80 bird with 3208 cat keeps stalling - PLEASE help

[samax8]

-I agree with everyone else that you may have contaminated fuel. But
these old cats seem to run with pretty bad fuel so try the simple
things first. I beleive you have an air leak. I had a very similar
situation with the engine stalling but running and starting with
starter fluid. Turns out a newly replaced water seperator had a bad
seal and was allowing air to be sucked in. Replaced the seperator
and everything was fine. I could see air bubbles in the glass bowl
of the water seperator. Check yours if you can keep the engine
running for a few minutes. The water seperator is located at the top
rear of the engine.

Bill
82FC33

-- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Adria Haynes"
<mrbeebody@n...> wrote:
> Gurus,
>
> I had been here for a while, took a break, but have been lurking
> again
> for a while. I NEED HELP!
>
> What I have is a Wanderlodge 35fc with a newer 3208 Cat. We just
> used it last month for a long weekend that was 2 hours away and
> everything went excellent. We started the trip with 1/4 tank,
> filled up, and had 1/2 tank when the trip was over - which how it
> has sat for the past
> month.
>
> I fired it up for a few minutes on Thursday night to make sure we
> were ready to rock for the long weekend. After getting everything
> ready to head out - it wouldn't stay running. Per advice from
> friends and family, I changed the fuel filter at the back of the
> motor with a brand new one that was FULL of fuel. I also changed
out
> the water seperator and filter under the LP compartment door. I
> removed, refilled, and reinstalled the engine bay fuel filter a
> number of times. Each time priming it with the primer.
>
> After removing the air filter, the bus would start and run if I
shot
> and kept shooting starting fluid down the intake. After a while,
it
> seemed to be able to sustain on its own. I had to keep the
throttle
> pulled back to keep it idling a little over 1200. While the tach
> indicated steady RPM's, the cloud out the back indicated
sputtering
> within. Again, after a while it would run on its own, seem to run
> well, but not for long before it would start to sputter. At that
> point, I would remove the new fuel filter and find it to be only
> about 1/4 full of fuel - making me to believe that it died when
the
> fuel filter ran out of fuel. When removing the new filter, at the
> point when the seal breaks, it gives out that "shtook" popping
sound
> as though it were under heavy suction.
>
> Another interesting thing is that after having been run, I would
> turn the valve on the water seperator. Not only would the liquids
> not just stream out - it would "burble and chug" out the bottom
but
> only do so after it looked like it sucked air IN - as though there
> were a natural vacuum.
>
> After having the vacation already wrecked, I need to focus on
> getting it back up and running again ASAP. I read a post on the
> vintagebirds.com site in which a gentleman indicated that he had an
> 81 with a 1/2 tank that acted like he was out of fuel and that he
> added more fuel and it behaved as long as he kept it above the 1/2
> tank level until he did something with a 1/4" copper line.
>
> I'm unclear as to what he did to fix it and cannot contact him.
>
> Is it a common problem for a bird such as mine to ALL OF A SUDDEN
> act like it has a heavy fuel restriction or act like its out of
> gas? My uncle seems to think its acting like it's sucking air
into
> the line or there is a restriction.
>
> Please help, I'm desperate. Any help, suggestions, or anything
> would be HUGELY appreciated.
>
> Thanks, John in Flint.

[Adria Haynes]

So there is a water seperator at the rear of the engine that I
didn't even notice when removing the fuel filter a dozen times?

huh.

I figured the one at the LP bay was the only one.

