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Topic: Persistent Diesel Aroma (Read 652 times) previous topic - next topic

Persistent Diesel Aroma

Like our question about removing the wooden panel around the Bose CD player, this question probably requires some patience on the part of long-time Foretravel Owner's Forum members — so thanks in advance for being kind. Susan & I have never met a more welcoming, wonderful group of people than the Motorcade Club members who assisted us when we were searching for a Foretravel coach.

When we are sitting in the dinette area of our U320 (1999, with single slide and layout like a 2000 4010), there is a persistent smell of diesel.  We live with the windows open, but the diesel aroma even overrides the fresh air.  Obviously, the fuel tank is more or less below us, as is the AquaHot system — which we love, but it's running on shore power 120V only right now.

Maybe we ( I ) am just unusually sensitive to this aroma, but we want to be sure there is not a problem we should look for?  The aroma is also particularly strong downstairs in the first bay beyond the fuel tank and AquaHot (the bay where our inverter is mounted).  Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
The selected media item is not currently available.Richard & Susan Peck
____________________
1999 40' U320 "Bob Patrick"
(2000 4010 U320 WTFE Floor Plan, Single Slide)
Build #5567  |  MC #17522

Re: Persistent Diesel Aroma

Reply #1 –
I'm recalling BJ Holden's posts which led to some discussion of places this could be coming from:

Strong smell of diesel

Diesel smell in basement
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: Persistent Diesel Aroma

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Michelle –
I'm recalling BJ Holden's posts which led to some discussion of places this could be coming from:

Strong smell of diesel

Diesel smell in basement
Michelle,

You're amazing!  During the time Susan & I have been "lurking" on the Forum for several months now, you seem to be awake 24 hours daily and have instant recall for threads that directly address members' issues.  Thank you!

Sounds like I need a good AquaHot person in the southeast — because some of the fixes (even the diagnoses) discussed in the thread are beyond my ability. 

Anyone have recommendations?  Wish we were out west!  That's home, but for the moment we are near family that needs us between the Carolinas and Rhode Island.


Richard & Susan
The selected media item is not currently available.Richard & Susan Peck
____________________
1999 40' U320 "Bob Patrick"
(2000 4010 U320 WTFE Floor Plan, Single Slide)
Build #5567  |  MC #17522

Re: Persistent Diesel Aroma

Reply #3 –
Quote from: LookingWest –
Sounds like I need a good AquaHot person in the southeast

Anyone have recommendations? 

Ping Rudy and Roger Berke (both forum members) or ask on Roger's RV Hydronic Heater Repair - Home forum

(and thanks for the compliment :-D  I just like helping people)
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: Persistent Diesel Aroma

Reply #4 –
I would very strongly suspect either the fuel lines or the aquahot unit itself.  In my case the diesel lines were replaced by a previous owner (but they don't tend to leak where the sun doesn't shine in the bins from what I heard) and the aquahot unit itself which has a known bad fuel pump which leaks, fuel lines which develop leaks and more. 

Once you leak diesel it will smell for a long time until you clean it up, and you want to clean it up because it will eat up the foam insulation below.

Re: Persistent Diesel Aroma

Reply #5 –
There are still a couple of techs at TN RV (formerly, Foretravel of Tennessee) who can handle Agua-Hot service. It's just east of Knoxville on I 40.
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,

Re: Persistent Diesel Aroma

Reply #6 –
I had a diesel smell in your area when I bought my coach 9 years ago.  There were no leaks-possibly just normal A-H service.  FT solved the problem by repairing failed caulking between the basement and living area-in our case where washer/dryer connections penetrate the floor.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R

Re: Persistent Diesel Aroma

Reply #7 –
Now that you mention it, I did stop getting the diesel odor I originally had when I pulled all the drawers and cabinets and resealed a gap that a mouse ate through.  But there was still a leak - for sure.  You should not have odor in the bays or motorhome when the aquahot is not running.  When running you might get some exhaust fumes.  BUT if you find and repair the problem, you may have odor for a long time after it is fixed.  Months

Re: Persistent Diesel Aroma

Reply #8 –
Quote from: amos.harrison –
I had a diesel smell in your area when I bought my coach 9 years ago.  There were no leaks-possibly just normal A-H service.  FT solved the problem by repairing failed caulking between the basement and living area-in our case where washer/dryer connections penetrate the floor.
Seems to me that only masks the problem does not eliminate the cause.
Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Persistent Diesel Aroma

Reply #9 –
Thanks to everyone who contributed suggestions/ideas/observations here! 

Hadn't thought about sealing any floor penetrations, but that makes sense.  Tennessee RV isn't too far away (about 2 hours).  May run over there, after talking with them.  Also sent a note to Roger Berke via his Hydronic Heater repair.  Sorry the aroma may take time to dissipate, but understand, so the heads-up is appreciated.  It's not as bad today (rainy and colder, so I've had the windows closed), which may mean most of the was coming in from outside.

I'll keep the Forum updated when we've made some progress.  Again, many thanks for helping newcomers!


Richard & Susan
The selected media item is not currently available.Richard & Susan Peck
____________________
1999 40' U320 "Bob Patrick"
(2000 4010 U320 WTFE Floor Plan, Single Slide)
Build #5567  |  MC #17522
 

Re: Persistent Diesel Aroma

Reply #10 –
I may be incorrect but I would check the fuel tank caps.  Mine were non vented.

Hard use up a grade and the tank overflow would expell fuel under the front. 

I changed to vented and hopefully the issue is fixed.

If the tank builds pressure and any fuel lines are cracked I assume fumes or liquid will come out.
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4