Started Motorhome

robert teed

New member
Feb 15, 1998
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Well I replaced the solonoid on the starter and then installed
#2 gauge cables. I got it to fire up by priming the carburetor
with gas. Now heres my problem...The gauges say the Main Gastank
is Full and the second tank is half full. Im not getting gas to the
carb..and I dont think its wise to use the gas in those tanks.
Is there something I can put in the gas to treat it before using
it? If not should I drain the tanks? and How? What would I do
with the old gas?
Also...Did the 74 GMCs have electric gas pumps..If So where are
they? ( not in the tank I hope )
Has anyone ever had to remove a locking gas cap...any hints?
I have a leak in one of my hydraulic lines to the wipers.
Anyone delete these lines...any tips?

The engine sounds real strong for the short time it ran!
Thanks,
Rob
 
>
>
>
>Well I replaced the solonoid on the starter and then installed
> #2 gauge cables. I got it to fire up by priming the carburetor
> with gas. Now heres my problem...The gauges say the Main Gastank
> is Full and the second tank is half full. Im not getting gas to the
> carb..and I dont think its wise to use the gas in those tanks.

I don't recall all of the details about your coach, but if I recall
correctly it's been sitting for a long time. If so, do not use the gas in
the tanks. A local RV dealer picks up old RVs by using an outboard motor gas
tank that he sets inside the coach with a fuel line to the engine.

I have some misgivings about carrying the gas loose in the coach while
driving, but I guess it's okay for short hauls.

Since the engine died fairly quickly, you may have fuel lines that have gone
soft and collapsed - or broken completely.

>Is there something I can put in the gas to treat it before using
> it? If not should I drain the tanks? and How? What would I do
> with the old gas?

The last time I bought an old vehicle with old gas, I took it to a service
station and paid them to dispose of the old gas - some states have
regulations that classify the old gas as a hazardous waste.

Henry

Henry Davis Consulting, Inc / new product consulting
PO Box 1270 / product readiness reviews
Soquel, Ca 95073 / IP reviews
ph: (408) 462-5199 / full service marketing
fax: (408) 462-5198
http://www.henry-davis.com
 
Robert,

>
> Has anyone ever had to remove a locking gas cap...any hints?

I've had to remove several locking gas caps from vehicles I bought
from the junkyard. I use a pair of Vise Grips locking pliers and lock
onto the cover and pry that part off. It's held on by three soft rivets
which shear off very easily. Just work it back and forth until the
metal piece fatigues and breaks off. Then you'll be left with the small
center section containing the lock cylinder and latching mechanism. Try
to stick a small flat object into the filler neck alongside the latch
and pop it out.

There's no way to make the job any easier than that. Good luck!

- -Scott Woodworth
 
>Robert,
>

>>
>> Has anyone ever had to remove a locking gas cap...any hints?
>
> I've had to remove several locking gas caps from vehicles I bought
>from the junkyard. I use a pair of Vise Grips locking pliers and lock
>onto the cover and pry that part off. It's held on by three soft rivets
>which shear off very easily. Just work it back and forth until the
>metal piece fatigues and breaks off. Then you'll be left with the small
>center section containing the lock cylinder and latching mechanism. Try
>to stick a small flat object into the filler neck alongside the latch
>and pop it out.
>
> There's no way to make the job any easier than that. Good luck!
>
>-Scott Woodworth
>

FWIW:
Just be VERY careful, since the GMC tank filler neck is mounted in
fiberglass, held by 3 pop rivets, the fiberglass is very thin at the point.
it takes very little pressure to break the neck lose from the fiberglass.
 
