New fuel lines

Topic: New fuel lines (Read 2684 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #25 – November 17, 2020, 08:44:21 pm

Quote from: bigdog – November 17, 2020, 07:55:08 pm

Well, it's the end of our sixth day at OMC.
So, they have been unable to clear the air from the fuel lines. After SIX HOURS of labor @ $125/hr trying to purge the lines. They come and tell me that for some reason someone in the past removed the the first fuel filter block with the primer pump and replaced it with a unit that doesn't have a primer/purge pump. ?WTF over.

Even more puzzling and quite maddening was the fact that they saw this when hooking up the new fuel lines at the primary filter and didn't immediately stop and suggest a quick and easy swap to a filter with the pump. Instead they only told me that a new filter/primer pump should be installed after expending $750 of my money on a futile exercise and running my starter way too much.

Jerry,
Sorry about your bad experience, who is OMC so I can make sure I steer clear. WTF indeed.

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #26 – November 17, 2020, 08:45:55 pm

It sounds like they have the issue diagnoised now, and you are committed to letting them finish as is probably the best choice.

Should you later decide to get a second repair shop to complete the repair, if Oregon Motorcoach diagnosis is not correct, you might also check with Premier RV which is nearby in Junction City. From memory I seem to remember you or another forum member having a positive service experience with them on fixing an entry door issue by adjusting the door and lock.

I am so sorry for your problem. Knowing the risks on any repair, I wanted to follow up on your line replacement. I hope once this issue is resolved, they give you some relief on that $650 essentially diagnostic time expense.

When I started to have fuel line issues in 2017 from loss of prime due to line failure, mis diagnosed by another quality shop caused me to unnecessarily spend $1,500 for their error. They recommended replacing the injection pump to solve my issue. Luckily I knew of a quality injection pump rebuilder in Portland, they tested the pump and returned it to me saying it performed perfectly all the way thru the power curve. I ended up finding the cracked, failed fuel line on my own.

All shops in the area were too busy to replace my fuel lines, they all were booked up 6-8 weeks, the fall of 2017, so I tackled the repair on my own. I replaced the supply and return lines by myself in less than 20 hrs time which curred all my issues. The majority of that time was spent chasing parts and tools, including getting new fuel line and swedged couplings.

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #27 – November 17, 2020, 08:46:50 pm

T-Man YEP!!!

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #28 – November 17, 2020, 09:04:00 pm

Tommy D, that would be Oregon Motorcoach in Eugene.

Thing is. The prior owner had OMC rip out the carpet and install ceramic tile as well as redoing the front to accept a 32" tv. The tile and cabinet job is top notch. But that was in 2011-2012.

I don't question the fuel line R&R. The OEM lines were sent out to a shop that specializes in lines to be replicated to OEM spec with high quality fuel hose.

My main complaint was that there was no way they could have missed the fact that the primary filter didn't have a purge/prime pump and ran up the labor charges when they should have at the minimum stopped and suggested that at least a manual pump be installed or a replacement electric one connected to the existing purge panel by the remote start.

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #29 – November 17, 2020, 09:10:46 pm

Jack Lewis, given that I don't have a place to pull a fuel tank. And I would have likely not discovered the lack of a prime/purge pump. I would have been up the creek for sure.

However, This experienced and high end shop should have known better.

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #30 – November 17, 2020, 09:21:43 pm

Sorry for your problem Jerry.

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #31 – November 17, 2020, 10:33:11 pm

Quote from: bigdog – November 17, 2020, 09:04:00 pm

My main complaint was that there was no way they could have missed the fact that the primary filter didn't have a purge/prime pump and ran up the labor charges when they should have at the minimum stopped and suggested that at least a manual pump be installed or a replacement electric one connected to the existing purge panel by the remote start.

