| Author |
Message |
Jerry (152.163.188.227)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 31, 2002 - 10:08 am: | |
8V71 FUEL FILTER STORY -- I found my dream in the LA area(GM4106) and by some miracle made it all the way back to my home near St Louis to start the conversion process -- well, almost all the way back. Actually, I had to place the bus in a storage lot for a few months until I had time to rebuild a parking spot for it formerly occupied by my old Class A RV. Got the parking spot rebuilt and went to get the bus for its 10 mile trip to home -- Didn't make it. One of the first things I would have done AFTER it got home was to remove the fuel tank, clean it out, replace fuel filters and lines as needed etc; But -- it just couldn't make it -- the fuel filter clogged and my dream's first appearance in the neighborhood was behind a tow truck (glad I had towing insurance!). Spent an afternoon a few doors from my house on the street changing the VERY clogged fuel filters, priming the fuel system, driving the few houses away to mine, and manuvering it into its parking spot. Now how much dirt could get into those filters for the 10 mins the engine ran? -- read on. Conversion started, fuel tank cleaned (removed over a gallon of sediment from the tank bottom, cleaned the tank interior, and coated its inside), a few local test drives, and finally about 18 months later the real road trips began -- even though the conversion is a long way from being "done.". I was getting very discouraged by the lack of power -- the slightest hill or even a rise in the road and I'd begin to slow down significantly. Even gave up the idea of a crusie control some day as most of the time I just held the pedal to the floor just to maintain close to the flow of traffic. Well, during a Sep road trip it got REALLY bad -- I litterally could have walked faster than I was driving over some of the western North Carolina mountains -- I really knew I had a problem but was hesitant to suspect the filters as they were relatively "new," the fuel tank was cleaned out , and I thought I had been getting clean fuel. Out of desperation I checked the return fuel flow to the tank and had none! Although I had always planned to carry spare fuel filters I regretably hadn't and began to look for a new set -- not an easy task in unfamiliar territory. Luckily, I finally located a secondary filter element (the cartridge) -- the one I guessed I needed the most to get going again. This type of element not sold often and this one had been on their shelves so long with little hope they'd ever sell it -- they just gave it to me! Down the street at a NAPA store I found a primary element (the sock) and another spare cartridge. Well, WOW what a differance!! I actually have to watch my speed now -- with my 4 speed stick I can easily (eventually) get over 70mph ... and spend much more time with the pedal off the floor. Needless to say I now carry spare filter sets (two sets) and won't wait for a problem before the change is made. Message -- as fuel filters clog the process may be slow with less and less power till finally you're walking, carry spares, and change regularly! - Jerry 4106-1750 in IL near ST Louis. |
Scott Whitney (66.82.9.32)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 31, 2002 - 11:37 am: | |
Good advice Jerry! I can relate to your fuel issue!
Scott |
Bradd B. Smith (Bbsrtbusproject) (216.18.141.76)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, October 31, 2002 - 11:12 pm: | |
Hi, In another post not to far down, one of our fellow bus owners put in a link for a truck restoration site. It has 4 articles on the entire fuel system and how to test it. I, for one really appreciated the information. It explains how microbes grow what they call the black death. The site is: http://www.atca-inc.net/. It is under features, in the shop-its. It is the antique truck club of America, and the man who has written the articles knows his stuff. It was posted by Rick and I thank him mightly. Is this a great board or what? Thanks again, Bradd |
Gary Stadler (Boogiethecat) (68.7.217.217)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 01, 2002 - 3:06 pm: | |
EXCELLENT ARTICLES Rick and Bradd!!
I think everyone oughta give them a scan, and also the others about brakes and cooling....well probably the whole series!! I learned a lot!
