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dutch (Dutch)
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Username: Dutch

Post Number: 63
Registered: 2-2007
Posted From: 216.9.250.6

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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 8:05 am:   

He folks
After filling up with regular gas for my onan (parked on a hill while fueling)
I let the detroit engine idle and It just died.
Now when I want to start it it doesn't turn over.
When I spray starter fluid on the engine it runs great for 5 seconds and it dies again.
What should I do??
Call me at five one two two nine three one nine o four
Thanks.
Dutch on i-10 west just passed san antonio
dutch (Dutch)
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Username: Dutch

Post Number: 64
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 8:42 am:   

I just replaced the primary and secondary filters...
No difference
I drove 3500 miles sofar with absolutely no problems.
This morning I had already driven 200 miles with no problems
Austin Scott Davis (Zimtok)
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 8:46 am:   

Dutch,
Sounds like you lost your fuel prime.

Could be that there is a hole in the fuel line that is sucking in air instead of fuel from the tank.

Or maybe your fuel pump is not pumping...

.

(Message edited by zimtok on May 22, 2007)
Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 8:52 am:   

Not sure what is happening. You say when you try to start "it doesn't turn over", then you say it will run on ether for about 5 seconds. Does the starter spin the engine? If so, sounds like maybe the same thing that happened to my 4106 years ago. I was mowing my yard and pulled the bus forward to mow where the bus was sitting. I knew my fuel was low but I still had enough. When I pulled forward, the bus was partially in a swale and leaning. I left it running. As I rode past the exhaust pipe on my mower, I noticed no exhaust-engine died. I made several trips to the gas station with a 5 gallon can to finally get enought fuel to cover the fuel intake in the tank. Tried to start-no luck. Removed the filters and filled them, tried again-no luck. After repeating this several times, I called a friend who was a diesel mechanic. He filled filters, hit starter and sprayed a little ether in the air intake. Bus fired off. I immediately drove bus to station and filled the fuel tank. Moral: NEVER let fuel go below 1/4. Jack

(Message edited by JackConrad on May 22, 2007)

(Message edited by JackConrad on May 22, 2007)
Pete/RTS Daytona (Pete_rtsdaytona)
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Username: Pete_rtsdaytona

Post Number: 338
Registered: 1-2005
Posted From: 72.40.12.33

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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 9:15 am:   

I called Dutch - suggested he get a "garden Sprayer"

because he can't easily get to the plugged port on the filter that feed from the fuel tank - I suggested that he get a tee fitting - remove the line from his fuel tank (nylon) and reconnect the tee / the fuel line and a barbed fitting.

If he can't find a tee - then I suggested that he just put the barbed fitting in the input to the filter that is feed by the fuel tank

Pump the garden sprayer to get diesel fuel thru the first filter - thru the fuel pump (this is very inportant - diesel fuel pumps get air bound and will not suck fuel) into the next filter and thru the rack and actually back into the fuel return line

hope this works for him -

can anyone tell me which filter is closes to the fuel tank (primary or secondary) i never remember

which one is usually bigger ??

Pete RTS/Daytona
James Robinson (Jjrbus)
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 9:29 am:   

Dutch you can trace this down step by step. Do you have fuel in the tank? When you removed old filters were they full of fuel? Was there any black stuff in the fuel? Did you fill new filters with fuel when installing?
Try starting bus, check filters are they full of fuel, if no problem is probobly between filter and tank, if yes, is between filter and engine. Fuel pump, loss of prine.
If filter is empty unhook fuel line at filter and blow low air pressure through fuel line, you should hear air bubbleing in tank. Use low air pressure so you do not rupture line. You have fuel in tank right? If you had black stuff in filters your fuel line could be plugged with alge.
If filters are full after tring to start, slightly loosen fuel line at discharge side offuel pump, try to start. If no fuel comes out, bad pump, if fuel coes out loss of prime.
If you have lost prime you may be able to restore it by filling filters with fuel and tring to start then refil filter try to start, do this several times, this may or may not work.
There should be a shutoff in the fuel line at the filters, close this each time you remove filters and reopen after replaceing filter.
If you have an alge problem, you need an algecide not the stuff they sell at truck stops.
I'm not a mechanic and my ans may be flawed, but this is what I went through. HTH Jim
Pete/RTS Daytona (Pete_rtsdaytona)
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Post Number: 339
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 9:32 am:   

more info

When dutch removed the filters they were only half full

Dutch still has lots of life in his batteries - I can hear the engine turn over - stumble a little but never go to a good idle

He can only start from the back - He's was able to block the throttle pedal up front to FULL THROTTLE - no difference - I can hear it stumble but no start

Once he got a lot of white smoke when it tried to start - otherwise only a little white smoke

I still think he's lost his prime in the fuel pump ?? - he's in San Antonio - has a little scooter with him - no toad

anybody there to help ??

