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Xl 45 fuel leak
I have a 1997 45 ft motor home converted by American carriage. I have no manuals or schematics of any kind and the converter is no longer in business. Have a fuel leak. It appears to be dripping out the bottom of the coach just in front of the main fuel tank. I can see what appears to be a fuel line (1, 1/2″ or so) from the bottom of the coach, going from the tank to…..somewhere. I think I have an auxiliary tank but, can barely see it.
I posted this on a couple of Facebook groups and got a couple possible ideas. (At the time of that posting, I thought my leak had stopped, indicating a tank leak somewhere in the top half. But, have discovered this morning, it is still leaking.)
1. Tank leak
2. Hose connecting the two tanks. Is this accessible from the bottom?
Thanks in advance for any help.
John
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11 Replies
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The coach fuel tank(s) are accessed from the bottom. You should be able to get a view of the fittings from the third bay, passenger side towards the rear of the coach. You might have to pull some converter installed panels to see the fittings. If you have the auxiliary fuel (298 gallon total capacity) you are going to have a second tank forward of the main tank and there should be a short hose connecting the two at the bottom and I believe a vent hose at the top.
Unless you have access to a hoist I don’t think you are going to be able to remove the tank, but if you can get beneath the coach you might be able to see the origin of the leak.
I hope it is something simple like a loose clamp.
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I replied to John on Facebook and told him he would have to remove the foam underneath to see the hose and clamps. If it’s the clamp, we hope, no big deal, but if the hose has to be replaced, both tanks will have to be drained.
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I won’t be much help here, but will share what I know. Just this past June we were at the Prevost St. Nicolas service center where they removed and reinstalled the 208 gallon plastic fuel tank. From that experience, I can confirm what Jon said, that there is one hose at the bottom, about 1.5 inches diameter that connects the 208 with the 90 gallon stainless steel tank. The techs said access to the clamp on the 90 was difficult. If your leak is at the front of the 208, it can only be this connection as there are no other hoses that connect in this area. There is a breather hose on top of both tanks, but their connections are not in that area.
The fittings on the tank you can see by removing a stainless steel access panel (7mm socket) at the rear of the third bay right side will be on the top of the tank, so you may not need this access unless you will be pumping the tank dry. Removing the big tank will require a lift as it is about 2.5 feet high. Hope you don’t, it was a PITA even for the long time pros.
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Thanks for the idea. Cut lots of foam down. No access to the forward auxiliary fuel tank. Can not see clamp or hose on front tank. So, Monday we start pulling 2 inverters, the wall they are mounted on and 8 batteries. Then plugging the hose and doing away with the leaky little tank.
Thanks
John
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Then you may only have one single tank John.
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I know that some fuel gages are inaccurate but I would think one should be able to tell by their fuel usage if they have a 208 or 300 gal tank. I.E. Does it take 100 gal or 150 gal to fill a tank when the gage indicates half? Or at I/4 tank does it take 150 gal or 225 gal?
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The clue is at the first refueling if you run it down to 1/4 or less and take on anything over about 190 gallons you have long range fuel. Other than that there is no way I know of short of having the build sheet.
I do want to mention if the leak is in the optional 90 gallon aux fuel tank, just capping the bottom outlet on the main 208 gallon tank is not enough. The upper vent opening also has to be capped because under certain conditions, like nose down on a steep hill fuel will dump from that opening into the aux tank. As expensive as removing and replacing a tank seems it is still the best way because by having the ability to tanker fuel you can always buy at the cheapest location and with fuel price spreads easily approaching $.50 a gallon it will not take too many 200 gallon refills to pay for the repair.
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My 98 XLE has a fill from each side, The one on drivers side goes into the aux tank.
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Thought I might give an update as to what happened with my fuel leak.
The leak was in the aux fuel tank. Mild steel tank, not plastic or stainless. Had a seam along the botton about 23″ long. Leaking in several places along the seam. It was a pain to get to. The tank was located behind the inverters and batteries. Removed all the “stuff” to get there. Had to cut 2 bolts from the bottom to keep from removing the generator to get to them and finally got the leaky tank out. Did NOT repair the tank. Left it out. I understand the reasons for carring so much fuel. However, my fuel gauge has not worked since I owned the bus so, we always figured we had 208 gallons when full and we have got along fine. Since I had to have the main fuel tank opened up to get the fuel pumped out, I was able to get the fuel gauge working too. The fuel gauge is a tube with a circuit board down the middle of it. The “float” is some type of ridgid rock like material. It was black and heavy and would not float. So, we cleaned it up blew it out and now it floats. Fuel gauge works.
2 days and some favors from a couple of friends and we are going again.
Now if I can get rid of the diesel smell and reclaim the space (move the inverters) I have found.
Thanks for all the help
John
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Thank you John for the follow up closure.
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Good job John, thanks for letting us know the outcome, it will surely help someone else on down the road.
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