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02-06-2009, 17:37

Hi, folks. My first post here.

Recently my mother bought a '96 42' WLWB. There has always been a bit
of diesel odor in the lower compartment. Lately there has been a film
of diesel on the overhead panels of the cargo area, as well as a
diesel sheen over everything in the compartment.

I will have to admit that I took a "diesel bath" when I refilled the
tank after our last outing in the coach, but I cannot find any way
that the overflow could have gotten into the cargo area. Also, we
cleaned the entire compartment with hot water and soap, only to have
the diesel re-accumulate.

The diesel collects in the channel along the inner walls that surround
the LP tank and main fuel tank, and drains back and drips onto the
ground at the back of the cargo area on both sides.

I have removed the upper panel above the sliding cargo platform and
everything up there was dry, as well as everything inside the LP tank
access panel. I cannot find any leak on the diesel hoses/tubing
running to the AquaHot unit either.

I am at wit's end with trying to find the source of this diesel. I
will add that the fuel tank is full. It was filled to the "bathing
level" (hehe) less than 10 miles from my house.

Any insights or suggestions will be very much appreciated.

Martin Gayle
Las Vegas, NV
'96 WLWB 42'

02-07-2009, 03:17

You need to know of the tank or lines have a crack or leak. You need to make a pressure plug for the filler neck and use a bike pump. Pump the pressure in the fuel tank to no more than 3psi and watch the gauge over several hours. Is the slime raw fuel or burnt fuel with soot?

--- On Sat, 2/7/09, mgayle4 <mgayle4@...> wrote:

From: mgayle4 <mgayle4@...>
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Diesel leak in lower compartment
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Saturday, February 7, 2009, 12:37 AM

Hi, folks. My first post here.

Recently my mother bought a '96 42' WLWB. There has always been a bit

of diesel odor in the lower compartment. Lately there has been a film

of diesel on the overhead panels of the cargo area, as well as a

diesel sheen over everything in the compartment.

I will have to admit that I took a "diesel bath" when I refilled the

tank after our last outing in the coach, but I cannot find any way

that the overflow could have gotten into the cargo area. Also, we

cleaned the entire compartment with hot water and soap, only to have

the diesel re-accumulate.

The diesel collects in the channel along the inner walls that surround

the LP tank and main fuel tank, and drains back and drips onto the

ground at the back of the cargo area on both sides.

I have removed the upper panel above the sliding cargo platform and

everything up there was dry, as well as everything inside the LP tank

access panel. I cannot find any leak on the diesel hoses/tubing

running to the AquaHot unit either.

I am at wit's end with trying to find the source of this diesel. I

will add that the fuel tank is full. It was filled to the "bathing

level" (hehe) less than 10 miles from my house.

Any insights or suggestions will be very much appreciated.

Martin Gayle

Las Vegas, NV

'96 WLWB 42'

02-07-2009, 04:17

Diesel to the aquahot burners?? You may want to just re plumb the
fuel line to the aqua hot and not look for the leak. I have uses
plastic airlie to make a diesel fule line repair on a skid steer
tractor 8 years ago to a line exposed to great heat and a common
repair replace item. the line is still flexablie and secure. plastic
airline is way cheap and very strong.
Greg ofTim&Greg
94ptca

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mgayle4" <mgayle4@...>
wrote:
>
> Hi, folks. My first post here.
>
> Recently my mother bought a '96 42' WLWB. There has always been a
bit
> of diesel odor in the lower compartment. Lately there has been a
film
> of diesel on the overhead panels of the cargo area, as well as a
> diesel sheen over everything in the compartment.
>
> I will have to admit that I took a "diesel bath" when I refilled
the
> tank after our last outing in the coach, but I cannot find any way
> that the overflow could have gotten into the cargo area. Also, we
> cleaned the entire compartment with hot water and soap, only to
have
> the diesel re-accumulate.
>
> The diesel collects in the channel along the inner walls that
surround
> the LP tank and main fuel tank, and drains back and drips onto the
> ground at the back of the cargo area on both sides.
>
> I have removed the upper panel above the sliding cargo platform and
> everything up there was dry, as well as everything inside the LP
tank
> access panel. I cannot find any leak on the diesel hoses/tubing
> running to the AquaHot unit either.
>
> I am at wit's end with trying to find the source of this diesel. I
> will add that the fuel tank is full. It was filled to the "bathing
> level" (hehe) less than 10 miles from my house.
>
> Any insights or suggestions will be very much appreciated.
>
> Martin Gayle
> Las Vegas, NV
> '96 WLWB 42'
>

