Onan Generator Fuel Line

bartz paul

New member
Dec 3, 1997
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After operating my generator for about six hours one day a month ago,
including on the return leg home of a weekend trip, I filled the gas
tanks prior to parking the coach in my driveway.

The next morning I awoke to an odor of gasoline coming in through the
bedroom window. Upon checking, I found that the gas leak was from the
generator area. Pulling out the generator revealed that the gas line to
it was the culprit. It broke completely apart at the grommet on the
frame adjacent to where it connects to a barbed, right angle fitting,
under the generator when it's pushed in and locked in place.

My purpose in sharing this with you is to strongly recommend that you
take a look at yours, or even better, try to persuade you to replace
your generator gas line. It is a 30 inch piece of clear plastic hose.
I purchased mine (1/4" i.d. x 3/8" o.d.), @ $0.30 per foot, at an
industrial supply house (they call it Tybak brand hose).

The hose is secured to barbed fittings at each end by tiny hose type
clamps. Get two new one's of those too. It takes five to ten minutes
to do the job.

My surprise was that when I refilled the coach with gas, I learned that
I lost approximately 20 gallons. At the time I discovered the leak,
there was just a small concrete area under the rear of the coach that
was wet with gasoline.

Ironically, this is the second occasion that I've seen this line break.
On another individuals coach, he couldn't start his generator and in
checking, we found his line broken in half, also. How mine started I'll
never understand.

I also realize how tragic it could have been. The coach could have
started on fire and burned up out on the road.

Paul Bartz
 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-gmcmotorhome
> [mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Bartz, Paul
> Sent: Monday, August 17, 1998 3:48 PM
> To: 'gmcmotorhome'
> Subject: GMC: Onan Generator Fuel Line
>
>
> After operating my generator for about six hours one day a month ago,
> including on the return leg home of a weekend trip, I filled the gas
> tanks prior to parking the coach in my driveway.
>
> The next morning I awoke to an odor of gasoline coming in through the
> bedroom window. Upon checking, I found that the gas leak was from the
> generator area. Pulling out the generator revealed that the gas line to
> it was the culprit. It broke completely apart at the grommet on the
> frame adjacent to where it connects to a barbed, right angle fitting,
> under the generator when it's pushed in and locked in place.
>
> My purpose in sharing this with you is to strongly recommend that you
> take a look at yours, or even better, try to persuade you to replace
> your generator gas line. It is a 30 inch piece of clear plastic hose.
> I purchased mine (1/4" i.d. x 3/8" o.d.), @ $0.30 per foot, at an
> industrial supply house (they call it Tybak brand hose).
>
> The hose is secured to barbed fittings at each end by tiny hose type
> clamps. Get two new one's of those too. It takes five to ten minutes
> to do the job.
>
> My surprise was that when I refilled the coach with gas, I learned that
> I lost approximately 20 gallons. At the time I discovered the leak,
> there was just a small concrete area under the rear of the coach that
> was wet with gasoline.
>
> Ironically, this is the second occasion that I've seen this line break.
> On another individuals coach, he couldn't start his generator and in
> checking, we found his line broken in half, also. How mine started I'll
> never understand.
>
> I also realize how tragic it could have been. The coach could have
> started on fire and burned up out on the road.
>
> Paul Bartz
>
Paul,
I think this must be a common problem. When I got
My 73 Painted Desert a friend of mine pulled
the generator out. And while checking things out
reached back and snapped that hose into about
20 pcs. Hes telling me hes sorry. Im just glad
it broke then, Like You said much better then on the
road. I found this hose to be VERY BRITTLE. I havent
fixed it yet....But soon!
See Ya,
Rob Teed
 
Come on Arch, we gotta given owners more credit than that...... I can't
imagine anyone purchasing any ol'e plastic tubing knowing that gasoline
will go through it? I even gave the name of a tubing manufacturer.

Paul Bartz

From: Gcbr [mailto:Gcbr]
Sent: Monday, August 17, 1998 10:47 PM
Subject: Re: GMC: Onan Generator Fuel Line

In a message dated 98-08-17 15:48:03 EDT, you write:

My purpose in sharing this with you is to strongly recommend that you
take a look at yours, or even better, try to persuade you to replace
your generator gas line. It is a 30 inch piece of clear plastic hose.
I purchased mine (1/4" i.d. x 3/8" o.d.), @ $0.30 per foot, at an
industrial supply house (they call it Tybak brand hose).

Paul
I would like to disagree with your answer--------in a way. I am afraid
that some people will go out and buy any clear line. Many clear lines
are made from various plastics. Many of these plastics will have the
plasticisors stripped out of them with the various alcohols used in
reformulated gas. This will make the hose brittle------making the
problem even worse. I would suggest that people go to their local auto
store and purchase fuel line that meets the new standard for fuel line.
I am sorry I do not know the name of the standard.
This statement is based on theory not my experience with the GMC.
Arch

Gosh there I go again sounding like Wes!