Generator Issues AGAIN!

Topic: Generator Issues AGAIN! (Read 1553 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Generator Issues AGAIN!

Reply #25 – March 19, 2012, 08:09:16 pm

Benjie, Lowest hose in pic of generator at bottom is fuel line from tank, it goes to pump and then to injector.
Upper hose is fuel return, it comes off fuel rail at injectors and then returns to tank.
If you have tried to long to prime you may have air in injector lines, While cranking break nut at each injector pump loose til you get fuel.
Gary B

Re: Generator Issues AGAIN!

Reply #26 – March 19, 2012, 08:13:27 pm

Benjie,the fuel lines you are looking at are the return lines and tank vent,the feed line come's from the center of the tank.

Re: Generator Issues AGAIN!

Reply #27 – March 19, 2012, 09:02:39 pm

Benjie, check the electric fuel pump, it should start running when you hit the start switch 10 seconds or so before the starter engages. Mind did the same thing when the pump was bad hard start and would not pull a load. Another way to eleminate the bad fuel line issue and isolate the fuel pump is to run a piece of fuel line from the pump to a gallon can of fuel and start the gen if all is good it's the fuel line, if not it's the electric fuel pump most likely. Don't worry about running the gen without a full load, most rv generators suffer from not being run enough load or not.

Re: Generator Issues AGAIN!

Reply #28 – March 19, 2012, 10:09:10 pm

Bruce,

On mine, when you hit the start switch the engine starts to turn immediately. I've tried "feeling" the pump just to see if I could tell if it's humming, but impossible with the entire thing turning over.

Benjie

Re: Generator Issues AGAIN!

Reply #29 – March 19, 2012, 10:46:19 pm

Feel free to poke holes in any of this logic...

I screwed the fuel filter on empty. I've tried every button I have at my finger tips which is only two ("START" and "PREHEAT STOP"), thus far not a drop shows up in the fuel filter. I've cycled the engine for maybe 10 - 20 seconds multiple times with the bleed nut (pic 2 earlier in this topic) closed, slightly open, and fully off with no luck. I also cycled the engine with the fuel filter completely off to see if any fuel would dump out, no such luck. I also pulled off the old filter and tore it apart. No black algae sludge that I can see. If fact, looked pretty clean to me. I also cut off the end pictured in pic 4 since it was cracked and reattached. With all of that, I'm leaning towards three things right now...

1. The fuel pump is dead.
2. There is something blocking the fuel line
3. The fuel line is cracked so badly somewhere that it's only sucking air and not allowing the pump to pull any fuel.

I'm leaning towards 1 and 2 ONLY because the fuel line looks to be in decent shape to me. After cutting the old end off, the new end seemed in good shape.

My next step is to probably try diesel in a bucket through a hose. If that works, then my conclusion will be #2 or #3. If that doesn't work, #1 is where I'll start.

Re: Generator Issues AGAIN!

Reply #30 – March 19, 2012, 11:11:18 pm

Quote from: Dave M – March 19, 2012, 12:22:05 pm

Being over 15 years old, I would be having a real good look at the fuel lines between the tank and the generator including the fuel filter, both supply and return lines. Second would be a fuel filter that is full of crap, they will act the same way. Also if you can run it with no load for awhile with no issues, that only appear when you add load such as two a/c units etc. sure indicate fuel starvation, IE dirty fuel filter, just because it has been about 30 hours means little if you have algee or other crap in the fuel system.
Cheers
Dave M

We had cracks in our supply line and were getting air in the supply.

People here suggested I remove the hose to the lift pump inlet and put a longer hose on the pump inlet and drop the other end in a bucket/bottle of fuel to see if the engine will run properly. If it does, then you know the lift pump is operating OK and everything from the pump to the engine. Just be sure you have a large enough container or ability to replenish fuel so you can let it run long enough to get a good check.

If the engine still does not work correctly, reconnect the supply line back to the lift pump inlet and remove the engine end of the hose connected to the lift pump outlet and hold the hose over a bucket. Start the lift pump to see if it is pumping fuel.

These two operations will help narrow down where the problem exists. This helped me to determine the problem was in the supply line. And when removing it, I found cracks and wet places around some of the cracks which meant fuel was slowly leaking out of the cracks.

Re: Generator Issues AGAIN!

Reply #31 – March 19, 2012, 11:29:32 pm

When you press the preheat button the glow plugs warm and the pump should run to press up the fuel pressure. On my kubota the fuel line goes into a distrib block on the engine. The bolt on top of that is loosened to bleed off air.

Re: Generator Issues AGAIN!

Reply #32 – March 19, 2012, 11:37:23 pm

Dave,

That's what I thought I remembered. Kind of a clicking noise from the pump? If that's the case, its not happening on mine when the preheat button is pushed.

I believe the bolt you're referring to is this pic?

Regards,
Benjie

Re: Generator Issues AGAIN!

