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10-31-2009, 08:33

First, it's really a bad idea to run out of fuel. Aside from the difficulty of restarting (which is significant), you're also drawing in all the crap at the bottom of the fuel tank that is likely going to clog your filters.

That said, I hate to admit, but one day, I screwed up and got air into the fuel line, killing the engine. Hint: If you forget to drain off the stuff in the bottom of the Racor filter -- don't do it while the engine is running! Turn off the engine first!

Restart: First, ensure that all the fuel filters are full of fuel. Probably the Racor is the one to "distrust" first.

You will probably not be able to start, even with all the filters full.

The ether injection tank is _probably_ empty. Looking in my coach, I don't think the ether tank had ever been refilled (or touched) from the day it was installed by the OEM.

On the air input from the air filter, there is a sensor with a bolt holding it into the air channel, accessed from the curb side door. An open end wrench can easily loosen this sensor, opening a 1" or so hole into the air channel. Use ether spray (starting spray from an autoparts store) and spray a very modest bit (3-4 second spray) into the air channel.

Step to the rear of the engine, and use the rear-engine start -- wait about 10 seconds. Turn on the key -- wait about 5 seconds while the self-tests complete. Then turn the engine over. It may cough and sputter a bit, but it may actually start up. If so, let it run for about a minute. Shut down, seal up the sensor in the air channel, set the start to front, and go start again from the driver's position.

If the engine didn't start on that first try. Then repeat the steps with the ether spray, the waits, and the trial start. It can take two or three tries to get the fuel pump to refill all the fuel lines to the engine. DO NOT OVERUSE THE ETHER SPRAY. It can explode and you won't like that.

The wait after spraying is to allow the spray to evaporate into the air intake area. The wait after switching on the ignition switch before starting is to ensure that there are not any stray voltages in sensors that might cause an explosion.

The 'permanent' solution is to install a second electric fuel pump after the Racor -- that would refill and pressurize the fuel line if you inadvertently introduce air into the fuel line to the injectors. But it's REALLY better to not cause the problem in the first place.

Just fill up the tank before you run out. It'll save a lot of heart burn. Also, don't TOUCH any of the fuel related stuff while the engine is running. Alway shut it down before fiddling with anything.... (a voice of experience).

PS. As for using ether as a cold weather starting aid (the reason there's an ether injection system) -- it's actually way much better to use the engine preheat (AquaHot) to warm the engine and avoid needing the ether. Easier on the engine and much less likely to damage anything or explode.

Pete Masterson

(former) '95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Oct 30, 2009, at 9:41 PM, Eric wrote:

I have not run this bird out of fuel. I have been known to run the tank pretty low though. What steps are necessary to restart the DD Series 60 engine in the event that I should run it out of fuel? Is this when I should use the ether injection system???

Eric Perplies
96' 42' WBWL

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