Let me know,

John


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "samax8"
wrote:
> -I agree with everyone else that you may have contaminated fuel.
But
> these old cats seem to run with pretty bad fuel so try the simple
> things first. I beleive you have an air leak. I had a very similar
> situation with the engine stalling but running and starting with
> starter fluid. Turns out a newly replaced water seperator had a
bad
> seal and was allowing air to be sucked in. Replaced the seperator
> and everything was fine. I could see air bubbles in the glass bowl
> of the water seperator. Check yours if you can keep the engine
> running for a few minutes. The water seperator is located at the
top
> rear of the engine.
>
> Bill
> 82FC33
>
> -- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Adria Haynes"
> <mrbeebody@n...> wrote:
> > Gurus,
> >
> > I had been here for a while, took a break, but have been lurking
> > again
> > for a while. I NEED HELP!
> >
> > What I have is a Wanderlodge 35fc with a newer 3208 Cat. We just
> > used it last month for a long weekend that was 2 hours away and
> > everything went excellent. We started the trip with 1/4 tank,
> > filled up, and had 1/2 tank when the trip was over - which how
it
> > has sat for the past
> > month.
> >
> > I fired it up for a few minutes on Thursday night to make sure we
> > were ready to rock for the long weekend. After getting
everything
> > ready to head out - it wouldn't stay running. Per advice from
> > friends and family, I changed the fuel filter at the back of the
> > motor with a brand new one that was FULL of fuel. I also changed
> out
> > the water seperator and filter under the LP compartment door. I
> > removed, refilled, and reinstalled the engine bay fuel filter a
> > number of times. Each time priming it with the primer.
> >
> > After removing the air filter, the bus would start and run if I
> shot
> > and kept shooting starting fluid down the intake. After a
while,
> it
> > seemed to be able to sustain on its own. I had to keep the
> throttle
> > pulled back to keep it idling a little over 1200. While the
tach
> > indicated steady RPM's, the cloud out the back indicated
> sputtering
> > within. Again, after a while it would run on its own, seem to
run
> > well, but not for long before it would start to sputter. At
that
> > point, I would remove the new fuel filter and find it to be only
> > about 1/4 full of fuel - making me to believe that it died when
> the
> > fuel filter ran out of fuel. When removing the new filter, at
the
> > point when the seal breaks, it gives out that "shtook" popping
> sound
> > as though it were under heavy suction.
> >
> > Another interesting thing is that after having been run, I would
> > turn the valve on the water seperator. Not only would the
liquids
> > not just stream out - it would "burble and chug" out the bottom
> but
> > only do so after it looked like it sucked air IN - as though
there
> > were a natural vacuum.
> >
> > After having the vacation already wrecked, I need to focus on
> > getting it back up and running again ASAP. I read a post on the
> > vintagebirds.com site in which a gentleman indicated that he had
an
> > 81 with a 1/2 tank that acted like he was out of fuel and that
he
> > added more fuel and it behaved as long as he kept it above the
1/2
> > tank level until he did something with a 1/4" copper line.
> >
> > I'm unclear as to what he did to fix it and cannot contact him.
> >
> > Is it a common problem for a bird such as mine to ALL OF A
SUDDEN
> > act like it has a heavy fuel restriction or act like its out of
> > gas? My uncle seems to think its acting like it's sucking air
> into
> > the line or there is a restriction.
> >
> > Please help, I'm desperate. Any help, suggestions, or anything
> > would be HUGELY appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks, John in Flint.

[John Stiles]

Actually no. Not on a 1980, at least none that I have seen. The
1980 did not have a water seperator or an air dryer either. I
assume these were added in '81 or '82?

John Stiles
1980 33FC
"My Navion"


