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Strong smell of diesel

I am a 1998 U320 36ft no slide.  I am getting a very strong smell of diesel from the central basement storage compartment.  My Aquahot is centerline forward from this compartment.  I had my fuel lines replaced last summer so at first I suspected a leaking fuel connection someplace but I removed the metal cover to look in there and, as well as I can see or feel, all the fuel connections seem tight and dry.  Actually I think I have been smelling diesel in that compartment for the last few years, it's just a lot worse now.
 I do see a leak in the main valve coming out of the Aquahot.  It looks like a standard water valve with a green shutoff handle and goes to the valve manifold.  It is oozing green antifreeze solution.  So that is a separate issue, but also needs to be fixed.
So .........  does anybody have any idea where the strong diesel smell is coming from?  Seems like it has to be the AH, don't know of any other source of diesel in that compartment, but I sure can't find the source.
Where can I go to get it fixed?  I'm in CA now, will be heading east soon to join the Maritimes motorcade.  If I go through Nac, which is a possibility, I know Rudy is in Houston.  Don't know where Roger is now. 
BJ Holden
'98 U320 36'
Motorcade #16754

Re: Strong smell of diesel

Reply #1 –
I also had a strong diesel odor in the main storage compartment for 3 years on our 2000 U320 36ft unit.  I could never see an actual leak but a sharp tech at FOT discovered cracks in the fuel hoses within the AquaHot unit.  The amount of fuel leaking was small enough that it never produced a puddle as it probably evaporated quickly with the heat of the nearby burner.  This unit had been serviced by some who really knew their way around an AquaHot but they did not notice the cracked hoses.  I suggest taking a close look at those hoses from the AquaHot fuel pump to the burner.
Monti
2015 Born Free Triumph Royal 4x4
Previous:  2000 U320 3600

Re: Strong smell of diesel

Reply #2 –
BJ,

Ask where Roger is on the Aqua Hot forum and he will tell you.  He may be closer than you think.
Rudy Legett
2003 U320 4010 ISM 450 hp
2001 U320 4220 ISM 450 hp
1995 U320 M11 400 hp
1990 Granvilla 300 hp 3208T
Aqua Hot Service Houston and Southeast Texas

Re: Strong smell of diesel

Reply #3 –
This was a recall done on coaches of that vintage a long time ago. We  a quiet one at least.
I would check with Roger or even stop in at Aquahot in CO on the way east of head to rudy.
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: Strong smell of diesel

Reply #4 –
BJ, I'd check the fuel supply and return lines for the Aqua hot as a first step. Especially the hoses underneath the unit. Check supply line all the way to the filter also. Doesn't take much diesel to create a strong smell.
 Good luck, Richard B
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Strong smell of diesel

Reply #5 –
My fuel pump on the AH was leaking.  The seals where the fuel lines enter the pump failed.  I replaced the pump with the newer model pump with better seals.  Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Strong smell of diesel

Reply #6 –
My 99 U 320 had a strong odor of diesel in the basement also, it was the Aqua-Hot. Didn't hear about any recall, though.
No RV! Have hung up the keys.
In the past: 2016 Winnebago Era, 1994 Foretravel U240, 1995 Foretravel U240 (wide body), 1999 Foretravel 320, 36 Foot, 2003 Foretravel U320 38 foot,

Re: Strong smell of diesel

Reply #7 –
They fixed mine when I was at the old Kodak Shop on my 2000. Said it was a known issue when they did it and they did say they think they got most of them.  Who knows though.
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: Strong smell of diesel

Reply #8 –
AH had a replacement program for a few years. I missed it.  Just paid for it and was glad to catch it before it became a fire hazard.  Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Strong smell of diesel

Reply #9 –
Thanks to all who replied.  With the cover removed, I can see the fuel lines very well all the way to the point where they tie into the metal tubes going into the combustion chamber and they all look very tight.  The fuel lines were just replaced last summer.  So I think it's likely that the leak is inside, probably the fuel pump where Roger's leak was.  At least all the comments reinforce that a stinky basement is most likely an aqua hot leak, even if it's not obvious.
So I it's obvious I need to connect with someone who can fix it on my way east.  At this point I'm thinking I will probably go through Nac so maybe I can get Rudy to work on it. 
BJ Holden
'98 U320 36'
Motorcade #16754

Re: Strong smell of diesel

Reply #10 –
Hi BJ,

As I recall the fuel pump is on the top of the blower/burner assembly.  The leaking fuel probably evaporates.  If it is leaking you may see some wet fuel around where the metal fuel lines go into and out from the pump.  That is where mine was.  Easy to see with a paper towel wiper. If it is leaking I would not use the diesel burner until it gets fixed.

If you are going by the Denver area, John Carrillo can fix it for you.  He is in Fredrick, CO (near Longmont, just north of Denver).  We stayed at St Vrain St Park just off I25.  John will fix it at the park.  It takes an hour or a bit more.  He can do an annual for you at the same time if you need it.  There aren't many AH service people that Rudy would give a thumbs up to. John is one of them.

(970) 518-3085
jcarrillo@aqua-hotservices.com

If you are going south then call Rudy.

Roger
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Strong smell of diesel

Reply #11 –
Quote from: corndog254 –
I'm in CA now, will be heading east soon to join the Maritimes motorcade.  If I go through Nac, which is a possibility, I know Rudy is in Houston.  Don't know where Roger is now. 


BJ,

Art Twaddle (Foreforums' member Prevostart) is also an AquaHot certified service person and based in California central coast area if that helps you.  Rudy has previously given him a thumbs' up  AH White Smoke Again
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: Strong smell of diesel

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Art Twaddle (Foreforums' member Prevostart) is also an AquaHot certified service person and based in California central coast area if that helps you.  Rudy has previously given him a thumbs' up
I can vouch that Art Twaddell is an extremely competent AquaHot tech and RV stuff in general.  He lives in Paso Robles.  The Wine Country RV Park is a super nice park where we have had Art service our rig. 
Also, you won't meet a nicer fellow.  He was able to repair my engine coolant loop leak which I thought was probably not repairable.




(fixed formatting issue - Michelle)
Audrey & Harvey Nelson
2000 U-320, 40' towing 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee
nelsonah@ieee.org

Re: Strong smell of diesel

Reply #13 –
I also had Art do the annual service on our AH at Port San Luis. He did an excellent job and was very knowledgeable about the system. He owns a FT. He is my go to guy here in California.
Jon Ohman
2001 U320 36'
Build #5809

Re: Strong smell of diesel

Reply #14 –
We had our AH serviced in Quartzite this winter. I had been noticing an elusive smell of diesel coming from the mid-coach bay and also the kitchen drawers inside the coach ... but we could never figure out the source. the AH tech showed us a cracked fitting that was allowing diesel to leak inside the AH.  Just a hairline, but nothing we would ever have found. 
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Strong smell of diesel

Reply #15 –
As others have said, we had a diesel odor and traced it to be the aquahot fuel pump.  Take off the cover and run the diesel heater and you will see fuel dripping out the bottom.  The previous owner replaced the generator fuel lines so I suspect fuel hoses can be common leak sources as well.