BAC Forum
General Boards => Technical Support => Topic started by: Fred Cook on May 20, 2020, 03:32:21 PM
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I have a massive fuel leak at the bottom of my fuel tank when running the generator. It does not leak when running the aqua hot or running the motor... only leaks when running the generator. Any ideas would be appreciated.
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Fred, I don't know but does a diesel Onen have a fuel return line? I would have to go out and look at mine. What location is the fuel leaking, fuel tank, generator or somewhere in between.
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Fred,
Sounds like the line from the tank to the generator is leaking at or very close to the tank It probably needs the pressure of the fuel pump to force the fuel out of the leak.
Steve
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Fred, I don't know but does a diesel Onen have a fuel return line? I would have to go out and look at mine. What location is the fuel leaking, fuel tank, generator or somewhere in between.
Lee, its leaking from the bottom center of the fuel tank. It sounds weird because I do not see any kind of a fuel line going to or coming from that area. There is a metal band strip about 3 inches wide supporting the fuel tank underneath and leak appears to be coming between that band and the tank.
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Can you see the top of the tank? The fuel could be running down from the top and using the strap as a guide, if your tank was leaking from the bottom it would leak all the time. Has to be coming from the suction fuel line to the gen, I don't think they have return lines.
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Nope, can’t see the top of the tank. You may be correct that metal band is hiding the return line. I just talked to a repair shop and they believe it may be coming from the generator return line because the generator continues to run while leaking. I have an appointment to take it there tomorrow for them to look at and fix it. Thanks!
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Fred, there is a return line that runs from the lower right side of the generator to the top of the fuel tank. The feed line is also in the same location. You will have to follow the line to the top of the fuel tank. Probably a loose clamp or a bad hose going into tank. Hope this helps!
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Fred I believe that you have the same set up as I do, and there are both supply and return lines coming from the top of the tank going to the generator. I had to replace my lines, and had to drop the tank to do it. Since my tank was full I had to get 2 clean 55 gallon drums that had permanent tops and transfer the fuel to them so I could safely drop the tank. Mine leaked on the return side, but the lines were pretty worn out on both sides.
There is really not much room under that area to work so if you can get to a pit that would be ideal.
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Fred
On my 97 PT
The Onan diesel has two lines feed and return that run from behind the gen set up and along the pass side frame rail where they disappear between the tank and the frame rail.
A year ago after having the gen set slide out after I put it back in I developed a large leak.
The return line ( or both lines for that matter had turned hard with age and when the gen moved in and out the lines cracked at the bend near the fuel tank.
You may find your lines have done the same .
The bad part is that on order to get to the top of the tank where the lines originate you have to drop the fuel tank which inturn means removing front axle.
On mine I replaced the lines as close to the tank as I could which covered the bad area but yours sounds like it's above the tank where it's leaking as the fuel is running off the tanks itself.
I just had the front axle out of my coach and the bolts where seized in the axle and caster blocks not fun.
I don't envy the job ahead of you
Good luck
Eric
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Fred
On my 97 PT
The Onan diesel has two lines feed and return that run from behind the gen set up and along the pass side frame rail where they disappear between the tank and the frame rail.
A year ago after having the gen set slide out after I put it back in I developed a large leak.
The return line ( or both lines for that matter had turned hard with age and when the gen moved in and out the lines cracked at the bend near the fuel tank.
You may find your lines have done the same .
The bad part is that on order to get to the top of the tank where the lines originate you have to drop the fuel tank which inturn means removing front axle.
On mine I replaced the lines as close to the tank as I could which covered the bad area but yours sounds like it's above the tank where it's leaking as the fuel is running off the tanks itself.
I just had the front axle out of my coach and the bolts where seized in the axle and caster blocks not fun.
I don't envy the job ahead of you
Good luck
Eric
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Thank... I’m having it worked on and hoping it does not cost a fortune.
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Fred,
Eric,
I did not have remove the axle on mine to replace the fuel lines. I have about 6 or 7 inches from the bottom of the tank to the axle. After emptying the tank and dropping it to the axle I was able to tilt the back of the tank up with a jack and get to the fittings on the top of the tank. It is not a fun job and it is very tight in the area. Most of it was done by feel, glad I have long arms!
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Thanks Carl it's good to know I won't have to take those axle bolts out again
Eric
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Fred,
Eric,
I did not have remove the axle on mine to replace the fuel lines. I have about 6 or 7 inches from the bottom of the tank to the axle. After emptying the tank and dropping it to the axle I was able to tilt the back of the tank up with a jack and get to the fittings on the top of the tank. It is not a fun job and it is very tight in the area. Most of it was done by feel, glad I have long arms!
Yep, I called BCS and talked to Sean. He pretty much described the procedure the way you did it. Trouble is, I don’t have the tools or mechanical savvy to do the job myself so I’m having it done at a truck repair facility. I am just hoping they understand what and how it needs to be done and that they do a good job. It’s Ryan’s 24/7 Truck repair in St Clair, Mo and they have good reviews. I will let all know how it all turns out.
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Fred
I have heard on the forum here of people abandoning the return line and teeing into the return line for the aquahot maybe this will work for you.
Eric
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Fred
I have heard on the forum here of people abandoning the return line and teeing into the return line for the aquahot maybe this will work for you.
Eric
Hmm... interesting. Would you still be able to run the generator and aqua hot at the same time?
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Fred
Can't see why not they both have there own pumps and fuel pressure regulators so there should not be any pressure problems
There would likely be more flow in the return line with both running but the 1/4 line should be able to handle that extra flow as neither unit has a high volume fuel pump.
It would sure be worth a try at least as a temp fix.
My only concern would be if with a full fuel tank would the abandoned return line possibly leak, it all depends on how far into the tank the return tube runs.
If your coach is anything like mine it's near impossible to get the tank right full anyway.
Worth a thought anyway
Good luck
Eric
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Fred, One way to find out if both would operate correctly is hook'em up and start'em up and see what happens. With 06 Patriot Thunder I feel blessed as my fuel tank is the whole second bay, I even store stuff on top of it everything is easy to get at.
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Fred,
Using the AquaHot fuel return line to tee in the generator fuel return should cause you no issues.
Gerald
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Well, I have an update after taking it to the repair shop. They told me that a squirrel had nested up on top of my tank and chewed through the lines and some wires. I don’t understand how it could’ve been done when I use the motorhome at least a couple times a month sometimes for a week at a time. Anyway, I called my insurance company Progressive, and made a claim. They told me that the claim may not be covered under my policy but will let me know in a couple days. I am scratching my head now wondering why it would not be covered if I have Comprehensive coverage.
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They will do everything under the sun not to pay, a squirrel probably comes under the act of god, natural disaster heading, I would think it would be more on the line of a rat doing all the damage. Good luck!