Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: First step to fuel line replacement (Removing tank covers) (Read 1362 times) previous topic - next topic

First step to fuel line replacement (Removing tank covers)

I decided to replace all fuel lines on my 99 U320 because I had a leak in the generator lines and the other lines had cracks at the connections.  So the first job was to remove the tank covers to do further inspection and start the job.  This was a lot more work than I anticipated as the cover will not fit past the bottom moldings without removing it, as well as the adhesive they used to hold the cover in place would not let go.  The passenger side came off with some persuasion but the drivers side was damaged in the process. 
 
Steps to Removing Cover

•Remove bottom molding of bay opening by removing 6 screws from the top and 6 screws from the bottom of the molding.  Remove the bottom door catches and pull the molding outward.
•Remove the fill neck cover by removing the 6 screws. Note the short screws go on the bottom so they do not puncture the tank.
•Remove the tank cover by removing the 3 screws along the side and pulling the cover outward.  Depending on the brand of adhesive they used will depend how difficult this will be. 
•The tank on the U320 is very tight with no extra room. It looks like pulling this tank is going to be very difficult.

It will be a while until I am ready to put the covers back on but am thinking of using velcro to reinstall them or just polish the rank and leave them odd.  Any suggestions.

Thanks
Jason
1999 U320 36'

Re: First step to fuel line replacement (Removing tank covers)

Reply #1 –
My 97 has no covers.  Wonder why yours has them?  Less condensation from the better tank insulation? Or just beauty?
"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

Re: First step to fuel line replacement (Removing tank covers)

Reply #2 –
I believe they put the covers on the U320 to make it look a little cleaner and blend with the rest of coach.  I like the tanks without covers and believe it may dissipate hear better without them.
Jason
1999 U320 36'

Re: First step to fuel line replacement (Removing tank covers)

Reply #3 –
Interesting.

Mine only has a cover on the street side where it shares a bay with the house batteries.  I assumed the cover was to prevent possibility of diesel fumes building in the battery bay.  On the curb side where it shares a bay with the propane tank, there is no cover nor does it look like there has ever been a cover from the lack of adhesive.
Robert
Build # 5304
1998 34' U270 Cummins 6CTA8.3

Re: First step to fuel line replacement (Removing tank covers)

Reply #4 –
Don't know if this is of any help.  It shows replacing the generator line on a Foretravel.

Foretravel generator

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: First step to fuel line replacement (Removing tank covers)

Reply #5 –
Thanks for the video suggestion.  I looked at it and it has some good suggestions but is different because the 99 U320 has the generator in the front and the supply line for the generator is in the center of the tank.  The only way to get at these center connections in the U320 is to either pull the tank or cut a hole in the floor.  Each model is a little different and I believe the U320 is harder to work with because of the extra large tank and the Aqua Hot.  Attached is a PDF file showing my fuel fitting layout and what connects to each.
Jason
1999 U320 36'

Re: First step to fuel line replacement (Removing tank covers)

Reply #6 –
jarrett - nice pdf - ^.^d
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: First step to fuel line replacement (Removing tank covers)

Reply #7 –
Quote from: rsihnhold –
Mine only has a cover on the street side where it shares a bay with the house batteries.
Ditto on our 1997 U295.

FOT replaced the fuel lines. They pulled the tank most of the way out on the driver side to replace all the fittings.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: First step to fuel line replacement (Removing tank covers)

Reply #8 –
My 2003 U295 has the covers on both sides.  Must have become standard by then.
Tom Lang K6PG (originally  KC6UEC)
and Diane Lang
2003 38 U295 build 6209
2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit Ecodiesel
still have tow-ready 2006 Acura MDX 
Temple City, California
Motorcade 16681 California Chapter President
SKP 16663 member of SKP Park of the Sierra, Coarsegold California
FMCA F071251
Retired electrical and electronic engineer

Re: First step to fuel line replacement (Removing tank covers)

Reply #9 –
My 2001 U270 has tank covers on both sides.  ditto on the adhesive, its hard to remove the cover, however it can be done without removing the lower moulding.  After the cover is removed, increase the cutout before reinstalling.  It makes it easy-er to reinstall.

Al
Leisure Travel
Unity (MB)
2009 Smart Car

Re: First step to fuel line replacement (Removing tank covers)

Reply #10 –
My 99 U295 has covers on both sides, I'm sure fuel line replacement is in my neer future.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: First step to fuel line replacement (Removing tank covers)

Reply #11 –
Thanks for the information and suggestions.  I plan to remove the tank today, once this is done there is no moving the motor home until the job is finished.  I will put it on ramps and insert the safety bars as it will not be moving for at least a week.  My philosophy when taking on a new job is:  SAFETY, TAKE YOUR TIME, THINK IT THROUGH, DOCUMENT!!
Jason
1999 U320 36'

Re: First step to fuel line replacement (Removing tank covers)

Reply #12 –
I highly (HIGHLY!) recommend tying the new hoses to the old hoses for pulling through the front and rear bulkheads.  These areas are a pain to try to push new hose through and there isn't any room available, on my coach at least, to do anything but reuse the spot where the original fuel line went through.  This is a 2 person job for all hose pulls. 

A short piece of 1/2" PEX tubing fits inside the 5/8" supply lines as a sort of inside coupling and just duct tape the exterior and we just duct taped up the 3/8" return line really well, though I'm sure you could make a little nipple for it too. 

I also removed my propane tank for the install since it was not fun/comfortable climbing on top of it.    Just 4 bolts on the underside of the coach hold it in place and it isn't too heavy if you are below a half tank. 

I did this about 6 months ago so feel free to contact me.
Robert
Build # 5304
1998 34' U270 Cummins 6CTA8.3

Re: First step to fuel line replacement (Removing tank covers)

Reply #13 –
Jason and Robert,
  Love to see photos of those tanks coming out.
jor
93 225
95 300
97 270
99 320

Re: First step to fuel line replacement (Removing tank covers)

Reply #14 –
Quote from: jor –
Jason and Robert,
  Love to see photos of those tanks coming out.
jor

I did a very brief rundown here-
Old Fuel Lines

I'll see if I have any pictures of the tank but I didn't fully remove it.  I didn't take off the lower lip like Jason did as the tank was fairly light once the fuel was removed.  You will have to remove the driver's side panel that has the left door lift strut on it to allow the tank to slide past that corner though.

As noted in my other write up, there is a drain on the bottom of the tank that will require the tank to be lifted a bit to clear the connection and will prevent you from just being able to push the tank straight out.  Not tough to do if the tank is empty but could be a problem if there is any fuel still in the tank. 
Robert
Build # 5304
1998 34' U270 Cummins 6CTA8.3

Re: First step to fuel line replacement (Removing tank covers)

Reply #15 –
Since this old thread had the most useful info for my application, I'm attaching some info for individual fuel line lengths for our 2000 U320 4010 and some tips, learned from trial and error, that worked for me. YMMV

Thanks to those who contributed to this thread ...it helped me a bunch.
Greg & Cathy
2000 U320 4010 DGFE Build #5650
Had: 1999 Tradewinds 7370

Re: First step to fuel line replacement (Removing tank covers)

Reply #16 –
Our tanks were covered on our '98 U320 and of course our 2000 U320.  Thanks for posting those photos and documenting this tedious job!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus