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Topic: Diesel odor in BR (Read 1231 times) previous topic - next topic

Diesel odor in BR

We have owned our 98 U295 for just over two years.. I have had the oil and filters changed three times during that time and twice following the service, we have had a serious diesel smell in the three drawers on the passenger side of the bed.  I have wiped the drawers out with alcohol and that reduces the problem, but I wonder how in the world the service people get fuel in these drawers.  (once at FT and once at Cummins)    nlh1250
Norm H.
2002 U320 3602
PBDS
Build # 5941
MC# 16699


1997 Gulfstream Tourmaster, Cummins 8.3
2000 Country Coach Magna, Cat C-10
1998 Foretravel U295, Cummins 8.3

Re: Diesel odor in BR

Reply #1 –
Are you talking a actual fuel odor, or a exhaust odor?  With exhaust, you will also find soot.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Diesel odor in BR

Reply #2 –
Just pure raw diesel.  I saw one tech bring the oil filter into the coach full of oil and place it on the nightstand, but that doesn't have the same odor    nlh1250
Norm H.
2002 U320 3602
PBDS
Build # 5941
MC# 16699


1997 Gulfstream Tourmaster, Cummins 8.3
2000 Country Coach Magna, Cat C-10
1998 Foretravel U295, Cummins 8.3

Re: Diesel odor in BR

Reply #3 –
Then it sounds like a fuel filter.  I guess you have to tell the service manager that you want a different tech - and make sure you tell him why.

Really, I am amazed that someone is not passing the filters up to him from the bottom.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Diesel odor in BR

Reply #4 –
I've never had any techs bring any filters into the coach, filled or not.  I've replaced the primary fuel filter (the one on the engine) a couple of times, and had my wife hand it to me from the outside. I stand on the engine to install it.  I think the techs do it from under the engine.  It's an ISC 350.
Dave and Nancy
1999/2013 U270 36' Xtreme
Motorcade # 16774
2013 Subaru Outback
KD0NIM

Re: Diesel odor in BR

Reply #5 –
I think this is an easy one to diagnose...
 
No one would take a full fuel filter through the living area to the engine compartment.
It is very common to fill a new filter with fuel and place it on the ledge in the engine compartment, from the rear of the coach. And also to place the fuel filter that is removed upon this ledge. Tech takes new filter from ledge and screws it on the side of engine, usually while he is in the bedroom, leaning over the side of the open bed.
 
What probably is not realized is that the top side of the engine compartment ledge is covered with sheet metal that extends into bedroom, under carpet AND INTO THE BOTTOM OF THE NIGHT STANDS. Pull out the bottom night stand drawer and look down to the wood floor against the engine side and you will see this sheet metal. Spills on the engine side of the ledge can flow into the bedroom.
 
We found water from hose spraying the engine compartment under the bottom drawer, so we sealed the bottom corner of the engine side of the ledge with a silicone bead to keep fluids from migrating into bedroom and under night stand.
We also just change our fuel filters every couple of years and do the job ourselves.  Sometimes do-it-yourself has many benefits other than reducing costs.
 
How about finding a disposable plastic container for the tech to place the filters in so fuel spills are contained?

Re: Diesel odor in BR

Reply #6 –
I had a raw fuel odor for some time only when I used the bathroom exhaust fan.  I looked for almost a year for it.
When the lift pump failed for the second time and was replaced, the smell went away.  Apparently the leaking fuel odor was sucked into the BR any time that the bath fan was running.
Check for leaks around the top of the lift pump, (I don't know where yours is ), any wetness will indicate a failure coming on.

Re: Diesel odor in BR

Reply #7 –
We never run a ceiling exhaust fan without opening a window wide enough to replace the volume of air being sucked out by the fan. Otherwise air will be pulled into the interior of the coach wherever it can come in, often from places you don't want, like an open toilet, engine compartment, etc.
Anyone with a dirt stripe running front to back centered on the ceiling from side to side, between the lights and roof A/Cs has learned that sucked in air will be pulled through roof fabric from the ducted ceiling.

Re: Diesel odor in BR

Reply #8 –
Regarding leaving a opening for input air to replace exhausted air:  what do you think of leaving the dash air set on "Outside?" Would that be a reasonable source for incoming air? What do you think are the best options?
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: Diesel odor in BR

Reply #9 –
I guess the answer depends on the reason for having the exhaust fan(s) on.  In our case, when showering, we open the bedroom window a couple of inches to allow the bathroom exhaust vent to work as we usually close the pocket door to the galley/living room.
 
When cooking with the gas burners, we open the kitchen window to allow for complete exhaust from cooking gasses by using the galley exhaust fan (newer coaches do not have a galley fan...what a shame).  And, we always deploy the window awnings to allow for the use of these windowns rain or shine.
 
When not using the A/C's in cooler temperatures, the windows will be open and the exhaust fan is used just to bring in fresh/cooler air into the coach.
Peter & Beth Martin
No Forrest? What have you done?
MC# 15890 until Dec 2016; FMCA #F329677
Cincinnati, OH

Re: Diesel odor in BR

Reply #10 –
Quote
I guess the answer depends on the reason for having the exhaust fan(s) on.
I don't think the reason matters.
You want to be bringing in at least what you are exhausting out.
Same goes for opening a slide. You need to open a door or window to prevent a vacuum effect.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: Diesel odor in BR

Reply #11 –
I thought Barry and Cindy had the answer so I went out and removed the bottom drawer.  Completely dry and not much odor there.  the most concentration of diesel smell is actually in the drawers, which is less now that I have wiped them out with alcohol.  Still I think I will silicone the bottom of the nightstand.  It is most objectionable when I try to sleep as I face that way.  nlh1250 
Norm H.
2002 U320 3602
PBDS
Build # 5941
MC# 16699


1997 Gulfstream Tourmaster, Cummins 8.3
2000 Country Coach Magna, Cat C-10
1998 Foretravel U295, Cummins 8.3

Re: Diesel odor in BR

Reply #12 –
I siliconed bottom seam from engine side to keep stuff out.
 
Does your coach have the metal sticking into bedroom under bottom drawer?

Re: Diesel odor in BR

Reply #13 –
Dash air on vent will not work as an input air supply.
 
RE:  we always deploy the window awnings to allow for the use of these windows rain or shine.
 
We have Window Maxx (http://www.maxxair.com/window-maxx.html ) on four windows so we can always open these windows about 4" in rain or when we are away from the coach to let air in.

Re: Diesel odor in BR

Reply #14 –
I can not see metal on the floor.  It is covered by a carpet that looks rubberized and while the same color as the BR carpet has a different texture.  If the silicone can be applied from the engine side, that will make the process much easier.  Do I need a special heat proof material??   
Norm H.
2002 U320 3602
PBDS
Build # 5941
MC# 16699


1997 Gulfstream Tourmaster, Cummins 8.3
2000 Country Coach Magna, Cat C-10
1998 Foretravel U295, Cummins 8.3

Re: Diesel odor in BR

Reply #15 –
On our coach we used regular GE clear Silicone II from Lowe's, Wal Mart, etc.
We had to 'lift' up our black engine soundproofing material to seal the point where the vertical wall meets the horizontal ledge. We always use denatured alcohol to prep any area being silicone