Fuel line leak

[The_Handier_Man1]

From: CampYoey  (Original Message)
Sent: 9/22/2003 11:11 AM

Seems I have a breech in the fuel line. I've been smelling gas fumes and
figured it's because she's old or something. Then Sunday I was refueling
and just happened to look through the fuel door and saw fuel coming over
the tank and dripping on the ground. I am assuming there is some kind of
gasket connecting the pipe to the tank that is missing. Any ideas?

I don't want to drive her until I get this repaired.



From: denison
Sent: 9/22/2003 1:23 PM

On the older winnies there were only three items at the top of the tanks to leak: The fuel gauge sending unit, The fuel suckup line to the fuel system, and the filler neck hose, which is the most likely culprit. This last item is a large rubber hose connection between the tank neck and the filler - where the gas cap goes. Its only a few inches long, and dies of old age. Its easy to replace, but try to clean the dirt off before you loosen the clamps. I had to buy a 3 foot section of that hose, which cost about $30 I think. If your winny is a later model than my 72, it might have other things on the top of the tank to leak, like a line for a vacuum cannister, or a fuel line to the genset.
One short term solution is never to get more than half a tank of fuel. Even so, some fuel will probably splatter out of the tank when you are driving along. denison



From: CampYoey
Sent: 9/22/2003 1:49 PM

Thanks for the info. It's a 79 Minnie. I will try and look at it this
weekend. Gas fumes give me a headache and they are in the MH after I
stop.



From: shagebago3142
Sent: 9/22/2003 2:19 PM

I have that same problem on one of my tanks!
It only leaked out when it was really full. My husband did not know sow big the tank was. It really freaked me out when I went outside one day and I smelled gas and saw it dripping out! It is so nice to know that it is minor problem! We just won't fill it all the way up for now!
Thanks alot Denison!!! 



From: Marksbestfan6
Sent: 9/22/2003 9:43 PM

It might not seem like a major problem but gas fumes is very dangerous it only takes a little spark to start a fire or explosion if it was me & I knew of this or smelled gas i'd but it on high priority to get it fixed & its not good to keep breathing it either like Camp Yoey said it will give you head aches & can make you real drousy after a while of breathing!
  Just my opinion but fire is & should be 1 of the most feared disaters!



From: photoman
Sent: 9/22/2003 10:52 PM

I just purchased replacement hose for my 72 D22 at the local NAPA
store...paid $11.79 + tax for a 1 foot piece. I believe it was 2 1/4" diameter hose.
I'd take your old hose to compare with if you can. Photoman



From: shagebago3142
Sent: 9/22/2003 11:47 PM

We have not had that problem since we overfilled the tank. But, I think we will go ahead and fix it just to be safe!! I forgot how flammable gas is! Also, the smell gives me a horrible headache and makes me nauseaus!



From: mightybooboo
Sent: 9/23/2003 3:56 AM

Camp,I have the same rig.If you could possibly get pictures I would appreciate it,also where and part numbers if you can for repair parts.



From: denison
Sent: 9/23/2003 7:14 AM

For CampYoey and others: Starting maybe in 1974 and later, there might be other hoses coming from the top of the fuel tanks. I don't know when the Dept.Of Trans. began requiring evaporative canisters on motorhomes. My 1972 predates those complications, but if it had them, I would have replaced those hoses at the same time I replaced my fuel hoses.
To eliminate the smell of gasoline inside when driving, try opening a rear side window, but not opening a front side window. This will slightly pressurize the interior, and it will be less likely to suck in fumes from below the floor. Same result if you have dash vents you can open up.
And to see if you have the fuel system/exhaust system really under control, close the rear windows, open the drivers side window - and while driving along you should NEVER smell any fumes unless you just overtopped-up the tanks. denison