jjverb
Wisconsin
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We purchased our 1999 HR Endeavor in Jan this year, went from Wisconsin to Texas and are now workkamping. We filled up here at the campground when we arrived with what the owner called a "slow" pump. I didn't care, since we were in no rush.
Parked in our spot for the winter season and that day I smelled diesel. Looked under and saw a drip hitting the ground that was coming somewhere near the top of the tank. Well, it is now 2 weeks later, and the drip, many per minute, persists. The ground is soaked as is the whole bottom of the tank and the braces etc in the area. Since we are level, the drip comes off of lots of points so it is not possible to catch it, maybe some of it.
Now I am hesitant to even start it up, or even run the genny since that is close to the leak.
Up to this point, the tank has never leaked, although before this we always fueled at "fast" pumps. I wonder if the slow pump filled right up to the top of filler tube?
My next step is to siphon (mouth full of diesel?) off fuel into a container(s) until the leak stops.
What are your thoughts? I do not want even a remote chance of a fire and if the tank has to be pulled, so be it. There are RV repair facilities around here (Kerrville TX). If I could reach it I would use the tank fixer patches, but I believe the leak must be stopped before patching.
Again, the leak is somewhere at the upper area of the tank and I cannot see the source. And the ground is now really soaked with diesel.
Thanks - John
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Joined: 07/22/2007
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Just start burning it. Take a short run in it if the generator will not burn much. I expect you are correct in that you overfilled and have a filler tube connector leaking.
We can add another 10-12 gallons of gas after the pump on slow automatically kicks off if we go slow enough on our P30. The older stuff did not kick off as well.
* This post was
edited 11/07/09 08:43am by Gale Hawkins *
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david_42
Oregon
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Diesel is rather difficult to light. Just roll the vehicle forward off the puddle and TRY to light it, you probably won't succeed. The stupid movies that show trucks exploding, use explosives to cause the explosion.
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Economical Handyman
S. California
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Put a extension pipe on generator exhaust pipe and run it.
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Craig P.
Southern California
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I agree, just start burning it. As stated, diesel is not nearly as flammable as gasoline, especially is cool weather.
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brobox
Sunny SW. Florida
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One place to check for the leak is the rubber fill hose that connects at the top of the tank. It is common for the hose clamp to come loose or a small hole in the tube itself.
One thing about a "slow pump", it is usually a dirty pump filter. When I run into that, I shut the pump off and find another place to fuel. The last time I had to get fuel from one of those, there was water in the fuel. No more "slow pumps" for me.
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Daveinet
il
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Once its on the ground, even gas is not all that flammable. I've had perpetual issues with fuel tank leaks, (its been welded 3 times). Yes, if you threw cup of gas on the ground and lit it, it would lite, but not explode. Once it soaks into the dirt, it disperses so much that it won't lite after e few minutes. I had a discolored area where my tank had been dripping. After moving the coach, I tried to lite it with my torch, it would not lite, even though fuel was dripping. The drip did not concentrate it fast enough to lite 30 seconds after moving the coach. Sure if there is a puddle it will lite, but not after it soaks into the dirt.
As pointed out, diesel is even less flammable than my experiences with gas. Yes, deal with it, drive around and use it up, but I'd not worry about the danger of it being on the ground.
Dave
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YC 1
Yuba City Calif.
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Our new Endeavor had a similiar issue. The panels where the filler neck are located are held closed with a couple of screws. Not only did we have a strange leak all of sudden but the generator often would be hard to start and acted like it would run out of fuel long before it should have.
I found the fuel hose that runs to the generator was loose. So loose the hose clamp would slide up and down the hose. Tightening that cured both issues.
As for fuel explosions with diesel I have seen my FIL throw lit cigarettes in smudge pots that had 5 gallons of diesel in the bottom. The cigarette would go out. He used a lit rag to get it to ignite. If your tank is up front run the big engine for 30 minutes. If away from the generator run it for an hour but even then you will only use about 1/2 to 1 gallon.
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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I have seen people throw a lit match into a "Flash Pan" filled with gasoline
I don't suggest you try it
I have seen 'em do the same thing with a flash pan full of Diesel
The effect.... was the same as if they had thrown it in a pan of water.
No whomp, no kaboom, no fire
You do have a hazmat situtation however so it will take some cleaning up
Now;;; as to the leak
Sounds to me like the seal on the sender or a cracked hose.. but of course it could be something else
If it's the tank itself a product called "SEAL ALL" which looks and smells like good old fashion Duco Cement works wonders as a temp repair
Of course a proper fuel tank shop (Most radiator shops) can either fix it or line it.. but you gonna have to run it near dry first.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
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bborc
Brighton MI USA
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Check the drain plug on the bottom of the tank. Monaco has had problems with the bung that was welded in the tank that the drain plug screws into. I know a few people with Monaco MHs that have had problems with this, including myself. I had to remove the tank and weld a new bung in to the tank. the weld had craked around the bung and it would only drip if the the tank was over half full. I guess the extra pressure from the heaver weight pushed the fuel thru the crack. And wet fuel was on the side of the tank and the top. I guess the wind when driving thru it all over.
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