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Topic: 2002 U320 36 foot Fuel Line Replacement… (Read 755 times) previous topic - next topic

2002 U320 36 foot Fuel Line Replacement…

Another question to the collective.  What is entailed in pulling new fuel lines?  It appears 2002 was a change year for FT with the elimination of the fiberglass bay ceiling runway and the addition of the drop floor panel between the trusses with all the front to back stuff between it and the bay ceiling deck.

I have read (and heard), a straight front to back pull is possible by attaching to the existing line(s). 

Any insight and indication of level of pain would be appreciated. 

Feel free to PM///

Thanks!

Bob
2002 U320
3620 PBDS
Build 5985
2021 Equinox Toad
Motorcade 19006 & all those "other" clubs too!

Re: 2002 U320 36 foot Fuel Line Replacement…

Reply #1 –
You said:

I have read (and heard), a straight front to back pull is possible by attaching to the existing line(s). 

This is correct.  I used this method to replace my fuel lines.  You must spring for the cost of a proper union to attach new to old line.
I had new ends installed at shop before starting this.

Endeavor to persevere.

jk
Jack and Cathy
1992 U280 Unihome 36' Build #4034
Cummins 8.3 /  Allison MT647/ PacBrake
Apopka, FL / Barre Center, NY

Re: 2002 U320 36 foot Fuel Line Replacement…

Reply #2 –
May have to clip tyraps if they don't break. You will need to pull fuel tank regardless

Re: 2002 U320 36 foot Fuel Line Replacement…

Reply #3 –
On the 02 I think it is possible to change the lines without removing the tank.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: 2002 U320 36 foot Fuel Line Replacement…

Reply #4 –
Anyone have experiance changing out a 1998 U320 fuel lines?
Is it a straight forward process or does it involve removing the fuel tank? (yuck...)
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: 2002 U320 36 foot Fuel Line Replacement…

Reply #5 –
On my 1999 I had to remove the fuel tank,
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: 2002 U320 36 foot Fuel Line Replacement…

Reply #6 –
Quote from: oldguy –
On my 1999 I had to remove the fuel tank,

Same here, not that hard to do. Pics on reply # 15

Fuel lines
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: 2002 U320 36 foot Fuel Line Replacement…

Reply #7 –
Had to pull the fuel tank, and inside bay covers on mine 1999 295. No way would I have been able to pull them through.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: 2002 U320 36 foot Fuel Line Replacement…

Reply #8 –
After I did mine there was a post about 2 members that left the old lines in and used a sectioned rod to pull the new lines through in less than a day. Tank was pulled.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: 2002 U320 36 foot Fuel Line Replacement…

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Peter –
Anyone have experiance changing out a 1998 U320 fuel lines?
Is it a straight forward process or does it involve removing the fuel tank? (yuck...)
Yes.  No. Yes.

I saw no other way to do the job other than cut through the floor or remove the fuel tank.  Feel free to ask questions here or PM me.

One thing...  The routing of the fuel lines is not magical,  I routed the line near the engine differently, and I added a fuel cooler while I was a horrible, stinky greasy, dirty mess.  The lines to the generator would not budge.  I left the parts I could not cut out, and routed new through PVC pipe, to provide a protective conduit.
Matt B
1998 u-320

Re: 2002 U320 36 foot Fuel Line Replacement…

Reply #10 –
So, it looks like starting in 2002, the tank and configuration changed... to a more workable situation.  All tank pickup lines are on a beveled panel on the pass side just behind the filler, same location as the tank sender.  All returns and vent lines are on the top of the driver's side filler extension, accessible. 

2002 also has everything back of the battery compartment (centered between the AquaHot and LP tank) through the center bay is between the bottom of the floor deck and a false bay ceiling deck.  This is where things could get interesting.  If "stuff" is in any way tied together or otherwise fastened between the decks.....well I dont have enough "special" adjectives to use on the person who thought this up......a MAJOR removal exercise as there is HWH equalizer assembly and all the associated lines other Stuff, now including my new DC panel fastened to the bottom of the false desk.

I am hoping the brain trust here can tell me the stuff is just laid in which would make sense....not hard fastened. 

I will post some pictures of the situation on the sides of the tank.  If nothing is fastened, a pull from the rear with the proper help and preparation looks doable....with some "yellow 77" thrown in for good measure....

Standing by for more enlightenment.... And thanks to Ron (RedTractor) for the glimmer of light he has already provided...

Bob



2002 U320
3620 PBDS
Build 5985
2021 Equinox Toad
Motorcade 19006 & all those "other" clubs too!

Re: 2002 U320 36 foot Fuel Line Replacement…

Reply #11 –
Pix....

Tell some of the story....
2002 U320
3620 PBDS
Build 5985
2021 Equinox Toad
Motorcade 19006 & all those "other" clubs too!

Re: 2002 U320 36 foot Fuel Line Replacement…

Reply #12 –
To Peter on the 98 u320 the tank has to come out. I bought a pump battery operated and one coach had a full tank so I had to buy 4 50 gallon drums to pump the fuel into. It is a dirty nasty job. Tommy and I got pretty good at r and r of his fuel tank. I had trouble with the new lines becoming kinked on top of the tank and not flowing fuel. Finally I replaced the line going to the generator for the second time. I didn't see anything wrong with the new line, but it sure would not let the generator run.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: 2002 U320 36 foot Fuel Line Replacement…

Reply #13 –
Update....