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Adria Haynes"
<mrbeebody@n...> wrote:
> So there is a water seperator at the rear of the engine that I
> didn't even notice when removing the fuel filter a dozen times?
>
> huh.
>
> I figured the one at the LP bay was the only one.
>
> Let me know,
>
> John
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "samax8"
> wrote:
> > -I agree with everyone else that you may have contaminated fuel.
> But
> > these old cats seem to run with pretty bad fuel so try the
simple
> > things first. I beleive you have an air leak. I had a very
similar
> > situation with the engine stalling but running and starting with
> > starter fluid. Turns out a newly replaced water seperator had a
> bad
> > seal and was allowing air to be sucked in. Replaced the
seperator
> > and everything was fine. I could see air bubbles in the glass
bowl
> > of the water seperator. Check yours if you can keep the engine
> > running for a few minutes. The water seperator is located at the
> top
> > rear of the engine.
> >
> > Bill
> > 82FC33
> >
> > -- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Adria Haynes"
> > <mrbeebody@n...> wrote:
> > > Gurus,
> > >
> > > I had been here for a while, took a break, but have been
lurking
> > > again
> > > for a while. I NEED HELP!
> > >
> > > What I have is a Wanderlodge 35fc with a newer 3208 Cat. We
just
> > > used it last month for a long weekend that was 2 hours away
and
> > > everything went excellent. We started the trip with 1/4 tank,
> > > filled up, and had 1/2 tank when the trip was over - which how
> it
> > > has sat for the past
> > > month.
> > >
> > > I fired it up for a few minutes on Thursday night to make sure
we
> > > were ready to rock for the long weekend. After getting
> everything
> > > ready to head out - it wouldn't stay running. Per advice from
> > > friends and family, I changed the fuel filter at the back of
the
> > > motor with a brand new one that was FULL of fuel. I also
changed
> > out
> > > the water seperator and filter under the LP compartment door.
I
> > > removed, refilled, and reinstalled the engine bay fuel filter
a
> > > number of times. Each time priming it with the primer.
> > >
> > > After removing the air filter, the bus would start and run if
I
> > shot
> > > and kept shooting starting fluid down the intake. After a
> while,
> > it
> > > seemed to be able to sustain on its own. I had to keep the
> > throttle
> > > pulled back to keep it idling a little over 1200. While the
> tach
> > > indicated steady RPM's, the cloud out the back indicated
> > sputtering
> > > within. Again, after a while it would run on its own, seem to
> run
> > > well, but not for long before it would start to sputter. At
> that
> > > point, I would remove the new fuel filter and find it to be
only
> > > about 1/4 full of fuel - making me to believe that it died
when
> > the
> > > fuel filter ran out of fuel. When removing the new filter, at
> the
> > > point when the seal breaks, it gives out that "shtook" popping
> > sound
> > > as though it were under heavy suction.
> > >
> > > Another interesting thing is that after having been run, I
would
> > > turn the valve on the water seperator. Not only would the
> liquids
> > > not just stream out - it would "burble and chug" out the
bottom
> > but
> > > only do so after it looked like it sucked air IN - as though
> there
> > > were a natural vacuum.
> > >
> > > After having the vacation already wrecked, I need to focus on
> > > getting it back up and running again ASAP. I read a post on
the
> > > vintagebirds.com site in which a gentleman indicated that he
had
> an
> > > 81 with a 1/2 tank that acted like he was out of fuel and that
> he
> > > added more fuel and it behaved as long as he kept it above the
> 1/2
> > > tank level until he did something with a 1/4" copper line.
> > >
> > > I'm unclear as to what he did to fix it and cannot contact him.
> > >
> > > Is it a common problem for a bird such as mine to ALL OF A
> SUDDEN
> > > act like it has a heavy fuel restriction or act like its out
of
> > > gas? My uncle seems to think its acting like it's sucking air
> > into
> > > the line or there is a restriction.
> > >
> > > Please help, I'm desperate. Any help, suggestions, or
anything
> > > would be HUGELY appreciated.
> > >
> > > Thanks, John in Flint.

[randydupree]

ok,lets think about this. you say when you take the top off the racor you hear a
hiss..its sucking air in when you take the top off.that means that you don't
have an air leak. jay darst just last month went through this,he had a blockage
at the inlet pipe on the racor.the fix? take the line off the racor that goes to
the tank and blow air through it,then make suer the racor plumbing is not
stopped up.randydupree93wb
----- Original Message -----
From: samax8
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, May 31, 2005 3:32 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: 80 bird with 3208 cat keeps stalling - PLEASE
help


-I agree with everyone else that you may have contaminated fuel. But
these old cats seem to run with pretty bad fuel so try the simple
things first. I beleive you have an air leak. I had a very similar
situation with the engine stalling but running and starting with
starter fluid. Turns out a newly replaced water seperator had a bad
seal and was allowing air to be sucked in. Replaced the seperator
and everything was fine. I could see air bubbles in the glass bowl
of the water seperator. Check yours if you can keep the engine
running for a few minutes. The water seperator is located at the top
rear of the engine.

