Fuel delivery on 3208 and coolant check questions

[erniecarpet@...]

Kerry- did you have your block heater on before you fired her up? Ernie-83
pt40 in louisiana


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Edwards, Kerry]

How is the fuel delivered to the 3208 in an FC? Does it have an electric fuel
pump or a mechanical pump on the engine? I ask because it took mine about 3
revolutions to fire after sitting overnight and I think it was short on fuel.
If it is an electric pump, where is it located? I know I have a slight fuel
leak where the line comes up to the back of the engine near the clear plexiglass
thingamybob filled with fuel. I'm guessing it's letting in air.

I've also read somewhere about checking the SCA (?) of the coolant. Can someone
explain what this is and why it is important? Where does a person obtain the
test strips?

Thanks

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver

-


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[davidkerryedwards]

I did have the block heater on when I fired it up. Perhaps that many
revolutions is normal. I'm used to glow plugs on my Mercedes. But it
did fire on one or two cylinders first, which made me think it was
starved for fuel. I had noticed the slight fuel drip prior during my
purchase inspection.

Kerry

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, erniecarpet@... wrote:
>
> Kerry- did you have your block heater on before you fired her up?
Ernie-83
> pt40 in louisiana
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[Mike Hohnstein]

The injector pump has an integral lift pump and it's good to have a pusher pump
to help. You need a pressure/vacuum gage on the fuel line. The point where it
connects to the injector pump. Pusher pumps are located behind the rear axle on
the inner frame rail on FCs. As yours was a NA it might not have one. The
copper line is marginal in diameter and flex lines can be a problem letting in
air. Consider the fuel column as a hydrualic brake system, a little air is real
bad. You probably know that as a diesel owner.
Mike Hohnstein
----- Original Message -----
From: davidkerryedwards
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 9:15 AM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Fuel delivery on 3208 and coolant check
questions


I did have the block heater on when I fired it up. Perhaps that many
revolutions is normal. I'm used to glow plugs on my Mercedes. But it
did fire on one or two cylinders first, which made me think it was
starved for fuel. I had noticed the slight fuel drip prior during my
purchase inspection.

Kerry

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, erniecarpet@... wrote:
>
> Kerry- did you have your block heater on before you fired her up?
Ernie-83
> pt40 in louisiana
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>






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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[davidkerryedwards]

I think that explains what was going on. Mine probably does not
have a pusher pump and it took a revolution or two for the lift pump
to fill up the lines from a little air getting in overnight. I'll
fix the leak and see what happens.
There is a record in the blue box of the original owner having it
checked for a fuel leak. It was all done while running with a
pressure gauge. From the drip I saw, I suspect the leak is very
small but just enough to let air in and fuel drain back towards the
tank from the high point overnight.
I expected the engine to kick off on the first compression stroke.

Kerry

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hohnstein"
<MHOHNSTEIN@...> wrote:
>
> The injector pump has an integral lift pump and it's good to have
a pusher pump to help. You need a pressure/vacuum gage on the fuel
line. The point where it connects to the injector pump. Pusher
pumps are located behind the rear axle on the inner frame rail on
FCs. As yours was a NA it might not have one. The copper line is
marginal in diameter and flex lines can be a problem letting in
air. Consider the fuel column as a hydrualic brake system, a little
air is real bad. You probably know that as a diesel owner.
> Mike Hohnstein
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: davidkerryedwards
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 9:15 AM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Fuel delivery on 3208 and
coolant check questions
>
>
> I did have the block heater on when I fired it up. Perhaps that
many
> revolutions is normal. I'm used to glow plugs on my Mercedes.
But it
> did fire on one or two cylinders first, which made me think it
was
> starved for fuel. I had noticed the slight fuel drip prior
during my
> purchase inspection.
>
> Kerry
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, erniecarpet@ wrote:
> >
> > Kerry- did you have your block heater on before you fired her
up?
> Ernie-83
> > pt40 in louisiana
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
> SPONSORED LINKS Recreational vehicles Wanderlodge Automotive
maintenance
> Recreational vehicle dealer Used recreational vehicles
Automotive radiators
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------
> YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
>
> a.. Visit your group "WanderlodgeForum" on the web.
>
> b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> WanderlodgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
>
> c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms
of Service.
>
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[Jeff Miller]

What Mike said.

The 3208 does self-purge a little air as it returns extra fuel to the
tank by pushing the fuel out of the top of the IP, but not much.
Enough to create a bubble in the IP's pump and it won't suck fuel.

If you have a very small leak it will probably not be evident while
running, until the fuel filter restricts flow then you'll fill the
system with air from that small leak.

The later FCs with the electric pump at the tank are more forgiving,
a worthwhile addition, run it from the oil pressure sender and a
relay.

