Got the part, now need advise. Looks to be easiest going from above under the bed. Do I put my gut over the edge or keep it safely inside the coach? Doesn't look difficult other than that one little problem. ;D
Larry, I have the same overhang problem that you do but I was able to replace the fuel shutoff on mine.
I went under the bed but I worked from the left side. By standing with my feet on the transmission housing and the engine mount I could lean over and reach the bolts. I found that the hardest one was at the top , seems like I used a 1/4' drive and and extension and socket to reach it. I also found that the mount with the new solenoid was different but it came with the solenoid.
Good luck
Gary B
We changed our fuel shutoff and think it is one of the more important items to upgrade as you see, the new one has a heavier solenoid. We did have ours fail and was able to drive for over a week by using a cable tie to start and cut the cable tie to shut down engine.
Several years ago, the cotter pin came out, allowing the solenoid shaft to move from its normal position on the fuel linkage jamming the solenoid so it would only partially open fuel. We started just fine but could only drive to about 10 mph, caused by limited fuel flow. Well that took a while to diagnose, and after changing fuel & air filters, happen to, by chance notice the angled solenoid shaft. It will now be the first place we will look for low power issues.
I changed ours by leaning over the engine from the side of the bed. Nice to find the 3-wire electric plug buried in the engine cable harness.
The solenoid's small hold-open windings get ignition power, but the coil is not strong enough to move fuel linkage. The solenoid's heavier windings get starter power to pull-up solenoid for fuel flow, but would probably burn out if continuous power was applied to these windings. I think only the C-8.3 engine uses this type of fuel shutoff. I guess there are only two electrical circuits controlling our engine, fuel solenoid and intake manifold wait-to-start heater. Simple design.
Gary,
Your radiator is not in the back but on the side no? You can still pull up the bed and get to your engine from the bedroom?
My U225 has the radiator in the back :-( I thought higher models all had the radiator on the side and the engine was only accessed from the back?
Thank you.
AL
No, all models have engine access (actually excellent access) from the TOP. All but the U225 and a few older (pre 1993) models with rear radiators ALSO have rear access.
Al, As Brett says access is from the top on mine. I have a side radiator and with access from rear with full width hatch and from top with the bed up there is lots of room to work.
When raising the bed be SURE that you prop it up with something substantial, you don't want that thing slamming you on the head. I use two adjustable poles like you would use with a long handles brush or paint roller. I don't trust the gas lifts.
Gary B
Gee, since my topic has changed so will I. When I get service done at Coach Care facilities they right the engine and transmission ser. nos. on the work sheet. Makes it easy.
Would it be prudent to replace the fuel shutoff solenoid on my 1996 U320 M11 engine with 110,000 miles?
I've 154,000 on my '96 when it quit. I can see the bottom boot is torn and that may have let water in and damaged the coil. Will put the new one in sometime next week. Looking back, we had trouble accelerating up a hill out of Milwaukee on I-37 and then in Plymouth. WI going up a hill. Could have been the solenoid not pulling in all the way. Just don't know and doing the hind-site thing doesn't mean I'll know something else that's going bad by some "strange" action of the coach. Just keep changing parts and going down the road. What a great adventure!
I forgot to mention our documented fuel shutoff solenoid change for our C-8.3 engine:
Fuel Shut Off Solenoid Replacement (http://beamalarm.com/Documents/fuel_shut_off_solenoid_replacement.html)
Very sorry about that I did not mean to change the subject.
Engine serial number (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=19067.msg132262#msg132262)
Thanks for help about the ESN.
Wyatt,
No fuel shutdown solenoid on the M11.
Where would the best source for buying one. I do not want a Chinese made one. Anyone know a Cummins source that is not list price?
Thank you John
They're all Chinese made. I got mine from Larry B's in Washington. Just google him. Mostly has stuff for fuel shut off and I believe some starters. Larryb - Shop online for auto repair, truck repair parts, alternators and (http://www.fostertruck.com/)
OK, replaced the shutoff sol. but still have the same trouble. Where is the relay and the fuseable link hidden on a '96 U-295? Any ideas?
Larry, First of all I am assuming you have a Cummins 8.3, if not disregard this.
Does it CRANK ?
With key on do you have voltage at the solenoid ? What is it ? Less than 12 may not be enough to pull solenoid in. Try lifting arm manually, just push up on it while cranking, if it starts you have a solenoid or voltage problem. If it does not start you have other problems.
Where are you ? Maybe someone here is close enough to help you out.
Gary B
There was no relay on my '94 U225. And I didn't see a fuseable link either.
What exactly is it doing??? Mine was the engine would not start without playing with the solenoid, and then it would not shut off. Did not have acceleration problems from the bad solenoid.
I'm in Hudson, IL, just north of Bloomington. Talked with Trianna (sp) and he e-mailed a part of a print that isn't on the prints that I've had for years. Got a friend helping and we're still looking for the problem. The engine cranks and the hold side keeps the fuel valve open until I shut off the key. Only 9.6 volts so looking for a corroded connection.
Found the relay along with the isolator board. Last bay on street side. Open it and lay down and look up behind the safe! The only way it would be more inaccessible would be to mount it on the roof between the air conditioners and the solar panels. Anyway, I'm going to order that part and then put it on and that should be that!!!