1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Topic: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question (Read 8012 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #175 – August 14, 2025, 10:03:21 pm

Quote from: craneman – August 14, 2025, 08:49:18 pm

I used a heat gun to soften the hoses and used the same push on fittings I removed. No leaks after the installation years ago.

If you go and doing any cutting on the hose to get it to release from the fitting, make sure you do not cut all the way through the hose. If you can see where you cut the hose on the fitting. Throw the fitting away.

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #176 – August 15, 2025, 12:06:16 pm

If and when pulling the tank , are all four hoses
Supply and return of eng. And generator long enough to follow the tank ? At least half way out?

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #177 – August 15, 2025, 01:10:17 pm

Quote from: rvquestion – August 15, 2025, 12:06:16 pm

If and when pulling the tank , are all four hoses
Supply and return of eng. And generator long enough to follow the tank ? At least half way out?

In my case no. I had to use a crows foot to loosen the fittings with the tank in place. Added length to the new hoses to allow for removal in the future.

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #178 – August 15, 2025, 06:23:59 pm

Today I am working on building a fuel tank cap with valve stem to be able to pressurize at the tank
But I noticed that the water separator, even if it's this mounted from the frame cannot be lowered down because the hoses are not free to go down. There are other obstacles and cables on its way to be lower down.
So tomorrow, I will put the tank cap with the valve stem and having a friend of mine using bicycle pump to slowly pressurize the tank while I will loosen the filter and wait for the bubbles to clear up. Hope this will work.

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #179 – August 15, 2025, 07:27:31 pm

I imagine that your tank is like mine and it has a vent line. So to pressurize the tank the best way would
be to pressurize the tank from there. My vent line can be got in front of the tank area and in the middle
of the coach.

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #180 – August 15, 2025, 07:31:15 pm

Quote from: rvquestion – August 15, 2025, 06:23:59 pm

Today I am working on building a fuel tank cap with valve stem to be able to pressurize at the tank

I thought all the fuel tanks used in various Foretravel model years came with some kind of air vent outlet somewhere on the tank. I'm pretty sure these big tanks would need some way to equalize the internal pressure during operation, and to accommodate pressure change from large fuel temperature swings. I think I remember reading about some kind of check valve in the vent to prevent fuel escaping in the case of a catastrophic rollover accident? I could be wrong.

If Edmond's tank does have a vent, then I don't see how trying to pressurize the tank with a bicycle pump is going to work.

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #181 – August 15, 2025, 09:20:48 pm

On my tank hooking a bicycle to the vent line would work as the fuel caps will hold the air pressure.

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #182 – August 16, 2025, 11:06:37 am

Every route, with one obstacle
If the vent is in the middle, i see no way to reach it
Water separator can not be lowered below fuel tank level to let diesel come through from the tank by itself
Bunch of other things in it's hoses way

Vent will not allow to pressurize the tank

The prime pump on top of separator or on the lift pump can not bleed all the air in 30 feet hose

The electric water separator is over 700.00

Is a small electric pump able suck the fuel from 30 feet away?

How about I disconnect the hose from water separator and try to keep it higher and fill it with diesel then quickly connect it to the separator
I am sure it will make a mess, but will it work?

One of my son says, buy yourself a travel trailer and get done. Hahaha

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #183 – August 16, 2025, 11:21:10 am

Quote from: rvquestion – August 16, 2025, 11:06:37 am

If the vent is in the middle, i see no way to reach it

The tank vent fitting is somewhere on the top of the tank, but a tube goes from the fitting to someplace else (?).

I don't know where the vent tube on your 1998 U295 terminates. Other Forum members may be able to tell you

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #184 – August 16, 2025, 11:22:56 am

I think my fuel tank vent terminates at the rear bulkhead. I'll try to get a picture.

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #185 – August 16, 2025, 11:39:37 am

Quote from: Geodmann – August 16, 2025, 11:22:56 am

I think my fuel tank vent terminates at the rear bulkhead. I'll try to get a picture.

On the OP's 1998 U295, assume you mean FRONT bulkhead, as the tank is immediately aft of the front bulkhead.

You should be able to trace the vent line, but start by looking at the front bulkhead as you face toward the rear at the front axle.

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #186 – August 16, 2025, 11:52:14 am

My tank is in the second bay forward of the drive axle. This vent is at the rear bulkhead. I assume it is the fuel tank vent but I don't know for certain.

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #187 – August 16, 2025, 12:12:57 pm

Quote from: Geodmann – August 16, 2025, 11:52:14 am

My tank is in the second bay forward of the drive axle.

George,

You have a 2002 U320 with mid-ship fuel tank and AquaHot. Your fuel system is plumbed differently than OP's '98 U295.

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #188 – August 16, 2025, 12:45:14 pm

I keep reading bulkhead honestly I don't know what it means to look for never heard such name before

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #189 – August 16, 2025, 12:49:23 pm

On this coach (98/295) the vent hose comes out the cable tray to the front end and turns straight down. It is clamped to the front bulkhead about 3" from the lower angle iron. While there check to make sure that a mud daubber hasn't filled it with a nest.

