Skip to main content
Topic: Silicone in the Fuel Filter ( 86 GV 454 Chevy) (Read 677 times) previous topic - next topic

Silicone in the Fuel Filter ( 86 GV 454 Chevy)

... WHAT... motor would start and idle for hours.  But would not allow high rev RPM's and could not sustain speed to drive down the road....  another AAA tow to the shop here in Boulder.... replaced Fuel Pump ( $ 50.00 ) but they found lots of silicone inside of the fuel filter.  They have NO idea where this should have come from on a close fuel system...they did not drop the tank but eventually might have to and see if there is a source ....  we had a 4 day trip to Santa Fe. ( blew two tires, but already posted that story)... but on the way home after 400 miles we stopped at truck/car fuel station in castle rock and immediately at entrance to freeway for home we lost all power and could not sustain more than just idle..... where is this silicone coming from.  They pulled lots of clear silicone substance from the filter...  ????
1986 Grand Villa, 454 Chevrolet, 33 SBI tag axle
Build # 2658
2nd owner, original owner was Newman/Freeman Racing, racer Bill Freeman and actor/racer Paul Newman

Re: Silicone in the Fuel Filter ( 86 GV 454 Chevy)

Reply #1
Somebody tried to seal something on the coach or the station fuel tank and thought if a little silicone is good alot is better.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Silicone in the Fuel Filter ( 86 GV 454 Chevy)

Reply #2
The ethanol in the fuel can create all kinds of issues also
91 GV U300 Unihome 40' Build 3811
6V92TA Detroit

Re: Silicone in the Fuel Filter ( 86 GV 454 Chevy)

Reply #3
This coach was in storage for some time in San Diego before our purchase and drive back to Boulder CO....  it had a nearly empty tank for quite some time before our first fill up on purchase day in June... we have had weekend trips and our first week long trip to Santa Fe...  would the CA additives create a silicon like substance that would come up thru fuel lines and thru filter ??

Is there a thought that the regular gas pump handle or nozzle had been repaired with silicone and it entered the fuel filler when we refueled one last time as we were 50 miles from home ? 
1986 Grand Villa, 454 Chevrolet, 33 SBI tag axle
Build # 2658
2nd owner, original owner was Newman/Freeman Racing, racer Bill Freeman and actor/racer Paul Newman

Re: Silicone in the Fuel Filter ( 86 GV 454 Chevy)

Reply #4
Possible silicone used to fix the tank.
Are you sure the new ethanol fuel didnt clean all the varnish from old non ethanol fuel and plug the filter?
Maybe some one used some silicone on the old pump?
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: Silicone in the Fuel Filter ( 86 GV 454 Chevy)

Reply #5
Should add that I would borrow a camera to stick in the tank to check for rust etc.
Toby a 94 u280
Cummins 8.3
6 speed Allison
Exhaust brake


Adopted by Derek and Annabelle

Re: Silicone in the Fuel Filter ( 86 GV 454 Chevy)

Reply #6
Ole Paul pulled the "Sting" on you like that guy in Chicago.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Silicone in the Fuel Filter ( 86 GV 454 Chevy)

Reply #7
Is there a thought that the regular gas pump handle or nozzle had been repaired with silicone and it entered the fuel filler when we refueled one last time as we were 50 miles from home ? 

That would be my guess, since you have had several tank fills. Big honking high micron fuel filter in front of the fuel pump might be prudent, small filter with high restriction might cause vapor lock, especially at altitude.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Silicone in the Fuel Filter ( 86 GV 454 Chevy)

Reply #8
Bet that they were getting water in tank at station from fill manhole into tank cap.  I have seen that before.  Silicone is the sophisticated tech's duct tape. :facepalm:

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Silicone in the Fuel Filter ( 86 GV 454 Chevy)

Reply #9
Will follow up on a tank inspection with camera.  Don't want to drop the tank quite yet...  RV Engine Tech said he has never seen this before.  He thinks vandalism but no telling when...  would silicone in the tank not break down but still keep its stringy spaghetti like shape .. a portion was given to me and its spongy and pulls out of shape easily...  logically it does sound like a fuel tank repair was made and the long ago silicone began to break down in the tank and worked it way thru the fuel lines to the filter ...
1986 Grand Villa, 454 Chevrolet, 33 SBI tag axle
Build # 2658
2nd owner, original owner was Newman/Freeman Racing, racer Bill Freeman and actor/racer Paul Newman

Re: Silicone in the Fuel Filter ( 86 GV 454 Chevy)

Reply #10
No, no, no do not put a electrical device such as a camera in a tank of highly volatile gasoline fumes. Yes it may be sparkproof and may be hermitically sealed until it isn't. Just not worth it.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: Silicone in the Fuel Filter ( 86 GV 454 Chevy)

Reply #11
 Run the little camera over the tank top  and see if the gasket is made of the same stuff.  Those  5.5 mm computer cameras are the nuts, for 11$.
 My guess is a sender hole or fill plate  was removed and the gasket compromised. 

 

Re: Silicone in the Fuel Filter ( 86 GV 454 Chevy)

Reply #12
May have to eventually clean the bottom fuel pickup,should have some sort of a screen.Would look at your local auto parts
store and see what they have to add to the fuel to dissolve the blockage and get a couple of spare filters.Try and make sure this
substance is silicone,maybe post a picture if you can.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.