Bill
82FC33

-- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Adria Haynes"
<mrbeebody@n...> wrote:
> Gurus,
>
> I had been here for a while, took a break, but have been lurking
> again
> for a while. I NEED HELP!
>
> What I have is a Wanderlodge 35fc with a newer 3208 Cat. We just
> used it last month for a long weekend that was 2 hours away and
> everything went excellent. We started the trip with 1/4 tank,
> filled up, and had 1/2 tank when the trip was over - which how it
> has sat for the past
> month.
>
> I fired it up for a few minutes on Thursday night to make sure we
> were ready to rock for the long weekend. After getting everything
> ready to head out - it wouldn't stay running. Per advice from
> friends and family, I changed the fuel filter at the back of the
> motor with a brand new one that was FULL of fuel. I also changed
out
> the water seperator and filter under the LP compartment door. I
> removed, refilled, and reinstalled the engine bay fuel filter a
> number of times. Each time priming it with the primer.
>
> After removing the air filter, the bus would start and run if I
shot
> and kept shooting starting fluid down the intake. After a while,
it
> seemed to be able to sustain on its own. I had to keep the
throttle
> pulled back to keep it idling a little over 1200. While the tach
> indicated steady RPM's, the cloud out the back indicated
sputtering
> within. Again, after a while it would run on its own, seem to run
> well, but not for long before it would start to sputter. At that
> point, I would remove the new fuel filter and find it to be only
> about 1/4 full of fuel - making me to believe that it died when
the
> fuel filter ran out of fuel. When removing the new filter, at the
> point when the seal breaks, it gives out that "shtook" popping
sound
> as though it were under heavy suction.
>
> Another interesting thing is that after having been run, I would
> turn the valve on the water seperator. Not only would the liquids
> not just stream out - it would "burble and chug" out the bottom
but
> only do so after it looked like it sucked air IN - as though there
> were a natural vacuum.
>
> After having the vacation already wrecked, I need to focus on
> getting it back up and running again ASAP. I read a post on the
> vintagebirds.com site in which a gentleman indicated that he had an
> 81 with a 1/2 tank that acted like he was out of fuel and that he
> added more fuel and it behaved as long as he kept it above the 1/2
> tank level until he did something with a 1/4" copper line.
>
> I'm unclear as to what he did to fix it and cannot contact him.
>
> Is it a common problem for a bird such as mine to ALL OF A SUDDEN
> act like it has a heavy fuel restriction or act like its out of
> gas? My uncle seems to think its acting like it's sucking air
into
> the line or there is a restriction.
>
> Please help, I'm desperate. Any help, suggestions, or anything
> would be HUGELY appreciated.
>
> Thanks, John in Flint.





------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links

a.. To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WanderlodgeForum/

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]

[George Lowry]

Sure sounds like Algae to me...

George Lowry
'95 WBDA 4203 & GM 4106 (for sale)
Spearfish, SD

Adria Haynes wrote:

>
> I do remember seeing that the initial fluid I drained from the
> seperator was somewhat black and gunky looking.
>
>

[Dan Weaver]

My 83 FC had a drain plug on the bottom of the tank, and I
successfuilly pulled it with 1/2 tank. Nothing came out, poked a
screwdriver in and the flood gates opened. Drained about 1 gallon,
then screwed the drain plug back in. It'll spray outward a bit
while reinserting the drain plug, so wear old clothes, and wash up
with soap out in the yard after getting the drain plug back in. I
drained mine 3 times in one week to ensure all sediment was gone.
It ran clear the 3rd time.

Dan

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Adria Haynes"
<mrbeebody@n...> wrote:
> Another rookie question - can you get to or even see the top of
the
> tank without dropping it? If so, how?
>
> Another problem is that even at half full, I'm not to hip on
pulling
> a drain plug as I don't have a safe way to catch what I think is
> something like 75 gallons of fuel. I don't have a pan big enough.
>
> I do remember seeing that the initial fluid I drained from the
> seperator was somewhat black and gunky looking.
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Tom Warner

> wrote:
> > After reading your original email and all of the responses I
> believe you
> > have a lot of crud in the bottom of your tank. As long as you
> kept the
> > fuel tank fairly fuel it never lets the crud get into your lines
> but when
> > you pulled it down to 1/4 you stirred things up. If you take the
> inspection
> > plate off the top of the tank where the fuel lines run and
shine
> a strong
> > light down into the tank and dip a wooden rod into it to the
> bottom and
> > move it slightly then pull it up you will see what I mean.
> >
> > Or you can take the drain plug out of the bottom of the tank,
put
> a large
> > pan underneath and more then likely the hole will be completely
> plugged.
> > Drive thru it with a screwdriver and you will see the crap come
> out.
> >
> > If you are near a Marina they have services to filter and
> condition the
> > fuel to get rid of it, or you can do it yourself.
> >
> > If you need more info holler
> >
> > Tom
> > 1982 FC35
> > Vernon Center,NYAt 03:58 PM 5/31/2005 +0000, you wrote:
> > >Right, I wasn't crazy about doing it either.
> > >
> > >We originaly thought that it had just somehow lost its prime.
My
> uncle
> > >told me to just do that as a way to get it running and keep it
> running -
> > > for up to a few minutes max - until the engine could get over
> itself
> > >and regain its prime. It mostly was run under its own power
since
> > >everytime it died, I would remove and refill the fuel filter -
so
> I
> > >don't think I hurt anything long term.
> > >
> > >
> > >--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Jeff Miller"
>
> > >wrote:
> > > > Another point, don't run the 3208 with a fuel starvation
> problem.
> > >Ether
> > > > is bad for the engine (starting fluid), and running the fuel
> > >injection
> > > > pump can be an expensive proposition as it uses the fuel for
> > >lubricant.
> > > >
> > > > - Jeff Miller
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Yahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >