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-gmcmotorhome
>[mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of
>hdavis
>Sent: Sunday, May 31, 1998 7:21 PM
>To: gmcmotorhome
>Subject: Re: GMC: Started Motorhome
>
>

>>
>>
>>
>>Well I replaced the solonoid on the starter and then installed
>> #2 gauge cables. I got it to fire up by priming the carburetor
>> with gas. Now heres my problem...The gauges say the Main Gastank
>> is Full and the second tank is half full. Im not getting gas to the
>> carb..and I dont think its wise to use the gas in those tanks.
>
>I don't recall all of the details about your coach, but if I recall
>correctly it's been sitting for a long time. If so, do not use the gas in
>the tanks. A local RV dealer picks up old RVs by using an outboard
>motor gas
>tank that he sets inside the coach with a fuel line to the engine.
>
>I have some misgivings about carrying the gas loose in the coach while
>driving, but I guess it's okay for short hauls.
>
>Since the engine died fairly quickly, you may have fuel lines that
>have gone
>soft and collapsed - or broken completely.
>
>
>>Is there something I can put in the gas to treat it before using
>> it? If not should I drain the tanks? and How? What would I do
>> with the old gas?
>
>The last time I bought an old vehicle with old gas, I took it to a service
>station and paid them to dispose of the old gas - some states have
>regulations that classify the old gas as a hazardous waste.
>
>Henry
>
>Henry Davis Consulting, Inc / new product consulting
>PO Box 1270 / product readiness reviews
>Soquel, Ca 95073 / IP reviews
>ph: (408) 462-5199 / full service marketing
>fax: (408) 462-5198
>http://www.henry-davis.com
>
Thanks for the info Henry,
Thats a good idea about the motorboat gas tank! I'll
be sure to secure it so as not to spill in the coach.
Take Care,
Rob
 
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-gmcmotorhome
>[mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Scott Woodworth
>Sent: Sunday, May 31, 1998 7:28 PM
>To: gmcmotorhome
>Subject: Re: GMC: Started Motorhome
>
>
>Robert,
>

>>
>> Has anyone ever had to remove a locking gas cap...any hints?
>
> I've had to remove several locking gas caps from vehicles I bought
>from the junkyard. I use a pair of Vise Grips locking pliers and lock
>onto the cover and pry that part off. It's held on by three soft rivets
>which shear off very easily. Just work it back and forth until the
>metal piece fatigues and breaks off. Then you'll be left with the small
>center section containing the lock cylinder and latching mechanism. Try
>to stick a small flat object into the filler neck alongside the latch
>and pop it out.
>
> There's no way to make the job any easier than that. Good luck!
>
>-Scott Woodworth
>
Hi Scott,
Well I got the gascaps off. I did it just the way You said...Took about
five minutes for each cap....Thanks.
Rob Teed
 
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-gmcmotorhome
>[mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Jim Bounds
>Sent: Monday, June 01, 1998 12:07 AM
>To: gmcmotorhome
>Subject: Re: GMC: Started Motorhome
>
>

>>
>> Well I replaced the solonoid on the starter and then installed
>> #2 gauge cables. I got it to fire up by priming the carburetor
>> with gas. Now heres my problem...The gauges say the Main Gastank
>> is Full and the second tank is half full. Im not getting gas to the
>> carb..and I dont think its wise to use the gas in those tanks.
>> Is there something I can put in the gas to treat it before using
>> it? If not should I drain the tanks? and How? What would I do
>> with the old gas?
>> Also...Did the 74 GMCs have electric gas pumps..If So where are
>> they? ( not in the tank I hope )
>> Has anyone ever had to remove a locking gas cap...any hints?
>> I have a leak in one of my hydraulic lines to the wipers.
>> Anyone delete these lines...any tips?
>>
>> The engine sounds real strong for the short time it ran!
>> Thanks,
>> Rob
>
>Rob,
>
>It sounds like there could be something wrong with one or both of your
>fuel senders. They should both read the same until your fuel level
>drops below i/4 tank, then will they read different. You may want to
>verify there is fuel in the tanks, add 5 gallons of fuel and see if the
>pump will pick up fuel. If not, you need to start at the A/B selector
>switch located under the driver side of the coach inside the "C" channel
>rail. You may also have a bad fuel pump, do you have a rubber hose to
>the carb.? It should be steel line and may have plugged itself up!
>
>The float in the bowl of the carb. may be stuck shut which would not
>allow fuel to reach the jets. It won't be too difficult to follow the
>fuel line to find the problem, good luck.
>
>No, there should not be an electric fuel pump, there was not one OEM, of
>course that does not mean someone hasn't tapped one in as a primer pump
>somewhere along its life. If tou find one in line, you may want to
>temporarily bypass it to see if it is restricting fuel flow.
>
>The PS lines to the wiper motor are notorious for getting hard and
>cracking. I would suggest taking them all off and finding a local
>hydrolic supply house to get replacements made. If you can't find
>anyone, send them to me and I'll have some whipped up for you.
>
>
>Jim Bounds www.gmccoop.com
>
Thanks Jim,
I guess I'll have to crawl under the coach and look for that pump.
I thought I saw it tonight when I was picking up the tools. So how
does the rocker button on the dash determine which tank is being
used? Or is that just a button to check the amount of gas in the
tank.
See Ya,
Rob Teed
 