02-07-2009, 05:04

Martin

Welcome to the group

My previous coach would emit that diesel odor when the tank would be overfilled or spew out to the point of eruption.And of course there was a trace of fuel in the compartment near the fuel tank.

I soon learned to be cautious about filling and the problem seemed togo away.

My thought is to allow a couple weeks to let the fuel go away and be careful when filling up.Having a dry climate will aid in evaporation also.

Fred & Jeanne Hulse
Morristown Arizona
1997 Wanderlodge WLWB41

02-07-2009, 05:44

The most likely source of the diesel leak is from the AquaHot. It's the silver box in the basement on the street side about the middle of the coach. The AquaHot provides heat and hot water to the coach interior. It has an electric heating element (for low demand) and a diesel burner (for higher demand) situations. The diesel burner is controlled by a switch labeled "hydronic heat" on the dashboard. When the switch is off (no green light) then the diesel burner won't come on.

The fuel line runs from the fuel tank through the water/sewer hook up area (where on my coach, behind a door, is a small Racor (brand) fuel filter) and then along the back wall of the next compartment (forward of the water service area) to the forward end of the silver box, entering on the back side. There is a second fuel filter inside the silver box which requires removing the service access panel (the end portion of the silver box) to see. (The whole end, top, and 2 sides come off the silver box with the removal of several screws.) You can download a service manual from the Aqua-Hot web site and/or possibly from the files area of this list.

You should locate the fuel line for the AquaHot and examine it carefully. It's most likely that a fuel leak (causing the problems you describe) would be near the burner or the the filter inside the A-H unit. If the Racor is located in the same place on your coach as it is on mine, a leak there would probably not enter the forward cargo area.

Do note, that diesel fumes may spread through the cargo area (from the A-H) but they should never be in a quantity that noticeable condensation or dripping should occur. But, be sure that all air vents into the A-H are open and not blocked by other items inside the cargo bays. (Some WLs after my year have an external air vent to the A-H for combustion air -- that vent also needs to be checked to ensure that there are no blockages.)

As for the diesel bath --- that does not indicate a completely full tank!!! It only indicates that sufficient air was trapped below the filler tube to cause a "burp." On occasion, I've experienced a burp after only putting in 15-20 gallons. More often, after the burp comes, I can put another 25 or 30 gallons into the tank (at a minimum fill rate) -- that's nearly 10% of capacity.

The burping problem occurs when fuel entering the tank foams and blocks the air displaced by the fuel from exiting. While the ultimate solution to this long-standing problem would be a significantly improved fuel tank vent (and I'll never know why one wasn't implemented in the design), the easiest solution is to wrap a rag around the fuel dispenser nozzle to keep the fuel from spewing so dramatically. I've found that (also) lifting the rear of the dispenser nozzle, to direct the incoming fuel along the bottom of the filler tube, tends to reduce/eliminate the burping problem. If using the commercial lanes in a truck stop (with the high speed pumps) filling at the lowest notch setting also reduces the burp tendency.

While I usually avoid the RV lanes (at Flying J, mostly) because they often have difficult maneuvers required to enter and leave, I've found that the lower speed pump delivery (on the RV pump) tends to cause less of a burping problem if you also lift the nozzle and wrap the rag...

Also, I've learned to stand to one side of the filler while putting fuel into the tank.