[Dan Weaver]

Long shot, but worth checking:
I agree it sounds fuel related, but also check the wire connection
on the fuel solonoid under the dog house to ensure it is tight, and
not intermmittently making/losing connection causing the fuel
solonoid to fluctuate in and out, cutting the flow.

Dan


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Adria Haynes"
<mrbeebody@n...> wrote:
> Gurus,
>
> I had been here for a while, took a break, but have been lurking
> again
> for a while. I NEED HELP!
>
> What I have is a Wanderlodge 35fc with a newer 3208 Cat. We just
> used it last month for a long weekend that was 2 hours away and
> everything went excellent. We started the trip with 1/4 tank,
> filled up, and had 1/2 tank when the trip was over - which how it
> has sat for the past
> month.
>
> I fired it up for a few minutes on Thursday night to make sure we
> were ready to rock for the long weekend. After getting everything
> ready to head out - it wouldn't stay running. Per advice from
> friends and family, I changed the fuel filter at the back of the
> motor with a brand new one that was FULL of fuel. I also changed
out
> the water seperator and filter under the LP compartment door. I
> removed, refilled, and reinstalled the engine bay fuel filter a
> number of times. Each time priming it with the primer.
>
> After removing the air filter, the bus would start and run if I
shot
> and kept shooting starting fluid down the intake. After a while,
it
> seemed to be able to sustain on its own. I had to keep the
throttle
> pulled back to keep it idling a little over 1200. While the tach
> indicated steady RPM's, the cloud out the back indicated
sputtering
> within. Again, after a while it would run on its own, seem to run
> well, but not for long before it would start to sputter. At that
> point, I would remove the new fuel filter and find it to be only
> about 1/4 full of fuel - making me to believe that it died when
the
> fuel filter ran out of fuel. When removing the new filter, at the
> point when the seal breaks, it gives out that "shtook" popping
sound
> as though it were under heavy suction.
>
> Another interesting thing is that after having been run, I would
> turn the valve on the water seperator. Not only would the liquids
> not just stream out - it would "burble and chug" out the bottom
but
> only do so after it looked like it sucked air IN - as though there
> were a natural vacuum.
>
> After having the vacation already wrecked, I need to focus on
> getting it back up and running again ASAP. I read a post on the
> vintagebirds.com site in which a gentleman indicated that he had an
> 81 with a 1/2 tank that acted like he was out of fuel and that he
> added more fuel and it behaved as long as he kept it above the 1/2
> tank level until he did something with a 1/4" copper line.
>
> I'm unclear as to what he did to fix it and cannot contact him.
>
> Is it a common problem for a bird such as mine to ALL OF A SUDDEN
> act like it has a heavy fuel restriction or act like its out of
> gas? My uncle seems to think its acting like it's sucking air
into
> the line or there is a restriction.
>
> Please help, I'm desperate. Any help, suggestions, or anything
> would be HUGELY appreciated.
>
> Thanks, John in Flint.

[Adria Haynes]

I have no idea what part you are speakig of - but will look tomorrow
to see if I can make sense of it.