Pete
Don Evans (Doninwa)
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Post Number: 32
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 11:39 am:   

How much fuel in supposed to be in the tank? I'm betting on Jacks answer, until you put more diesel in the tank and or move it off the incline you will continue to suck air.

While you are working or waiting, run the generator to keep the starting batteries up too.

My 8v71 has an electric fuel pump plumbed into the input of the primary fuel filter. Could be done pretty quickly and then a jumper to the battery terminal on the alternator. Any auto parts store would have everything you need. Makes it a snap to change the filters.

Good luck.
Pete/RTS Daytona (Pete_rtsdaytona)
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Username: Pete_rtsdaytona

Post Number: 341
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 12:33 pm:   

update

his bus stalled after he got off the incline - so he's no longer on the incline - he thinks he has 50 gallons of fuel ??????????

Dutch hooked up the bug sprayer with diesel and pushed a 1/2 gallon thru the system.

he went to start the bus - Batteries are now dead - I just hear a loud click on the phone - then nothing else.

He doesn't think there is a converter on board
but has a 12 volt standalone battery charger

his bus is a 1964 4106 - he says the batteries are very long - most likely 8d's (one on top of the other)

I had him check if the batteries are tied together in parallel - he says yes - the positives and tied together and the negatives are also tied together

he has an onan gas generator with it's own car size battery - He'll start the onan and he's going to run a power cord out the window and plug in the charger for 1 - 1.5 hours before he tries it again. ??

the charger has a gauge - so he'll make sure it's charging

he'll give the sprayer a pump or 2 again and try again

any other suggestions

(Message edited by pete rts/daytona on May 22, 2007)
Chris Peters (Chris_85_rts)
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 12:54 pm:   

Did he verify the fuel shutoff solenoid is working? It would be very hard to describe to someone what to look for, but when he flips his rear switch to run, he should hear the skinner valve click and see the arm move. Maybe it is stuck in the cutoff position. It happened to me once.
George M. Todd (George_mc6)
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 1:09 pm:   

I can't stand it any longer!
HEY Dutch, HE Tarzan, SHE Jane!
Now, we need a little standard terminology to help us help you. You said "it won't turn over" yet you said "it runs with ether?"
The railroad has the best standard way of explaining failures I have seen.
1. Won't try to crank (Push button, nothing happens)
2. Won't crank (As in push button, starter engages, big clunk, engine stuck)
3. Cranks, won't start
4. Starts, won't run
So, most of us take "Won't turn over" as nothing happens when you hit the switch, which is not whats happening here. It does turn over, (crank) it just won't start.
Now, from the information provided in the other posts, YOU ARE OUT OF FUEL, PERIOD. If it runs on ether, the engine is ok, no broken cam gears, etc. I assume someone has checked the emergency shutdown flapper, mousetrap, or whatever you wish to call it? White smoke and stumble on a warm day sounds suspicious. (If you don't have a 92.) Then there is the post of "half full fuel filters." That says out of fuel, period. Could you have a fuel pickup tube with a hole in it a couple of inches from the bottom which draws air in while you still have some fuel in the tank? Yep! Can you be stopped on a downhill with the pickup in the back (high) side of the tank? The Mfrs put the pickup in the back of tanks so you get all the fuel out while going uphill, plays heck with idling on a downhill!
Don has the answer.
HEY, write back and tell us what fixed it, please.
George
dutch (Dutch)
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Username: Dutch

Post Number: 65
Registered: 2-2007
Posted From: 216.9.250.6

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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 2:07 pm:   

