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Topic: Fuel loose in fuel compartment (Read 738 times) previous topic - next topic

Fuel loose in fuel compartment

Went fora fill today, overran, [burped] as I call it.  Not my 1st, but 1st in the FT 1999 U 295.  [NO OUTSIDE FILL}
Thus a qt or so was running loose in the compartment.  My review did not see a quick exit for it. 
As we all know, a common problem, especially with the big hoses, & the guy next door not shut down, cant hear.

Sponged it up, sprayed it with detergent, 

ANY THOUGHTS ON A DRAIN HOLE, ????
 I have a couple but opposed to re-invention of the wheel???  I have experience in that line of "engineering"

Thx to all,
Bill, Tricia, Sassy  Mostly poodle. Maybe
It,s. 5 o clock somewhere,  ?
MoHo has 3 happy days,  Buy, everything works, sell.
  Hopefully the rest are pleasant days.

Pull 05 Jeep Liberty.

Re: Fuel loose in fuel compartment

Reply #1 –
There is a drain hole at the drain on bottom of tank. Mine has several large 2 inch drains for propane batteries on both side.

Re: Fuel loose in fuel compartment

Reply #2 –
GET IT OUT OF THERE.

As I mentioned in a post about coach inspections, if the diesel works its way into the basement bottom it will melt the foam board insulation and as it evaporates, the insulation will reform in "globs".
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Fuel loose in fuel compartment

Reply #3 –
Picture. Simular three on other side

Re: Fuel loose in fuel compartment

Reply #4 –
Kitty litter.

I'll bet my pal Nitehawk has some.

Re: Fuel loose in fuel compartment

Reply #5 –
With HWH raise one side of the coach.. Get on the other side and clean up the fuel .
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Fuel loose in fuel compartment

Reply #6 –
I would probably make my clean up side the side that it over flowed.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Fuel loose in fuel compartment

Reply #7 –
How about this armchair suggestion (which I have never tried):

Tilt the coach as recommended above, and get in there from the "low" side with a pressure washer - preferably one that can spray HOT water.  Direct the spray under the tank and down both sides of the tank.  Flush it until no sign of diesel in the water running out.  Then dry the compartment as quickly and thoroughly as possible by blowing hot air around the tank.

Good Luck!
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Surely, no age has been more fraught with insecurity than our own present time."

Re: Fuel loose in fuel compartment

Reply #8 –
Quote
Tilt the coach as recommended above, and get in there from the "low" side with a pressure washer -
I've done that. Works great. Also, if you note water pouring out under the coach, it's time to address the front bulkhead issue.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: Fuel loose in fuel compartment

Reply #9 –
Thanks to all, was hopping for a secret hole. Under say the propane tank.  Does have, 1 Approx 2" hole under the propane fill area. With a rat screen.  Was filling on L side which was slightly down hill.

From my boat days, Prell dish soap was available, & paper towels

My "kit" will now have
 [1]  a few pounds of "kitty Liter".    Easy fix.
[2]  a drain hole through the floor & belly pan, with a pipe to the outside world,  sealed in place with my beloved 3m  5200.
      Gotta do a "plan" for this !!  Winter project.
[3]  A further thought, back to boating days, there were/are "Sox" available in various sizes, with a filling that absorbed hydrocarbons . 
 Thanks again, was sure Mr Fore, would have a simple solution, guess he never had the problem or never travels in one of his units.
Bill, Tricia, Sassy  Mostly poodle. Maybe
It,s. 5 o clock somewhere,  ?
MoHo has 3 happy days,  Buy, everything works, sell.
  Hopefully the rest are pleasant days.

Pull 05 Jeep Liberty.

Re: Fuel loose in fuel compartment

Reply #10 –
Just resealed tank drain hole thru coach. Brett had mention the past couple of days about fuel damage to foam. So cleaned and refoamed. Cut pvc tube to go into lower plastic ring. Deleated same ring on top and cut tube below sheeting to allow to drain. Scotch weld back together.same size inside as was before..
Scott

Re: Fuel loose in fuel compartment

Reply #11 –
Make sure ALL original or added openings from fuel tank compartment to the underside of coach are protected by anti-rodent screen.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Surely, no age has been more fraught with insecurity than our own present time."

Re: Fuel loose in fuel compartment

Reply #12 –
Fuel tank lays on top of drain I posted. Must have access to drain plug
Scott

Re: Fuel loose in fuel compartment

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Billbag –

Sponged it up, sprayed it with detergent, 

ANY THOUGHTS ON A DRAIN HOLE, ????


You've already discovered the power of sponges for small spills. I *think* this is the product we used to use to kill the diesel odor, and if it is use it sparingly.

ODOR-KILL POWDER FUEL OIL DEODORIZER - Fuel Oil Conditioners, Deodorizers, &...

FWIW I was in the office when a driver called in and asked "How big is the tank?" and I butted in and suggested asking the driver how much fuel he had already pumped?  Yeah, that was a mess.

Regarding the drain?  In my opinion: No.  Better to contain a spill and clean it up.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.
 

Re: Fuel loose in fuel compartment

Reply #14 –
That drain hole, shows great minds often come to the same solution.
BUT, after my scribbling yesterday, went back to my boat days fix's,  as it was inappropriate to drill a hole .  So going to buy a box of 'oil' soaking dipers,  100 count claims will hold 17 gal, [$24. Amazon] doubt the claim but they were pretty good.
Also 5 # about of "Drysit" still have, left from my last project, a 70s Alfa Romeo Spider, 

Thanks again to all, from New Guy taking lessons {foretravel}.
Bill, Tricia, Sassy  Mostly poodle. Maybe
It,s. 5 o clock somewhere,  ?
MoHo has 3 happy days,  Buy, everything works, sell.
  Hopefully the rest are pleasant days.

Pull 05 Jeep Liberty.