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Dan Weaver"
wrote:
> Long shot, but worth checking:
> I agree it sounds fuel related, but also check the wire connection
> on the fuel solonoid under the dog house to ensure it is tight,
and
> not intermmittently making/losing connection causing the fuel
> solonoid to fluctuate in and out, cutting the flow.
>
> Dan
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Adria Haynes"
> <mrbeebody@n...> wrote:
> > Gurus,
> >
> > I had been here for a while, took a break, but have been lurking
> > again
> > for a while. I NEED HELP!
> >
> > What I have is a Wanderlodge 35fc with a newer 3208 Cat. We just
> > used it last month for a long weekend that was 2 hours away and
> > everything went excellent. We started the trip with 1/4 tank,
> > filled up, and had 1/2 tank when the trip was over - which how
it
> > has sat for the past
> > month.
> >
> > I fired it up for a few minutes on Thursday night to make sure we
> > were ready to rock for the long weekend. After getting
everything
> > ready to head out - it wouldn't stay running. Per advice from
> > friends and family, I changed the fuel filter at the back of the
> > motor with a brand new one that was FULL of fuel. I also changed
> out
> > the water seperator and filter under the LP compartment door. I
> > removed, refilled, and reinstalled the engine bay fuel filter a
> > number of times. Each time priming it with the primer.
> >
> > After removing the air filter, the bus would start and run if I
> shot
> > and kept shooting starting fluid down the intake. After a
while,
> it
> > seemed to be able to sustain on its own. I had to keep the
> throttle
> > pulled back to keep it idling a little over 1200. While the
tach
> > indicated steady RPM's, the cloud out the back indicated
> sputtering
> > within. Again, after a while it would run on its own, seem to
run
> > well, but not for long before it would start to sputter. At
that
> > point, I would remove the new fuel filter and find it to be only
> > about 1/4 full of fuel - making me to believe that it died when
> the
> > fuel filter ran out of fuel. When removing the new filter, at
the
> > point when the seal breaks, it gives out that "shtook" popping
> sound
> > as though it were under heavy suction.
> >
> > Another interesting thing is that after having been run, I would
> > turn the valve on the water seperator. Not only would the
liquids
> > not just stream out - it would "burble and chug" out the bottom
> but
> > only do so after it looked like it sucked air IN - as though
there
> > were a natural vacuum.
> >
> > After having the vacation already wrecked, I need to focus on
> > getting it back up and running again ASAP. I read a post on the
> > vintagebirds.com site in which a gentleman indicated that he had
an
> > 81 with a 1/2 tank that acted like he was out of fuel and that
he
> > added more fuel and it behaved as long as he kept it above the
1/2
> > tank level until he did something with a 1/4" copper line.
> >
> > I'm unclear as to what he did to fix it and cannot contact him.
> >
> > Is it a common problem for a bird such as mine to ALL OF A
SUDDEN
> > act like it has a heavy fuel restriction or act like its out of
> > gas? My uncle seems to think its acting like it's sucking air
> into
> > the line or there is a restriction.
> >
> > Please help, I'm desperate. Any help, suggestions, or anything
> > would be HUGELY appreciated.
> >
> > Thanks, John in Flint.

[Dan Weaver]

When you turn on the ignition, a fuel solonoid is energized and
opens, allowing fuel into the injectors and motor while cranking
over to start the motor. The solonoid then stays open so the motor
can continue to run, energized from ignition switch as begin point.

When you turn the ignition off, the fuel solonoid closes, and this
is what actually stops your cat motor (unlike a gas engine where you
kill the spark to the plugs). If the fuel solonoid is not energized
open, the motor cannot run (no fuel to motor). Center of cat motor
towards the front, small cylinder with wires on it and fuel line in
and out. Anytime any diesel motor stops running without killing the
ignition, suspect the solonoid and check it out first.

You can acutally hold it open by hand, or tie it open to get you
home if need be. I did this on my current cummins (tied solonoid
into open position) to get me home when my fuel solonoid died an
early death.

Dan
94 BMC 37'

