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Topic: Blown hydraulic line (Read 1191 times) previous topic - next topic

Blown hydraulic line

I was traveling on US 30 in Indiana when a passerby waved that something was wrong.  I checked my mirrors and Gage's, nothing unusual.  So I found a safe place to pull over and walked the coach and noticed the rear cap covered in Hydaulic oil.  I did not know what all that serviced.  I started back on the road and noticed that power steering was one thing,  that is not bad I thought, I can live with that.  Then I noticed the temp gage rising.  I pulled back over and now spewing Anti freeze.  I called my roadside assistance for a tow.  The. Driver pulled the drive axel and said the other could "float".  He then took me to Cummings in Elkhart.  They put it up on the rack and. Sure enough a hydro hose was rubbing on the frame and had a nice gouge.  A new hose is being made and a good cleaning of radiator and coach is in order.  My question and lessons learned are:
1.  Has anyone else experienced the chafing?
2.  If something is wrong stop figure out what is wrong before attempting to proceed.
David & Lou Ann Bouchard
Summer: Mount Vernon, Ohio
Winter: RiverBend Motorcoach Resort  LaBelle, Florida
2003 U320 38' Build #6174 "Willie"
2013 Cadillac SRX Toad
MC #17151 FMCA #F431393

Re: Blown hydraulic line

Reply #1 –
What year and model coach?  Where specifically was the chafing?  Can you post a picture?
Regards,
Brett

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

Re: Blown hydraulic line

Reply #2 –
I had the same issue while driving in the Yukon.
I lost all hydraulics and thus power steering and fans. First notice was slushy steering, then noticed high temperature. (Fans are hydralic)  Was able to pull onto a turn out. Oil all over rear and ground. I found the hose was resting on a cross beam and finally rubbed through.
Fortunately I was able to get a new hose made in a nearby logging community, which we installed and had enough oil with me to replace the fluid. I had the hose made about an inch shorter and had it wrapped with a protective shielding.
I now also carry some metal splices that I could put on for a temporary repair. I also got a larger wrench that would fit the hose fittings.
Eric
Eric & Nancy
1999 36 Ft. U320 WTFE
2016 GMC Terrain

Re: Blown hydraulic line

Reply #3 –
Yes, looking closely for chafing is one of the things that needs to be done-- at least when you buy a coach and then every couple of years.  Gusseting lines that cross, tying lines together with an inner tube cushion, etc is easy and inexpensive.

Spend an hour under your coach (with proper safety stands/blocks in place)-- will save you a lot of grief. Part of a good mechanical inspection.
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: Blown hydraulic line

Reply #4 –
Quote from: amos.harrison –
What year and model coach?  Where specifically was the chafing?  Can you post a picture?
Coach is a 2003 U320.  I did not get pictures but the hose was one that was a feed or return from the fan block.  The hose was laying on top of the frame right under the block.

I forgot to ask in original post is pulling only the drivers side axel ok?  Thanks for the info as this is my first FT.  David
David & Lou Ann Bouchard
Summer: Mount Vernon, Ohio
Winter: RiverBend Motorcoach Resort  LaBelle, Florida
2003 U320 38' Build #6174 "Willie"
2013 Cadillac SRX Toad
MC #17151 FMCA #F431393

Re: Blown hydraulic line

Reply #5 –
We also own a 2003 U320.  While in Cody, Wyyoming for the Pacific Northwest chapter rally in June it was pointed out that my hydraulic hose was being chaffed between the rear engine compartment door and the hydraulic reservoir tank. I was told it was a design flaw of that year and it was suggested I protect it until I could reroute the hose.  On our way home we made an unexpected overnight stop at a Cummins shop (. Another story)!  We had them replace the hose and reroute it behind the hydraulic reservoir.  The cost I believe was around $50 which was a small part of the total bill I paid that day.
Rick & Colleen
2003 U320 38'

Re: Blown hydraulic line

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Rick & Colleen –
We also own a 2003 U320.  While in Cody, Wyyoming for the Pacific Northwest chapter rally in June it was pointed out that my hydraulic hose was being chaffed between the rear engine compartment door and the hydraulic reservoir tank.

A previous thread with photos

Hydraulic Tank Location on 01 320

We had the same issue, but all we needed was a slight rotation of the reservoir tank.  It is something Steve now inspects whenever he is checking fluids.

Michelle
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: Blown hydraulic line

Reply #7 –
I had that issue on my 01.  I just rotated the tank a bit and put some covering over the line to prevent chafing.
2025 Wanderbox Outpost 32 on F600 Expedition Motorhome
2015 Born Free Royal Splendor on Ford 550 nonslide version  for sale
Former Coaches  covering. 360,000 miles
1999 34 U270
2000 36 U320
2001 42' double slide U320
2018 Jeep Rubicon

Re: Blown hydraulic line

Reply #8 –
I had one blow on my 93 U280 between Mobile and Jackson. Had to get towed 45 miles. showed the guy the blown hose... They made up a new one and we we back on the road in 45 minutes.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Blown hydraulic line

Reply #9 –
                   After reading these posts I took a good look at my hydraulic lines. Found that all 3 coming off the main reservoir had some chaffing. Cut old tiewraps and added pipe insulation in the contact areas and re-tied the lines. Easy fix for a potentially bad problem.

                Dean
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270

Re: Blown hydraulic line

Reply #10 –
Dean,
My opinion would tell me the foam pipe wrap would not be very tuff, I would either disconnect one end of the hose and slip a proper size heater or radiator type hose over it, or split the radiator hose and then cover the hydraulic hose, then re ty-rap it.
Heater hoses come in sizes from 1/2", 5/8", 3/4", 1" etc, and any length you like
FWIW
Dave M

Re: Blown hydraulic line

Reply #11 –
I would think this high temp silicon wrap would be ideal for this application... I have used this before and it is very durable.High Temperature, Heat & Flame Resistant Silicone End Wrap Compression Tape Granted, it is expensive at $34 per 36' roll for the inch wide tape, but imagine that there would be plenty left over and it would be worth carrying amongst the spares...
Don
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Blown hydraulic line

Reply #12 –
Guys,

Just go by any truck tire store and pick up a truck bad  inner tube.  It should be free and they make great chafe protectors.
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: Blown hydraulic line

Reply #13 –
                         Well most of the chaffing was occuring between the lines so I think the pipe insulation will eliminate that. The stuff I used is fairly thick commercial grade. Not the Home Depot type.
          I can keep an eye on it anyway and easily make changes later if neccesary. I do like Bretts truck tube idea for future use.

                        Dean
Dean & Deirdre

2012 Arctic Fox 22GQ
Was 2003 U270