Dropping fuel tank November 12, 2022, 12:02:41 am Because I am having issues getting my generator to run one of the possible problems could be a short length of fuel line on the top of the fuel tank. I have a 2003 mid math rear king. The smaller sliding seat for the dinette looks to be directly over the fuel tank. Has anyone considered cutting an access port through the flooring inside of the under seat storage? Seems like a possible solution to an awkward job of lowering the tank with straps and jacks. Thanks 2 Likes
Re: Dropping fuel tank Reply #1 – November 12, 2022, 01:36:35 am Yep, everyone thought of it, no one has done it. If I remember correctly the mothership was against it for structure strength reasons.When my turn comes I will hopefully have the tank close to empty, Will replace the four bolts holding the tank up with threaded rods and nuts. Will lower the tank on those threaded rods, replace the fuel line or pump and wrench it back up.Have not done it so there may be problems I have not foreseen but that is my plan. 1 Likes
Re: Dropping fuel tank Reply #2 – November 12, 2022, 10:53:41 am Thanks, I understand. I have no idea what might be on the other side of the flooring between it and the tank. Would be an easy go around.
Re: Dropping fuel tank Reply #3 – November 12, 2022, 12:00:39 pm Lowering the fuel tank a bit on all-thread, to change the generator fuel line, is doable on some floorplans, but not all. It will not work for changing the pump, the fuel tank needs to be dropped and pulled out for adequate working room...and it's quite heavy, even when the tank is empty.I tried using a single transmission jack to lower the tank but it was too unstable, resorting to two rolling floor jacks. Oh, the rig needs to be jacked up and placed on stands to provide enough clearance to pull the tank out. It's not an easy job and it is better to have an assistant....I will try that next time.To change the fuel pump through the floor would require a big hole, room is needed to R&R the pump along with several hoses.Looking at our 24' FL, the hole would be at the threshold between the kitchen and bath, not an easy spot to patch and hide. I would be very concerned about chopping through a structural floor joist, causing an unintended. problem. It's probably not the best idea.Dropping and removing the tank is the most practical way to change a pump IMO.Larry
Re: Dropping fuel tank Reply #4 – November 12, 2022, 07:41:53 pm Having worked on houses anything is possible but you want something worth the trouble.Under the flooring is plywood subflooring.Under that is supports (exactly what could vary over the years).Run into a steel beam going through the floor makes it a much bigger issue.Wood do a sister joist of same lumber dimension or use the appropriate tie in metal pieces (and I would overkill it on weight strength).Keep the plywood (clean cut) to put back in with patch and make sure that patch is supported from below). As Larry said you want to think of how to make the top flooring pretty - were you thinking of putting in some new flooring anyway? Or a decorative spot on the floor with something unique.And is your hole is on the small side you will do extra struggling to get to things in the tank.I want to go into projects with eyes wide open so I know exactly how to get them done, structurally sound, and looking good afterwards.Using a Boroscope to see exactly what the structure is might help you decide if you want to tackle it or not.
Re: Dropping fuel tank Reply #5 – November 13, 2022, 06:36:48 am So many hoses. I see one on the pump that appears to go nowhere. What are the two that enter the tank, but are not connected to the pump. Which one goes to the generator?
Re: Dropping fuel tank Reply #6 – November 13, 2022, 03:30:21 pm We had a local shop drop our tank and replace the pump with a new pump we supplied. The original quote was $400 for RxR labor but they ran into extra time to change out the generator hose was another $120. We still think that was money well spent instead of a pump failure (pump 135K old) on the road somewhere and time lost and having to stay at a hotel. We have cut through the panel on top of the VW Bus gas tanks to access the tank sender that regularly fail often. Other wise the engine and trans has to come out to access the tank. In that application the metal covering has no structural members or wiring, you just have to be careful how deep you cut. I would not try to access the pump in our 98~MB from above for many of the aforementioned problems, dropping the tank was way easier for us, we just had to pay for it. Karen~Liam 98 ~ MB NinA 1 Likes
Re: Dropping fuel tank Reply #7 – November 13, 2022, 08:53:35 pm Quote from: Don Malpas - November 13, 2022, 06:36:48 amSo many hoses. I see one on the pump that appears to go nowhere. What are the two that enter the tank, but are not connected to the pump. Which one goes to the generator?From the picture above: The silver circle in the middle is the top of the fuel pump. There are 3 tubes (and some electrical wires) coming from the pump. The 2 tubes that don't have anything attached in the picture are the fuel send and return lines for the engine. The tube with a section of rubber hose and 2 silver hose clamps is that pickup tube the generator uses to get fuel.The picture does not show a completed install. All 3 of the tubes would eventually be connected to their respective hoses (fuel send, fuel return, generator) The black hoses that aren't attached to the silver circle (fuel pump) and part of the EVAP system that is designed to keep fumes from making their way into the atmosphere. Rich 1 Likes
Re: Dropping fuel tank Reply #8 – November 13, 2022, 08:55:00 pm Quote from: Karen & Liam - November 13, 2022, 03:30:21 pmWe had a local shop drop our tank and replace the pump with a new pump we supplied. The original quote was $400 for RxR labor but they ran into extra time to change out the generator hose was another $120. That price compares favorably to the prices other LD owners have been quoted on the same job.Rich
Re: Dropping fuel tank Reply #9 – November 14, 2022, 08:41:10 am Quote from: rich - November 13, 2022, 08:53:35 pmThe picture does not show a completed install. All 3 of the tubes would eventually be connected to their respective hoses (fuel send, fuel return, generator) I guessed the two tubes at the left and right were to do with the EVAP.I see the electric wires in a protective cover going into the tank. I see a fuel line going into the tank, but it's cut off. When completed, does the generator feed branch off that line?The generator has it's own pump located on the generator - I think I recall.
Re: Dropping fuel tank Reply #10 – November 14, 2022, 09:33:05 am Quote from: Don Malpas - November 14, 2022, 08:41:10 amI see a fuel line going into the tank, but it's cut off. When completed, does the generator feed branch off that line?That is the generator fuel line. The engine fuel lines (send and return) aren't shown in the picture but they attach to the metal tubes that are to the left of the generator fuel line. In the picture, they have blue and green caps on them.The generator doesn't have a fuel return line as it is carbureted and not fuel injected. Rich
Re: Dropping fuel tank Reply #11 – November 14, 2022, 11:50:06 am Quote from: rich - November 13, 2022, 08:53:35 pmThe picture does not show a completed install. All 3 of the tubes would eventually be connected to their respective hoses (fuel send, fuel return, generator) Sorry, the outlets on the pump are not labeled, this photo was taken in the driveway before pushing the tank back under the rig for connection and installation.For those replacing the pump, it's a great time to replace the emission lines as well as the generator fuel line. At fifteen years, the emission lines were disintegrating, touching the lines would leave you with blackened hands. Larry
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Topic: Dropping fuel tank (Read 337 times)
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