He george.
I can't believe that I'm out of fuel.
600 miles ago I topped thre bus off with diesel I put in 85 gallons and drove as of today's brreakdown around 600 miles,while the fill up before the last one I drove 900 miles and could only fill up with 75 gallons which topped it off to max.
Waiting for my batteries to be charged,then I will squirt some more and see what it does.
dutch (Dutch)
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Post Number: 66
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 4:09 pm:   

Still waiting on those darn batteries
Pete/RTS Daytona (Pete_rtsdaytona)
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Username: Pete_rtsdaytona

Post Number: 342
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 4:16 pm:   

dutch didn't tell you guys - after the bus batteries were charged - and the bug sprayer was in place - the bus started and ran great - but only for a few minutes

sure sounds like he's out of fuel or -at least- his fuel pickup is clogged or broken and not sucking the last 1/2 of the tank ??

so - I suggested dutch put in at least 20 gallons of fuel - he has done that - now he just has to wait for the batteries to charge again - his charger only puts out 10 amps

If it starts he needs to top off the tanks again

I would assume (hmmm very bad word) that if it ran fine for a few minutes after the bug sprayer routine - there is no problem with the fuel shutoff ??

I have a ddec engine - I don't know sh*t about no fuel shutoff

I need to do a "HONEY-DO" in a few minutes - hopefully Dutch will be fixed after the batteries and 20 gallons are in the tank

Pete RTS

Just trying to help ??

(Message edited by pete RTS/Daytona on May 22, 2007)
dutch (Dutch)
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Post Number: 67
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 7:19 pm:   

He folks
Still no luck. Got gas got new feulfilters. Got the bugspray with diesel nothing happening.
Still west of san antonio texas on i-10
Anybody can help????
Thanks
dutch (Dutch)
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Post Number: 68
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 7:59 pm:   

He folks
Still no luck. Got gas got new feulfilters. Got the bugspray with diesel nothing happening.
Still west of san antonio texas on i-10
Anybody can help????
Thanks
Steve N. (N4rsn)
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 8:45 pm:   

If he has a full tank of fuel, and it will run with the sprayer pumping fuel to the engine, Than the problem would have to be between the fuel pump, and the tank, if the fuel pump is good.
If Dutch is pumping fuel in the secondary fuel filter, and by-passing the primary filter, than is he not by-passing the fuel pump?????
If the fuel pump is not filled with fuel, it will never pull fuel from the tank.
I would say he has a defective fuel pump, as the engine was running, and died at an idle, which would be at the lowest fuel preasure time.
Also the check valve is likely bad.
Just a thought, but, Missouri is a long way from Missouri.
Steve
Ednj (Ednj)
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 8:49 pm:   

Dutch,
Did you check the air shut off (mouse trap)?
David Evans (Dmd)
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 8:56 pm:   

Dutch, on the side of the blower is a flap controled by your emergency shut down switch. Make sure the cam is held open by the cable. Now its not running pumped with fuel? While your waiting on the batteries to charge, pull the fitting out of the top of fuel tank pick-up tube and check the screen (if its still there)to see if its covered with mung. Have you stick checked your fuel level? And do yourself a favor and get a good nites sleep, you had a long crappy day and tommorow will be a better one. Put a sign out "call 2 dogs". Good luck. Dave
David Hartley (Drdave)
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 9:14 pm:   

You guys have him running in circles.

Would someone please sort this out.

If it runs on ether the flap is open.So quit asking him about that. If the filters were half empty he isn't getting fuel aka the pump is sucking air, detroit pumps don't pump air.

Good Grief...
Pete/RTS Daytona (Pete_rtsdaytona)
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Post Number: 343
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 9:22 pm:   

Hi All

Dutch tells me that he put the barded fitting into the normally plugged 3rd port of the fuel filter closes to the fuel tank.

Dutch has added 20 gallons of diesel to his tank
and he changed the filters

As long as he pumps the Bug Sprayer - the BUS RUNS FINE - as some as he stops pumping the bus will stop a short while later

so - I believe that The fuel Pumps ok - the filter are not clogged - the return is ok

But I don't know about this "Mousetrap" - can you force fuel past that device with the solenoid/mousetrap set to STOP ???????? - I wouldn't trhink so

All indications are that the problem is between the tank and the first filter:

A- Hole in the fuel line (between tank and check valve
B- Clogged pickup sock/screen
C- clogged fuel check valve
D- clogged fuel line
E- Clogged Vent line ????

