Gas Filler Safety Issue

[Mahlon]

I'm posting this on the Newmar forum because that's my coach builder, but for all I know it may be a Workhorse issue instead. At any rate, here goes:

Last week while filling my gas tank on my '03 Scottsdale/Workhorse I noticed a gasoline leak when I was done filling the tank. It was coming from the fuel filler area of the tank. Further inspection revealed that the 5/8" fuel filler vent hose was pulled tight between the filler and the gas tank, leaving no room for flex or easy bends in the hose. I noticed that the hose was labeled for "drain & vent" use, whatever that means, but definitely NOT for fuel. The hose was rock hard and cracking after six years. Eventually I found the leak at the tank nipple where the hose was pulled so tight, it was almost closed off. The hose had actually torn open at that point, allowing the fuel to leak.

Thinking further, I realized (perhaps erroneously) that the only fuel that had leaked out was whatever had burbled up the vent at the end of the filling process, and that I was good to go again since the fuel level in the tank would simply go down and not spill out of the vent (you may not reach the same conclusion, but hey I was motivated to get home) and I did NOT completely fill the tank at the next (final) fuel stop. The rig is now parked at home while I look for 5/8" fuel hose. I need roughly nine feet of it. AdvancedO'Reilly's doesn't have anything like it, so it's off to CarQuest or the marine suppliers (where anything 5/8" is sorta small... )

Those of you who own Newmar gassers may want to check the condition & material of your fuel vent hose.

["007"]

Mahlon, thanks for the heads up will check mine before next trip. Didn't think it would need 9' of hose my tank is 4' from side wall filler. Age maybe the cause but heat and dry conditions may have a quicker means of drying the rubber hose.
Make sure you get correct hose that can tolerate gasoline.
This should be in Workhorse Forum will be moved.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by "007 for Mahlon" This should be in Workhorse Forum will be moved.

I just wanted to add a foot note here. Today when a chassis leaves the plant the fuel system that is delivered to the OEM is complete. It is up to the OEM to locate the fill pipe and bolt the complete assembly onto the coach body. The tank is delivered from WCC with I believe 10 gallons of gas, the gas cap is in place and tight, the vent hoses are in place and the emission control system is completely operational. In this manner WCC has complete control over the fuel system for warranty purposes.

It wasn't always that way. In the past the filler ports on the gas tank were caped off and the body builder would finish the setup by installing the fuel pump and all the assorted plumbing which was provide in the dunnage box. The chassis was delivered to the OEM with a pony tank close to the engine and on top of the rail. The fuel pump had to be relocated from the pony tank to the main tank. So it is all together likely that you can see several different implementations on how the system should look and work. In all cases WCC has provided warranty coverage including emissions coverage however WCC did not have complete control over the assembly process.

In 03, your vehicle would have been delivered to Newmar in the later manner that I described. It is good that you discovered the leak in your vent line and made this issue visible to all owners regardless of the manufacturer.

I am on my 2nd fuel tank by the way. I developed a small pin hole weep in the vicinity of my tank strap. Colleen's nose and had this thing figured out even before I physically saw the leak.

[Mahlon]

CarQuest had what I needed.

And I still think this is a "house" issue rather than a chassis issue. The coachbuilder determines the final location of the fuel filler, not the chassis builder.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mahlon And I still think this is a "house" issue rather than a chassis issue. The coachbuilder determines the final location of the fuel filler, not the chassis builder.

I agree.

[Duner]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DriVer ...... I am on my 2nd fuel tank by the way. I developed a small pin hole weep in the vicinity of my tank strap. Colleen's nose and had this thing figured out even before I physically saw the leak.

I'm also on my 2nd fuel tank. Same problem .... small crack at a spot weld right under the tank strap. There must be 3 or 4 internal baffles and lots of spot welds securing each one. About 37,000 miles at the time of the leak.

Since the fuel delivery system is covered under the 5 yr warranty of the emissions systems, I was very lucky to have this taken care of one month shy of the 5th year. That would of been expensive on my dime.

I was also lucky to be in the neighborhood of Redlands Truck and RV. Keith and the boys took good care of me and did their usual fine work. Oops, almost forgot to thank Karen too.

Bill

[Gregg]

Same problem here with my 03, I noticed the filler vent dripping last week while refuling. On mine there was a 6" & 12" piece of rubber line coupling a 4' length of "floating" metal tube. Mine was 3/4".