Mike

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #190 – August 16, 2025, 12:51:22 pm

Quote from: rvquestion – August 16, 2025, 12:45:14 pm

I keep reading bulkhead honestly I don't know what it means to look for never heard such name before

In simple terms we are talking about the front or rear wall of the basement.

Mike

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #191 – August 16, 2025, 01:08:07 pm

Quote from: rvquestion – August 16, 2025, 12:45:14 pm

I keep reading bulkhead honestly I don't know what it means to look for...

With coach raised to full height, and safety stands in place:
1. Crawl, or slide, under the front end of coach.
2. There is a vertical "wall" (bulkhead) that runs from one side of the coach to the other, located behind the front wheels, front axel, and generator.
3. Near the top center area of the bulkhead, there is an opening where the bundle of hoses and wires exits the utility tray.
4. Look for the rubber vent hose that Mike mentions, coming out of that bundle, pointing down towards the ground, and secured by a clamp.

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #192 – August 16, 2025, 04:58:51 pm

Quote from: rvquestion – August 16, 2025, 12:45:14 pm

I keep reading bulkhead honestly I don't know what it means to look for never heard such name before

Homework: Bulkhead rebuild

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #193 – August 16, 2025, 06:21:45 pm

what is cable tray?

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – August 16, 2025, 12:49:23 pm

On this coach (98/295) the vent hose comes out the cable tray to the front end and turns straight down. It is clamped to the front bulkhead about 3" from the lower angle iron. While there check to make sure that a mud daubber hasn't filled it with a nest.

Mike

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #194 – August 16, 2025, 06:29:09 pm

Quote from: rvquestion – August 16, 2025, 06:21:45 pm

what is cable tray?

On the basement ceiling. Contains all the wiring, hoses, etc. running fore/aft.

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #195 – August 16, 2025, 06:57:15 pm

the one i learned on forum , called tunnel?

Quote from: wolfe10 – August 16, 2025, 06:29:09 pm

On the basement ceiling. Contains all the wiring, hoses, etc. running fore/aft.

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #196 – August 16, 2025, 07:15:26 pm

Same thing.

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #197 – August 16, 2025, 10:14:09 pm

Ok when i located the vent hose? I can clamp a wise grip on then i can use bicycle pump to pressurize the tank ?

Today i disconnected both hoses from water separator, trying to fill them up (old school) with diesel using a small funnel
But it didn't work, each hose showed filled with only 1/4 of a cup
I mount the hoses back and tied the solenoid with zip tie
Started the engine it ran and shortly dies
Back by the engine, i touched the priming pump on water separator, was soft requiring priming again
I gave up and came home, frustrating.
It looks like the 32" hose between water separator and lift pump gets primed, engine starts and stays running as long as the fuel in that hose get sucked in and partially used and the rest ran back to the tank through the return line

Is the new pump defected? Then why it makes engine run
Sound like the system sucks air from somewhere
Last could be the 30' hose
I here a lot about system should have a check valve to stop fuel return to the tank
Where is such valve?
I am told it can not be the one way check valve on the return line
Also it can not be the overflow banjo connector
Which some say its not a one way valve and some say it is a one way valve
I have not touched those yet
In the mean time today on gogle i read, fuel lift pump has two built in one way check valves
Any body confirm it?
If so, could my newly installed cummins lift pump be defected?

Getting tired friends , never had such issue driving trucks for 28 years one of my trucks being a mechanical 8.3

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #198 – August 17, 2025, 11:35:44 am

When we have an issue in our life, it takes away some sleep, thinking of a fix
Last night this came to my mind
Remember i built an 8' hose to try feeding fuel from a 5 gallon canister?
How about i buy a box of 50' Trident hose
Measure and cut a piece of it equal to , from tank to the rear of the coach plus 8 feet
Insert a push on fitting on one end
Attach it to the separator and submerge the other end in the fuel tank running it along the bus
Using some kind of stands to keep it in the level of the existing hose ( if needed )
Then try to prime it and start the engine
(Same canister test using fuel tank instead in longer distances )
If the engine stayed running , i have a bad hose
Because i was able to prime the new hose

If the engine dies again , i will disconnect the hose from the separator , and this time i will fill the
The whole hose with diesel ( some how )
To make sure i have a priming issue or the existing hose is bad and leaks which does not allow to be primed

then reconnect it to the separator and quickly submerge it in the tank ( hopefully without draining the fuel out of hose)
Now, prime and start the engine
If the engine stayed running , problem is the air is trapped in the existing hose ,
If the engine didn't stay running, air it's getting in the system from somewhere else , some kind of stuck one way check valve
I think spending 150.00 on this hose worth the try
Anyway i will need the hose to replace old one right after i was able to make it drive able
Does it make sense?

Re: 1998 Foretravel U295 - Air in fuel system question

Reply #199 – August 17, 2025, 11:40:21 am

Sorry 50' hose cost is 250.00

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