Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Running air Line (Read 662 times) previous topic - next topic

Running air Line

Will try to keep the question as simple as possible because I do simple better. I'm about to run a 3/8 air line from the throttle pedal to the engine room to install the new air throttle fueling system. I will for the most part be following JOR's instructions from his installation. He has been a big help to me gathering parts and his instructions make this doable. However... he ran the 3/8 airline thru the cabinets and drilled thru the floor just past the kitchen oven then thru the wet bay and thru the rear bulk head and into the engine compartment. My question is to the ones that replaced their fuel lines and ran the lines via the trough covered by the alluminum surround on the bay ceiling.  My coach is a U270 the same as John O Riely's. Having ran your fuel lines thru the trough do you see a way for me to run the 3/8 air line that will have loops to deal with because I assume it will come off a spool and the memory of plastic airline will create continuous loops. I've never been into the trough but I can imagine the maze of wires and lines that are there. I imagine I will find why John went the route he did but I am open to suggestions if anyone has any to offer. Thanks.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Running air Line

Reply #1 –
I remember a post where 2 members pulled a new fuel line to the engine with a long rod made for pulling electrical without removing the covers. They left the old line in place. If you can research that type of puller and let the air line sit in the sun until it gets softer I believe it can be done. When I put my fuel lines in there was plenty of room for what you want to do.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Running air Line

Reply #2 –
Quote from: craneman –
I remember a post where 2 members pulled a new fuel line to the engine with a long rod made for pulling electrical without removing the covers. They left the old line in place. If you can research that type of puller and let the air line sit in the sun until it gets softer I believe it can be done. When I put my fuel lines in there was plenty of room for what you want to do.
I can see stretching the line outside and weight it on both ends to straighten it. We darn sure have the sun and temperature for it. Thanks.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Running air Line

Reply #4 –
Some years back same coach as yours Dub I ran a  1/8" airline for a boost gauge in the basement run along with all the other hoses and wires. Seem to remember just starting from the front and pushing through above the fuel tanks. Dropped the cover in the main bay and used a fish wire from the back above the axle pushing it forward into the main bay, taped together and pulled back into the engine compartment.
Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW

Re: Running air Line

Reply #5 –
I just ran a bunch of wires through the trough. I found I did not have to completely drop the cover, just one side in two bays.
That made it very easy to run wires and put the cover back when done.
1995 U320C SE 40'
Jeep 4x4 Commander - Limited - Hemi
"The Pack"  Yogi and Diesel our Airedales -  Charlie our Boxer/Akita mix. Gone but NEVER forgotten Jake our yellow Lab.
NRA Law Enforcement Firearms instructor - Handgun/shotgun
Regional Firearms instructor for national Armored Transp. Co.

Re: Running air Line

Reply #6 –
That's encouraging, I think running the air line will be the most time consuming part of this project, at least I hope it is. Some past experience is what I had hoped to get. Thanks
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Running air Line

Reply #7 –
This isn't going to help , but may give some insite. I attached the new hose to the old and pulled n the new removing the old. On my 320 I cant imagine installing without removing the bay panels. A four foot fiberglass rod may be helpful. Might want to tape a string to the new line for any future needs? The area on my coach going over the aqua hot and fuel tank area to the front axle was difficult, but I had the tank removed. Doesnt sound like a fun project at all.  Alternate routing wouldnt effect operation

Re: Running air Line

Reply #8 –
Another idea,get some 1/2 inch pex that comes in 6 foot lengths,fish it thru one piece at a time,it will bend but then go back to straight,when you get one piece in the trough use a connector and keep on going,then just fish the air line thru the pex.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Running air Line

Reply #9 –
Quote from: John44 –
Another idea,get some 1/2 inch pex that comes in 6 foot lengths,fish it thru one piece at a time,it will bend but then go back to straight,when you get one piece in the trough use a connector and keep on going,then just fish the air line thru the pex.
I've been giving that some thought David, the pex would also give some protection against the air line rubbing anywhere that I couldn't reach to tie it.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Running air Line

