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stvhans's avatar
stvhans
Explorer
Jul 21, 2014

Gas tank leak, gas smell

I posted earlier about the gas smell and the noticeable gas stain down the side of the gas tank on our 2004 Winnebago Itasca. Thank you for all your responses!!!! The leak is definitely from the top of the gas tank down the side of the tank- not a big leak at all. However, as we drive from Big Timber, MT toward Bismarck, ND the smell of gas inside the rig is becoming VERY strong. I am letting the gas tank drop way below half, I started this morning with 7/8 tank in Big Timber and think the high level in the tank allowed the gas to slosh around.

Anyway, this appears to be something that cannot wait until we get home in Nevada in 5 weeks. So I am wondering if anyone can recommend someone good in Bismarck that can drop a gas tank and repair what needs to be done.

Thanks in advance for your help.
Steve
  • Any GM or Chevy dealership that can handle truck will have a lift that that will lift the coach. At ten years old, there are a lot of rubber parts in the fuel system that might not tolerate alcohol well. Any dealership will already know all about this.

    Matt
  • As mentioned take a look at the vent hose. Ours was cracking bad and we had stains down the side of the tank. Also found a section of the filler hose that was bad. Haven't replaced that yet but will get to it soon. Good Luck and hope you get it resolved.
  • i just went through the same issue you are describing. Mine was also giving off odors and leaking down the side of the tank. My problem was a deteroiated rubber gas line that went to the generator. The line was not accessible unless the tank was lowered. They actually did not lower my tank but blocked up the tank, loosened all the holding straps and raised the motor home with their lift to gain access. I never thought of that method but just thinking if there is a next time I might try the same thing but using my onboard jacks, that might give me enough clearance for access, just a thought though. I hope it never happens again. The process took about three hours and cost approx 250.00. My 75 gallon tank had about 10-15 gallons in the tank when I brought it to them.
  • It may very well be just a vent line. Stupid alcohol in the fuel eats fuel lines. My parents 2004 Allegro (W22) also developed a leak which turned out to be a deteriorated vent line.

    BTY: JB Weld is good for a lot of things, but fuel tanks are not one of them. I've tried more than once on a pin hole leak on a weld on my aluminum tank. Even the JB Weld fuel repair kit with the fiberglass reinforcement does not work. The alcohol in the fuel is just too strong of a solvent. Of all the things I tried, Seal All was about the best. It lasted for several months before it began to leak again. After that, I used Seal All again, but then covered it with Great Stuff. That actually lasted a whole year.
  • I wonder if you fuel pump/outlet line is loose. Usually it is on a disk like ring that can be tightened. There is also a gasket there that could be bad.

    Probably any auto shop is capable of dropping a gas tank. Usually it is a couple of metal straps holding it on.
  • If you can find the leak with your finger, you can put JB Weld on the end of it and put it in the area, it will stick and never leak there again. Easy fix and I have used it.
    Capital RV Center Inc
    1900 N Bismarck Expressway Bismarck, ND 58501 (701) 255-7878