Reply #33 – March 20, 2012, 12:03:10 am

Anyone with a similar vintage coach as mine and 10KW Powertech Kubota mind hitting the PREHEAT/STOP switch in their gen bay and confirming if they can hear the fuel pump prime. I believe it's a continuous clicking noise as long as you hold the button, but can't remember for sure.

Thanks,
Benjie

Re: Generator Issues AGAIN!

Reply #34 – March 20, 2012, 12:13:51 am

Quote

Anyone with a similar vintage coach as mine and 10KW Powertech Kubota mind hitting the PREHEAT/STOP switch in their gen bay and confirming if they can hear the fuel pump prime. I believe it's a continuous clicking noise as long as you hold the button, but can't remember for sure.

I always hear the clicking even when I preheat from the inside dash. 1999 U320

best, paul

Re: Generator Issues AGAIN!

Reply #35 – March 20, 2012, 12:34:38 am

Quote from: Benjie Zeller – March 19, 2012, 11:37:23 pm

Dave,

That's what I thought I remembered. Kind of a clicking noise from the pump? If that's the case, its not happening on mine when the preheat button is pushed.

I believe the bolt you're referring to is this pic?

Regards,
Benjie

Yup. Try putting 12V directly to the pump.

Re: Generator Issues AGAIN!

Reply #36 – March 20, 2012, 07:14:13 am

Quote from: Benjie Zeller – March 19, 2012, 10:46:19 pm

I screwed the fuel filter on empty.

Benjie,
The PREHEAT button powers the glow plugs and runs the fuel pump.
If you leave the empty filter a little loose, engage the PREHEAT, and finish tightening the filter when fuel overflows you can fill almost all on the line and the engine may self-bleed.

I have the same generator in my '96 295.

Re: Generator Issues AGAIN!

Reply #37 – March 20, 2012, 07:31:30 am

Thanks Elliot. When I push the PREHEAT button, I get nothing from the pump. No sounds, no clicking, no humming. I put my hand on it and no vibration. I've also left the filter completely off and still no fuel flowing out. My thought is the fuel pump is probably gone.

Re: Generator Issues AGAIN!

Reply #38 – March 20, 2012, 07:45:38 am

Wayne at FOT fixed something on our generator related to preheat and electric pump. It may have been a diode or broken wire. The generator started and ran OK, but I could hear no action when I pressed preheat. After he fixed it, I can hear the electric pump run when I press the preheat switch.

Dave H's suggestion to put 12VDC directly to the pump may provide some diagnostic information.

Re: Generator Issues AGAIN!

Reply #39 – March 20, 2012, 09:17:44 am

Just push the start button to run the pump. Remember that this pump is actually a lift pump, feeding fuel to individual injection pumps at each injector. The generator can actually run, but poorly, with a very weak lift pump.

Re: Generator Issues AGAIN!

Reply #40 – March 20, 2012, 10:35:53 am

From years of experience, the ONLY fuel pump you WANT is the Faucet, available from marine shops.

All others have long term issues if your that lucky.
Dave M

Re: Generator Issues AGAIN!

Reply #41 – March 20, 2012, 01:23:48 pm

Can't find a Facet anywhere in stock around Austin. Looks like I'll have to order online unless someone has a local suggestion?

Best Regards,
Benjie

Benjie Zeller
(512) 587-4628

Re: Generator Issues AGAIN!

Reply #42 – March 20, 2012, 02:24:03 pm

Benjie,
The Facet is worth the wait if one isn't available locally. It may be a little more $ but worth it. Have you checked with the big marina out on Lake Travis that is around Indian Point? (can't remember the name but will look for an old receipt) They have a good shop at there dry dock.
Pamela & Mike

Just found receipt: Riviera Marina 512-250-8321 We don't make anything from these folks but they have helped us out before.

Re: Generator Issues AGAIN!

Reply #43 – March 20, 2012, 02:25:37 pm

I ordered one about 10 minutes ago. Should arrive in a few days. I'll update this thread if that solves my issue!

Re: Generator Issues AGAIN!

Reply #44 – March 21, 2012, 07:14:55 pm

I hope this is helpful, when you get air in the line from what ever source, you need to purge the system. I think the best way to do that is to crack (slightly loosen) the injectors with a wrench. Then, you would crank the generator engine until the bubbles stop coming out and get the fuel coming out without bubbles. Then just go back and tighten the injector lines and then you will have primed the pump and the engine should run. I too have had an issue with old fuel lines. I got them changed out and viola, no more issues. However, my diesel did have the old lines with issues, once started it ran fine and did not die. It was just a real pain to start as it just would not run on air (had to crank and crank until air was out of lines with fuel being pumped in). This may be too remedial, sorry if so.

Re: Generator Issues AGAIN!

Reply #45 – April 03, 2012, 10:59:57 pm

We have joy! Installed new pump and also replaced the short 5/16 fuel lines running between the pump, filter and injectors. Hit the Preheat button and could hear the pump click away until fuel started escaping the bleed valve. Fired the generator up and she ran like a champ for about an hour under load. Love it when a fix is simple and effective!

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