air leaks in fuel line?

[Greg Young]

We will trybypassing the filters and testng the genny asDan suggested as soon as the campsite is fully awake. Thanks for the thoughts and willupdate as we find more.

Greg

Each time you judge yourself you break your heart.
-Kirpal Venanji

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From: gregory O
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Mon, October 19, 2009 11:10:54 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: air leaks in fuel line?

first thing I do when there is a fuel prob. is remove the fuel cap and stuff a rag in it.this will prove tank vent working or not.

then replace a section of supply to first filter hose with a clear plastic line to watch the fuel cycle.

to me it sounds like a line that you touched while checking for more leaks came apart in an interior ply and gets sucked closed when the pump draws head lift.

the issue proved the lines were weak. now screwing with the weak lines you may have filled up the filters again. I dont replace fuel filters as often as recommended but when they fail, you can bet that they will fail often untill the source of the crap has cleared up.

I have, in a pinch, used plastic airline hose for fuel line and the performance was so good I continue to use it in small diesel apps.

I would use the plastic line to bypass one filter then the other.

''Start by doing what's necessary, then what's
possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.
… – St. Francis of Assisi ''

Greg of Tim&Greg 94ptca
--- In "WanderlodgeForum%40yahoogroups.com", Greg Young wrote:
>
> We are in Fort Stockton TX at the Fort Stockton RV Park. The owner isa former Detroit Diesel mechanic and has been helping me diagnose and fix a problem, but we are stymied... I will try to explain the sequence of events:
>
> 86 PT40, DD 8V92 Silver
>
> Two of the small fuel lines (one the crossover fromright block to left block, the otherthe feed from the secondary filter to theright block)failed due to abrasion against one another and started leaking.We stopped in Fort Stockton (having probably lost about 30 gals of
diesel on the road and our tow car). I cobbled together a couple of new hoses and have replaced the ailing hoses. I took the opportunity to replace theprimaryand secondary fuel filters which were both due.Our friends at CCW had replaced the Racorfilter with a Detroit Diesel382 filter, which uses a Donaldson P550467 cartridge. Now, we are able to fill the filter body and the main fuel line from the tank to the filter with fuel (andthe secondary filter too) toprime the engine, but after starting the engine as soon as the fuelin the filters is depleted the enginestops. I swear I have not touched themain fuel lines!It appears weare getting air
> into the fuel line, but we can't figure out where. Any thoughts on diagnosis?
>
> Remember that I'm not really a diesel mechanic. I just play one on TV.
>
> No
really, I don't know muchabout this stuff, but am picking up what I can.
>
> Thanks!
> Greg Young
> 1986 PT40
> Currently closing towards the end of a 5 month,15,000 miles trip, having survived transmission leaks, 2 weeks at Burning Man, oil leaks,almost overheating, water temperatutre overheat switchfailure, two flat tires on the tow car...the list is long, and I'm proud that this is the first time I've had to ask for help to the group. (Though Curt took a call when the enginegot hot...)
> Each time you judge yourself you break your heart.
> -Kirpal Venanji
>