- Jeff Miller
in Holland, MI


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards"
wrote:
>
> I think that explains what was going on. Mine probably does not
> have a pusher pump and it took a revolution or two for the lift
pump
> to fill up the lines from a little air getting in overnight. I'll
> fix the leak and see what happens.
> There is a record in the blue box of the original owner having it
> checked for a fuel leak. It was all done while running with a
> pressure gauge. From the drip I saw, I suspect the leak is very
> small but just enough to let air in and fuel drain back towards the
> tank from the high point overnight.
> I expected the engine to kick off on the first compression stroke.
>
> Kerry
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Mike Hohnstein"
> <MHOHNSTEIN@> wrote:
> >
> > The injector pump has an integral lift pump and it's good to have
> a pusher pump to help. You need a pressure/vacuum gage on the fuel
> line. The point where it connects to the injector pump. Pusher
> pumps are located behind the rear axle on the inner frame rail on
> FCs. As yours was a NA it might not have one. The copper line is
> marginal in diameter and flex lines can be a problem letting in
> air. Consider the fuel column as a hydrualic brake system, a
little
> air is real bad. You probably know that as a diesel owner.
> > Mike Hohnstein
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: davidkerryedwards
> > To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > Sent: Tuesday, March 07, 2006 9:15 AM
> > Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Fuel delivery on 3208 and
> coolant check questions
> >
> >
> > I did have the block heater on when I fired it up. Perhaps
that
> many
> > revolutions is normal. I'm used to glow plugs on my Mercedes.
> But it
> > did fire on one or two cylinders first, which made me think it
> was
> > starved for fuel. I had noticed the slight fuel drip prior
> during my
> > purchase inspection.
> >
> > Kerry
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, erniecarpet@ wrote:
> > >
> > > Kerry- did you have your block heater on before you fired her
> up?
> > Ernie-83
> > > pt40 in louisiana
> > >
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > SPONSORED LINKS Recreational vehicles Wanderlodge Automotive
> maintenance
> > Recreational vehicle dealer Used recreational vehicles
> Automotive radiators
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------
-
> -----------
> > YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS
> >
> > a.. Visit your group "WanderlodgeForum" on the web.
> >
> > b.. To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> > WanderlodgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> >
> > c.. Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms
> of Service.
> >
> >
> > ------------------------------------------------------------------
-
> -----------
> >
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>

[putneyflash@...]

The 3208 has a fuel pump as part of the service assembly ( fuel injection pump)
. i understand there is an auxlary pump located near the fuel tank. you can get
the strips at your caterpillar dealer, they measure the silcate level in your
coolant.to much silcate level can cause restricted flow thru the radiator. most
diesel use coolant conditioner in the cooling system which if not conditioned
properly leaves behind to much silcates..

-re fc-35 sb
------------- Original message from "Edwards, Kerry" :
--------------


How is the fuel delivered to the 3208 in an FC? Does it have an electric fuel
pump or a mechanical pump on the engine? I ask because it took mine about 3
revolutions to fire after sitting overnight and I think it was short on fuel.
If it is an electric pump, where is it located? I know I have a slight fuel
leak where the line comes up to the back of the engine near the clear plexiglass
thingamybob filled with fuel. I'm guessing it's letting in air.

I've also read somewhere about checking the SCA (?) of the coolant. Can someone
explain what this is and why it is important? Where does a person obtain the
test strips?

Thanks

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver

-


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]




SPONSORED LINKS Recreational vehicles Wanderlodge Automotive maintenance
Recreational vehicle dealer Used recreational vehicles Automotive radiators



YAHOO! GROUPS LINKS

Visit your group "WanderlodgeForum" on the web.

To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
WanderlodgeForum-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Jeff Miller]

Check SCAs / coolant with test strips, available at CAT or NAPA, get
the ones that test for everything.

The plexiglass thing sounds like the old water-separator, didn't know
they still installed them in '82, original engine? If air got in, it
wouldn't have started in 3revs, and that's a fairly normal start if
it is cold. The block heater might not work, reach in through the
curbside step in the front bumper and feel for the warm tank heater,
careful, might be hot. Warmth should be felt on top of the air pump
in a few hours. Not quite like the Mercedes, doesn't heat as fast
from the block heater, and doesn't start as fast cold, no glow-plugs.
Warm it up well with the block heater and it should hit on the first
couple of compression strokes if the starter spins it fast enough
(healthy starter, wiring, and batteries).

- Jeff Miller
in Holland, MI


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Edwards, Kerry"
wrote:
>
>
> How is the fuel delivered to the 3208 in an FC? Does it have an
electric fuel pump or a mechanical pump on the engine? I ask because
it took mine about 3 revolutions to fire after sitting overnight and
I think it was short on fuel. If it is an electric pump, where is it
located? I know I have a slight fuel leak where the line comes up to
the back of the engine near the clear plexiglass thingamybob filled
with fuel. I'm guessing it's letting in air.
>
> I've also read somewhere about checking the SCA (?) of the
coolant. Can someone explain what this is and why it is important?
Where does a person obtain the test strips?
>
> Thanks
>
> Kerry
> 82 FC 35
> Denver
>
> -
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[davidkerryedwards]

Thanks. It's my first non-glowplug diesel. Engine is a CAT
remanf'd. Block heater had been on for about between 1 and 2 hrs. It
was probably in the high 30's. Anyone use ether spray systems for
cold weather?

