Fuel Leak

[doublehooked]

I noticed I had a fuel leak on the way to our family Thanksgiving campout. I patched it with some hose and clamps. There was a Ford dealer on our way so stopped in. They got us in quickly. The tech found hole in fuel line. Fuel line is covered with some kind of plastic that was nicked and line rusted through. Tech cut out that section, and ordered a piece of fuel line and clamps. He said he was going to lunch and will finish it up then. Well that was a 2 1/2 hr. lunch. He put that piece in and we started the engine. Well to my surprise another hole erupted. This being the day before turkey day he was able to get another piece of fuel line delivered. Cut out another five foot section with about 6 spots where the plastic covering had been nicked and had started rusting through waiting to erupt again. All rust spots were on the top side of tubing and were not nicked through were it fit into the clamps holding it.

Had a nice Thanksgiving and went to leave campground on Sat. and smelt fuel while doing my walk around. Climbed under MH and noticed one of the fittings with a small leak. So now it is Sat. with everything one closed or too busy. Spent Sat. and Sun. extra days.

This Monday morning Ford is suppose to send tech. up to campground to fix it.
I hope he doesn't take a long morning break because I have reservations at another campground with my RV club for tonight that I had to cancel. So I will be a day late to this outing 6 night outing and out two nights fee for staying longer then I wanted to and one night for canceling tonight's reservation. This repair just keeps getting more expensive.

Tech starts working at 7:30 am it is now almost 9:00 am and he is suppose to call me before he leaves. It is only a 45 min. drive for him.

[Unplanned Tourist]

Ouch! I feel for you. Did a fuel line replacement on my buddie's Ford chassis MH, (37 foot Rexall Aerobus) and it wasn't fun. Had to drop the fuel tank, so we did the genset fuel line at the same time. If the tech has enough line with him, I would suggest replace the whole line while he's at it. Clamp it tight so it won't rub through again. I worked on trucks for 40 years, and vibration and chaffing are the worst causes of damaged lines.

[TeJay]

This so called nicked fuel line is a bit of a mystery to me. I'm not saying that it's not true but still it puzzles me.

Fuel line is usually steel. If it's steel and covered with plastic I guess it could be for added rust protection but I don't know why.

When you said the tech used a piece of fuel line and clamps was the fuel line rubber?? Could it have been reinforced rubber with clamps?? How can a nick occur on the top side of a fuel line?? There's just to many unknowns here to say much.

If it's a steel fuel line and rust holes are just appearing then maybe all of it is going bad. He should have replaced all of the exposed line. I've replaced steel lines with a short piece of rubber and two hose clamps. The rubber can be slid several inches or even a foot or two up the old line then clamped in place.

Replacing a steel fuel line and not using a rubber hose as the splice requires that the old line be cut out then flared so a new piece can be attached.

[Randalpho]

We always used the black nylon fuel hose, usually running it the full length.

https://www.google.com/search?q=plas...ylon+fuel+line

[doublehooked]

I finally had the whole fuel line replaced. The tech at Maudlin truck center said that the fuel line was not clamped tightly causing it to vibrate and rub on some bolts holding up some brackets causing a break in the covering then it rusted. I will try to get Ford to pay for it since I feel it was improper installation of fuel line.

[C-Leigh Racing]

Lol, looks like the light bulb went out on Fords better idea of a fuel line.
Now a fuel line mounted to a frame rail, under something that road grime, salt or what ever in the world could or maybe get to it, why on earth would a company use a plain ol steel fuel line & then cover it with a false hope plastic covering, REALLY.
Neil