gas starvation

[vic marks]

Here's a problem I'm having:

I have only driven my coach occasionally over the last 6-8 months. About 3
days ago (after it sat for two months), I drove it about fifteen miles and
parked it behind my office. I started it up yesterday and after idling for
about 3-4 minutes, I was backing it up when it died. It was starving for
gas and wouldn't restart. It was on a slight downward incline (facing
forward), so I thought that I might be out of gas (I just recently
installed an Intellitronix digital gas gauge, and although it said 20% of
the tank was full, I wasn't so sure of its correctness). After doing a
couple of errands I put 3 gallons of gas into the tank. It started up right
away and I pulled it forward into its parking spot. This afternoon, I
started it up and it idled for about 2 minutes before once again dying of
fuel starvation. I then put another 3 gallons of gas into the tank but it
didn't help. I suspect the fuel filter or the fuel pump. Shortly before the
problems, I was straddled over the carb (with the air filter on) while I
removed the fan clutch. The odd thing about it was that after it first
started, it was idling about 2000 RPM rather than about 1800 rpm at
startup. Also, I couldn't "kick" the speed down with the accelerator. Any
suggestions before I replace the fuel pump?

Vic Marks
Vancouver BC
75 transmode

 

[lorry clavelli]

>
> >
>
> It is pretty easy to check the fuel pump. See the maintenance manual.
>

Vic,

In addition to checking the fuel pump etc. as suggested by Emory, you should also
do an inspection of the carb, and the nearby fuel lines, and vacuum hoses.
Since the problem started just after you were straddling that area to replace the
fan clutch, you may have inadvertently kinked a line, bent something, or
disconnected some hoses.

Lorry

 

[vic marks]

I went out first thing in the morning and installed a new fuel pump and
in-line filter. I ended up with one of those cheapie plastic filters. The
attraction is that I can see if fuel is going through. It is mounted before
the fuel pump. Tried to start the coach but no luck. Put in another three
gallons of gas. Started for a minute or so. Looked at the fuel filter and
saw that the gas was barely being sucked up. There seemed to be a lot of
turbulence and very little gas. Walked around and removed the gas cap.
There was a fairly significant sound of air being released. It started up
right away. Left it idling for about 10-15 minutes while I put away the
tools. Guess what? It stopped running. Very little gas in the fuel filter.
Packed it in for the evening.

I'm wondering about Emery's suggestion in regards to the tank switching
valve. OTOH, perhaps it is stuck on the rear tank, and given that I have
only put in about 15-20 gallons, perhaps I used up the available gas in
that tank. If so, another 10 gallons in the morning may solve it. How big a
job is it to change the valve?

More suggestions?

Vic Marks
Vancouver BC (where it is very foggy and damp)
75 transmode