Just in case he has a clogged Tank vent line - He will leave the Filler cap open next time he tries to start the engine - when his batteries are re-charged

Hopefully Bob Greenwood will give this poor guy a call - Come on Bob - this guy needs your help

The only other thing I can think of for Dutch to do is to:
Reprime the Engine with the bug sprayer - remove the barbed fitting and replace the plug - remove the tank fuel line from the filter - and install the barbed fitting with a piece of hose between the barbed fitting and a 5 gallon jug of diesel and see if the bus runs - this will only prove that sometines wrong with the fuel system between the filter and the tank - but it won't fix the problem

Pete
JR Lynch (Njt5047)
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 9:26 pm:   

Get some larger battery chargers. One for each battery. Maybe a pair of 30 or 40 amp chargers.
As has been stated...if the fuel pump is slugged with air, it won't pump until the fuel system is charged thru the primary fuel filter. That's the only way to clear the pump of air.
I you use a garden sprayer, attach to the primary filter inlet. That will completly fill both filters and prime the fuel pump. This may take a while.
If someone could get an electric fuel pump for a carburated engine, you could install it into your fuel line and have a primer system that would purge the fuel engine.
If it starts, keep the RPMs up for a few minutes. If allowed to idle, any small bit of clearing air bubbles will kill it.
Do you have a positive way to check your fuel level? All that "dead reckoning" on the amount of fuel you carry will have you walking.
I'm not familiar with GM coaches, but can you "stick" the tank for level?
If you are getting 12 MPG, you calculations are about right...that's pretty good fuel milage.
Once you get the coach where you can work on it, install a proper fuel primer.
Good luck, JR
dutch (Dutch)
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 9:27 pm:   

I checked all pipes/hoses/tubes/connectors at the fueltank.
There are 4 hoses going into the tank. I have no idea which one to check for dirt.
Also on the right side of the fueltank ther is a "pump"??? That the hoses from the tank go to.
All wires at the fueltank are wired andlook great.
I'm at wits end.
Anybody care to buy my gm4106???!!
I'm tired,upset and depressed.
Also because I know it is something small and simple.
If the enbgine blew up or the wheels fell of that is something I can't fix and that is major.
But this fuel thing.....arrrrccchhh
My face is burned from the sun.
13 hours and still fighting this fuel issue.
dutch (Dutch)
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 10:28 pm:   

Ok another suggestion was spray 2 full cans of starting fluids into the air intake and floor the gaspedal.
I did that and the engine roared to life!!!!
As soon as both bottles were empty the engine died 5-10 seconds later.
It seems I have a bad/broken quillshaft or a bad fuelpump.
How and where do I check these and were do I buy a new fuelpump??? Or a new quilshaft?????
Tom Caffrey (Pvcces)
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 10:39 pm:   

Dutch, it sounds like you have a priming pump next to the tank. That may mean that the prior owner had some of your current troubles and installed that pump to get going again.

If that's true, then there ought to be a switch that will turn on that pump somewhere; the trick is to locate it.

If you get the pump running, the engine should be able to start and keep running within a minute.

Do be careful with the ether; big doses are hard on the old engine.

As a clue about getting that pump running, you can assume that it is 12 volt. If you trace the wires that run to it and locate the ground, you could take a jumper and provide 12 volts to the other lead on the pump.

If you do that, it might be a good idea to feed the power through a fuse, such as a 5 or 10 amp one. Maybe you could power it with your small battery charger.

They don't draw much current.

Good luck with finding your fuel problem.

Tom Caffrey PD4106-2576
Suncatcher
Ketchikan, Alaska
Luvrbus (Luvrbus)
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 10:52 pm:   

call Stewart and Stevenson at 210-662-1000 they are east on I10 but maybe the shop foreman can tell you of someone close to you they are a large DD dealer
dutch (Dutch)
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Posted on Tuesday, May 22, 2007 - 11:15 pm:   

Also mr. Bob greenwood?? From near brownsville knows a mechanic in victoria tx,was wondering if he can get in touvh with him to repair my bus.
Ttthanks
Dutch
Ken Turner (Pipesusmc)
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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 12:12 am:   

I think his fuel pump has quit working!!

