped (hopefully it stays that way)

Went down to the local O Reilly's yesterday, when I explained to one of the workers there my problem and asked what the heck part I even needed he said right away it was most likely the Fuel Pressure Regulator and to try tightening the core/pin to start, could just be a bad seal. I carefully removed the pin inside and was surprised as to how similar it was to a tire valve set up, then I inserted it back in and tightened it up slowly until the leak slowed. When it still wouldn't stop completely I got angry with it and in a last ditch effort I tightened it real hard. I dabbed up residual gasoline with a paper towel and started it to find there was no more leakage. Then I capped the valve off with a brand new plastic Xtra Seal long type tire valve cap. Been running good and no leaks so far but until I'm 110% sure I'll stick with low distance drives for now. Will keep you all posted, thanks again for all the good advice

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! You could buy a replacement core with a new seal if necessary.