>
> Well I replaced the solonoid on the starter and then installed
> #2 gauge cables. I got it to fire up by priming the carburetor
> with gas. Now heres my problem...The gauges say the Main Gastank
> is Full and the second tank is half full. Im not getting gas to the
> carb..and I dont think its wise to use the gas in those tanks.
> Is there something I can put in the gas to treat it before using
> it? If not should I drain the tanks? and How? What would I do
> with the old gas?
> Also...Did the 74 GMCs have electric gas pumps..If So where are
> they? ( not in the tank I hope )
> Has anyone ever had to remove a locking gas cap...any hints?
> I have a leak in one of my hydraulic lines to the wipers.
> Anyone delete these lines...any tips?
>
> The engine sounds real strong for the short time it ran!
> Thanks,
> Rob

Rob,

It sounds like there could be something wrong with one or both of your
fuel senders. They should both read the same until your fuel level
drops below i/4 tank, then will they read different. You may want to
verify there is fuel in the tanks, add 5 gallons of fuel and see if the
pump will pick up fuel. If not, you need to start at the A/B selector
switch located under the driver side of the coach inside the "C" channel
rail. You may also have a bad fuel pump, do you have a rubber hose to
the carb.? It should be steel line and may have plugged itself up!

The float in the bowl of the carb. may be stuck shut which would not
allow fuel to reach the jets. It won't be too difficult to follow the
fuel line to find the problem, good luck.

No, there should not be an electric fuel pump, there was not one OEM, of
course that does not mean someone hasn't tapped one in as a primer pump
somewhere along its life. If tou find one in line, you may want to
temporarily bypass it to see if it is restricting fuel flow.

The PS lines to the wiper motor are notorious for getting hard and
cracking. I would suggest taking them all off and finding a local
hydrolic supply house to get replacements made. If you can't find
anyone, send them to me and I'll have some whipped up for you.

Jim Bounds www.gmccoop.com
 
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: owner-gmcmotorhome
> >[mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Jim Bounds
> >Sent: Monday, June 01, 1998 12:07 AM
> >To: gmcmotorhome
> >Subject: Re: GMC: Started Motorhome
> >
> >