DW is always complaining about incompetent work on our coach and gets involved in labor billing on every project. She is always getting all maintenance bills reduced to zero. I haven't made a penny working on my coach. She would never tolerate such billing.
All jobs should have a not to exceed cap for work agreed apron. Good techs will make good money. Incompetent techs will learn or move on. You have already paid for the job, not the learning of poor techs. YES this should of been brought to your attention during installation. However how was your coach serviced for fuel filter changes in the past without a pump. You did drive it there. There is more to this story than we are privy too. If they had never done this job before then you shouldn't be paying for a premium installation and you both may share the learning cost. This is very disappointing. Sorry your having to deal with it
Scott

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #32 – November 17, 2020, 10:52:07 pm

Quote from: bigdog – November 17, 2020, 09:10:46 pm

Jack Lewis, given that I don't have a place to pull a fuel tank. And I would have likely not discovered the lack of a prime/purge pump. I would have been up the creek for sure.

However, This experienced and high end shop should have known better.

I agree with you 100%. Please know I never meant for you to replace the fuel lines yourself. Every ones situation is different. I had just retired, had the time, the place, and desire to compleat. That has all changed, given the same situation now, I would have to wait the 6-8 weeks and pay to have it done.

I found the following YouTube videos on the M11 and thought you might want to watch, all deal with a no start issue on your M14. Hopefully your shop has properly diagnosed the issue, and it will be fixed without the need of these 3 videos.

https://youtu.be/j1c0htO3pHc

https://youtu.be/HkUj8-2wZws

https://youtu.be/oCxojfhkYBk

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #33 – November 17, 2020, 11:16:21 pm

dsd, big difference between a filter change and 30+ft of new very empty fuel lines. The shop I use in Walla Walla for oil changes hasn't had an issue as far as I know. They haven't said any thing.

While I have worked on cars. I have never wrenched on a diesel. So I was unaware that my rig was missing that pump.

And to be honest. After 1,500,000 big rig miles and 5 yrs of coach ownership. I have never needed to prime an engine.

I would think the trouble spot is at the hump over the bulkhead. At least it is my understanding from the forum that the lines have to go over that and then go down from there. (Worst case for purging air)

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #34 – November 18, 2020, 06:01:24 am

After doing several fuel line replacements, they need to check to see if they kinked the supply line when they shoved the tank back in. This will happen were the line goes through the bulkhead. Have they tried to pull a vacuum on the engine supply fuel line to see if they are getting fuel back to the filter?

Mike

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #35 – November 18, 2020, 10:56:05 am

Mike, I don't know. I did see them with an air hose and the fuel cap off. This was on Monday near closing time.

All I'm sure of is that they burned through 6 hours of labor time trying to purge before they told me that there was no purge pump. And even then, they made no effort to suggest that one be installed.

It was me that told them on Tuesday morning to stop wasting my labor $$$ and get a purge pump installed.

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #36 – November 18, 2020, 11:56:22 am

Should you give up on the shop you are at, I've used the following mobile repair shop with all positive results. I've also recommended a forum member to them that was stuck along the hwy in Eugene, Oregon with a non start issue posted on the forum. The forum member thanked me for their service. They do mobile hd truck repair and are out of Creswell, Oregon.
Pro Mobile Service & Repair, LLC

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #37 – November 18, 2020, 12:10:01 pm

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – November 18, 2020, 06:01:24 am

After doing several fuel line replacements, they need to check to see if they kinked the supply line when they shoved the tank back in. This will happen were the line goes through the bulkhead. Have they tried to pull a vacuum on the engine supply fuel line to see if they are getting fuel back to the filter?

Mike

Just for others to know, I blew air through my lines, after the tank was back in, just to make sure this didn't happen.

Sorry Big Dog for all the drama's

Chris

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #38 – November 18, 2020, 12:31:27 pm

When I did mine I chased a prime issue. Ended up being a loose fitting, that I didn't tighten. Moral of the story check em all that you can get to

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #39 – November 18, 2020, 01:17:08 pm

Very interesting topic.

Has anyone changed the fuel lines on a 2003 U320 (or similar vintage) proactively without having any symptoms ?

