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Topic: Generator will not start (Read 1216 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Generator will not start

Reply #20 –
When I took mine for its service a couple weeks ago it was in the 20's and the genny wouldn't start at first. It tried but after about 2-3 seconds it shut down.  After driving for 15-20 otw to the service appointment I tried starting it and it fired up and kept running. I chalked it up to being cold.

Good luck

Re: Generator will not start

Reply #21 –
I agree with Dave M on the fuel line replacement not being year-specific, but age-specific.  Our '96 had this problem (generator wouldn't keep running) 1-1/2 years ago and I read on here about the cracked fuel lines and that's exactly what our problem was.  I think any coach in that 15-year-old (and older) age range would be a prime candidate for fuel line problems.

I understand this sounds like a cold weather issue, but it's worth considering that if the OP's lines are original - they may be cracked and may be contributing to the problem of starting in the cold weather as well.

As a side note: we found that removing the big propane tank was the secret to replacing that line.  In our case, it was one man and his auto-crane (mounted to a truck) to remove it - and his very small friend to crawl in there and fish the lines through.  This was also a great time to sand, repaint, and check/replace all the valves on the tank at our local propane dealer (we had one valve with a small leak - yikes!).

Re: Generator will not start

Reply #22 –
Open up your fuel filler and look down in there with a flashlight to be sure the fuel level is above the small pickup that's up a little higher than the big pickup at the bottom of the tank. The generator's fuel pickup is the higher one. If you run your fuel down lower than about 1/8 to 1/4 tank the generator's pickup will be out of the fuel. Don't trust the fuel gauge on the dashboard, it's not accurate. Go look in the tank and check for yourself. You'll have to do a lot of cranking to get the generator to prime itself after you fill the fuel tank up again. Don't ask me how I know this. :D  Also be aware that the diesel you bought in warm weather isn't suitable for cold weather. You need to drive your coach enough to use up the warm weather fuel and refill it with cold weather fuel. The additives in the fuel are different according to the season it was sold in. Your engine will run poorly, if it starts at all, with warm weather fuel this time of year. This isn't as true for those of you with gasoline engines by the way, although gasoline additives do change according to the season it was sold in.
 

Re: Generator will not start

Reply #23 –
Don't know it you have the old open Power Tech, or an enclosed gen set, but if you can get to the inlet fuel connection and do the old fuel line to a bucket full of fuel that would answer the fuel line issue.