Replacing Generator Fuel Line February 21, 2015, 04:30:09 pm Yahoo Message Number: 151268I'm preparing to have the fuel line from Fuel Tank to Onan Generator replaced. Can anyone comment on how far the fuel tank needs to be dropped to accomplish this? Can you just lower it by placing floor jack underneath tank and loosening mounting bolts or is it more involved? This isn't a job I'm looking forward to but I fear if I put it off the 14 yr. old hose is going to fail.Thank you, Bob 01 23.5 TK with toys...
Re: Replacing Generator Fuel Line Reply #1 – February 21, 2015, 04:53:37 pm Yahoo Message Number: 151270If it ain't broke don't fix it.I'm preparing to have the fuel line from Fuel Tank to Onan Generator replaced. Can anyone comment on how far the fuel tank needs to be dropped to accomplish this? Can you just lower it by placing floor jack underneath tank and loosening mounting bolts or is it more involved? This isn't a job I'm looking forward to but I fear if I put it off the 14 yr. old hose is going to fail.Thank you, Bob 01 23.5 TK with toys...
Re: Replacing Generator Fuel Line Reply #2 – February 21, 2015, 05:14:13 pm Yahoo Message Number: 151271Tom, I am just trying to be proactive. I rarely run the generator, but when I do it's often a necessity, like running my air pump to inflate a flat/low tire, or running my friends air pump to inflate his Zodiac before fishing. This gen. fuel line is a known problem area, and waiting for a fuel leak to replace the line is asking for disaster. Kind of like replacing a 5 year old chassis battery before you get stranded.Bob 01 23.5 TK with toys...
Re: Replacing Generator Fuel Line Reply #3 – February 21, 2015, 05:27:36 pm Yahoo Message Number: 151273BobI know about the fuel line problem. I have been reading about it on this forum for many years. Some rigs develop this problem and some never do. I'll bet that there are a lot more LDs that have not had this problem than have. A lot of these rigs have also had fuel pump failures, but a lot more never have. I can't see replacing my fuel pump just because it might fail, and I can't see replacing my fuel line either. Especially the fuel line, since running the generator is never any emergency situation. Of course YMMVMy fuel line is 15 years old and I have no inclination or intention to change it.TomTom, I am just trying to be proactive. I rarely run the generator, but when I do it's often a necessity, like running my air pump to inflate a flat/low tire, or running my friends air pump to inflate his Zodiac before fishing. This gen. fuel line is a known problem area, and waiting for a fuel leak to replace the line is asking for disaster. Kind of like replacing a 5 year old chassis battery before you get stranded.Bob 01 23.5 TK with toys...
Re: Replacing Generator Fuel Line Reply #4 – February 21, 2015, 05:41:17 pm Yahoo Message Number: 151274If you do go to that trouble, you may want to also replace the generator fuel pump and filter (or at least buy spares). A couple of years ago I dropped my tank to proactively replace both the generator line and the in-tank fuel pump. After still having issues with my generator dying, I replaced the fuel pump and filter, and all has worked fine since. You may have the Onan Emerald, which may be a little different than our Microquiet.Art
Re: Replacing Generator Fuel Line Reply #5 – February 21, 2015, 06:32:28 pm Yahoo Message Number: 151275Tom, One of the best if not the best LD mechanics I know told me in the past it would be a good idea to replace the fuel line. I respect his opinion since I have never seen him stranded or stuck with a problem while camping in his LD.And the knowledge that it is one less thing to worry about on the road is worth it to me. In CA. which I frequent, fuel line sometimes suffers from smog rot. It will eventually fail, just a matter of time. With the knowledge I gain from doing this I may be able to help others. I may even upgrade to braided stainless fuel line. But I will carry extra in case someone else needs help I meet up with.Bob 01 23.5 TK with toys...
Re: Replacing Generator Fuel Line Reply #6 – February 21, 2015, 06:35:05 pm Yahoo Message Number: 151276Fuel filter on Onan recently changed by Larry. I may purchase a spare fuel pump to carry as I'm planning a trip to Canada and Alaska this summer, if my health allows. I'm sure spares will be scarce up there in places.Bob 01 23.5 TK with toys...
