NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE07055

ODI'S INVESTIGATION HAS FOUND THAT THE 1/4 INSIDE DIAMETER FUEL HOSE THAT PROVIDES GASOLINE TO THE VEHICLE'S ON-BOARD GENERATOR CAN CRACK AND SEEP FUEL. COMPLAINT SUMMARIES INDICATE THAT OWNERS HAVE TYPICALLY DETECTED A SEEPING FUEL LINE THROUGH (1) THE ODOR OF RAW GASOLINE FUMES AND/OR (2) ERRATIC OR NON-START GENERATOR PERFORMANCE.ODI HAS FOUND THAT THE FUEL IN THE GENERATOR FUEL SUPPLY HOSE IS PULLED INTO THE GENERATOR BY SUCTION SO THE GENERATOR IS LIKELY TO PULL AIR INTO THE FUEL LINE THROUGH MINOR CRACKS IN THE FUEL LINE CAUSING ERRATIC GENERATOR PERFORMANCE WELL BEFORE THE CRACKS WILL INCREASE IN SIZE SUFFICIENTLY TO SEEP SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF GASOLINE.RISK OF FIRE IS NEGLIGIBLE SINCE THE VOLUME OF FUEL SEEPAGE IS SMALL AND THE SEEPAGE IS UNLIKELY TO SPRAY BECAUSE THE FUEL LINE IS NOT PRESSURIZED.ALSO, THE FUEL TANK , GENERATOR, AND FUEL LINES ARE MOUNTED AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE DISTANT FROM HOT ENGINE PARTS AND/OR ANY OTHER LIKELY SOURCES OF IGNITION. FLEETWOOD HAS INFORMED ODI THAT THEY INTEND TO PROVIDE ANOTIFICATION TO AFFECTED OWNERS THAT (1) ADVISES THAT THE GENERATOR FUEL LINE SHOULD BE INSPECTED FREQUENTLY AND (2) DESCRIBES THE SYMPTOMS OF A DETERIORATING FUEL LINE SO THAT AFFECTED OWNERS WILL RECOGNIZE THE SYMPTOMS INDICATING A FUEL LINE LEAK OR SEEP HAS, OR IS ABOUT TO OCCUR, SO THE OWNERS MAY APPROPRIATELY DIAGNOSE AND RESPOND BY CORRECTING THE PROBLEM.