Chrysler Repair: fuel leak at rear of engine: 3.5L, upper intake manifold, backyard mechanic

Question
Have a 1999 300M that is leaking fuel from the back of the motor. Seems to be under pressure. Will continue to leak for about 10 minutes after engine is turned off. Is this something a backyard mechanic can take care of? Thanks so much for your help, really appreciate it!

Answer
HI John,
It is the sort of problem you could certainly look into, beginning with identifying the location of the leak. The system is prsessurized to about 50 psi and even after you turn off the fuel pump it takes quite a while for the pressure to drop, as you have experienced. The fuel pump is in the fuel tank and a line from the pump to the pressure regulator and back from it to the pump are in place. The outlet of the pressure regulator pushes fuel into a loop of tubing called the fuel rail that circulates around to the 6 fuel injectors and back to the regulator. I suspect that there is either a leaky connection at one of the regulator/line/rail interfaces or there could be a crack in the rail tubing proper. You would likely have to remove the upper intake manifold in the center top of the engine to see all these connections but once done you should be able to ID the source of the fuel leak. It is not safe to run this way as a fire could ensue that would seriosuly damage the vehicle's operation at a very large repair expense or a 'totalling' of the vehicle.
i can xerox copy and postal mail you pages that show the fuel system and the manifold r&r. It costs 10 cents a page plus postage, which you can send me back using 44-cent stamps, after you get the pages should you want to try to do this yourself. I assume this is the 3.5L engine.
Roland