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Topic: Coach will not start! (Read 735 times) previous topic - next topic

Coach will not start!

Hi all,

I sure miss this forum when I am gone for awhile!! That said, I have an issue.

I took my bus to camping world for an insurance estimate, and when I went to pick it up they could not get it to start. I took the batteries and got them charged back up and went back on Saturday. It had been cold but on this day it was 50 degrees. I was able to start the generator but could not get the aqua hot to fire up. The coach is on a slant and my tank is not full but I did warm the bus with the heat pumps. With many tries behind me I was unable to get the thing started. It would crank strong but it seemed as if there was no fuel or some type of idiot switch I do not know about.

Any ideas would be helpful!!
2000 U320 36'
Build #5705

Re: Coach will not start!

Reply #1 –
When you lift the engine hatch do you have the prime buttons on the overhead start panel. If so push the bleed air button.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Coach will not start!

Reply #2 –
Fuel filters. If bleeding doesn't work.
Larry & Debbie Town
2000 U320 4210 
Previous 88 GV

Re: Coach will not start!

Reply #3 –
I do and I pushed those and nothing happened. I have had a problem in the past of the starter cranking and found it was the start button, that problem was resolved by disconnecting a wire to the button. I assumed the stop button could be a problem now and I disconnected a wire there and it DID NOT help.


Fuel filters are not very old but I could try to bleed them. What is the preferred method to do that?


Quote from: craneman –
When you lift the engine hatch do you have the prime buttons on the overhead start panel. If so push the bleed air button.
2000 U320 36'
Build #5705

Re: Coach will not start!

Reply #4 –
You're saying the prime buttons are not functional? Do you have a Racor 300200 prefilter? If so, is there fuel in it? If not, you'll need a way to get fuel to the engine and that may mean cranking the engine multiple times until fuel reaches. You may also need new orings if there's bubbles in the prefilter.
1999 U320 WTFE #5586
2014 Subaru Forester 6sp
4000 watts of solar
650 aH @ 24v

Re: Coach will not start!

Reply #6 –
I believe I have enough fuel since the generator will run. The bus is parked on a slope, could the motor loose prime but the generator is not affected?

What are the best practices for priming the motor's fuel system?
2000 U320 36'
Build #5705

Re: Coach will not start!

Reply #7 –
You have nothing to lose by adding fuel and a lot to gain if it is the problem.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Coach will not start!

Reply #8 –
Since this is a 2000, is there any record of the fuel lines being replaced?
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Coach will not start!

Reply #9 –
With the key on and you push the prime button does it run and pump fuel into the plastic filter? If it is not running then you should replace it with a newer updated filter. If it is running and you see air bubbles in the fuel or very little fuel the orings could be bad at the plastic filter. There are 2 on the top and 2 on the bottom to replace.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: Coach will not start!

Reply #10 –
Since you're stuck at Camping World, maybe you should find the local mobile service technician and book him to get you going and out of there.  Think of it as a chance to learn.

FWIW I'm with craneman, add 5 gallons of fresh diesel, if you have an auto-prime system; use it.  Eliminate the easy "ifs" first.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Coach will not start!

Reply #11 –
I got back from a trip and backed coach into covered storage, shut it off. Went back 30min later and decided to pull it out and wash it, wouldn't start, just cranked. It was not getting fuel so after making sure fuel pump was good I just took of fuel filters got out new ones filled with diesel and put back on. Cranked about 10 seconds and started right back up. Thankfully this happened at home. It is also why I travel with at least 2 filters for everything on the coach. Doesn't make sense to me but I'm used to that.
Larry
Larry & Debbie Town
2000 U320 4210 
Previous 88 GV

Re: Coach will not start!

Reply #12 –
Remove the fuel line and blow back into the tank . Listen for bubbles.  It would be possible that the dip tube is broken. 

Re: Coach will not start!

Reply #13 –
Does your model have a fuel shut off solenoid? Those seem to be a common failure and stick. I know several folks have wired them open as a temp fix to get going.

Re: Coach will not start!

Reply #14 –
He has a M11 so no solenoid but it could be electrical. I had my coach not start and it turned out
to be a fuse holder that rotted out, so a cheap fix and I was home. I was also lucky that I had a
Silver Leaf and it gave out a code.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport
 

Re: Coach will not start!

Reply #15 –
Quote from: oldguy –
He has a M11 . . .

I was afraid of that: Mobile service tech is the solution.  I dare say the Joly-Shackelford household has the knowledge and skill sets to find the fault*, but this is something for which you can't  go in cold.

*With much high level negotiation along the way.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.