Leaking Fuel Tank January 23, 2023, 02:48:28 pm Well, here's one for the books! In all the years I've been a member of this forum I've NEVER heard of a situation quite like this.Lazy Bones 2 had been on a short trip just a few weeks ago. On the route home she refilled the gas tank, drove some 15 miles home and parked the LD in it's side yard location.During routine inspection this a.m. she had to jump start the rig in order to get the engine running. (?) When that was done successfully it was noticed that idiot lights on the dash indicated 'Low Fuel' and the gas gauge was very near the empty mark, yet the engine continued to run.Further inspection revealed no damage to the locking filler cap. However, looking underneath it was seen that there was moisture running part way down both sides of the tank, indicating that there may be a fuel leak at the top near where the fuel pump is located.Has anyone ever experienced or heard of a problem like this???
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #1 – January 23, 2023, 04:09:26 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones - January 23, 2023, 02:48:28 pmHas anyone ever experienced or heard of a problem like this???Mine has a small leak in the bottom of the fuel tank. I'm trying to find a shop that will replace the tank. I guess I'll get the fuel pump replaced at the same time.
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #2 – January 23, 2023, 04:28:05 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones - January 23, 2023, 02:48:28 pmWell, here's one for the books! [snip]On the route home she refilled the gas tank, drove some 15 miles home and parked the LD in it's side yard location. [snip][snip] it was noticed that idiot lights on the dash indicated 'Low Fuel' and the gas gauge was very near the empty mark, yet the engine continued to run. [snip]Has anyone ever experienced or heard of a problem like this??? Have you considered fuel thieves? Not uncommon these days. That is a lot of fuel loss and should be visible on the ground. 2 Likes
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #3 – January 23, 2023, 05:24:45 pm Hi Jerry,Not fuel thieves. RV’s parked and locked behind gate. No damage to fuel cap or RV. We are thinking it’s time the fuel pump needs replacing. I'm having the LD towed next week to our trusted repair shop. 😊Anybody have a recommendation about “brand” of fuel pump to to use? 2 Likes
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #4 – January 23, 2023, 06:00:05 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones 2 - January 23, 2023, 05:24:45 pmAnybody have a recommendation about “brand” of fuel pump to to use?My fuel pump was replaced in 2019 at a shop Vince referred me to. The part number for the fuel pump assembly was PFS20.Google shows pricing at about half of what I paid for the assembly ($650+ vs less than $300).It is working well. I also had the hose replaced at the same time as it was beginning to rot.Good luck! 3 Likes
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #5 – January 23, 2023, 11:01:17 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones 2 - January 23, 2023, 05:24:45 pmHi Jerry,Not fuel thieves. RV’s parked and locked behind gate. No damage to fuel cap or RV. We are thinking it’s time the fuel pump needs replacing. I'm having the LD towed next week to our trusted repair shop. 😊Let me know how much the tow job is and how far you had it towed. I'm probably going to have mine towed and I ain't looking forward to it. It's probably a fuel pump problem. Too many of those taking place these days.Bob K.
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #6 – January 24, 2023, 01:57:03 am Quote from: Lazy Bones 2 - January 23, 2023, 05:24:45 pmAnybody have a recommendation about “brand” of fuel pump to to use?[quote auth]Anybody have a recommendation about “brand” of fuel pump to to use?[/quote]Motorcraft PSF2982004 FORD E-450 6.8L V10 Fuel Pump & Housing Assembly | RockAutoLarry 2 Likes
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #7 – January 24, 2023, 08:41:34 am With my older machines 1991 and 1988 with the single speed pumps, my success has been with Delphi pumps. The aftermarket pumps tend to use "toy motors with a pinion gear on the end that splines into the impeller. They lasted 1500 miles or a year whatever comes first. I go to the parts store and look down the pump output. if you see a motor can, toy motor. In the Delphi I could see copper commutator segments.