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Adria Haynes"
<mrbeebody@n...> wrote:
> I have no idea what part you are speakig of - but will look
tomorrow
> to see if I can make sense of it.
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Dan Weaver"
> wrote:
> > Long shot, but worth checking:
> > I agree it sounds fuel related, but also check the wire
connection
> > on the fuel solonoid under the dog house to ensure it is tight,
> and
> > not intermmittently making/losing connection causing the fuel
> > solonoid to fluctuate in and out, cutting the flow.
> >
> > Dan
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Adria Haynes"
> > <mrbeebody@n...> wrote:
> > > Gurus,
> > >
> > > I had been here for a while, took a break, but have been
lurking
> > > again
> > > for a while. I NEED HELP!
> > >
> > > What I have is a Wanderlodge 35fc with a newer 3208 Cat. We
just
> > > used it last month for a long weekend that was 2 hours away
and
> > > everything went excellent. We started the trip with 1/4 tank,
> > > filled up, and had 1/2 tank when the trip was over - which how
> it
> > > has sat for the past
> > > month.
> > >
> > > I fired it up for a few minutes on Thursday night to make sure
we
> > > were ready to rock for the long weekend. After getting
> everything
> > > ready to head out - it wouldn't stay running. Per advice from
> > > friends and family, I changed the fuel filter at the back of
the
> > > motor with a brand new one that was FULL of fuel. I also
changed
> > out
> > > the water seperator and filter under the LP compartment door.
I
> > > removed, refilled, and reinstalled the engine bay fuel filter
a
> > > number of times. Each time priming it with the primer.
> > >
> > > After removing the air filter, the bus would start and run if
I
> > shot
> > > and kept shooting starting fluid down the intake. After a
> while,
> > it
> > > seemed to be able to sustain on its own. I had to keep the
> > throttle
> > > pulled back to keep it idling a little over 1200. While the
> tach
> > > indicated steady RPM's, the cloud out the back indicated
> > sputtering
> > > within. Again, after a while it would run on its own, seem to
> run
> > > well, but not for long before it would start to sputter. At
> that
> > > point, I would remove the new fuel filter and find it to be
only
> > > about 1/4 full of fuel - making me to believe that it died
when
> > the
> > > fuel filter ran out of fuel. When removing the new filter, at
> the
> > > point when the seal breaks, it gives out that "shtook" popping
> > sound
> > > as though it were under heavy suction.
> > >
> > > Another interesting thing is that after having been run, I
would
> > > turn the valve on the water seperator. Not only would the
> liquids
> > > not just stream out - it would "burble and chug" out the
bottom
> > but
> > > only do so after it looked like it sucked air IN - as though
> there
> > > were a natural vacuum.
> > >
> > > After having the vacation already wrecked, I need to focus on
> > > getting it back up and running again ASAP. I read a post on
the
> > > vintagebirds.com site in which a gentleman indicated that he
had
> an
> > > 81 with a 1/2 tank that acted like he was out of fuel and that
> he
> > > added more fuel and it behaved as long as he kept it above the
> 1/2
> > > tank level until he did something with a 1/4" copper line.
> > >
> > > I'm unclear as to what he did to fix it and cannot contact him.
> > >
> > > Is it a common problem for a bird such as mine to ALL OF A
> SUDDEN
> > > act like it has a heavy fuel restriction or act like its out
of
> > > gas? My uncle seems to think its acting like it's sucking air
> > into
> > > the line or there is a restriction.
> > >
> > > Please help, I'm desperate. Any help, suggestions, or
anything
> > > would be HUGELY appreciated.
> > >
> > > Thanks, John in Flint.

[one_dusty_hoot]

Hey there John in Flint, I haven't seen my solution to a problem
similar to what you are experiencing so I'll chime in here.---

There is a check ball in the Racor filter that can get lodged in the
filter so as to stop all fuel flow from the tank and create one heck
of a vaccum in the line to the final filter at the engine..

So much in fact that the primer will spring back with a snap from
the suction that the engine fuel pump produces.

I used a rubber tip air hose, and after removing both inlet and
outlet of the Racor, I first blowed into the tank, the uncoupling at
the final filter blew that way also, clear..???

When I blew air into the outlet of the Racor it was stopped up
momentarily then I heard a PING! Could have been something else but
I believe it was the check ball coming loose.

After priming the engine ran fine.

If..if you want to bypass this system just to ascertain that the
engine runs OK (may even be used in a fuel stoppage emergency) Get a
clean can, fill it 3/4 full of FRESH diesel, then, disconnect the
short piece of tubing from the inlet to the final filter , attach
this to a 3-4 foot piece of hose and prime the engine, start her up!
BTW if you drive the coach it would be highly adviseable to latch
the can down. I like these Surplus tanks with the open ridges on the
handle. This is not theory, it works!

Be wary, diesel stinks, to me anyway, and the smell can stay in
fabric forever.

ernie....A 5 gallon paint bucket would not fit under my tank. A
yellow plastic waste basket would though. I cut a 1 1/4" hole about
4" from the top, then using PVC pipe, cemented a threaded coupling,
some homemade gaskets piped the rotten diesel about 15 feet to a
point lower so I could put a 5 gallon paint bucket under the stream,
matter of fact many. I even filled up a couple 35 gallon garbage
cans too. My thinking here was that the crud, a lot of it, would go
to the bottom of the waste basket and not be drained into the tube,
it did.

