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

[stephenskrocki]

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

[one_dusty_hoot]

Put about 3 gallons of fresh diesel in a 5 gallon
can, lift the doghouse lid, Tie something heavy to
one end of 5 feet of 3/16" hose drop it in the can,
disconnect the IN to the final filter, attach the
hose here, no need for clamps just twist it on, open
the "T" handle at the front of the motor, use the
hand prime pump till fuel comes out the front, no
air bubbles close the "T" handle, fire that CAT up.

The injector pump will pull the fuel.

Oh yes, if you are going to move the coach, tie the
can to keep it from tipping over. If it runs then
you know the problem is from there to the tank.
Bob Janes, '87FC35, Greenville, SC

--- 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
>

[Mike Hohnstein]

Crack two injector lines at the head, a 3/4" open end should do the trick,
stroke the hand pump until you get good flow, tighten the line nuts, floor the
throttle and fire up the engine. Repeat process if no start. Think of the
diesel fuel system like hydraulic brakes, air can get locked at the injector and
it needs to be bled. Once you get some air in the system you will have to break
a couple of line nuts, every time. Some times a little WD 40 spray in the
intake will be required to get a stubborn engine running. Avoid ether.
It's normal for old birds to develop fuel delivery problems, you need an
electric fuel pump back by the tank. The factory (83 and up) mounts it inside
the frame rail behind the rear axle. Fuel line check valves are a good thing, I
have 4 of them in my fuel column and my diesel boiler still pulls air when the
gen set is running. The major problem is the fuel lines are a little too small
for best performance. I'd like 1/2" all the way up to the engine, but that can
be a real project. Make sure you don't have kinks or bent line any where in the
supply and return runs. Filter gasket sealing issues might be your problem too,
whatever, air don't burn.
Mike Hohnstein
Germantown, WI
83FC35
----- Original Message -----
From: stephenskrocki
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 5:26 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Engine won't start and generator quits on '79 FC
3208


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





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

[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
>

[Gardner Yeaw]

I know when I am trouble shooting a problem I always ask, what changed?
Since you had a new filter installed, I would look there first. I am
assuming you drove the coach home form the shop, so I would be looking for a
slow leak in the fuel supply system that could have left air in it's place.
Start at the new water filter connections and the filter itself. Of course,
if there is air in the system you need to follow Mike and Bills suggestions
to get the engine started, but you need to find the source of the problem
once you ve eliminated the engine and injector pump.

Gardner
78FC33
-----Original Message-----
From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of Mike Hohnstein
Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 7:33 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Engine won't start and generator quits on
'79 FC 3208

Crack two injector lines at the head, a 3/4" open end should do the trick,
stroke the hand pump until you get good flow, tighten the line nuts, floor
the throttle and fire up the engine. Repeat process if no start. Think of
the diesel fuel system like hydraulic brakes, air can get locked at the
injector and it needs to be bled. Once you get some air in the system you
will have to break a couple of line nuts, every time. Some times a little WD
40 spray in the intake will be required to get a stubborn engine running.
Avoid ether.
It's normal for old birds to develop fuel delivery problems, you need an
electric fuel pump back by the tank. The factory (83 and up) mounts it
inside the frame rail behind the rear axle. Fuel line check valves are a
good thing, I have 4 of them in my fuel column and my diesel boiler still
pulls air when the gen set is running. The major problem is the fuel lines
are a little too small for best performance. I'd like 1/2" all the way up to
the engine, but that can be a real project. Make sure you don't have kinks
or bent line any where in the supply and return runs. Filter gasket sealing
issues might be your problem too, whatever, air don't burn.
Mike Hohnstein
Germantown, WI
83FC35
----- Original Message -----
From: stephenskrocki
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 5:26 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Engine won't start and generator quits on '79 FC
3208

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

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



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

[Chuck Wheeler]

I agree, look for what has changed and simple things. Right after I
purchased our coach I had a full service on it. I got about 60 miles down
the road and the CAT quit when I backed off the throttle to exit the
freeway. I wasn't running the generator at the time. I was in the middle
of Western Center Blvd in north Fort Worth with a Bus I barely knew dead on
the road at 7:00pm! I found air in the fuel separator and when I tried to
use the hand primer saw bubble rising in the bowl. I found a bleed valve at
the fuel filter was not tight. Closed the valve, pumped like crazy, and
managed to limp to the side of the road with a CAT that would not come off
idle. I had to bleed it to get it to run on down the road. I vowed to
learn all critical systems before we made a trip and I now change my own
fuel filters!

Look carefully, you may have two problems. It does sound like fuel but, our
Perkins would quit when the bus was moving. The oil pickup tube was broken
and it would starve for oil and shut down when we were moving.

- Chuck Wheeler -
82 FC 31 SB
Fort Worth, TX


_____

From: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Gardner Yeaw
Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 7:14 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Subject: RE: [WanderlodgeForum] Engine won't start and generator quits on
'79 FC 3208



I know when I am trouble shooting a problem I always ask, what changed?
Since you had a new filter installed, I would look there first. I am
assuming you drove the coach home form the shop, so I would be looking for a
slow leak in the fuel supply system that could have left air in it's place.
Start at the new water filter connections and the filter itself. Of course,
if there is air in the system you need to follow Mike and Bills suggestions
to get the engine started, but you need to find the source of the problem
once you ve eliminated the engine and injector pump.

Gardner
78FC33
-----Original Message-----
From: WanderlodgeForum@
yahoogroups.com
[mailto:WanderlodgeForum@
yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of Mike Hohnstein
Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 7:33 PM
To: WanderlodgeForum@
yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] Engine won't start and generator quits on
'79 FC 3208

Crack two injector lines at the head, a 3/4" open end should do the trick,
stroke the hand pump until you get good flow, tighten the line nuts, floor
the throttle and fire up the engine. Repeat process if no start. Think of
the diesel fuel system like hydraulic brakes, air can get locked at the
injector and it needs to be bled. Once you get some air in the system you
will have to break a couple of line nuts, every time. Some times a little WD
40 spray in the intake will be required to get a stubborn engine running.
Avoid ether.
It's normal for old birds to develop fuel delivery problems, you need an
electric fuel pump back by the tank. The factory (83 and up) mounts it
inside the frame rail behind the rear axle. Fuel line check valves are a
good thing, I have 4 of them in my fuel column and my diesel boiler still
pulls air when the gen set is running. The major problem is the fuel lines
are a little too small for best performance. I'd like 1/2" all the way up to
the engine, but that can be a real project. Make sure you don't have kinks
or bent line any where in the supply and return runs. Filter gasket sealing
issues might be your problem too, whatever, air don't burn.
Mike Hohnstein
Germantown, WI
83FC35
----- Original Message -----
From: stephenskrocki
To: WanderlodgeForum@
yahoogroups.com

Sent: Thursday, August 31, 2006 5:26 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Engine won't start and generator quits on '79 FC
3208

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

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

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






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