Topic: Slow fuel fill solved in late model Freightliner chassis (Read 4906 times)

John Canfield · « **on:** December 27, 2008, 11:40:47 AM »

Another old thread brought over from another forum...

A little background: Many of us with 2004+ Freightliner chassis have groused over the inability to fill the fuel tank completely without dribbling in the last 10-20 gallons. On my coach, I need to fill at a rate of 0.1 gallons per second to top the tank off. If you fill at a full-on setting the tank will be about 20 gallons short of full - this is the case with any truck pump, and even most RV/auto pumps. I forgot who originated the thread on the other forum, but I believe they are rvforum.net members now. They discovered a plan by Winnie/Freightliner to finally address the problem by replacing either the entire tank, or the filler necks depending on your chassis serial number.

Following is one of my responses about the effort:

"Talked to my contact at Freightliner this morning. Here's the deal (as I understand the situation) on the slow fill issue - there was a run of 400-450 tanks where the venting wasn't appropriate and those tanks will be replaced. If you are within the Winnebago house warranty, parts and labor are covered. If you are outside the Winnebago house warranty, then you pay for the parts and Freightliner covers labor.

Others (like me) that have a fuel tank with improved venting but still the incredibly annoying slow fill issue, there is an improved filler neck available. Same deal - outside the house warranty, you pay for parts, Freightliner covers labor.

Caveat: This post is a reflection of what I thought I heard - do NOT assume this is reality until you talk with either Freightliner or Winnebago. I am NOT speaking in an official capacity for either Winnebago Industries or Freightliner."

Jeff · « **Reply #1 on:** December 27, 2008, 12:13:09 PM »

John:

Six gallons a minute is the standard for Tradewind Freightliner tanks. One of the reasons loosing the cash discount at the Flying J truck islands didn't concern me.

John Canfield · « **Reply #2 on:** December 27, 2008, 01:02:24 PM »

Jeff - I used to almost exclusively use truck pumps and used a wooden wedge to prop open the pump handle to a desired flow. This worked fairly well, but filling just takes a long time in this situation. Since the Visa card thing with FJ, we usually use the RV pumps. As you know, even figuring out where they are located is sometimes a challenge

Ron · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2008, 01:57:02 PM »

Since FJ doesn't seem to want us any longer at the truck islands we pull in the auto islands or the RV island whichever is more convinient for us. Yea it takes longer with the little nozzels but we are retired and can afford a few extra minutes. Haven't had to pump 135+ gallons yet at the RV or car islands.

Jeff · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2008, 02:41:40 PM »

Quote from: John Canfield on December 27, 2008, 01:02:24 PM

Jeff - I used to almost exclusively use truck pumps and used a wooden wedge to prop open the pump handle to a desired flow. This worked fairly well, but filling just takes a long time in this situation. Since the Visa card thing with FJ, we usually use the RV pumps. As you know, even figuring out where they are located is sometimes a challenge

John:

The FMCA plastic key chain logo is a perfect wedge for the fuel nozzle.

John Canfield · « **Reply #5 on:** December 27, 2008, 04:17:45 PM »

Ron - we usually take on 50-75 gallons and that usually takes 20-25 minutes. We're not in a big rush either and usually only do 250-350 miles a day.

Jeff - ah... good tip!

John From Detroit · « **Reply #6 on:** December 27, 2008, 04:25:32 PM »

One thing about filling up in the truck lanes

IN SOME STATES Trucks pay either more (most likely) or less (least likely) tax

So if you fill up in the truck lanes... You may be paying too much to the tax man.

Just so you know.. A very good reason to use the proper island

AZ... I believe, is such a state (Stickers on the pump mention "No vehicles over xx,xxx pounds at this pump")

BigJohn · « **Reply #7 on:** December 27, 2008, 08:43:39 PM »

John:
How do we initiate the repair/replacement process with Freightliner? Do we contact them or will this be some form of a recall? I have complained several times to both the Dealer and Freightliner and they ask " What problem?" Hope this can clear the matter up.

John

John Canfield · « **Reply #8 on:** December 27, 2008, 09:21:14 PM »

John - have you talked to owner relations in Forest City? (The factory service number) I have heard similar stories about Freightliner and Winnebago customer service supposedly not being aware of the effort, but I can assure you it is for real and several have had tanks replaced. I haven't heard about reports about the success of the new filler necks. Freightliner is well aware of the situation - I discussed it with my contact at Freightliner a couple of months ago. Give Winnebago a try - not your dealer - they might be clueless.

Let us know how it works out.

