OK, installed new filters drove 700 miles parked in yard. Been starting it up and running it for 3 or 4 hours each week.
Today I moved it to another spot in the yard. Front is about 2 feet lower than back.
It shows 1/4 tank of fuel, I measured with a clean piece of pvc pipe and the is about 6 inches of fuel to the rear of the tank.
Engine ran out of fuel Checked both filters and both are clean but empty of fuel.
Is there an electric transfer pump some where in the system?
If so where?
Not that I know about, mine has a manual bleeder on top of the filter, you have a later coach, so I don't know. I do know, by experience, to NEVER run a diesel out!
Sounds like you just ran out of fuel,not sure what you meant by the 2 foot lower in front.
I also believe you ran out of fuel. I'd first add 15 gal diesel. Since you have a CAT 3116, I'd try the following. ENGINE PRIMING (http://beamalarm.com/Documents/engine_priming.html)
OK, some bad info in that link-- manual pump will go from easy to hard, not the other way around. Soft because you are pumping air (compressible). Hard when the air is gone, as fuel is not compressible.
With the Cat 3116, you have a MANUAL PRIMER PUMP on the secondary fuel filter housing.
Assuming you have enough fuel in the tank so that the intake is still picking up fuel, pump the primer pump until it goes from easy to very hard. You are done.
There is no electric fuel pump unless added after the fact.
Don't think he has enough fuel,filters were empty,coach was running fine.
Not sure of your exact details on this issue but most here had multiple fueling issues until we replaced our rubber fuel lines and upgraded our fuel filtering systems
Diesel injector pumps run at very high pressure, and rely on the fuel to lubricate and cool the injection pump. As fuel tank volume gets low fuel temperature soars = bad news. Besides that it's much easier to dismiss the costs of 50 gallon fill vs a 130 gallon fill so your are happier and enjoy travel more.
Hmmmmm. just got me to wondering, I have approximately 5 inches of fuel in the tank which according to the fuel gauge is 1/4 which is correct.
So I am going to go and see if I can prime the filters with the hand pump. And see what happens.
Seems like the easiest thing to fix is fuel level. Add fuel to the tank and see what happens.
Simple easy test, if the the primer pump on top of the fuel filter is easy to operate, then there is air in the system. No fuel in tank, or not enough fuel to be picked up. If my gauge get to 1/4 tank, my 95 u240 cat 3116 will stumble if turning corners. Thought it was going to die once.
Pat,
Pat,
Sounds like may be the fuel pick up is not near the bottom of the tank.
Maybe the fuel pick up is loose.
Hmm wonder where I can borrow a bore a scope for about 10 minutes.
Gonna have to check that out.
Good thoughts Thanks
Well I removed the filters and they were clean as they were just changed 700 miles ago.
Removed the fuel level sending unit to check the fuel pick up tube and its about 1/2" off the bottom of the tank.
It has 5 inches of fuel in the tank.
Worked the fuel primer pump till it got hard. Started Clarabell up and she ran for about 5 minutes then ran out of fuel.
So if I disconnect the fuel line at the inlet of the first filter and put a hose in a container of fuel and she keeps on running, I guess that would mean I have a fuel line problem.
Also, while I am exploring these fuel issues would it be acceptable to install an electric lift pump at the tank?
Would love to help you as much as I can but please put your engine in the profile,it's hard to remember everyone's engine and
each engine has a slightly different fuel setup.
Could have a hole in the pick up tube
Is your fuel tank vent plugged, will it run off of the tank with the cap off
If you have a fuel line issue and you install a electric pump at the tank you run the risk of that same leak leaking fuel out instead of sucking air in. Your fuel lines run above stuff like the basement that you don't want fuel contaminating.
Why not remove both ends of fuel lines, drain fuel, and plug one end. Use a tee with an air pressure gauge. Pressure up the line to say 15psi. You could possible hear or use soap bubbles to check line. Just a thought.
