| Author | Message | ||
| Russell Beam (Rcbeam)
Registered Member Username: Rcbeam Post Number: 25 Registered: 11-2009 Posted From: 74.131.50.239  Rating: N/A |
Anyone know what the minimum fuel level would be in the tank for a MC8? I don't have a gauge, but have a length of heavy wire that I stick in the tank so see how many inches of fuel I have. I don't want to run it too low, but I want to run out as much of what is there as I can. | ||
| steve wardwell (Steve_wardwell)
Registered Member Username: Steve_wardwell Post Number: 85 Registered: 2-2010 Posted From: 75.201.110.97  Rating: N/A |
are you trying to clean your tank ?siphon out the old and in with the new (so you don't lose prime) .............s.............. | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 1331 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 75.219.218.206  Rating: N/A |
Depends on whether your bus is sitting level or sitting on uneven ground. If you driver's side is lower you will run dry quicker because the pick-up is on the passenger's side. We try to fill our tank about every 500-600 miles. This means we always have at least 1/4 tank. Stopping to top off more often is easier than priming. | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1917 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 174.89.176.203  Rating: N/A |
There is a drain plug in the front face of the tank. Remove the body panel, two bolts up inside the corners, and it lifts out of the pegs at the bottom. I would be getting very uncomfortable under 30 US gallons left in a standard tank. That's somewhere around 4 inches deep? The more empty space in a fuel tank, the more space for moisture laden air to leave condensation inside as the temperature changes. happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| Bob MacIsaac (Wildbob24)
Registered Member Username: Wildbob24 Post Number: 112 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 184.36.51.125  Rating: N/A |
I agree with BW. When I was in the driveaway business, the general rule of thumb was that 4 inches of fuel was the bare minimum. Any less than that risked an out of fuel service call. Bob | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1294 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 99.153.142.249  Rating: |
The only hassle with low fuel on a long trip is the fuel will be really HOT. A DD at 1800RPM+ will suck about 30GPH and if your lucky return 20 - 24 GPH. This flow is used to cool the fuel circuit in the head. That being noted , we have pumped 125G into our 4106 sportscar , which is getting close. FF | ||
| Pete/RTS Daytona (Pete_rtsdaytona)
Registered Member Username: Pete_rtsdaytona Post Number: 627 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 97.104.18.110  Rating: N/A |
IIRC the spill rate is more like 60+ GPM at max rpms/full load and 55+ GPH at 1200 rpm/no load | ||
| Tom Christman (Tchristman)
Registered Member Username: Tchristman Post Number: 246 Registered: 1-2006 Posted From: 66.218.33.156 Rating: N/A |
I use my 1/4 mark as my empty point. You should try to keep the fuel as full as possible all the time to prevent condensation. When you're back from a trip and parking the bus, it should be full. If you haven't experienced it yet, running out of fuel is a real bummer, and not easily restarted. As compared to my Caterpillar that has a built in hand primer pump. A couple hundred pumps, and off you go. Good Luck, TomC | ||
| gene reeves (Silverheart)
Registered Member Username: Silverheart Post Number: 5 Registered: 5-2009 Posted From: 64.12.116.203 Rating: N/A |
Even with a fuel on my MC8, I try to keep the fuel level at 1/2 or more. Condensation is an issue with half filled tanks. Not sweating being in a traffic situation (backups do happen) and not having fuel make my day go smoother. And, besides, when I've driven out those 70 gallons, it's time to rest. | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 1296 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 99.153.142.249 Rating: N/A |
WE simply use mileage as the fuel readout is next to the fill. 1000 miles , time for a drink, although most times the PRICE in one particular State or location will stop us short for a better cost per mile. FF | ||
| Russell Beam (Rcbeam)
Registered Member Username: Rcbeam Post Number: 26 Registered: 11-2009 Posted From: 72.250.169.58 Rating: N/A |
Ok, I guess I didn't ask my question correctly. ON a regular basis I plan to keep the tank full like everyone suggested. What I want to do now is just run out as much of what is there as I can because I don't know how old it is and I want to run it low (just not too low) so I can refill when the weather turns cooler with winterized diesel. This is a one time thing, not planning on running her low all the time. Also, I wanted to know what the minimum inches of fuel would be to not go below. Like the rest, I too do not want to run out and loose prime. Thanks, | ||
| steve wardwell (Steve_wardwell)
Registered Member Username: Steve_wardwell Post Number: 88 Registered: 2-2010 Posted From: 75.202.157.7 Rating: N/A |
how about some fuel conditioner and run it | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 1334 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 75.198.26.136 Rating: N/A |
Running it low to remove old fuel may stir up "stuff" that is inside the tank. Better carry a couple extra fuel filters "just in case". Jack | ||
| Gus Causbie (Gusc)
Registered Member Username: Gusc Post Number: 1210 Registered: 11-2005 Posted From: 70.41.96.39  Rating: N/A |
As you keep using the bus and adding new fuel it will automatically dilute the old fuel. No need to make it complicated. | ||
| Russell Beam (Rcbeam)
Registered Member Username: Rcbeam Post Number: 27 Registered: 11-2009 Posted From: 74.131.50.239 Rating: N/A |
All good points guys. I guess I'll just add some conditioner when it turns cold weather and not worry about it. Looks like from buswarrior, the minimum level should be around 4-5 inches. I have the aux tank, but that would not change the minimum level that you'd not want to go past. | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 1335 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 75.198.26.136 Rating: N/A |
We always store our coach with a full tank of fuel. This helps prevent moisture in the fuel tank from condensation. Just our way, YMMV Jack | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Registered Member Username: Buswarrior Post Number: 1919 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 174.91.146.82 Rating: N/A |
Coach fuel tank and lines are sheltered, unlike on a truck. Not as critical to worry about fuel gelling. I'd be more concerned about water from condensation, so throw the correct amount of conditioner in the current tankful and carry on. happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| Neil Holmes (Homer) (Homer)
Registered Member Username: Homer Post Number: 12 Registered: 11-2009 Posted From: 139.142.130.2  Rating: N/A |
Well, from experience a couple of months or so ago, I was coming back from a trip to Prince George BC. I have been doing bonus trips this year. My son in law has been supplying fuel for the bus from the rigs, so basically we are doing free trips. I took a chance and drew down the tank. I was about 20 miles from home when I took a corner, the bus sort of sputtered, but kept going. I drove another 12 miles, and the bus sputtered again on a corner so I stopped the bus on a side road turnoff. Phoned the son in law to come & fuel us up as he only lived 2 miles from where we were. Before he fueled me up I dipped the tank. I only had one inch of fuel showing. The bus was pretty well level and still running. This isn't a normal practice for me, but like Russel, I was interested in finding out exactly where I would run out of fuel. Hope this helps. |