When he uses the garden sprayer it could be forcing a lil bit of fuel past the main pump just enough to make it start/run for a few seconds.

(Message edited by pipesusmc on May 23, 2007)
larry currier (Larryc)
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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 2:15 am:   

Dutch, I think you will have to pull the fuel pump and mark the drive with paint, etc. Spin the engine a small amount and see if the pump drive has turned. If it has moved, buy a pump. If it hasn't moved the blower drive shaft, AKA Quill shaft is broken. Buy a Quill shaft. I don't think your problems will be any more serious than this, and the truck shop or DD dealer you buy parts from will help with specific info to change these parts out. Keep your chin up man, pretty soon you will be a good bus mechanic!!! Call me if you need to.
Steve N. (N4rsn)
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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 8:51 am:   

I have never seen a 2 cycle detroit start with a blower shaft broken.!!!
Change to fuel pump.!!!!
THE FUEL PUMP IS BAD.!!!
I use an electric fuel pump to prime the engine when I change filters. It is installed at the tank outlet.
Ok, Dutch, I will try to explain where the fuel outlet is.
Looking at the tank, the small line in top of the fuel fill nozzle, is the return, and the larger line in the fill nozzel is the tank vent.
To the left,( toward the rear)is a 3/8 line, THAT is the fuel outlet.
There should be 3 lines in the tank, unless someon has added lines for a Generator, of some other reason.
Go get a fuel pump for a 8-71 left hand Detroit.
You can probably change it, as It is not to hard.
For what it's worth.
Steve
To the
James Robinson (Jjrbus)
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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 9:32 am:   

Hey Dutch, I feel your pain. I sat in the street for 2 days trying to sort this out. After checking all the gizmos, gadgets and doohickeys it turned out to be a plugged fuel line. between the tank and the primary fuel filter. Try to think of it as an education in fuel delivery systems, not a misrable, wretched experience.
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 9:52 am:   

Additionally, I can almost guarantee that you will never ever experience this same situation again without knowing what to do about it.

I learned my lesson within sight of a gas station and about 12 hours later made it the rest of the way to the fuel pump.
Richard
dutch (Dutch)
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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 9:59 am:   

Tom and steve are right.
I jumped started the fuelpump on/next to the fueltank and it sprung back to life!!!!!
After driving 15 minutes it died again.
So now my question is.
Do I replace just the one on the fueltank or also the one on the back????
Dutch
airless in Mississippi (Airless_in_mississippi)
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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 10:20 am:   

Dutch

After having felt the same pains you are feeling I finally heeded some advice. I was still out of fuel even though I carried 20 gals to the bus. When I added 40 the bus started an ran without a problem. Got to station and never again felt that same pain.
joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 10:23 am:   

Dutch
It might be a plugged / constricted fuel pickup inside the tank or fuel line feeding your filters.

Joe.
joe padberg (Joemc7ab)
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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 10:31 am:   

Dutch

It seems your fuel pumps are OK. Try blowing your fuel line out with low pressure compressed air back toward the tank.

Joe.
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 1:15 pm:   

Get it to a station and fill it up. Then worry about whether you still have problems or not.
Richard

And Joe gives good advice. I had to do that to my 4104 on the way home after I first bought it.
Steve N. (N4rsn)
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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 1:31 pm:   

Dutch, Try to get the engine to start after running the primer pump for a few minuets.
If it starts again, The small primer pump can not keep up, so, You have a plug in the line from the tank, Or the main fuel pump, on the engine is bad.
That pump by the tank, is to prime the system ONLY, it is not ment to supply fuel while driving. That is why I feel you have a fuel pump, on the engine bad.
Everyone is giving you good advise, but, probably have you over whelmed.
Steve
dutch (Dutch)
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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 3:58 pm:   

I brought it to a shop and they removed the small pump on the gastank.
And after starting it 6x or so I'm good to go.
Finally.
Anybody interested in buying it from me!??? I just had a mayor heartattack from all this.
Thanks
Dutch
dutch (Dutch)
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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 4:37 pm:   

Meaning turning it on and off fopr 6x and letting it idle for 20 minutes.
It's sounding great again
Dutch
H3-40 (Ace)
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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 5:06 pm:   

I don't know, it somehow sounds like the small pump was inadvertently turned on and it was on there to maybe suck fuel OUT of the tank for emergency use. Why would there be a small pump at the tank anyway? A small pump should be closer to the filters if it were to re-prime the engine!