Re: Replacing Generator Fuel Line Reply #7 – February 21, 2015, 06:37:37 pm Yahoo Message Number: 151277Yes I have the ONAN Emerald 4000 plus. It's rugged but too loud. Wish I had the Micro Quiet model, but the Emerald has it's advantages.Bob
Re: Replacing Generator Fuel Line Reply #8 – February 21, 2015, 07:19:12 pm Yahoo Message Number: 151278we have a 27mb When we got this the generator fuel line was replaced Basically you need 3 pieces and a little elbow grease. The parts are locally available at Home Depot and autozone You need a Copper t 3/4" x 3/4" x 1/4", a roll of 1/4" polyethylene tubing (plastic gas cans are made of this) and a piece of 1/4" fuel hose. There was a write-up in past postings Andy Baird may know about this one. If this is of interest send me an email and I will send you a more detailed explanation
Re: Replacing Generator Fuel Line Reply #9 – February 21, 2015, 07:23:58 pm Yahoo Message Number: 151279Yes I would like to know more from someone who has done it. I don't know your email. You can reach me here: bobmoore14atgmail.comThank you, Bob
Sad news Reply #10 – February 21, 2015, 11:04:37 pm Yahoo Message Number: 151280To anyone who know Rick and Annie Olson, Rick passed away today. I have camped with them at Morro Bay and Quartzsite and elsewhere. What a great couple.Tonight Annie sent me an email "Rick was admitted to the hospital yesterday to ICU. He was very ill and his organs began shutting down. He passed away this afternoon."RIP Rick, you will be missed. Jerry Galang
Re: Replacing Generator Fuel Line Reply #11 – February 22, 2015, 05:00:17 pm Yahoo Message Number: 151287Bob, I had mine replaced 2 yrs ago. The mechanic put the LD on an outdoor lift and unscrewed whatever was holding the back of the tank (long bolts I think) just enough to lower it so he could reach in from the back and side to replace the hose. He did not have to support the tank from below because it was just lowered. Best I can remember, he did not lower the front. He replaced the entire length of the hose/line including the smaller hose closer to the genset. Total cost was $210 if I remember correctly. You will pay more at Onan I suspect. If it's still working, I would not replace it unless you can smell a leak and feel it is dangerous to ignore it. Worse thing that happens is that it fails in the future and you are without genset until it's repaired. If you do go to Onan, convince them that they don't have to remove the tank to replace the hose. The symptom was the genset cutting out and shutting down as if it were fuel starved. You could get this symptom if the fuel pump were slowing failing.Chris 2002 30' IB
Re: Replacing Generator Fuel Line Reply #12 – February 22, 2015, 05:33:27 pm Yahoo Message Number: 151288PS: My original message for reporting this repair is: 140183.Chris
Re: Replacing Generator Fuel Line Reply #13 – February 22, 2015, 07:30:59 pm Yahoo Message Number: 151290BobFuel line problems are very common in 2000-2004 LDs. Our 2003 LD lower hose cracked open when it just was a few years old years old, the upper hose finally letting go a few months ago. The hose was old when installed. Fresh hose should last many years.To change the top rubber fuel line, the tank needs to be lowered just enough to get at the top of the fuel pump. First, have the tank as empty as possible. The tank is tightly fitted to the frame, so try not to completely unbolt it, instead, remove the mounting bolts, one by one, and replaced them a 6" long piece of all-thread (used at least 4 of them per side), along with a nut and washer. The tank then can be lowered safely by slowly loosening the nuts, assited with a floor jack place under the tank. Place a piece of plywood between the tank and jack to prevent damaging the bottom of the tank. The all thread keeps the tank from shifting, keeping it in alignment so it isn't a challenge to get it back up in place. On both Steve's and our 23.5' FLs, the all-thread was only needed on the drivers side of the tank, the passengers side stock bolts were loosened but not removed. Access to the line was from the drivers side. Different floor plans will have different ways to access the line. Be adaptive.The fuel line is secured to the fitting on the fuel pump with a small hose clamp. Nut-drivers work better than a screwdriver when removing and installing the clamps, much of this is done by tough alone.. A helper may be use as spotter, by having then watch from the opposite side and giving directions. I prefer fuel injection hose clamps over the conventional worm-drive clamps as they stay tight better and do not damage the hose the way the conventional clamp can.Larry
Re: Sad news Reply #14 – February 25, 2015, 12:52:33 pm Yahoo Message Number: 151335So sorry to hear the news. I recall that I did meet them on one of our Morro Bay trips.Gary & Karen & the two golden doodles