Note: If, after a fill up, the rag I used is heavily soaked, I'll dispose of it. Take care in storing diesel-soaked rags, as they can be a fire danger, especially since "oil-soaked rags" are a possible source of spontaneous combustion if other conditions are right.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42 (For Sale)

<http://www.aeonix.biz/BBforsale.html>

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Feb 6, 2009, at 9:37 PM, mgayle4 wrote:

Hi, folks. My first post here.

Recently my mother bought a '96 42' WLWB. There has always been a bit
of diesel odor in the lower compartment. Lately there has been a film
of diesel on the overhead panels of the cargo area, as well as a
diesel sheen over everything in the compartment.

I will have to admit that I took a "diesel bath" when I refilled the
tank after our last outing in the coach, but I cannot find any way
that the overflow could have gotten into the cargo area. Also, we
cleaned the entire compartment with hot water and soap, only to have
the diesel re-accumulate.

The diesel collects in the channel along the inner walls that surround
the LP tank and main fuel tank, and drains back and drips onto the
ground at the back of the cargo area on both sides.

I have removed the upper panel above the sliding cargo platform and
everything up there was dry, as well as everything inside the LP tank
access panel. I cannot find any leak on the diesel hoses/tubing
running to the AquaHot unit either.

I am at wit's end with trying to find the source of this diesel. I
will add that the fuel tank is full. It was filled to the "bathing
level" (hehe) less than 10 miles from my house.

Any insights or suggestions will be very much appreciated.

Martin Gayle
Las Vegas, NV
'96 WLWB 42'

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02-07-2009, 13:22

The 1996 Aquahot units had a problem with the fuel pump. The fuel
pumps leaked fuel. There was some sort of recall a decade ago in
which Vehicle Systems (the owner of Aquahot) provided labor and
material to replace the fuel pump. That time has lapsed.

Remove the cover from the left side of the Aquahot (a milk run). See
if you have fuel on the pan under the burner. If you do have diesel
there you could have a leaking fuel pump or of course a diesel leak
elsewhere. I would clean the fuel pump up with a spray
solvent/cleaner then come back the next day and inspect things.

Note: If the leak is in your Aquahot I would really recommend your
trying to fix it yourself. The Aquahot is very easy to maintain and
has an outstanding manual available. The manual will show you the
location of the fuel pump.

Eric Perplies
96 42 WBWL
currently in Fredericksburg, TX

02-07-2009, 18:36

Thank you all for your insights. I will re-examine the AH unit and
report back here what I find.

Thanks again,

Martin

02-10-2009, 03:06

EricP, is there is a pony pump to lift the fuel to the injector
pump??? it could be that a bad check valve is the problem, causing
pump failure????? pump may be result, not cause

the Aquahot did start out with a Wabasto burner. at the burner,
diesel fuel is pressurized to over 1200psi. there is a selonoid
valve on the exhaust side of the injector pump to assure the fuel
spray at the injector doesnt dribble. A sequence in the control
module runs the ipump up to build the pressure prior to an open to
spray command. When the electric selonoid spray valve fails you get
dieselfuel smell at the burner when it is turned off because the
pressure captured after ipump is dribbled out the nozzle. That often
will also prove white smoke burn off once the burner refires .

If the ipump pressure is making its way back to the supply path of
fuel, it could do a couple of things. One is blow the check valve in
the pony/lift pump (if there is one)the other is cause a fine 1200
psi spray in the supply path where there are hose clamps. the supply
to the aquahot may have a checkvalve in the tank pickup tube which
will keep any wrong way pressure from being relieved by pissing back
in the tank.

the same situation could happen if the lift/pony pump has a backflow
issue even independent of the ipump. ( but a failed backflow in the
ipump would blow the ponypump dynamic and may even overcome a
functioning pony backflow) the pony pump if any doesnt need to make
any more than 10 psi. its not pressure that a pony pump provides, its
job is volumn and maintained delivery.
Greg ofTim&Greg
94ptca