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #8 – January 27, 2023, 01:56:57 pm We have a “hand size” metal item at the top of the fuel tank where the hoses attach. That part gets old and needs to be replaced at some point as it will cause a leak out of the gas tank - same symptoms as yours (full gas, drive a short ways, park for a while). But I usually only a portion of the tank leaks out (just the top 10-30%) not the entire tank.Your model / year may be different. 2 Likes
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #9 – January 31, 2023, 06:04:30 pm Our “Lazy Bones” was towed away today and is scheduled to be looked at tomorrow. We’ll soon know what’s up. 5 Likes
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #10 – February 03, 2023, 06:01:39 pm follow up to my original post...Over time there has been a lot of dialog concerning how to drop the gas tank in order to replace the fuel pump. Just now I came upon a YouTube video concerning this issue which I thought was quite informative.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub9kurG-izg 1 Likes
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #11 – February 03, 2023, 07:20:51 pm Quote from: Lazy Bones - February 03, 2023, 06:01:39 pmOver time there has been a lot of dialog concerning how to drop the gas tank in order to replace the fuel pump. Just now I came upon a YouTube video concerning this issue which I thought was quite informative.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ub9kurG-izgI saw this video or a similar one when I replaced our LD's fuel pump several years ago...it did not work well. The oversize ratcheting straps did not have enough leverage to easily or accurately lower or raise the 200-lb fuel tank.The tank was lowered and reinstalled using a rolling hydraulic transmission jack, a much better choice if available.https://www.harborfreight.com/800-lb-low-lift-transmission-jack-60234.htmlLarry 3 Likes
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #12 – February 04, 2023, 07:31:49 pm "...when I replaced our LD's fuel pump several years ago...it did not work well...."Pretty pricey for a once in a lifetime toy!I'd much rather use the money to compensate someone to do the work for me. 1 Likes
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #13 – February 09, 2023, 05:37:31 am Quote from: Lazy Bones - February 04, 2023, 07:31:49 pm"...when I replaced our LD's fuel pump several years ago...it did not work well...."Pretty pricey for a once in a lifetime toy!I'd much rather use the money to compensate someone to do the work for me.I already owned the jack and it’s against my religion to pay for things I can do myself. A transmission jack is a useful tool for many things including replacing transmissions.Larry 1 Likes
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #14 – February 09, 2023, 10:21:08 am Lazy Bones, Did you find out the causeIf your leak? Curious ones want to know.
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #15 – February 09, 2023, 11:09:02 am "Lazy Bones, Did you find out the cause..."In a word... NO!I did not want to steal the thunder away from my Daughter so I've been keeping the explanation under my hat. Perhaps she will jump in now with the rest of the story.
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #16 – February 09, 2023, 03:13:31 pm In August 2021 We also had our fuel pump changed since our 98~MB had 125K miles and I did not want to have a failure on the road somewhere. We bought the Delphi complete setup from Rock auto since the Motorcraft was not available nor was the Bosch. Ultimately we used a local shop here on Vashon island who quoted me a good price. I have RxR'd fuel tanks in the Chevy G30 but due to things going on for us here in August, we were better served having it done. I have used a low 4 ton floor jack with a cradle jig made to hold the tank before with good success. So I would have probably drove the LD up on my 2x8 leveler ramps and used the floor jack with a modified cradle for the tank. I am sure Larry can tell you that there is not a lot of wiggle room! Karen~Liam 98 ~ MB NinA 3 Likes
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #17 – February 10, 2023, 11:49:51 am So yesterday I drove our 98~MB rear tires up on our 2x8 wood ramps which raises the tires up 6". I was under the back of the LD doing some other items on my hit list and finishing the tightening of the house to the frame bolts, the fronts I had done earlier. I Forgot how much I do not like being in and Under Tight Spaces! I am really glad I had the tank changed by some one else! Today I have to change the engine oil and filter and run cabling and pipe clamps to make the catalytic converters (2) more secure from theft. I will raise the front by driving up on those 2X8 ramps but I don't like being under there. I can't wait to get that done so that I can do the calking and everything else that is NOT under the vehicle! Karen~Liam 98 ~ MB NinA 1 Likes