It is amazing just how much crud comes out and I'm sure a lot
remains in the bottom of the tank, just hope it remains as a solid
on the bottom for a long time.

One young man removed most of the diesel for use in his oil burning
heating system after filtering well. He later said he had no problem
and appreciated the winter fuel. Free and Tax paid at that!!

Yes, the solids at the bottom does create a blockage with the plug
removed. Screwdriver works well.

Someday, someday--Im sure you have heard that story, here's what I
plan to do to help with this dirty fuel, theory, may be too far out.

Anyway, there is more fuel going to the tank than the engine burns.
This comes about by a pressure spring in the pump prior to the
injector pump that supplies an abundance of fuel drawing fuel from
the tank and through the filters.(Except in the case where a facet
pump is pushing the fuel from the tank forward, mine doesn't have
this.)

I plan to open this return line, install a "T" fitting and a check
valve, could be solenoid operated. Add a 24 hour timer which can be
set at some determined amount of time per day, and a 12 volt pump.
I have the pump, some $35 or so.

So in my thinking here's what will take place: daily for 2 hours
(maybe??) the timer will start, energising the motor and solenoid
valve. At the end of 2 hrs. it will stop returning to normal.

What will happen: Fuel will be circulated for 2 hours to the engine
area completing a pass through primary and final filters returning
to the tank.

Will it work?Sure, Is it beneficial ? I don't know? It just seems to
me that circulating fuel in this manner would certainly reduce
problems with algae and fuel contamination problems for bird that
roost for long periods of time.

Suggestions, ideas, constructive critism, all welcome.

Bob Janes
77 FC31
Greenville, SC



In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Adria Haynes" <mrbeebody@n...>
wrote:
> Gurus,
>
> I had been here for a while, took a break, but have been lurking
> again
> for a while. I NEED HELP!
>
> What I have is a Wanderlodge 35fc with a newer 3208 Cat. We just
> used it last month for a long weekend that was 2 hours away and
> everything went excellent. We started the trip with 1/4 tank,
> filled up, and had 1/2 tank when the trip was over - which how it
> has sat for the past
> month.
>
> I fired it up for a few minutes on Thursday night to make sure we
> were ready to rock for the long weekend. After getting everything
> ready to head out - it wouldn't stay running. Per advice from
> friends and family, I changed the fuel filter at the back of the
> motor with a brand new one that was FULL of fuel. I also changed
out
> the water seperator and filter under the LP compartment door. I
> removed, refilled, and reinstalled the engine bay fuel filter a
> number of times. Each time priming it with the primer.
>
> After removing the air filter, the bus would start and run if I
shot
> and kept shooting starting fluid down the intake. After a while,
it
> seemed to be able to sustain on its own. I had to keep the
throttle
> pulled back to keep it idling a little over 1200. While the tach
> indicated steady RPM's, the cloud out the back indicated
sputtering
> within. Again, after a while it would run on its own, seem to run
> well, but not for long before it would start to sputter. At that
> point, I would remove the new fuel filter and find it to be only
> about 1/4 full of fuel - making me to believe that it died when
the
> fuel filter ran out of fuel. When removing the new filter, at the
> point when the seal breaks, it gives out that "shtook" popping
sound
> as though it were under heavy suction.
>
> Another interesting thing is that after having been run, I would
> turn the valve on the water seperator. Not only would the liquids
> not just stream out - it would "burble and chug" out the bottom
but
> only do so after it looked like it sucked air IN - as though there
> were a natural vacuum.
>
> After having the vacation already wrecked, I need to focus on
> getting it back up and running again ASAP. I read a post on the
> vintagebirds.com site in which a gentleman indicated that he had an
> 81 with a 1/2 tank that acted like he was out of fuel and that he
> added more fuel and it behaved as long as he kept it above the 1/2
> tank level until he did something with a 1/4" copper line.
>
> I'm unclear as to what he did to fix it and cannot contact him.
>
> Is it a common problem for a bird such as mine to ALL OF A SUDDEN
> act like it has a heavy fuel restriction or act like its out of
> gas? My uncle seems to think its acting like it's sucking air
into
> the line or there is a restriction.
>
> Please help, I'm desperate. Any help, suggestions, or anything
> would be HUGELY appreciated.
>
> Thanks, John in Flint.