changed spin-on, now giant leak
 

I decided to tackle a simple thing today: Changing my spin-on filter. So I did. Took off the old one, took new one, filled with gas, tightened it on, end of story.

Got in the car and cranked it, turned over fine, stumbled a little at slight change of fuel/air, then all was great.

Then I started it again and decided to look under the hood to make sure my seal was tight.

There's fuel springing -- fountaining -- from the primer pump. I can't manually tighten the primer pump any more than it's tightened, so now what the...? Is my primer pump shot and I have to wait here for a new one? Or is it something I did in changing the spin on? It's the poker chip old-style pump, and fuel is spraying for under the poker chip.

ok, well, remembering the climbing adage that if you can't climb up, climb down, I loosened the poker chip and now it's stopped leaking. The poker chip is bobbing up and down, which I assume it will do as necessitated by the actions of the fuel pump, but it's not leaking as far as I can tell.

Am I good to go? I will order the lift pump repair kit and a new primer pump, as now I am good and chastened about having neglected to do that. I suspect the primer pump was overtightened last time I changed the filters (when I had to take it to my indie for a new hose clamp on the inline because it was leaking badly there). My hypothesis is that an air burp overtaxed a too-torqued primer pump. Yes?

Is it ok to drive this afternoon? Got a wedding to go to 30 mi away...

ps please be nice as I am a very stupid girl and thus, well, stupid.

This forum gives credit for trying. Just be sure you have no leaks. Carry a fuel can with you.

Brilliant! :)

I wouldn't worry about the lift pump proper, just change the primer pump from poker to black-button--they're about $15.

Consider leaving your fuel tank cap loose to reduce system static pressure, and--as mentioned--bring more fuel if you have a jug handy.

Just a stupid girl? Why, are you married??? :D

hahah.

I get the feeling that even though everyone says this model burps itself, it really doesn't. If I think back, I've had fuel leaks 3 or 4 times after filter changes. I've always had the changes done while getting work done at a shop, consequently never really followed what was being done. But then had to take it back -- can remember THREE separate occasions, and now this, where I freaked to find fuel leaks after a filter change. I've ordered the black button, and it's on its way! Next time I change it (soon, because I did a biocide shot about 400 miles ago), I will prime and burp with the new primer. Hopefully no more fuel fountains.