Community Forums

garyb1st · 05-16-2025, 09:31 AM

We began smelling gasoline outside the motorhome from time to time during our last trip. We could smell it on both sides of the motorhome and in the back by the generator. The wife claims she could smell it inside the motorhome. I could not but I'm 81 and the nose ain't what it used to be.

We looked for signs of leaking gas and did not find anything. Since the smell was both intermittent and never strong, we continued on our trip for another 3,000 miles.

Currently the motorhome is in the shop and they are looking for a leak. They have looked at the various fuel lines, and as much as they can see without dropping the tank. Their next step is to drop the fuel tank.

The motorhome is at commercial truck shop and they don't do many gas vehicles. Not sure that's an issue but would like some feedback if you feel I'd be better off having a facility that does gas vehicles check it out.

One of my concerns was the generator. It needed a fuel filter and we replaced it while on the trip. Didn't make a difference. Another concern I've had is a rubber fuel line from the gas tank to the generator that I replaced several years ago. At the time, I didn't know there was a gasoline rated hose and I may have replaced the hose from the tank to the generator with a hose that was not gas rated. The hose doesn't have any visible signs of a leaks but I'm wondering if it's deteriorating on the inside minimal leaks possibly would evaporate before it was noticeable.

Skip426 · 05-16-2025, 11:56 AM

Workhorse or Ford chassis ?

garyb1st · 05-16-2025, 03:25 PM

Workhorse chassis.

Tony Ramirez · 05-16-2025, 03:39 PM

If you replaced the gen fuel line w just rubber hose & NOT Fuel Line, that would be my guess. If your Gen line connection is on top of the chassis fuel tank like my Workhorse was, PITA to get to, but that's where I would start. Even if it's not the source of the smell now, it's been a few years and going to have to change it eventually.

Skip426 · 05-16-2025, 04:46 PM

A shop should be able to access the area with a remote camera to check the situation there.

Pictures are of a bare w-22 chassis and another members leak in that area.

garyb1st · 05-16-2025, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Ramirez

If you replaced the gen fuel line w just rubber hose & NOT Fuel Line, that would be my guess. If your Gen line connection is on top of the chassis fuel tank like my Workhorse was, PITA to get to, but that's where I would start. Even if it's not the source of the smell now, it's been a few years and going to have to change it eventually.

Gas line coming from tank is metal but it's only a few inches long. When I replaced the hose 4 or 5 years ago, I just connected the rubber hose to the metal piece and secured it with a ring clamp. I have an approved hose and will replace the one that may be a problem.

garyb1st · 05-16-2025, 06:08 PM

[QUOTE=Skip426;7004089]A shop should be able to access the area with a remote camera to check the situation there.

They claimed they could not see the top of the tank. Not sure they had a camera or whether it would fit in the space between the tank and the chassis floor. I'll ask when I talk to them Monday.

MarvinG · 05-17-2025, 06:18 PM

We had a slight gas smell some years ago. I looked everywhere, and finally made a very stupid decision to ignore it. We left on our trip. Drove several hundred miles and the smell seemed more prominent. Pulled into get fuel and lifted the doghouse cover and saw fuel spurting out of the gas regulator mounted to or just before the fuel rail. (F53 not Workhorse). It was spurting all over the hot engine. I grabbed our fire extinguisher and eased away from the pump island to a parking area away from everyone else and shut it down. Replaced the O ring and/or gasket and no more smell.

I really believe God protected us in spite of my stupidity and my prior arrogant pronouncement to my wife that I had checked everything and there were no leaks. She has been charitable enough to not mention that incident when I pronounce things are fixed, don’t worry about it. . . .

garyb1st · 05-17-2025, 11:28 PM

Marvin, did you experience any drivability issues while the regulator was failing? Our Pace always starts right up and performs very well.

DaveDsl · 05-18-2025, 03:22 AM

These machines have a similar to all other Gas Engine system Vapor Recovery unit Carbon Cannister. When fuel up next time stop as the Pump Nozzle Shuts off, Do NOT Top Off, see if 1) the odor goes away and 2) if economy does not raise ever so slightly.
Secondarily these Carbon Cannister units are only validly good for around 50,000mi/3 year functional use time, need to be replaced as the carbon degrades and disappears.

MarvinG · 05-18-2025, 08:59 AM

No it was running well. I had previously installed a new pump, I had plenty of pressure so the engine never knew anything was wrong. Remember though, mine was and is a Ford F53 chassis. Chevrolet/WorkHorse may give you different results.

Quote:

Originally Posted by garyb1st

Marvin, did you experience any drivability issues while the regulator was failing? Our Pace always starts right up and performs very well.

MarvinG · 05-18-2025, 09:00 AM

Which reminds me, check the hoses to and from the canister. I’ve had those fail and also, of course, give a gasoline vapor smell.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveDsl

These machines have a similar to all other Gas Engine system Vapor Recovery unit Carbon Cannister. When fuel up next time stop as the Pump Nozzle Shuts off, Do NOT Top Off, see if 1) the odor goes away and 2) if economy does not raise ever so slightly.
Secondarily these Carbon Cannister units are only validly good for around 50,000mi/3 year functional use time, need to be replaced as the carbon degrades and disappears.