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Perplies"
wrote:
>
> The 1996 Aquahot units had a problem with the fuel pump. The fuel
> pumps leaked fuel. There was some sort of recall a decade ago in
> which Vehicle Systems (the owner of Aquahot) provided labor and
> material to replace the fuel pump. That time has lapsed.
>
> Remove the cover from the left side of the Aquahot (a milk run).
See
> if you have fuel on the pan under the burner. If you do have diesel
> there you could have a leaking fuel pump or of course a diesel leak
> elsewhere. I would clean the fuel pump up with a spray
> solvent/cleaner then come back the next day and inspect things.
>
> Note: If the leak is in your Aquahot I would really recommend your
> trying to fix it yourself. The Aquahot is very easy to maintain and
> has an outstanding manual available. The manual will show you the
> location of the fuel pump.
>
> Eric Perplies
> 96 42 WBWL
> currently in Fredericksburg, TX
>

02-12-2009, 13:42

nozzle pressure is under 200psi not 1200psi proper flame requires
less than 7 psi dif from that spxt' for the model.

Greg ofTim&Greg 94ptca

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "timvasqz" wrote:
>
> EricP, is there is a pony pump to lift the fuel to the injector
> pump??? it could be that a bad check valve is the problem, causing
> pump failure????? pump may be result, not cause
>
> the Aquahot did start out with a Wabasto burner. at the burner,
> diesel fuel is pressurized to over 1200psi. there is a selonoid
> valve on the exhaust side of the injector pump to assure the fuel
> spray at the injector doesnt dribble. A sequence in the control
> module runs the ipump up to build the pressure prior to an open to
> spray command. When the electric selonoid spray valve fails you
get
> dieselfuel smell at the burner when it is turned off because the
> pressure captured after ipump is dribbled out the nozzle. That
often
> will also prove white smoke burn off once the burner refires .
>
> If the ipump pressure is making its way back to the supply path
of
> fuel, it could do a couple of things. One is blow the check valve
in
> the pony/lift pump (if there is one)the other is cause a fine 1200
> psi spray in the supply path where there are hose clamps. the
supply
> to the aquahot may have a checkvalve in the tank pickup tube which
> will keep any wrong way pressure from being relieved by pissing
back
> in the tank.
>
> the same situation could happen if the lift/pony pump has a
backflow
> issue even independent of the ipump. ( but a failed backflow in the
> ipump would blow the ponypump dynamic and may even overcome a
> functioning pony backflow) the pony pump if any doesnt need to make
> any more than 10 psi. its not pressure that a pony pump provides,
its
> job is volumn and maintained delivery.
> Greg ofTim&Greg
> 94ptca
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Eric Perplies"
> wrote:
> >
> > The 1996 Aquahot units had a problem with the fuel pump. The fuel
> > pumps leaked fuel. There was some sort of recall a decade ago in
> > which Vehicle Systems (the owner of Aquahot) provided labor and
> > material to replace the fuel pump. That time has lapsed.
> >
> > Remove the cover from the left side of the Aquahot (a milk run).
> See
> > if you have fuel on the pan under the burner. If you do have
diesel
> > there you could have a leaking fuel pump or of course a diesel
leak
> > elsewhere. I would clean the fuel pump up with a spray
> > solvent/cleaner then come back the next day and inspect things.
> >
> > Note: If the leak is in your Aquahot I would really recommend
your
> > trying to fix it yourself. The Aquahot is very easy to maintain
and
> > has an outstanding manual available. The manual will show you the
> > location of the fuel pump.
> >
> > Eric Perplies
> > 96 42 WBWL
> > currently in Fredericksburg, TX
> >
>

02-12-2009, 16:47

Greg,

You may possibly be right about the system. I can't comment on all
you mentioned but I am quite sure that there is only one pump on my
system. All I can comment on is that AquaHot had a recall a large
number of units made around about 1996. They replaced the pumps and
all was well.

When I bought my coach I had a leaking AquaHot injector pump. I had
the pump replaced in 2004 and life has been nice and warm since.

Eric Perplies
96 42 WBWL
currently in Fredericksburg, TX