Thanks! |
Jim Stacy (12.87.109.204)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 01, 2002 - 9:44 pm: | |
Jerry,
You might take a look at the Fuelpro fuel filter sold by your friendly Detroit/Allison dealer. The filter is a little pricey but the refills are about $6.00 and this replaces both the primary and secondary filters, can be changed in a rest area without tools (been there), requires no priming, and is transparent so you can see if it needs changing! Available with electric or coolant fuel heat for cold weather. Neat unit.
FWIW
Jim Stacy |
Rodger Manecke (216.170.151.68)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 02, 2002 - 11:12 am: | |
Ditto on the Fuel Pro. I put one on my 8V71 about three years ago. The clear bowl allows an at a glance check of the condition of the filter. Another benefit is any air in the fuel lines between filter and tank will be made apparent by bubbles rising in the filter bowl.
Mine is the plain jane unit without heater, etc. It's probably close to paying for itself by now in savings on unnecessary filter changes. |
RJ Long (Rjlong) (24.127.74.29)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 02, 2002 - 4:27 pm: | |
Any of you out there installed a FuelPro in your 4106?
Where did you mount it?
Thanks,
RJ
PD4106-2784
Fresno CA |
Mrbus (205.188.209.11)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 02, 2002 - 4:53 pm: | |
I also am a beliver in the Fuelpro seperator, but the best method of determining the condition of fuel filters is to simply install a fuel pressure gauge on the output side of the secondary filter. If you can not find a gauge marked as fuel pressure, use an oil pressure gauge and a matched sending unit. It really does not matter.
With new filters installed, note the pressure at full power, this is your bench mark,so if the filters start to plug, it will be readily apparent,as the reading on the gauge drops from the norm.
I am a real believer in gauges, I have the whole spectrum,speedometer, tachometer, pyrometer,
oil pressure, oil temperature, fuel quanity, fuel pressure,two air pressure,one for front system, one for the rear system, plus two air application gauges, two water temp. gauges,(one on each head)Transmission temperature, and rear end temperature,plus, warning lights for low oil press. low fuel quanity (comes on below 1/4 tank) low air press.,low water warning light, plus high water temp. light(comes on at 195 degrees. Even have thermometer reading inside and outside temps, and a neat holder for my GPS. |
Jim Ashworth (Jimnh) (172.128.65.181)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 02, 2002 - 5:12 pm: | |
Rather than mount the sending unit on the output side, put it on the input side the secondary. If the primary is getting plugged, the pressure will drop. If the secondary is getting plugged, the pressure will rise. Not absolutely foolproof, but it has worked well for every Prevost with the 8v92 engine. That's how they do it. Saved me from changing out both filters at roadside locations. Changing only one is bad enough. Obviously, the other is changed at the earliest opportunity afterward.
Jim |
Jerry (152.163.188.227)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 03, 2002 - 11:33 am: | |
Fuel Pro Unit & Pressure gauge -- I've seen these fuel filter units, read how they operate, and one is definately on the list as something to do but its price (>$400)and the fact I'm still relatively early in the conversion (with many even more "important" things to do)it may have to wait a while. I like a well "instrumented" engine -- the more indications the better -- reminds me of my flying days (I salivate at MrBus' list) and a fuel pressure gauge is high on the list -- heard of putting it on the return line -- sounds even better inbetween the pri & sec filter GREAT IDEA! |
Mrbus (205.188.209.11)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, November 03, 2002 - 8:03 pm: | |
Jim,
You are absolutely correct in mounting it aft of the primary filter, that is exactly where mine is mounted, and somehow I had one of those senior moments while typing. Thanks for clearing it up. |
Jim Stacy (12.87.109.59)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, November 04, 2002 - 9:56 pm: | |
RJ,
I wish I could recall the model numbers, but Fuelpro makes a smaller unit than the standard one if you don't have room. I have the "360" (hope that's right) mounted on the firewall above the tranny on my '04 but with the 6V92/V730 change, it's not stock. The early full size units were very tall, later versions were more compact. Remember, you can remove both the primary and secondary original filters. HTH
Jim Stacy |
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