gasoline inlet pipe on motorhome

Fudpucker · Nov 22, 2009

I know this is off topic, but I know someone on here will have the answer. I bought a motorhome last year and when I put fuel (gas) in hit it takes it very slow. I had a minute yesterday and started from the back disassembling the gas tube from the inlet to the tank. About two feet into my project I located a small clear plastic ball. I am sure this is there for a reason but that is what was hampering my fuel flow into the tank. Not sure how this would work in the tube unless it is supposed to float when you put gas in but it ain"t working so I removed it for now. My question is what is the ball for and will there be any problems running it with the ball out? I put a coat of primer on the 4600 yesterday too. Thanks in advance.

RusselAZ · Nov 22, 2009

The ball is there for three main reasons. First to limit the flow of fuel out of the filler in a rollover, next is to keep fuel from slooshing up the filler pipe and third, it keeps siphon hoses out of the tank.

It's one of those safety things to keep the lawyers from being able to sue for fires.

Now, if your filler is at the back and has a long run up to the tank it will fill slow if the run is level or going up hill to the tank. What year and brand of chassis is this unit?

C.R. · Nov 22, 2009

I think that the ball is to stop fuel from escaping in case of a rollover

Fudpucker · Nov 22, 2009

The motor home is a 1994 Fleetwood, and the chassis and drive train is all Chevy. The ball was about two feet down the pipe from the gas cap.

Fudpucker · Nov 22, 2009

Maybe I should have been a little more specific. It will only take about 1/2 gallon and then it shuts the gas pump of and the fuel runs out the nozzle. It takes forever for that 1/2 gallon to go down the tube and then you start all over. IT took me 10 minutes to put in three gallons the other day. I guess I need to check that ball for a pin hole or something. Is it supposed to float when gas is coming into the system from a gas pump or what is supposed to keep it from getting in the way?

barn E · Nov 23, 2009

Maybe the ball swelled up and is too tight.

rustyj14 · Nov 25, 2009

I'd think it was dropped down in there by some neighbor kid, who had nothing else to do. He probably would lay back in the brush and watch you taking 3 hours to fill yer tank!
On my motor home, the designers did this:

The fill pipe inlet into the tank is half-way down on the side of the tank! This allows me to run in a couple gallons or so-then it backs up and sloshes out, if i'm not careful! Maddening! And, no way to change it!

gasoline inlet pipe on motorhome

Fudpucker

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RusselAZ

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Fudpucker

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Fudpucker

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barn E

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rustyj14

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