I have been smelling fuel for some time while driving but was never able to find anything. Just the other day i noticed a small puddle of fuel on the driveway right below the engine and this time i could see the valley of the engine had a fair amount of fuel along the whole length of it. Not flooded with it, but enough there to tell for sure it's a leak.
Now i have no idea how to find where it is coming from - the worst fear is the injector pump. But i just found out today that the IP i have was rebuilt in 2001 and has low miles on it (i called Midwest Fuel Injector and gave them the serial number and they had all the info). But i also just found a lot of water in the sediment bowl of my filter (i run mostly svo through it) and that is why i am fearing the worst.
So here's the question for anyone graceous enough to help this apsiring mechanic:
If some water did get through to the IP, would the damage cause it to leak somewhere? (it still starts and runs fine, but i have not tested it all that much)
If it's not the IP, where else could i look to even try to get a clue where it could be? It is so tight down under the air intake, hard to even think how i could find anything.
Any help GREATLY appreciated. I really don't have any diesel mechanics where i live, unfortunately.
thanks,
Paul

First thing I would do, is replace the rubber hose on the inlet and return from the pump, they get dry rotted and cracked over time and could leak. Your fuel filter base is on the firewall or bolted to the intake manifold? if its on the manifold, that could be the source, but if neither one of those is the answer, that only leaves the injection pump. If your IP was rebuilt 4 years ago, and starts/runs good, then a rebuild *should* only run you ~$300.

Engine turned off, spray Brakeclean over the IP and spray down the valley. Dry it with compressed air, if available. If not, use a rag, get what you can and wait. When clean and dry, start the engine with a light and mechanic's mirror under the pump. Observe when the fuel begins to drip and run down the valley under the pump. Using the light and mirror, you should be able to see where it's coming from.

A guess would be the advance actuating pin seal on the lower side of the IP. It's a lip-type, metal clad seal and they can be damaged upon installation. TGD, jump in on this, Fred

First thing I would do, is replace the rubber hose on the inlet and return from the pump, they get dry rotted and cracked over time and could leak.
Not to hijack the thread, but what kind of hose do you use for this? It looks like vacuum hose to me, but I don't want to use that if it's not correct. I'm assuming it's the same stuff that chains between the injectors?

Use only fuel hose. As was stated earier, with air cleaner removed and after you get the valley cleaned, use a mirror and flashlight and look carefully at all eight injector line nuts where they attach to the injection pump. You probably have a fitting that was not tightened enough and is seeping.:grd:

I would go with D.C. for the most probable cause since the injection line unions can leak. It might be the fuel hose from the filter, the injection pump return hose, or the filter if it is mounted on the intake manifold. The injection pump return hose is standard fuel hose, not the neoprene tubing used for the injector return lines. It is possible the pump is leaking or a very slight chance there is a leak from a cracked injector line. In any case, the first step is to clean and inspect or at least inspect since you can probably see the dripping.

Water tends to damage your injectors more than the pump since the fuel flowing thru the pump will usually get absorbed by the fuel passing thru it. If the vehicle isn't operated much then the fuel could stay in the pump and do its damage. Sediment is BAD for both!!!! I have never found water in my filter, but I have seen evidence in the filter that water had been present (when I have opened up the old filter).