Regards

Klaus

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #40 – November 18, 2020, 02:22:03 pm

Klaus,

Yes, at 17 years old, many proactively (think preventive maintenance) replace them at their convenience rather than have a side-of-the-road failure.

And, starving a diesel fuel injection system often leads to injection system component failure.

Start by looking at where the fuel line goes over the fitting into the primary fuel filter. See cracks-- time to replace.

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #41 – November 18, 2020, 02:54:04 pm

Klaus, even though I'm having some issues because of the hose change. I had no issues prior. This was a 100% preventive measure for our 22 year old coach.

thing is. I'm in a safe spot and plugged into a 50amp pedestal.

As others have posted. The first clue is hard starting even when the engine is warm and esp hard when cold after sitting. The second is a total engine shut down on the road with no restart.

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #42 – November 18, 2020, 04:07:26 pm

Quote from: kepeters – November 18, 2020, 01:17:08 pm

Very interesting topic.

Has anyone changed the fuel lines on a 2003 U320 (or similar vintage) proactively without having any symptoms ?

Regards

Klaus

Yes Most rubber products are at the end of there life at 20 years since being built. I'd much rather work at home and be able to walk away and go back the next day to work on. Being stuck on the side of the road or in the mud when preventable is well worth changing out the things I can at home. Create the good luck for your coach.
Scott

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #43 – November 18, 2020, 06:31:00 pm

Jerry, take a picture please of the primary filter block. I still think it is or was a kinked hose on top of tank as easy to do
Johnh

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #44 – November 18, 2020, 06:34:18 pm

Quote from: John Haygarth – November 14, 2020, 12:46:41 pm

After changing the lines on coach I too had problems getting fuel to feed thru the main line and after messing around filling the filters couple of times I pulled the tank again and found the main line was kinked so after straightening that and replacing tank all whent well and no more issues.
Johnh

I had the same problem a kinked line after replacing the lines kinked it reinstalling the tank after two days of trying to bleed it removed the tank cover and there it was

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #45 – November 18, 2020, 06:37:05 pm

Quote from: kepeters – November 18, 2020, 01:17:08 pm

Very interesting topic.

Has anyone changed the fuel lines on a 2003 U320 (or similar vintage) proactively without having any symptoms ?

Regards

Klaus yes I did

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #46 – November 18, 2020, 08:05:37 pm

John H. I'll shine a light on those hoses in the morning. It's dark and raining buckets in Eugene.

I have a priming filter block coming. But has to come from the East coast. 😱 And will be here Friday.

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #47 – November 18, 2020, 08:26:15 pm

An easy test on a kinked fuel line is to get someone else to put their mouth on the one end of the fuel hose and blow you should hear air bubbles in the tank, if there's fuel in it. When I replaced my lines I connected a hand diaphragm pump, boat bilge pump, to the one end and with about 3 strokes I had a nice stream of fuel at the filters. Pretty much started on the first try.

Also I get why people take RV's to a shop to get fixed but I've always been leery of an RV shop doing diesel work. Do diesel mechanics work at RV shops, asking for a friend? I'm fortunate enough that I have an very good diesel mechanic that also works on RVs, motors, transmission and drive train only.

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #48 – November 18, 2020, 08:47:23 pm

Mobious, I probably wouldn't consider fuel lines as true diesel work.

Although. No way would I let them do an overhead.

Follow-ups
- Re: New fuel lines

Re: New fuel lines

Reply #49 – November 18, 2020, 09:55:53 pm

Would putting a spring shield or slipping pex pipe over fuel line in the effected area be worthy of the kink issue. Pex is reluctant to kink. No rust like a spring.

Why can't metal pipe of proper size be used for straight fuel run?

Could an inspection port be placed inside coach above fuel fitting point?
Think like marine water tight inspection/access hatch flush mounted.

What model number filter / primer pumps are being considered?

I have mightie mite vacuum pump. That should prime fuel lines as its used to test fuel pressure. Its manual.

What model # electric pump works well moving diesel fuel?

Just some ideas and questions

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