In my previous trip report, I stated that the coach ran great the whole trip EXCEPT for some fuel starvation issues while climbing long steep grades
in extremely hot temperatures. Here is the back story and the reason I was a little surprised by this:
I have had "vapor lock" issues ever since the first drive with this coach back in 2008. I have done nearly everything conventional wisdom says should
fix this problem, from installing a heat dissipator under the carburetor, Making sure all my fuel filters are fresh, adding an electric pusher pump
by the gtas tanks, installing a Gary Rockwell aluminum intake manifold, without a heat crossover, mking sure my fan clutch is working, and even
insulating the bottom of my gas tanks.
Finally, after rebuilding the engine and transmission about 3-1/2 years ago, I relocated my fuel hoses to the OUTSIDE of the frame, added a canister
type filter, and installed a Carter 4070 electric pump, fed electricity by a relay, also outside the frame, and the problem was finally gone. For a
while anyway.
The last few hot weather Summer trips, it has begun to happen again, usually after several hours of driving in the heat.
I guess I will change out all the filters again, check the integrity of the tank bottom insulation, and probably do a tune-up and see what that does.
I suspect the quality of the gas may have something to do with the problem and I admit, I am guilty of buying the cheapest gas I can get. I have had
mixed results with gas from Flying-J and even Chevron in the past, so I'm not convinced that's it.
Do electric (or mechanical for that matter) fuel pumps tend to get weaker as they age? The Carter is only a little over three years old and has about
25,000 miles on it. I will replace it if the consensus is that they wear out and it might help. b ut it seems like it should not be the problem
either.
It's very frustrating to know you have the power to easily climb a long grade, but you find yourself limping along the shoulder at 20 mph until you
top the hill.
Any ideas or advice?
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
in extremely hot temperatures. Here is the back story and the reason I was a little surprised by this:
I have had "vapor lock" issues ever since the first drive with this coach back in 2008. I have done nearly everything conventional wisdom says should
fix this problem, from installing a heat dissipator under the carburetor, Making sure all my fuel filters are fresh, adding an electric pusher pump
by the gtas tanks, installing a Gary Rockwell aluminum intake manifold, without a heat crossover, mking sure my fan clutch is working, and even
insulating the bottom of my gas tanks.
Finally, after rebuilding the engine and transmission about 3-1/2 years ago, I relocated my fuel hoses to the OUTSIDE of the frame, added a canister
type filter, and installed a Carter 4070 electric pump, fed electricity by a relay, also outside the frame, and the problem was finally gone. For a
while anyway.
The last few hot weather Summer trips, it has begun to happen again, usually after several hours of driving in the heat.
I guess I will change out all the filters again, check the integrity of the tank bottom insulation, and probably do a tune-up and see what that does.
I suspect the quality of the gas may have something to do with the problem and I admit, I am guilty of buying the cheapest gas I can get. I have had
mixed results with gas from Flying-J and even Chevron in the past, so I'm not convinced that's it.
Do electric (or mechanical for that matter) fuel pumps tend to get weaker as they age? The Carter is only a little over three years old and has about
25,000 miles on it. I will replace it if the consensus is that they wear out and it might help. b ut it seems like it should not be the problem
either.
It's very frustrating to know you have the power to easily climb a long grade, but you find yourself limping along the shoulder at 20 mph until you
top the hill.
Any ideas or advice?
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