> >>
> >> Well I replaced the solonoid on the starter and then installed
> >> #2 gauge cables. I got it to fire up by priming the carburetor
> >> with gas. Now heres my problem...The gauges say the Main Gastank
> >> is Full and the second tank is half full. Im not getting gas to the
> >> carb..and I dont think its wise to use the gas in those tanks.
> >> Is there something I can put in the gas to treat it before using
> >> it? If not should I drain the tanks? and How? What would I do
> >> with the old gas?
> >> Also...Did the 74 GMCs have electric gas pumps..If So where are
> >> they? ( not in the tank I hope )
> >> Has anyone ever had to remove a locking gas cap...any hints?
> >> I have a leak in one of my hydraulic lines to the wipers.
> >> Anyone delete these lines...any tips?
> >>
> >> The engine sounds real strong for the short time it ran!
> >> Thanks,
> >> Rob
> >
> >Rob,
> >
> >It sounds like there could be something wrong with one or both of your
> >fuel senders. They should both read the same until your fuel level
> >drops below i/4 tank, then will they read different. You may want to
> >verify there is fuel in the tanks, add 5 gallons of fuel and see if the
> >pump will pick up fuel. If not, you need to start at the A/B selector
> >switch located under the driver side of the coach inside the "C" channel
> >rail. You may also have a bad fuel pump, do you have a rubber hose to
> >the carb.? It should be steel line and may have plugged itself up!
> >
> >The float in the bowl of the carb. may be stuck shut which would not
> >allow fuel to reach the jets. It won't be too difficult to follow the
> >fuel line to find the problem, good luck.
> >
> >No, there should not be an electric fuel pump, there was not one OEM, of
> >course that does not mean someone hasn't tapped one in as a primer pump
> >somewhere along its life. If tou find one in line, you may want to
> >temporarily bypass it to see if it is restricting fuel flow.
> >
> >The PS lines to the wiper motor are notorious for getting hard and
> >cracking. I would suggest taking them all off and finding a local
> >hydrolic supply house to get replacements made. If you can't find
> >anyone, send them to me and I'll have some whipped up for you.
> >
> >
> >Jim Bounds www.gmccoop.com
> >
> Thanks Jim,
> I guess I'll have to crawl under the coach and look for that pump.
> I thought I saw it tonight when I was picking up the tools. So how
> does the rocker button on the dash determine which tank is being
> used? Or is that just a button to check the amount of gas in the
> tank.
> See Ya,
> Rob Teed

Rob,

The main/aux. switch on the dash does select the tank as well as selects
the sender you are looking at. The switch has 2 circuit functions
(double pole, double throw or DPDT), first it connects the rear tank
sender (main tank) to the dash duage when the switch is in the "main"
position. When it is thrown into the "aux." position, it connects the
front tank sender to the dash guage and sends 12volts to the A/B fuel
selector solenoid switcher located in the "C" channel under the driver
side. Do not mistake the A/B solenoid for an electric fuel pump, they
may look similar, but the fuel pump will have only 2 lines going to it.
The A/B solenoid will have 3.

As stated before, you should have the same reading on eather switch
position until your fuel level reaches 1/4 tank.

I'm pleased to see that you are taking the time to understand how the
circuit works as well as how to use it, knowledge is power.

Ask if you need to know more.

Jim Bounds www.gmccoop.com
Good luck
 
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-gmcmotorhome
>[mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Jim Bounds
>Sent: Tuesday, June 02, 1998 1:18 AM
>To: gmcmotorhome
>Subject: Re: GMC: Started Motorhome
>
>

>>
>> >-----Original Message-----
>> >From: owner-gmcmotorhome
>> >[mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Jim Bounds
>> >Sent: Monday, June 01, 1998 12:07 AM
>> >To: gmcmotorhome
>> >Subject: Re: GMC: Started Motorhome
>> >
>> >
>
Hi Jim,
That helps alot. I have been printing all of the responses
and then taking them with me to the MH. I opened the onan
generator tonite. It looked pretty clean. There was plenty
of oil ( Clean ) in it. I pushed the start button but nothing
happened.Thats a project for the future. I was looking around
tonight and tried flushing the toilet and it works...Lit the
range stove. Turned on the fridge....Motor started but I didnt
light the pilot. Turned the water pump on and heard it come on
but no water. I think the water tank is low. All in all im
very happy with the coach. Theres so many things to do but I'm
going to work on the drivetrain first then brakes. When I first
bought it I was thinking about bringing it home that weekend...
but now know its going to take longer..I bought it having never
been inside it. The inside is dirty and two cabinets have water
damage to them. The carpet has to be removed, Its the original
stuff from 1974. Have You ever removed original carpet? I it
glued down? Hey maybe You can tell Me what some things are...
When You enter the coach on the left wall is the " System
Monitor " panel...Below that and to the left is three switchs
what are these? Lights? Also on the same wall near the floor
theres a hole about 2" diameter with a flipup cover. It reminds
me of a central vacuum system..Could it be? That would be cool.
I told Pam I would install one for her.
See Ya,
Rob
P.S.
Do You run a GMC business. Do You have a catalog?