The on going saga of maintaining an 18 year old coach
After our return from Alaska we started to notice a fuel spot under the coach. I climb under and see we have a cracked fuel tank and it is leaking about a drop every 5 minutes (yes it is a little crack) I call Spartan and talk to their service rep. We decide to replace the tank rather than weld.
So I order one, it's a 150 gallon tank, and will require 4-6 weeks to manufacture a new one, So we wait.
In the mean time I down load the 120 gallons of Diesel. into 15 gallon barrels by using an old marine fuel transfer pump run from my drill press, worked great I had the fuel out in about 30 minutes.
Then we waited, and made arrangements with the local oil well that has a drive over pit. to drop the tank, and replace it with the new one.
New tank arrives, I pump 55 gallons of fuel back into the coach, then I deliver it to the oil well, drive the coach over the pit, every body gets under the coach, nd the head mechanic says "Oh Hell no" that tank weighs most of 300 pounds we have no heavy lift equipment find some one else.
I load up and come home.
I make a few calls and find that "Motortrucks" in Everett Wa can do the job, we wait the three weeks for the appointment date.
9 oct comes and we arrive at their facility (nice place) at 07:00 and they take us right in. 6.5 hours later the old tank is out, the new tank is in. they try to prime the lines from the tank to the engine and can not get any flow thru the line. we discuss the next step and every one agrees the line is crimped by the tank, so it must come back out.
They lend me a loaner car and I come home (2 hour drive). Next day 10/10/17 we get the call, come get your coach, we found the problem, fixed it, and the coach is running great both the gen/set and the big cummins.
I drive down to pay the bill and get your coach, they capped the cost at the 6.5 hours plus materials. so they did the second and drop at no cost to me. and disposed of the old tank.
So... I'd highly recommend Motortrucks for any service you need in Puget Sound area.
To add, we found that the tank vent hose was crimped in manufacture, (18 years ago) and caused the tank to flex when the fuel is removed during driving then allowed to expand when filled. causing the tank to crack. it took 18 years to fail. now we have two vented caps, and a free vent line. should be good to go now for another 18 years at least.
So I order one, it's a 150 gallon tank, and will require 4-6 weeks to manufacture a new one, So we wait.
In the mean time I down load the 120 gallons of Diesel. into 15 gallon barrels by using an old marine fuel transfer pump run from my drill press, worked great I had the fuel out in about 30 minutes.
Then we waited, and made arrangements with the local oil well that has a drive over pit. to drop the tank, and replace it with the new one.
New tank arrives, I pump 55 gallons of fuel back into the coach, then I deliver it to the oil well, drive the coach over the pit, every body gets under the coach, nd the head mechanic says "Oh Hell no" that tank weighs most of 300 pounds we have no heavy lift equipment find some one else.
I load up and come home.
I make a few calls and find that "Motortrucks" in Everett Wa can do the job, we wait the three weeks for the appointment date.
9 oct comes and we arrive at their facility (nice place) at 07:00 and they take us right in. 6.5 hours later the old tank is out, the new tank is in. they try to prime the lines from the tank to the engine and can not get any flow thru the line. we discuss the next step and every one agrees the line is crimped by the tank, so it must come back out.
They lend me a loaner car and I come home (2 hour drive). Next day 10/10/17 we get the call, come get your coach, we found the problem, fixed it, and the coach is running great both the gen/set and the big cummins.
I drive down to pay the bill and get your coach, they capped the cost at the 6.5 hours plus materials. so they did the second and drop at no cost to me. and disposed of the old tank.
So... I'd highly recommend Motortrucks for any service you need in Puget Sound area.
To add, we found that the tank vent hose was crimped in manufacture, (18 years ago) and caused the tank to flex when the fuel is removed during driving then allowed to expand when filled. causing the tank to crack. it took 18 years to fail. now we have two vented caps, and a free vent line. should be good to go now for another 18 years at least.