BigJohn · « **Reply #9 on:** January 07, 2009, 05:21:53 PM »

I have an 06 Itasca Ellipse. I have had an issue with the slow fill and the issue of not being able to fill the tank. I had discussed this with my dealer and Freighliner. They said there was no problem(s). Today 1/7/9 i called Freightliner and talked to Marcus? he said there was a program to retrofit the filler necks and an adapter to solve the problem. I was given a ref #3168652 to give to the Freightliner Service Ctr. I'm not sure if this number is unique to me. Freightliner would pay to have the parts installed. I was told to call Winnabago for the parts.
I called Winnabago and talked to Troy. He told me that this was a Freightliner program and that I would have to order a left and right filler tube and fuel filler panel and adapter from my dealer. I called the dealer and they had not a clue what I was talking about, so they would call Winnabago. I asked for a price on the parts before I committed. Frankly I put a $350 budget to this. If the cost of parts exceeds this I'm going to pass.
I'll post the cost of parts when the dealer gets back to me. Hope this helps and I would appreciate anyone elses experience whit this issue.

John

John Canfield · « **Reply #10 on:** January 07, 2009, 06:00:31 PM »

No problem - yeah - right

ROTFL That's the best one I've heard today...

I think the filler necks are going to be in the $400 range - please let us know what the quoted price is. You can perform a patriotic duty by injecting money into the economy. I just spent 800 bucks on a camera.. your turn

jimandsue60 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 07, 2009, 06:32:44 PM »

We had the same slooww filling issue on our 07 Vectra. Our fuel tank and venting system were replaced while we were at the Gaffney factory last november under warranty.

Jim

BigJohn · « **Reply #12 on:** January 08, 2009, 01:46:12 PM »

First I have a DW that is singlehandedly attempting to end the recession. I have applied for a bailout. It appears that I am going to need one. I received a quote for the parts to solve the slow fill issue. The dealer quoted appprox $1500. Now I may be stupid but I'm not crazy so I'm not going to spend that amt to solve this problem. I asked the dealer to e-mail the parts list and prices. I'll post when I receive. Right this minute I'm not happy so I'll wait for the quote and calming down before I call Freightliner.

John

John Canfield · « **Reply #13 on:** January 08, 2009, 06:47:33 PM »

Quote from: jdealcpa on January 08, 2009, 01:46:12 PM

The dealer quoted appprox $1500.

WOW - I guess your dealer is trying to make up for slow sales. Let me do a little checking...

Oh - God Bless your wife

Please tell her for me that she undoubtedly doesn't have enough shoes, there must be a sale somewhere ...

John Canfield · « **Reply #14 on:** January 09, 2009, 01:32:06 PM »

Quote from: jdealcpa on January 08, 2009, 01:46:12 PM

The dealer quoted appprox $1500.

John - $1500 is high - I recommend you call some other dealers. Lichtsinn in Forest City has a stellar reputation for good service both for parts and for sales of units.

Harry B · « **Reply #15 on:** January 09, 2009, 10:07:26 PM »

Well, lost my first post (I did a preview.) I'll get the hang of it yet.

Anyway, I recently got a price quote from Lightsinn Motors for parts required to resolve the slow fueling problem.
They are as follows:

Here are the prices you requested:

Tube   (left side) 15754001000 - $505.65

Tube   (right side) 15754002000 - $473.80

Panel (left side) 1572370102B - $16.55

Panel (right side) 1572370202B - $15.85

Rivets       1131330201A - .30 each

Plus shipping.

FCCC supplies the 1" to 5/8" air vent adapter.
Current tanks and panel have a 1" in diameter vent line and the setup involving slow fills have a 5/8" air vent on both the tank and panel.

An option to defray some of the cost is to only have one of the filler necks replaced and "suffer" when you have to use the side not modified.

FCCC indicates that the filler neck changeover should resolve the problem. I have not yet heard of anyone yet that has had this change made, indicate that it works.
It seems that when you go back to a 5/8" vent line on the tank you are right back where you started.

Harry B
2005 Itasca Horizon

John Canfield · « **Reply #16 on:** January 10, 2009, 08:37:03 AM »

Harry - thanks for that information! Wow - that's more than I expected, but still less than 1500. Only replacing one side would be a good option to keep the costs down.

BigJohn · « **Reply #17 on:** January 10, 2009, 08:01:52 PM »

Looks like MB Thomas in St Louis is getting a little greedy, maybe freight is high. I have not rec'd a detail breakdown of the $1500. I'm a little comfused. Winnabago indicated that the changing of the filler tubes is a Freighliner program, but we get the parts from Winnabago. I'm also a little POd. I'm not real sure this is my problem and that I should pay $1100 or $1500 to solve a problem of either party. I think Monday I'll hammer on Freightliner and see what their response is. This is my first Winnabago product after 4 Fleetwoods, I really love our Ellipse but am not pleased with the support.

John

John Canfield · « **Reply #18 on:** January 10, 2009, 09:30:14 PM »

Understand your frustrations. At least there is a solution - ideally we shouldn't need to pay to fix a less than optimum design, but nowadays don't look for much if any manufacturer 'goodwill' repairs - most businesses are counting paperclips and just trying to survive.

Ron · « **Reply #19 on:** January 10, 2009, 10:44:28 PM »

We had a similar anomally on our Spartan Chassis. Spartan replaced the tank and fill hoses with no cost to us. Spartan personel are based at American Coach and they did the work.

watersjrv1 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 22, 2009, 07:26:11 PM »

I too have the same problem on my 2006 National Tropi-cal with a 2005 Freightliner XC-R Chassis. On mine however it is the entire time you are filling the tank..not just the last 20 gallons. I only have one filler tube on the passenger side. It literally takes 30 minutes or more to fill the tank, all the while the diesel continues to "burp" back out of the filler tube. I usually waste a gallon or two on the ground.