Reply #10 –
Quote from: dsd –
This isn't going to help , but may give some insite. I attached the new hose to the old and pulled n the new removing the old. On my 320 I cant imagine installing without removing the bay panels. A four foot fiberglass rod may be helpful. Might want to tape a string to the new line for any future needs? The area on my coach going over the aqua hot anf fuel tank area to the front axle was difficult, but I had the tank removed. Doesnt sound like a fun project at all.  Alternate routing wouldnt effect operation
You mention "future needs" Scott and that reminds me, along with the 3/8 air line I'm also going to run wires for a future Cruise Control add on in the event the Cruise function on the King Control fails. The cruise still works without flaw on the King box and like JOR who continued to use the Cruise from the King Control box, I plan do do the same. I will tie the wires off in the engine bay and do the same at the front of the coach and hope I never have to use them, only time and miles will dictate that.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Running air Line

Reply #11 –
I like the pex idea and pull your cruise control line with the air line.
1998 36 foot U270 Build No. 5328 WTFE, 900 watts solar, Victron controller, B2B, bat monitor, 600 AMPH lithium with 2018 Chevy Colorado toad, SKP #110239, Motorcade #17781, 2021 Escape 17B for when Coach is broken down and campsites are too small, retired and full-timer since Dec. 2020. Part of RV family since 1963.

Re: Running air Line

Reply #12 –
Once the pex is in use a vacuum to pull dental floss with some cloth attached through the pex to give you a pull method.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Running air Line

Reply #13 –
So if you're using 3/8" air line and attempting to put in 1/2" pex it's not going to be easy to do. Ive attempted similar in the past and even if your pulling its going to be tough, even using wire pulling lube. Need to have a larger line. Funny I saved my old fuel lines and use them just for this all the time.
Also shortest roll of 1/2 pex was $84.72 and probably shipping
https://www.supplyhouse.com/Wirsbo-Uponor-A1140500-1-2-hePEX-plus-100-ft-coil

Re: Running air Line

Reply #14 –
A roll will not work,you need the straight piece,if 1/2 is too small go to next size.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Running air Line

Reply #15 –
Questioning the need to run new wire for cruise, would think that original cruise and throttle pedal wiring could be reused for new cruise control.  My vote on installation of air line is to drop one side of covers per Lon's excellent tip above.
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Running air Line

Reply #16 –
[quote author=Dub
along with the 3/8 air line I'm also going to run wires for a future Cruise Control add on in the event the Cruise function on the King I will tie the wires off in the engine bay and do the same at the front of the coach and hope I never have to use them, only time and miles will dictate that.
[/quote]

Dub, have you used all the spare wires the factory installed on our coaches front to back?
extra wires
Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW

Re: Running air Line

Reply #17 –
Quote from: Doug W. –
[quote author=Dub
along with the 3/8 air line I'm also going to run wires for a future Cruise Control add on in the event the Cruise function on the King I will tie the wires off in the engine bay and do the same at the front of the coach and hope I never have to use them, only time and miles will dictate that.


Dub, have you used all the spare wires the factory installed on our coaches front to back?
extra wires
I've personally not used any extra factory wires but will look and locate them, In the instructions JOR ran extra wires for a cruise add on if ever needed. John may or may not have been aware of extra wires. I'll look closer into that detail. I've ordered all the parts from the different vendors and all were in stock except the throttle cable that has to be custom built by Gilmore-Global and it should be built and shipped by the end of this month. I wont be documenting the process because JOR already did that and it's here on the forum I believe.. His  detailed step by step photos with explanations is impressive and I could never duplicate that much less improve on them... I will be keeping a folder of vendors and current pricing so I can Pass that along to the next unfortunate one that needs to take on the throttle issue.


Dub McBride 1996 270