Engine won't start and generator quits on '79 FC 3208

[Gary Miller]

Steve,

Sounds like a fuel starvation issue to me. I'm not sure where the
genny on your rig is plumbed into the fuel system, but I'll make the
stab that it is T'd off the main line somewhere.

If your generator runs fine until the Cat needs fuel, I would say
the Cat is starving the generator out. Possible causes would be a
partially obstructed fuel line, or a clogged vent at the tank. (My
brother reminds me there's no external fuel pump until '83) Perhaps
loosen the fuel cap for now and see if the problem clears up.

Are you trying to start the Cat with the genny running? If so, shut
it down. Perhaps the genny has pulled fuel from the Cat side of
it's plumbing. You may need to go so far as to crack loose each
injector and get fuel to spit out for proper priming.

One last note, WD-40 is a better starting fluid for the Cat. Ether
will clear off the oil from the cylinder walls, which is not good
for the engine.

Good Luck,

Gary Miller
83 FC 33
Milwaukee area

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "stephenskrocki"
wrote:
>
> I have two big problems. The generator has been cutting out
> whenever I am driving. It will run for hours under load while
> parked, but it will quite within about 10-15 minutes once I start
> driving. An hour later, I can run it again for another 10-15
> minutes. Sounds like an over-heating issue maybe, but it runs
> better when it is sitting still and getting the hottest. I took
it
> to the shop and they were convinced it was because I had no Racor
> water seperator (previous owner bypassed it rather than replace
> it). I had one installed, but the problem persists.
>
> Now that I have it back, it has sat for about a month and I can't
> the main engine started! The generator still runs great (standing
> still) but the main engine will not start. It turns over and I've
> checked an re-checked that their is fuel in the lines. I replaced
> the gasket on the priming pump too, since that was leaking a bit.
> It will turn over with ether, but that doesn't help keep it
> running. I spoke with the shop that worked on it, and they said
> that they probably left something loose when they serviced the
> filters or something to cause the fuel to siphon back to the
tank.
> However, as I said I can get fuel up past the engine-mounted fuel
> filter but I cxan't get it to fire up. Has anyone had either the
> problemw ith the generator or the problem with the main engine not
> starting? Any ideas would be helpful. I've been on the phone
with
> the shop and even had a friend of a friend who is a mechanic come
> and look and I don't know what to do! Before it went into the
shop,
> it started soooo sweet! Now, nothing. Please help if you can!
>
> Stephen Skrocki
> 1979 FC 3208 CAT
>