Has anything new been determined on this issue? The same problem is bieng repoted on thr Freightliner chassis owners forum, but noone seems to know how to fix it or if Freightliner will do anything about it.

John Canfield · « **Reply #21 on:** January 23, 2009, 08:52:41 AM »

In our case, I believe the fix was the result of a collaboration between Winnebago and Freightliner. Since you now own an orphan, Freightliner is your only recourse. Compounding the problem for you is filler necks are considered part of the 'house' and not the chassis.

Is your slow fill issue being reported on several models like yours?

kevin · « **Reply #22 on:** January 24, 2009, 09:30:53 PM »

Might have a answer for a FREE fix, will let you know in a few weeks, sorry for no more info.. kevin $:-\$

John Canfield · « **Reply #23 on:** January 24, 2009, 10:56:28 PM »

Quote from: kevin on January 24, 2009, 09:30:53 PM

Might have a answer for a FREE fix, will let you know in a few weeks, sorry for no more info.. kevin $:-\$

Standing by!

watersjrv1 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 25, 2009, 07:59:40 AM »

John,

From what LITTLE I have found it appears that ther are other National models that have had this problem, but not sure of that. I know it seems to be restricted to 2005 / 2006 units. My Freightliner chassis was produced in either June or July of 2005.

Kevin,

I too await your answer. I too have someone at Freightliner working on it and will let you know if I find out anything. My wife's uncle owns a trucking company and does a lot of business with Freightliner and Friday he put me in touch with the Service Manager he deals with locally. The fellow is looking into any Freightliner "programs" or recalls and any other avenues that night be available to resolve the issue.

Jerry
Ride to be free !

kevin · « **Reply #25 on:** February 23, 2009, 07:09:28 PM »

OK Here is the answer...well atleast for me. I called Winnie and they said they had no Idea what the problem was, maybe I should call Frieghtliner.. So I did, they took my vin, put me on hold for 5-10min. They came back on and told me to call my local freightliner dealership and give them a number(they gave me) and it would be taken care of. I asked what would be done.(I asked about the filler neck and vent tube size. told him about a fourm I had been on talking about it) He said that my unit would be getting a new fuel tank, and that would take care of the problem. I said "Thank you" and he said "No problem, but don't tell everyone about it" I said"OK wink wink"

Called my local dealership, they ordered the tank, and today I just got it back with the new tank. It has the same size vents 1/2 but they are not on the side by the fill tubes but on top of the tank. I pulled into the local truckstop and for the first time I could use the first click on the nozel(big truck nozel) I was on 1/4tank put 40gal before it clicked off, then reset it on the 2click and finished all but the last 5gals to the top of the neck. so...so far it looks like it worked, and best of all it didn't cost me a dime!!!

did have to clean some grease outta the mh though.. :-\kevin

watersjrv1 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 23, 2009, 07:33:13 PM »

Kevin,

Sounds like exactly what they should be doing...fixing a problem they know they have. I will attempt the same in a few days. Hope it continues to work well for you. Wish me luck.

Since we last posted, I did find that if I parked at a pump where the RV would lean toward the drivers side, thus making the fuel filler tube higher, then I could fill it on the 2nd click using a car nozzle. Still not great...but NO burping back. On one occassion when I could not find a place with the right angle to the driveway, I simply put my passenger side leveling jacks down and tilted the RV until my levels showed the RV leaning toward the drivers side.....that worked as well.

Thanks a ton for the input...maybe over the course of time we can ALL get this monkey off of our backs.

Ron · « **Reply #27 on:** February 23, 2009, 07:34:39 PM »

Glad they fixed for you and you have good results. Never hurts to ask does it..

John Canfield · « **Reply #28 on:** February 23, 2009, 08:07:20 PM »

Kevin, please give us details about your unit - year, model, etc.

kevin · « **Reply #29 on:** February 23, 2009, 08:37:51 PM »

06 Winniebago Tour 40FD. The Mechanic said that I was about the 10th or 12th one that he had done so far, he said that They knew that there was a problem with the tanks(freightliner) but they wouldn't do a full scale recall. I saw a freind at the fuel island so I lost track of the time to fill up, will do next time, but I never have been able to use the 1st click on a big truck pump let alone the 2nd.. finally maybe something will go right

like I said before, I would just call freightliner customer service, don't even mention the neck part numbers listed at the beginning of this post just give them your vin..hopefully everyone will get the same guy on the phone..sorry I'm still kicking myself for not getting his name..kinda wonder if he fudged the dates or numbers to get me in for the fix? kevin

(I seem to be having alittle trouble seeing my post showing up so dis-regard my Hello? one)

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Author Topic: Slow fuel fill solved in late model Freightliner chassis (Read 4906 times)