Tripac legacy apu bunk heater

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Stringb8n, Mar 8, 2023.

  1. Stringb8n

    Stringb8n Road Train Member

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    My bunk heater has started not wanting to work. It will kick on if I start it, immediately after shutting truck off. But will only heat to temp then shut off and won't come back on. I also have fuel that seems to be leaking from the heater. TK was kind enough, or whoever installed it, to wrap the fuel line with a whole bunch of other wires. Has anyone ever had this issue before with the fuel leaking from under the sleeper from the TK bunk heater? I'm hoping it's a simple replace a piece of tube going to the heater issue, once I get all the other junk away from the fuel line.
     
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  3. 86scotty

    86scotty Road Train Member

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    I've never heard of one leaking but it is a plastic fuel line going to it so it could surely be that. Make sure the fuel line isn't too close to the burner exhaust which comes out right beside it. It's a strange design but they don't cause much trouble.

    If you're leaking fuel and it tries to run, shuts off and then won't start again it's likely throwing a code from loss of fuel pressure/flow. They are very finicky about this and often really hard to prime the first time.
     
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  4. Stringb8n

    Stringb8n Road Train Member

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    I will check. I just know before it started leaking a lot lot I could see the drips, doesn't seem to be leaking on the exhaust pipe you mentioned. But leaks enough it drips down the wires and onto the frame rail on the passenger side of the truck. I guess I will look in the bunk space where it's mounted at, might be easier to unscrew it and pull it up from there. Thank you for the advice.
     
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  5. 86scotty

    86scotty Road Train Member

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    Could be as simple as a hose clamp holding the fuel line on to the bottom of the unit. It's dark and messy under there though. Let us know what you find.
     
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  6. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    My experience with TK fuel lines is they leak right at the connection points.

    They use these these little brass compression fittings that are one time only.

    Stop by TK and get half a dozen or so. You have to cut the end of the line off. Pick up a few feet of fuel line while you're there. It's penny's.

    Fuel leak is no joke in any capacity. That's how you have an unforgettably F/U day.
     
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  7. Stringb8n

    Stringb8n Road Train Member

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    Thank you both. I was thinking it will be a clamp, but Dave is probably right too. I'd much rather try going at it from the top than from under the truck. I don't know who installed this apu, if it was a TK dealer or a previous owner himself, but seems very idiotic to have all kinds of other stuff all bunched around the fuel line.
     
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  8. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    Get some fuel line too. At least half the time even cutting a 1/4" off the end will cause you to pull it, and then it might be subject to rubbing on something.

    They have couplings, but that's only if the other end is someplace for people with hands the size of a child.
     
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  9. Stringb8n

    Stringb8n Road Train Member

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    Oh I will for sure. I'm starting to feel like I could almost competently service TK apu units on my own now. I have some fuel line but may be the wrong size. I still have some left from when I had to scab rubber line over the plastic fuel line on the apu engine.

    And my factory update special for that stupid maxi fuse worked. TK can rub one out for me 172 times before I even think about paying them that much for the "revised" fuse. A regular car stereo amplifier kit fuse block with a 50amp MANL fuse, works like a champ. I'd trust that more any day over the excuse of a revision TK has. It's actually made to be out subject to the elements.
     
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  10. Dave_in_AZ

    Dave_in_AZ Road Train Member

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    You really can for most of it. And you'll save yourself a truckload of time and money.

    Carry the spare belt(s) with you as well.
     
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  11. Stringb8n

    Stringb8n Road Train Member

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    Oh I got them. I need to change my water pump belt soon for sure. That thing I'm surprised hasn't snapped in 2 yet. Have to read up on that one though. From what I can tell looks like remove the pulley cover or something at the top and it comes off.
     
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