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Topic: FUEL LEAK IN GRAND VILLA BASEMENT (Read 722 times) previous topic - next topic

FUEL LEAK IN GRAND VILLA BASEMENT

1994 GRAND VILLS 40' DETROIT DEIDEL / KUBOTA 10kw GENERATOR - I HAVE A VERY SLOW FUEL LEAK SOMEWHERE BETWEEN THE FUEL TANK AND THE GENERATOR THAT IS SHOWING UP IN THE BASEMENT COMPARTMENT.  i AM SOAKING UP THE SPILLAGE WITH CARDBOARD EVERY FEW DAYS AND  IT HAS JUST ABOUT BROUGHT MY LIFE TO A SCREECHING HALT - FUMES ARE STARTING TO BE NOTICEABLE INSIDE THE CABIN.  WHEN I LOOK BEHING THE PROPANE TANK I CAN SEE SOME SMALL DROPS BENEATH A GROUP OF WIRES THAT ARE CLAMPED TOGETHER.  A MECHANIC FRIEND THINKS IT MIGHT BE COMING FROM A PRESSURIZED LINE - I AM BECOMING AFRAID TO DRIVE UNTIL I KNOW THE SOURCE AND CAN GET IT FIXED !!!!!!!!!!

Tim G - Cumming, GA

Re: FUEL LEAK IN GRAND VILLA BASEMENT

Reply #1 –
Most likely a return fuel line cracked from age and is leaking. If it was a supply line you would have trouble starting with air in the line. While changing do all of the fuel lines not just the one with the present leak.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: FUEL LEAK IN GRAND VILLA BASEMENT

Reply #2 –
Neither the generator supply line nor the return line are close to the compartment so no diesel should be in the compartment carpet, etc. You are lucky. No pressure in either one of these lines. Suction in one and only enough pressure to return fuel to the tank in the other.

Our feed line started to leak several years ago. It's pretty easy to replace in 30 minutes or so without sliding the generator out. Rather than explaining it, go to my old post. I also have posts on generator maintenance, pressure and temp gauge installation, aux fuel filter addition. Use the search function on the home page to find old posts.

Try not to use all caps on a post. Makes it hard to read.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: FUEL LEAK IN GRAND VILLA BASEMENT

Reply #3 –
This is more important than just the smell.

It is almost impossible to keep spills in the basement from getting down into the basement floor structure.

Diesel will dissolve the block Styrofoam and as it reforms, it will deform the underside of the basement FG.  I have seen this on a coach I inspected a couple of years ago and even brought Keith Risch out to look.  He is the one who was able to figure out what was causing the wavy underbody FG.
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: FUEL LEAK IN GRAND VILLA BASEMENT

Reply #4 –
Now the bad news. My aluminum tank actually developed a pin hole leak on a corner weld. It wouldn't leak at a certain level and was a pita to find. The welder inserted aluminum bars from wall to wall to prevent flexing. I hope yours is not the same problem.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: FUEL LEAK IN GRAND VILLA BASEMENT

Reply #5 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
This is more important than just the smell.

It is almost impossible to keep spills in the basement from getting down into the basement floor structure.

Diesel will dissolve the block Styrofoam and as it reforms, it will deform the underside of the basement FG.  I have seen this on a coach I inspected a couple of years ago and even brought Keith Risch out to look.  He is the one who was able to figure out what was causing the wavy underbody FG.
Brett, is there foam back under the fuel/propane tanks?

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: FUEL LEAK IN GRAND VILLA BASEMENT

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
Brett, is there foam back under the fuel/propane tanks?

Pierce

I believe so.  Never opened one up.  The deformation from the diesel leak in that coach was further aft.  We speculated that was the coach was parked "nose up" while leaking.
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: FUEL LEAK IN GRAND VILLA BASEMENT

Reply #7 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
I believe so.  Never opened one up.  The deformation from the diesel leak in that coach was further aft.  We speculated that was the coach was parked "nose up" while leaking.
There is foam directly below the fuel and propane tanks...I've got my belly skin peeled off right now and am replacing the 10ft of floor structure forward of the aft bulkhead.
Len Barron
1988 GV36 U280 3208T(250hp)/MT643
1972 Jeep Commando LS2/4L65e
2000 Chevy Express Hightop Campervan
LBZ Duramax /6sp Allison

Re: FUEL LEAK IN GRAND VILLA BASEMENT

Reply #8 –
Quote from: len.barron –
There is foam directly below the fuel and propane tanks...I've got my belly skin peeled off right now and am replacing the 10ft of floor structure forward of the aft bulkhead.
Len...lots of photos of your process please !!!
Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)

Re: FUEL LEAK IN GRAND VILLA BASEMENT

Reply #9 –
I'll put together a single thread on it when I'm done, I'm taking pic's as I go. I have posted some on the Gran Villa Facebook page..
Len Barron
1988 GV36 U280 3208T(250hp)/MT643
1972 Jeep Commando LS2/4L65e
2000 Chevy Express Hightop Campervan
LBZ Duramax /6sp Allison

Re: FUEL LEAK IN GRAND VILLA BASEMENT

Reply #10 –
Quote from: len.barron –
I'll put together a single thread on it when I'm done, I'm taking pic's as I go. I have posted some on the Gran Villa Facebook page..

Just found your post on FB...keep the photos coming...I'm going to tackle it next year..
Hans & Marjet
1995 U300 "Ben" (#4719)
3176B Cat,4060HD,Jake
SKP#139131
Motorcade#17579
2006 Honda Element (towed)

Re: FUEL LEAK IN GRAND VILLA BASEMENT

Reply #11 –
So I appreciate all the gret info - but I'm no mechanic and dont know where to find one that it QUALIFIED - I'd rather pay a higher hourly rate to the expert than hope a novice can figure it out !!!  I'm certainly willing to go wherever I have to - Florida would be closer than Texas . . . but I'll go to Texas if thats the best solution . . . I really need this resolved, since this is now my permanent home . . .

Thanks Again

WTG/Atlanta