Now that I think about it, maybe it was a diesel fuel pump for the generator but he DID say he was filling IT with regular gas didn't he! Hmm, Kind of sounds like he doesn't know what he actually has. Maybe he put gas in a diesel generator where as the small pump was exclusively for the generator. Hard to say from way down here! Too many unanswered questions!

When I got my Eagle, the previous owner had the generator feed line coming directly from the filter. If the bus motor wasn't running the generator would empty the filter. It would stay full as long as the bus was running but I hear they do this in older tour buses as they never run the generator while parked.

Ace

(Message edited by ace on May 23, 2007)
Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 7:18 pm:   

He has a gas Onan.

I wonder if that extra pump developed an air leak in the plumbing. That would explain why, after it was removed, everything worked.

(Message edited by barn_owl on May 23, 2007)
john w. roan (Chessie4905)
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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 9:01 pm:   

Dutch, every coach owner has had one of these" heart attack" problems happen at least once during ownership. I don't care what kind of coach you end up with... you're going to have something like this happen once in a while. You need to have all the proper manuals, and learn to know as much as you can about it, and be able to do some of this work yourself. If you can get past this, you'll look back someday and chuckle about it. BTW, you need these stories to tell the other guys when we eventually get together at a rally around a campfire. Remember, the guts of all coaches are basically the same, just the shells look different. Maybe we should have a section to share our personal horror stories with others. I have a couple of my own. I've even heard of stix and staples owners ready to sell theirs for similar issues from time to time. Maybe it is from a full moon or something, but once in a while it seems that everything goes haywire at the same time.Remember, you have a lot of friends here to help you work out the problems.HANG IN THERE!!!
james dean boggs (Jd_boggs)
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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 9:06 pm:   

Sounds to me that the "fuel pressure switch" is open electrically. If your bus is equipped with a fuel pressure switch then place a jumper across the screw heads or check it with an ohm meter. Sounds like it runs for a short while after he pumps diesel with the bug sprayer. This pressure switch only needs about 4-6 psi. I think.
John MC9 (John_mc9)
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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 9:14 pm:   

Hey James ?

I'll bet if they remove the small pump on the gas tank
and start it 6x or so times, he'll be good to go.


(it's just a gut feelin' I got)
James Robinson (Jjrbus)
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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 9:58 pm:   

Did they say why the small fuel pump was the problem?
JR Lynch (Njt5047)
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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 10:05 pm:   

While the small pump at the fuel tank may indeedy be failing, having a primer pump at the fuel tank is a good way to go. May I suggest replacing the primer pump if you remove it.
MCI offered an accessory primer pump that was mounted in the fuel fill compartment. It's OK to have it in that location. There may be a ball valve or some check valves. Be sure that if you have a ball valve, the valve is in the correct position and that you understand how it works.
If you can get your hands on some clear tubing and fittings enough to tap into the secondary fuel filter, you can run the primer pump and watch for fuel flow and air bubbles. If you see air...the pickup is likely cracked, broken off, or stopped up.
Be sure that you have enough fuel in the coach.
I would not let anyone eliminate your primer pump system. You'll need this again at some point.
Good Luck, JR
dutch (Dutch)
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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 10:30 pm:   

I'm on the road againm

100000000x thanks to everybody especially everybody who called.
I would have had a complweet nervous breakdown without you guys
JR Lynch (Njt5047)
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Posted on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 10:50 pm:   

What was the final diagnosis? What fixed the problem?
You'll soon be an expert on GM fuel systems. This bus thing is a long learning curve...I once spent 8 hours trying to bleed my 6/92. Finally figured out how to do it...with a lot of help. Fortunately, I was not on the side of the road.
Wish that the rest of your trip is totally uneventful!
Hope you change your mind about selling the bus...you're gonna miss it! These things get in your blood.
JR
dutch (Dutch)
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Posted on Friday, May 25, 2007 - 11:52 am:   

Jr.

It was the fuelpump on the gastank.
Replacing it.
It purrs like a happpy detroit again.
Getting 10.3 miles per gallon. Flat road and hills. Pulling a small cargo trailer and going average 59 miles per hour
Dutch

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