Kerry
82 FC 35
Denver

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Miller"
wrote:
>
> Check SCAs / coolant with test strips, available at CAT or NAPA, get
> the ones that test for everything.
>
> The plexiglass thing sounds like the old water-separator, didn't know
> they still installed them in '82, original engine? If air got in, it
> wouldn't have started in 3revs, and that's a fairly normal start if
> it is cold. The block heater might not work, reach in through the
> curbside step in the front bumper and feel for the warm tank heater,
> careful, might be hot. Warmth should be felt on top of the air pump
> in a few hours. Not quite like the Mercedes, doesn't heat as fast
> from the block heater, and doesn't start as fast cold, no glow-plugs.
> Warm it up well with the block heater and it should hit on the first
> couple of compression strokes if the starter spins it fast enough
> (healthy starter, wiring, and batteries).
>
> - Jeff Miller
> in Holland, MI
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Edwards, Kerry"
> wrote:
> >
> >
> > How is the fuel delivered to the 3208 in an FC? Does it have an
> electric fuel pump or a mechanical pump on the engine? I ask because
> it took mine about 3 revolutions to fire after sitting overnight and
> I think it was short on fuel. If it is an electric pump, where is it
> located? I know I have a slight fuel leak where the line comes up to
> the back of the engine near the clear plexiglass thingamybob filled
> with fuel. I'm guessing it's letting in air.
> >
> > I've also read somewhere about checking the SCA (?) of the
> coolant. Can someone explain what this is and why it is important?
> Where does a person obtain the test strips?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Kerry
> > 82 FC 35
> > Denver
> >
> > -
> >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
>

[Scott]

Kerry, first of all 1-2 hrs on the block heater is probably not
enough time. There really is a lot of metal, oil to warm up in the
kitty. I have found it takes longer 4-5hrs to warm the block/oil
enough to be effective. But since I live in the south what do I know!

If you found the ether can in the coach it could very easily be a
reason the engine is remaned! While I carry ether, it is only for
dire emergencies, and if used, use it while the engine is turning
over, do not spray it then get inside and try and start it. Parts may
fly off..ether ignition is an explosion! Spraying while the engine is
spinning will distribute it through out the cylanders and not stress
one more than the others. I would think 30* temps would not require
ether to start...but then again I live in the south. When issues like
ether are required I have great road assist to get to a Cat
dealer...FMCA check it out.

BTW we spent the holidays on the western slope, Glenwood Springs,
great time...on top of a mtn.. 5' of snow...it was great until the
sled got stuck...dang at 9500' that was a bear...

Scott B
865FC35
South Carolina "again, not too smart, but I got a bird"

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards"
wrote:
>
> Thanks. It's my first non-glowplug diesel. Engine is a CAT
> remanf'd. Block heater had been on for about between 1 and 2 hrs.
It
> was probably in the high 30's. Anyone use ether spray systems for
> cold weather?
>
> Kerry
> 82 FC 35
> Denver
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Miller"
> wrote:
> >
> > Check SCAs / coolant with test strips, available at CAT or NAPA,
get
> > the ones that test for everything.
> >
> > The plexiglass thing sounds like the old water-separator, didn't
know
> > they still installed them in '82, original engine? If air got in,
it
> > wouldn't have started in 3revs, and that's a fairly normal start
if
> > it is cold. The block heater might not work, reach in through the
> > curbside step in the front bumper and feel for the warm tank
heater,
> > careful, might be hot. Warmth should be felt on top of the air
pump
> > in a few hours. Not quite like the Mercedes, doesn't heat as fast
> > from the block heater, and doesn't start as fast cold, no glow-
plugs.
> > Warm it up well with the block heater and it should hit on the
first
> > couple of compression strokes if the starter spins it fast enough
> > (healthy starter, wiring, and batteries).
> >
> > - Jeff Miller
> > in Holland, MI
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Edwards, Kerry"
> > wrote:
> > >
> > >
> > > How is the fuel delivered to the 3208 in an FC? Does it have
an
> > electric fuel pump or a mechanical pump on the engine? I ask
because
> > it took mine about 3 revolutions to fire after sitting overnight
and
> > I think it was short on fuel. If it is an electric pump, where
is it
> > located? I know I have a slight fuel leak where the line comes
up to
> > the back of the engine near the clear plexiglass thingamybob
filled
> > with fuel. I'm guessing it's letting in air.
> > >
> > > I've also read somewhere about checking the SCA (?) of the
> > coolant. Can someone explain what this is and why it is
important?
> > Where does a person obtain the test strips?
> > >
> > > Thanks
> > >
> > > Kerry
> > > 82 FC 35
> > > Denver
> > >
> > > -
> > >
> > >
> > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > >
> >
>