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Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Discussions => Topic started by: John S on January 08, 2014, 09:41:29 am

Title: I am changing the fuel lines
Post by: John S on January 08, 2014, 09:41:29 am
Well, while I was in Texas I looked at the fuel lines and found a a couple of them checked.  So I am going to replace them all.  I think if you have a coach in the 2001 or sooner time frame I would look at yours. It is a huge job and takes a full day.  I wonder if the old GV used different lines. I know they are putting in different lines than were in there now. 
Title: Re: I am changing the fuel lines
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on January 08, 2014, 09:48:54 am
John,  I have a 2001 U320, 36'.  Where are you looking at the fuel lines?  When you say "checked" what should I look for?  Are the original lines plastic or rubber? 

Thanks for the heads up.

Roger
Title: Re: I am changing the fuel lines
Post by: Michael & Jackie on January 08, 2014, 10:04:09 am
Roger our coach is 5878, guess that makes us first cousins?

Our annual is set march 3 and lines are on the schedule to check.  I have them checked annually, already had generator line issues last year.

I have watched this done, big job to do them all as john noted.  I recall couple on the forum explaining the process.  I had thought, well, just tie the end of the new line to the old line and pull it thru!  Cannot, the lines are tied in place along the traces. 

I suspect a couple of coach bucks, John?
Title: Re: I am changing the fuel lines
Post by: John S on January 08, 2014, 10:23:19 am
Yup two guys a whole day.  The lines are rubber with a green strip on them or used to have that.  They were to be 20 year lines but they have checking on them.  Think lines on the outside like tires get.  I looked in the rear by the engine and looked at the generator line where it comes into the pecuniary fuel filter.
Title: Re: I am changing the fuel lines
Post by: John S on January 08, 2014, 10:24:00 am
Roger our coach is 5878, guess that makes us first cousins?

Our annual is set march 3 and lines are on the schedule to check.  I have them checked annually, already had generator line issues last year.

I have watched this done, big job to do them all as john noted.  I recall couple on the forum explaining the process.  I had thought, well, just tie the end of the new line to the old line and pull it thru!  Cannot, the lines are tied in place along the traces. 

I suspect a couple of coach bucks, John?

If you had generator issues you need to replace them all. The generator lines are usually the first to go.
Title: Re: I am changing the fuel lines
Post by: Falconguy on January 08, 2014, 10:32:54 am
Mike let us know how that goes and some pics would be great. That item is on my to do list as we prepare for an Alaska trip in 2016
Title: Re: I am changing the fuel lines
Post by: PatC on January 08, 2014, 11:09:10 am
Get the best quality fuel lines that you can find.  The old style rubber lines are like old style O rings and will deteriorate in the new fuels. Teflon, Viton, and Nylon have very little reaction to biodiesel.
Title: Re: I am changing the fuel lines
Post by: J. D. Stevens on January 08, 2014, 03:33:33 pm
You might want to look at Old Fuel Lines (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=16988.msg111378#msg111378) for a discussion of fuel lines. I presented the series of events that lead to fuel line replacement on our coach. Several other people contributed useful information as well. I included some pictures from the process of replacing our fuel lines. Also included is a description of the new lines.
Title: Re: I am changing the fuel lines
Post by: Felix and Gail on January 08, 2014, 04:15:58 pm
We had all our fuel lines replaced at FOT last year including aqua hot and generator. Appeared to be the same type lines as J.D. had replaced. Some cracking at connections but no problems yet. Also upgraded the primary fuel filters. Believe they took about six hours, but had four people working most of the time.
Title: Re: I am changing the fuel lines
Post by: John S on January 08, 2014, 05:11:40 pm
I have three guys working and they did not finish. So off to the holiday inn I go. They are doing a good job though.
Title: Re: I am changing the fuel lines
Post by: J. D. Stevens on January 08, 2014, 07:41:06 pm
They replaced all my fuel lines (generator and primary engine) in a day. Two or three people were working on it most of the day. I think the labor was charged at 15 hours. It took about five people to start the engine. One to crack injector fitting, one to pump manual prime pump, one to blow compress air into the fuel tank, one to operate the key and accelerator, and one to supervise.

I was able to sleep in the coach overnight until I had to drive home in the towed to get more money. :'( I was expecting only one day in the shop to fix the generator. Spent about five to do fuel lines, replace air springs, fix air leaks, and other stuff.
Title: Re: I am changing the fuel lines
Post by: John S on January 08, 2014, 08:05:15 pm
The steel truss makes this coach much harder. 
Title: Re: I am changing the fuel lines
Post by: Roger & Susan in Home2 on January 08, 2014, 08:29:34 pm
Thanks John for the tips on what to look for. 

Mike asked, "Roger our coach is 5878, guess that makes us first cousins?" 

No idea, i saw someone else with the next build number after ours.  I think we are all in the same boat, all with common issues, all in the same era.  If that makes us cousins, brothers, family, OK.  What I have received from members in this forum is friendship, respect, honesty, help and a camaraderie that is probably better than many families.

I like to think of everyone here as friends waiting to meet.

Almost 60 degrees warmer this weekend from last weekend.  Low 30's they predict.  I'll get out to the barn and take a look.  I have a couple of other projects I can do during the monthly running of the generator and AquaHot.  I will wait till it gets back down in the teens to take her out for a warm up run.  Too much slop at freezing temps.  It will dry up and be clear when it gets a bit cooler.

Roger
Title: Re: I am changing the fuel lines
Post by: John S on January 08, 2014, 08:41:45 pm
Build number 5859 so I figure most of the numbers near me will need it sooner of later
Title: Re: I am changing the fuel lines
Post by: amos.harrison on January 08, 2014, 09:32:28 pm
I'm continuing to see symptoms of loss of prime on cold starts after my fuel line replacement.  The techs tried to find an air leak last week but the problem continues.  Verify your coach is okay before you leave FT.
Title: Re: I am changing the fuel lines
Post by: John S on January 08, 2014, 09:57:06 pm
Thanks Brett. I will.
Title: Re: I am changing the fuel lines
Post by: John S on January 08, 2014, 10:32:54 pm
It sounds like a kink in the line somewhere. I wounded if it is close to the fuel tank.
Title: Re: I am changing the fuel lines
Post by: amos.harrison on January 09, 2014, 08:19:18 am
They pulled the tank cover to look for kinks and didn't see anything.  I would think a kink would cause loss of max power rather than loss of prime.
Title: Re: I am changing the fuel lines
Post by: John S on January 09, 2014, 10:39:42 am
Ok I will make sure.
Title: Re: I am changing the fuel lines
Post by: John S on January 09, 2014, 07:27:56 pm
Ran the genny and AH and the engine started right up this afternoon.  I will see if everything runs tomorrow too.