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #18 – February 10, 2023, 01:31:08 pm Quote from: Karen & Liam - February 09, 2023, 03:13:31 pmIn August 2021 We also had our fuel pump changed since our 98~MB had 125K miles and I did not want to have a failure on the road somewhere. I have used a low 4 ton floor jack with a cradle jig made to hold the tank before with good success. So I would have probably drove the LD up on my 2x 8 leveler ramps and used the floor jack with a modified cradle for the tank. I am sure Larry can tell you that there is not a lot of wiggle room!I replaced the fuel pump as preventative maintenance, at about 100,000 miles, when the rear axle needed rebuilding. The axle's pinion inner bearing race had spun on the pinion gear's shaft, the result of having been machined slightly undersized when manufactured. This permitted the bearing race to occasionally start spinning, making a high pitch noise. To access the rear axle's cover and the gears, the fuel tank was in the way and needed to be dropped.The rear of the motorhome needs to be lifted relatively high to provide enough room to allow the combined height of the tank and the jack to slide out from under the MH. I used two 12-ton hydraulic jacks to lift the rear axle, along with two 12-ton jack stands to support the axle.The tank fits tightly up between the frame rails, it can get tickly dropping the tank and replacing it.After previously partially dropping several tanks to replace leaking generator fuel lines, I found that using 6" pieces of metric all-thread to replace four of the six bolts that hold the tank in place made the job much easier. The all-thread is used to guide the tank down and back into place. Larry 2 Likes
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #19 – February 11, 2023, 04:13:09 pm Up date: After a routine running of LD motor the dash lit up telling me I was very low on fuel. Strange because I always put the LD away with a full tank. I turned LD off and checked tank inlet for damage, look underneath for signs and found nothing outstanding. Call repair shop and had her towed in. Their look see came up empty handed. No leak, nothing wrong with fuel pump and full tank of gas. Conclusion: What we had was a phantom electrical glitch. We are watching to see if it happens again. 3 Likes
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #20 – February 11, 2023, 05:27:48 pm Lazy Bones II, Glad to learn your fuel tank is OK. But when you saw the "low fuel" light, what was the fuel gage reading? I would trust the gage more than the light or at least drive to a gas station to try filling the tank. Then look underneath to see if it was leaking. But that's just me..Steve K
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #21 – February 11, 2023, 06:15:40 pm Dash board showed lit gas tank. Words saying low fuel and gauge read empty. 3 signs I had a problem. With a possible leak or faulty pump I chose not to put myself in danger and have the LD towed. My insurance company has already reimbursed me for the tow 😀 6 Likes
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #22 – February 12, 2023, 05:08:04 am If you have a bad fuel pump, would the obdii scan show the problem???Thanks for any replies Bob
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #23 – February 12, 2023, 11:34:54 am Quote from: rbkarrow - February 12, 2023, 05:08:04 amIf you have a bad fuel pump, would the obdii scan show the problem??? BobMuch depends on which OBD (onboard diagnostics) system is installed. Not sure what system the Lazy Bones rig has.Your 2000 LD has the more primitive OBDI, not OBDII, and does not monitor the fuel system's fuel pressure, lacking a fuel pressure sensor. It might show a "lean' code or 'misfire' code' if the pump is working but not producing the needed pressure and volume of fuel for normal operation. Most likely not.Our 2003's OBDI engine recently showed P0306 and P0174 codes when a fuel injector stopped dispensing fuel to the number six cylinder. P0306 indicates cylinder six misfires, the P0174 indicates a lean condition in Bank 2 (cylinders 6-10).This information made it possible to determine the problem.Larry 3 Likes
Re: Leaking Fuel Tank Reply #24 – February 12, 2023, 01:21:19 pm "Much depends on which OBD (onboard diagnostics) system is installed."Our late Nov. 2004 has the OBDII system.We have to presume that our Service Shop checked for fault codes along with other diagnoses'. The upshot is that they found nothing amiss and no further problems have been seen since.
Topic: Leaking Fuel Tank (Read 923 times)
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Topic: Leaking Fuel Tank (Read 923 times)
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