After scoping the lines and top of tank to the point of insanity, I reached out to the mothership and was provided the tank drawings.  Interesting arrangement, all for the sake of dual side fill ability. 

Main 175 gallon tank has outlet connections all at the edge next to,the filler and sender...very logical.  BUT... the stinking vent outlet is buried at the rear edge of the tank away from any accessibility....

The 9 gallon DS filler tank has the filler, three returns, a large 2.5 inch drop/collared connection to the main tank and a vent connection not shown on the drawing.... AAARRRRGGGG!

That vent connection has the roll over valve mounted to a T on its side and the main tank plumbed to it....

Anyway,  this all gets interesting.  Jeff (Gino's Garage YouTube) our local big bus mobile guy believes we can pull off replacing all the lines without pulling the tank.  He's equipped to make lines on site and even thinks he can get the buried vent line off....hope springs eternal.

I have a new, very small bore scope coming in hopes of getting a better view of the leak source and possibly getting a better look at more of the line routes.  Thus far leak is only a small damp spot in the dirt/dust on top of the tank. 

I have attached the drawings for you viewing pleasure.  Thank you to Braxton, Chad and James at the mother ship for their cooperation....  And Red Tractor Ron for his insight and willing support...

More as it develops.





2002 U320
3620 PBDS
Build 5985
2021 Equinox Toad
Motorcade 19006 & all those "other" clubs too!

Re: 2002 U320 36 foot Fuel Line Replacement…

Reply #14 –
Thank you for sharing the drawings.  I have the exact same fuel tank... except the mirror image.  I'm guessing that your fuel tank is in your middle bay with the filler necks at the front?  Mine is in my second bay forward (4 bays with wet bay in the rear) and filler necks toward the rear.  Did you solve your problem and if so did you have to replace your fuel lines.  I believe that Michelle has stated before that she believes that the fuel lines were different starting in 02 and she was not aware of anything newer needing to be replaced.
George Mann
2002 U320 #5934
2017 Rubicon
2013 BMW GS
Waterford MI

Re: 2002 U320 36 foot Fuel Line Replacement…

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Geodmann –
Did you solve your problem and if so did you have to replace your fuel lines.  I believe that Michelle has stated before that she believes that the fuel lines were different starting in 02 and she was not aware of anything newer needing to be replaced.

I'll try to find the post, but it was someone else who originally discovered and posted that the fuel line material/design/etc. was changed for 2002.  We had a run-up of fuel line change posts over a couple of years (I'm thinking nearly a decade ago), and all those were 2001 and prior.

This would be the first 2002 and newer coach I've read of needing new fuel lines, but given originals would be over 22 years old, it's not outside the realm of possibilities.  And if it is the case, then it would be good for 2002-2006 coach owners to take note.  As we saw with the prior activity, this sort of thing often comes in age-of-coach clusters.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: 2002 U320 36 foot Fuel Line Replacement…

Reply #16 –
My fuel lines look as good as new (knock on wood).  Thanks for digging up this information.
George Mann
2002 U320 #5934
2017 Rubicon
2013 BMW GS
Waterford MI

Re: 2002 U320 36 foot Fuel Line Replacement…

Reply #17 –
Every time I check mine, I don't see any problems. It was a August 2001 build. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15
 

Re: 2002 U320 36 foot Fuel Line Replacement…

Reply #18 –
OP here...  So the plot thickens.  I have spent at least 6 hours with two flexible scopes and cannot find a "confirmable" source. 

On to the plot.  I have (posted) the drawings from the factory and while 95% correct, one major omission on the DS side fill tank drawing....no vent port.  My tanks have a vent port on the top of the 174 gallon tank and another one on the 9 gallon DS fill/return tank.  It gets worse....  Conversations with FOT and a couple reputable other sources all tell me there should be a vent line from each to a T and then out the bulkhead wall.  Not hear.  Mine (must have been a Friday) has a 90 on top of the main tank that runs to a T on the DS side fill tank (again, undocumented) and the other side of the T has the roll over valve on it's side (BAD!) and then vents (or not) from there.  I have confirmed the "Or Not"....  Can blow into the tanks from the vent line but cannot suck out...  ALso can pressurize the tanks from either filler neck...and "no vent"....BAD! 

In playing "proctologist",  what I have found is what appears to be old,  long term fuel residue at the main tank vent...with signs there has been light, long term flowage over the radius of the tank to the lower top of the tank.  Also was able to locate a "damp" spot that is not growing (rode bus around for 25 miles making turns, stop/go/....etc) and two days latter looked again at a reference and not growth.

Now all the said, I can tell you it is near impossible to get a good view looking up at where the lines or hung from.  I have tried every trick there is to get the scope "eye" to look up but there is always something in the way.  Actually getting repeatable views, even from the same entry points is near to winning the lottery.....or at least a scratch off.  I have taken about 100 pictures of the scope so I can compare side by side by side.... 

As to the lines, I agree, the lines and fittings (sans the vent elbow on main tank) all look and feel good.  Even Keith confirmed the lines "should be good" on a 2002.

I have included some more photos for your viewing pleasure.  Anyone with an "ah ha" moment, feel free to PM.  Looks like a trip to TX in our future.....



2002 U320
3620 PBDS
Build 5985
2021 Equinox Toad
Motorcade 19006 & all those "other" clubs too!