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FUEL SYSTEM ISSUES

QUESTIONS

Is there a fuel transfer pump in the fuel tank on a 1997 U270 with a C8.3 engine.

I have a full fuel tank but the fuel gauge is showing empty. Will it have an effect on the motor running?

My issue is air getting into the system at the fuel/water separator.

We did have an air pressure problem because a rat chewed  into a plastic line which we rapaired. 
Does anyone have any ideals? All help is appreciated.

Jim Monk
Jim Monk
1997 U270
East Texas

Re: FUEL SYSTEM ISSUES

Reply #1 –
Quote from: Jim Monk –
Is there a fuel transfer pump in the fuel tank on a 1997 U270 with a C8.3 engine.
Pretty sure the '97 still had a mechanical C8.3 in which case I don't think there is a fuel pump in the tank...just the lift pump on the block.

Fuel gauge working or not should have no bearing on how the engine runs.

Check for bad gasket, or cracked bowl (if you have the clear bowl on bottom of filter) at the water separator.

Sorry, don't see what a air leak (fixed) has to do with the other stuff.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: FUEL SYSTEM ISSUES

Reply #2 –
No, there is no transfer pump in the fuel tank.  You have an engine block mounted mechanical pump that does all the work.  It needs a clean primary filter/fuel-water separator or else it won't be able to pull enough fuel all the way from the tank.

The sender unit for your fuel tank has probably gone bad.  I had the same problem with mine.  The unit should be accessible near one of your fuel fill spouts.  Black disk-like object with a couple of electrical terminals on it.  Won't affect the engine running or not.

It is somewhat common to have a bad seal on the Racor type primary fuel filters.  It is also common to have air getting into the fuel lines themselves due to age and I think your FT is one of the years affected.  Have the fuel lines themselves been replaced from the tank to the engine?
Robert
Build # 5304
1998 34' U270 Cummins 6CTA8.3

Re: FUEL SYSTEM ISSUES

Reply #3 –
I have 1997 U295 with C8.3 engine. I agree with the two previous assessments. We have replaced the fuel level sender and the fuel lines. If you've not replaced fuel lines, it is a "show stopper" waiting to happen. Air springs (air bags for suspension) are probably due for replacement as well.

Our first symptom of failing fuel lines was that the generator would not run. The air bags were flaking rubber from the outside for about three years before we replaced them. While the coach was in the shop for replacement of fuel lines, one of the air springs started leaking. Repairs on that trip to FOT were more coach bucks than I expected, but we were never stuck on the side of the road.  ^.^d
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: FUEL SYSTEM ISSUES

Reply #4 –
Having worked with the aeroquip braided lines for years in the oilfield I know that the blue ones are the newer lines.Not sure
when they came out but I don't think it was 20 years ago.My point is my coach has a couple of blue lines,that tells me at some point
the po had those lines changed.So if you have some blue lines on a older coach they have probably been changed.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.
 

Re: FUEL SYSTEM ISSUES

Reply #5 –
Thanks for the replies. I think the fuel lines are original and I am planning on changing the filters tomorrow. The coach has been sitting up for over a year because of a long and lingering illness/ surgery. Thanks again for the help and any other thoughts will be appreciated.
Jim Monk
1997 U270
East Texas