Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Farrarkc on May 01, 2021, 12:11:08 pm

Title: Generator help needed
Post by: Farrarkc on May 01, 2021, 12:11:08 pm
Power Tech 10000k

Last year this thing would start and quit soon after. Through help here, we determined it was an air leak on the fuel line. (Found by using a line into a tank of fuel) new line to the filter, problem solved.

This year, as I prepare for travel, same type of issue. Starts up easy and does once warm. No faults on the gen but does have fault inside.

I have unhooked the fuel line and have put it into a tank. Runs then dies, not solved.

I really am just staring at this now wondering what the heck!! Only has 533 hours on it.

Thank you in advance for any help or ideas!!

Tom
Title: Re: Generator help needed
Post by: rbark on May 01, 2021, 12:15:08 pm
Is your water expansion tank full? Does your cooling fan run? I would check those 2 things first.
Title: Re: Generator help needed
Post by: ifixboats on May 01, 2021, 12:17:49 pm
How much fuel is in your coach tank. The generator pick-up is higher than the engine pick-up and will run out of fuel at about a 1/4 of a tank. If this happens you may have to bleed the fuel rail to purge the air out.
Title: Re: Generator help needed
Post by: Farrarkc on May 01, 2021, 12:44:20 pm
quote author=rbark link=msg=422810 date=1619885708]
Is your water expansion tank full? Does your cooling fan run? I would check those 2 things first.
[/

I do believe this has something to do with what is going on.  A point I forgot to mention before. My fan would not start on its own a couple of times before but once it was spun with a stick it would run. I have had to fill up the coolant tank (engine compartment passenger side) but it is full right now. I have stretched my head on wondering where the coolant goes because I have not seen any leaks.

Is there a capacitor for the fan that should be changed?
Is there a way to burp the coolant?

Title: Re: Generator help needed
Post by: stevec22 on May 01, 2021, 12:48:18 pm
Yes there is a start capacitor on the fan.  That was my problem.

On mine it had been relocated to the front of the fan,  If yours has not been relocated it is somewhere on the back side
Title: Re: Generator help needed
Post by: folivier on May 01, 2021, 12:57:21 pm
Before you bleed the fuel rail turn on the switch for a few seconds, let it go through preheat and turn it off before it tries to start.  Repeat this a few times and see if starts.  That's the procedure I use when replacing the fuel filter, I don't prefill the filter.
Title: Re: Generator help needed
Post by: oldguy on May 01, 2021, 01:10:19 pm
So how long does it run. Is it shutting down over too hot. It sounds like you need to change your capacitor.
Another thing has you end bearing been checked.
Title: Re: Generator help needed
Post by: Farrarkc on May 01, 2021, 01:20:53 pm
So how long does it run. Is it shutting down over too hot. It sounds like you need to change your capacitor.
Another thing has you end bearing been checked.

When cold, it will run for 15-20 mins. Once it shuts down, on a restart it runs for a short few minutes.

I found the capacitor, what a terrible place on the back side, looks original. Headed to parts store to see if they have one.  21 yrs old isn't bad?

I will keep everyone posted.
Title: Re: Generator help needed
Post by: Farrarkc on May 01, 2021, 01:30:15 pm
Any chance someone has the capacitor information? The number to cross reference is rubbed off.
Title: Re: Generator help needed
Post by: oldguy on May 01, 2021, 06:09:36 pm
I think when you change the capacitor your problem would be over, I think it is shutting down over over hot.
Title: Re: Generator help needed
Post by: Lt403 on May 01, 2021, 09:27:30 pm
Here is what mine was/is
Blue is old
Red is new
15uf.
Title: Re: Generator help needed
Post by: Journey, Roam, Explore on May 02, 2021, 12:05:33 am
My bet is on low coolant.  Bleed it, fill, bleed again, etc.
Title: Re: Generator help needed
Post by: turbojack on May 02, 2021, 09:39:12 am
If fan will not start without your help. Problem is capacitor. I had to replace mine in my old coach last year when fan would not start on it's own.
Title: Re: Generator help needed
Post by: Farrarkc on May 30, 2021, 04:25:30 pm
My bet is on low coolant.  Bleed it, fill, bleed again, etc.
UPDATE:

I have replaced the fuel lines and have replaced the fan capacitor. The generator starts up great and runs till hot. No faults just dies. Small radiator hose on top of gen is hot and big hose on the side is not. Over flow tank is low and have had to add to coolant to the tank in the engine compartment. I have never seen a leak.

Thought now is I have to burp the coolant system. It has been referred to several times in other posts but I can not find the details on how to do this properly. Any advise on this is appreciated!
Title: Re: Generator help needed
Post by: Michelle on May 30, 2021, 05:01:57 pm
Thought now is I have to burp the coolant system. It has been referred to several times in other posts but I can not find the details on how to do this properly. Any advise on this is appreciated!


I can find the procedure for 2002 and newer that have the surge tank with the 2 valves on it  I'm guessing your 2000 does not have this.

The closest I could find was this older post by Dave M Help! No generator fan (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=14334.msg82984#msg82984)