Our coach is now about 14 years and the rubber is getting stiffer. Several years ago, while going cross country in our Monaco Dynasty,I smelled diesel fuel and pulled off the road, only to find that a rubber fuel line had been rubbing against another fuel line and one actually cut into the other from the engine vibration. We are lucky we didn't have a fire, as diesel fuel was all over the back of the coach. it was a simple fix with a brass coupling and two clamps on either end, which I was able to get an an autoparts store.Since then I've been monitoring the hoses more carefully and wrap old bicycle rubber inner tubes around suspect area. But I just noticed a large hydraulic line with a hole almost cut all the way through. it comes from a large tank in the engine compartment, I believe that holds hydraulic fluid. The hose is very long and I have no idea where it goes, but does anybody know if the hydraulic lines coming out of that tank are pressurized? I'm thinking of trying to find a larger hose coupling and put it where the break is, and clamp either end. I may have to catch a lot of fluid, however, when I cut the hose. Anybody have any experience with this? I am dreading at some point, having to replace all the rubber hoses on this coach, as we really like it.Thanks

What does it say on the hose? A hyd hose for pressure will have braided wire in it and is not that easy to put a coupler on. With a suction hose it would be easy.

Can't help on your model , but the line can be build by any hyd shop at Napa and other auto parts. If you have a tractor supply or tractor store they also can at a less cost. You can make them but as stated it is hard. I made them in the service for over 20 years, so yes they can be made by hand, but you need the hose and ends. They need to be clamp down and protected by a cover to prevent rubbing.

Any hydrolic shop can make up a line. The fuel lines are usually 15 year life and I just had all mine replaced this winter before I had a problem. Took four men two days.

If the hose comes from the bottom of that tank, it is not pressurized.I saw the same wear on my motorhome when I bought it, I did the same thing you did and wrapped and repositioned the hoses and clamps that hold the hoses in place.My MH is 19 years old and doing fine.If you are replacing the engine water hoses and want not to worry about them again, use turbo silicone hoses. They are a little expensive, but are heavy duty and won't deteriorate. Silicone hoses and gas and oil do not go good together tho.

Erosion of rubber fuel and hydraulic lines on older coaches

mexicanpiloto13
Explorer III
Jun 24, 2014
Does anybody have a ballpark idea of how to tell a hose size from the interior dimension? I'd like to have the correct size and couplings when I cut into my Monaco hydraulic line to patch a place where it's almost worn through. It looks like there are 3 different sizes coming off the thing and the one I need to patch is about 1 inch outside diameter.
I can't even conceive of how much it would cost to re-hose an older motorcoach. The fellow who said he had his fuel lines re-done after 15 years had 4 men working for 2 days just on THAT job. Wonder what that costs?
Thanks
Snomas
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014
I just replaced all the heater hoses on my 02 DS. Had one break on I-10 outside of Yuma. The 2 long front to back heater hoses were trapped inside the tubular steel frame rail so they had to go on the outside beneath the floor system. You don't want to pay the price to have one replaced on the side of the Interstate like we did. I also had to replace a hydraulic fan motor and the Tech said my hydraulic hoses look OK so I won't worry about them for now. We have spent $$$$$$$ on maintenance items the past year but we decided we will use this Motorhome until I can't drive anymore.
mtofell1
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014
John S. wrote:
Took four men two days.

Thinking of DP someday but things like this scare me. So, what is an average labor rate these days $75/hour? So, something like this on a 10-15 year old coach is going to run me $5000?? Yikes!

I expect maintenance and some repairs but this just seems like a random thing that I would never have even dreamed of having to do. I'm wondering how many other random unknown things can (and do) pop up.

Please someone tell me replacing ALL of the hoses on a DP isn't needed every 15 years.

Stuff like this makes me think the truck/5th wheel thing may not be that bad.
mexicanpiloto13
Explorer III
Jun 23, 2014
I just talked to Monaco about the eroding hydraulic lines and Rob in technical support tells me they are not pressurized at this point. I can either have someone make up the connections and hoses or mend it inline with a fitting and clamps. He estimates about 5 gallons of fluid could drain out. (doesn't look nearly that large to me) and he said we should replace the fluid since it's never be changed since 1998. Either using AW 46 hydraulic fluid or automatic transmission fluid. I think the fluid is cheaper. It's important to not have that hose blow since it powers the power steering and other functions. He had no idea of the size of the lines.
hooligan
Explorer
Jun 23, 2014
Sounds like the hydraulic reservoir for the power steering. (Some side radiator MH's also have hydraulics to run the cooling fan) I'm not familiar with Monaco system...

IF it is power steering the lines to the reservoir are not pressurized, the line from the pump to the steering gear is. If you repair the reservoir lines you may have to bleed the power steering system.

This might help: Power Steering Layout
sjholt
Explorer
Jun 23, 2014
If the hose comes from the bottom of that tank, it is not pressurized.
I saw the same wear on my motorhome when I bought it, I did the same thing you did and wrapped and repositioned the hoses and clamps that hold the hoses in place.
My MH is 19 years old and doing fine.
If you are replacing the engine water hoses and want not to worry about them again, use turbo silicone hoses. They are a little expensive, but are heavy duty and won't deteriorate. Silicone hoses and gas and oil do not go good together tho.
John_S_
Explorer II
Jun 23, 2014
Any hydrolic shop can make up a line. The fuel lines are usually 15 year life and I just had all mine replaced this winter before I had a problem. Took four men two days.
MountainAir05
Explorer II
Jun 23, 2014
Can't help on your model , but the line can be build by any hyd shop at Napa and other auto parts. If you have a tractor supply or tractor store they also can at a less cost. You can make them but as stated it is hard. I made them in the service for over 20 years, so yes they can be made by hand, but you need the hose and ends. They need to be clamp down and protected by a cover to prevent rubbing.
K_Charles
Explorer
Jun 23, 2014
What does it say on the hose? A hyd hose for pressure will have braided wire in it and is not that easy to put a coupler on. With a suction hose it would be easy.
1492
Moderator
Jun 23, 2014
Moved from Technology Corner

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Erosion of rubber fuel and hydraulic lines on older coaches

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