As CaflashBob said a week ago, bad fuel lines. These lines are posibly 23 years old. Especially if fuel runs back to tank when setting, this signals bad fuel lines, as is indicated by your engine running fine when supplied with diesel elsewhere. Do you see any surface cracks near the surface of the hose near the crimp on fittings? Near the tank fittings, fuel filter fittings, engine fittings, I would look carefully, they can be hard to see. As the hose goes over the crimp on fittings, it shows the cracks easier. I would search this site for "fuel line". Replacing a short, bad, section of supply hose may only be a temporary fix as the age problem runs the length of the hose. If you check my posts, I had a similar problem 6 months ago and posted pictures. The previous owner's repair shop, not sure who, had only replaced a 6 foot section, so it then became my problem.
From a PM sent in response to OP's PM:
Since the fuel line from tank to primary fuel filter are on the SUCTION side of the system, a leak will suck air in, not leak fuel out.
If you do have a leak in the fuel line, installing an electric pump would pressurize that section downstream of the pump and could cause a massive fuel leak-- not a good idea.
To start identifying the source of the fuel hose issue, look carefully at the ends where the hose flairs over the fittings. Cracks often start here since the hose has been stretched.
Replacing fuel lines after that number of years is not uncommon.
Brett
One other suggestion to confirm. Install a short length of clear hose and run the engine. If it's sucking air you will see the air bubbles in the fuel going by in the clear peice of hose. You can also see the fuel drain back if it's losing prime.
At this point in time I am going to put 10 gallons of fuel in the tank and see if the Monster hair puller will start and runs.
And whether it does or not I am going to rebuild the lift pump (parts are 95 dollars) because the engine has 2200 hours on it but the unit has been setting a long time. While there I will replace the lift pump inlet screen.
Will post an update soon I hope.
The SAGA continues. Put 10 gallons of fuel in the tank, primed filters, started and the BEAST ran for about 5 minutes, then poof.
So I ordered the lift pump repair kit and in the mean time I am going to do a static pressure test the fuel line to about 10 # and see if it holds for a reasonable length of time.
Going to buy a new fuel cap while I am spending my allowance.
PoppaS,
While you are at it check the fuel tank vent line to see if a dirt/mud dauber has fill the vent tube with a nest.
Pamela & Mike
Word of caution. A fuel line leak under vacuum may not show up under a pressure test. Running it from a bucket at the filters and then at the line before the tank or using clear hoses to see the air bubbles are far more definitive.
You are definitely correct in that statement about vacuum vs pressure test.
The idea of the vacuum check and looking for bubbles in the fuel makes sense but I can't even get fuel coming in that direction.
I can make a manometer out of some clear tubing pull a vacuum on the line and see if it holds.
I know one thing the lil bald spot on my head is getting a little bigger LOL trying g to figure what's going on LOL.
The tried and true running out of a bucket test can tell lots. Start by hooking hose from bucket to the lift pump and then work towards the tank.
With the Caterpillar 3116, the best place to check for bubbles is in the RETURN LINE. Back of the head (toward front of coach). Easy to access with bed up.
Well folks here is an UPDATE:
Got a gallon jug of fuel dropped the suction line to the secondary filter, engine ran until the jug was almost empty. The jug was sitting on the ground at an elevation lower than the fuel tank.
Hooked the line back to the primary filter, primed both filters and the engine ran about 3 minutes.
Ok plan 3, Disconnected the line coming from the fuel tank. Disconnected the outlet line on the primary filter. Connected the two lines together primed the system. The engine ran for about 10 minutes until I shut it down.
Removed the primary filter, tightened the drain cock on the bottom of it, filled it with fuel re-installed it, connected the lines, hit the primer a couple licks and fired the engine up. It ran about 5 minutes before it quit,
So the problem seems to be with the NAPA fuel filter, the gasket, the drain cock or last but not forgotten about the hose connections or casting it self.
I am headed to the hardware store to get a plain hex plug to replace the drain cock as this the simplest step.
If that does not work I am going to find a Racor or Fram dealer.
The SAGA continues but the hair is still in place.
Well Hmmmm seems like no changing the drain cock for a plug, darn thing is stripped.
So ordered a new FRAM filter.
Then we will see.
If you have a CAT 3116, Fleetguard has a filter, also. The main thing is to use ONLY a CAT filter for the primary.
ALAS problem solved. Drain cock had stripped threads, installed a new filter now off to see if I can ferret out the issue with the leveling system.
GOD BLESS and safe travels.
Agree, but that is the SECONDARY FUEL FILTER. The primary is the clear bowl one inboard of it in your picture.