[still no fuel to engine] Premature thanks for every one's help

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[still no fuel to engine] Premature thanks for every one's help

August 24, 2017, 01:10:55 pm

While meant sincerely, it was premature, as still not getting fuel to engine. New fuel pump was installed by my nephew Jeff and do not know if it can be installed improperly or not. The push rod extends at ninety degrees out the back that bolts to the block and has a head that looks similar to a valve head. Will open the line that goes to the filter between the pump and the injector pump, operate the hand pump and see what comes out(if anything). Before everything was reconnected, my son said he felt vacuum at the pump input when the hand pump was operated...At least - now we know there is 9/10 gal. of fuel in the tank! Coach is sitting on just a slight angle to the right & I don't know where the pickup is. Hard to even see the lean)

Jim

[modified topic title to be more descriptive - Michelle]

Re: Premature thanks for every one's help

Reply #1 – August 24, 2017, 02:13:19 pm

I'm assuming you are talking about having replaced the engine mounted mechanical lift pump on a Cummins C8.3?

Did you pump it manually until you heard squeaking coming from the injection pump overflow valve? Once you hear the squeaking, it should start right up. It does require a lot of hand pumping to suck all that fuel to the back of the RV from the fuel tank mounted in the front. You don't need to crack open any injection lines to do this, just some manual labor. I pump using the soft handle of a hammer to reach down to the pump from the side of the raised bed. It is a PITA.

Re: Premature thanks for every one's help

Reply #2 – August 24, 2017, 02:43:05 pm

I used a small cheapo drill pump, made an adapter from garden hose to fuel line when I replaced my fuel lines. Took 30 seconds to pump fuel from the tank through the dry lines to the first filter. Hooked it up, pumped the prime pump, fire right off with no stumble.
Chris

Re: Premature thanks for every one's help

Reply #3 – August 24, 2017, 08:11:03 pm

The report I got this evening, from my son, is that no fuel drained from the tank with the disconnected line hanging down close to the ground. He pulled the cap from the tank and listened while a helper blew thru the line back to the tank. The helper said all he could sense was just air going back toward the tank. They're gonna work tomorrow and will have a 12v. pump with them to see whats up... Jimmy said he had walked back around to the engine area so don't know if any sound was at the filler neck. Sounds like a disconnect along that line somewhere? Last time I know of that line being disconnected, I remember having to buy my nephew a new jacket from the gush of fuel!

Jim

Thanks for the tip ab out the squeeking. I think I had read that a few years ago, but forgot about it.

Re: [still no fuel to engine] Premature thanks for every one's help

Reply #4 – August 24, 2017, 10:33:05 pm

In the past I have found it easy to push fuel through the line with compressed air with the fuel line disconnected at the injection pump. Air hose wrapped in a rag through the fill neck on the tank.

Re: [still no fuel to engine] Premature thanks for every one's help

Reply #5 – August 25, 2017, 12:35:40 pm

Neighbor, Fred just came out from underneath and said there is a label on fuel tank that states must have minimum of 15 gal for operation. Fred gone to town to obtain three more 5gal jug of fuel. stay tuned... My helpers poured three jugs in a couple days ago - but I don't really know how much got there. The gauge indicates close to 1//4 full. Brother Mike says label makes sense, since you may have to go over a steep hill somewhere!

Jim

Re: [still no fuel to engine] Premature thanks for every one's help

Reply #6 – August 25, 2017, 01:17:18 pm

Jim,

When you wrote "9/10 gal of fuel in the tank" in your first post, I thought you meant you had the tank 9/10 full (90% full). It's no wonder you aren't getting fuel flow to the engine! 10 gallons in our 148 gal fuel tank just barely covers the bottom. What size is your tank? I bet if you put enough fuel in the tank to actually reach the pickup tube (wherever it is hanging), you will then have much better luck getting the engine started.

Re: [still no fuel to engine] Premature thanks for every one's help

Reply #7 – August 25, 2017, 03:23:00 pm

Fred just dumped 15 gal more into the tank. Will see what happens later today - or tomorrow...

Jim

I don't think they did, but it almost seems that , when FT hooked the genny to the propane tank, they connected the engine to the Generator pickup!!

Re: [still no fuel to engine] Premature thanks for every one's help

Reply #8 – August 25, 2017, 05:45:19 pm

Quote from: Jim Sizemore – August 25, 2017, 03:23:00 pm

I don't think they did, but it almost seems that , when FT hooked the genny to the propane tank, They connected the engine to the Generator pickup!!

Jim,

We know of at least two cases our selves that the gen was hooked up to the engine pick up. I would double check your pick ups to make sure.

Pamela & Mike

Re: [still no fuel to engine] Premature thanks for every one's help

Reply #9 – August 25, 2017, 06:38:23 pm

Somewhere in '90s, foretravel hooked several coaches with the engine and generator crossed. There was service bulletin identified the coach numbers.

Re: [still no fuel to engine] Premature thanks for every one's help

Reply #10 – August 25, 2017, 07:34:23 pm

Thanks fellows, I'll look into that - but now I have another "wonder". Fred says he cant get the fuel to go over the hump where the line to the back of the coach takes it to the primary filter. Should the pump we call a "lift pump" be able to do this? He Used a 12v pump 'til he thought it was gonna burn up(another $30.!). Is this why it's called a "lift" pump? The name never did make sense to me.

I think we still only have 30-40 gal in the tank. Gonna get more fuel tomorrow to see if I can get the guage to show 3/4 full or more. G-nite for today...

Re: [still no fuel to engine] Premature thanks for every one's help

Reply #11 – August 25, 2017, 07:40:37 pm

Quote from: George – August 25, 2017, 06:38:23 pm

Somewhere in '90s, foretravel hooked several coaches with the engine and generator crossed. There was service bulletin identified the coach numbers.

I have absolutely no idea how to find said service buletins. Any help greatly appreciated.

Again folks -many thanks

Jim

Re: [still no fuel to engine] Premature thanks for every one's help

Reply #12 – August 25, 2017, 08:25:59 pm

Jim have you ever had this coach running that you know of?

Re: [still no fuel to engine] Premature thanks for every one's help

Reply #13 – August 25, 2017, 08:43:22 pm

Quote from: stump – August 25, 2017, 08:25:59 pm

Jim have you ever had this coach running that you know of?

Yes - Runs fine. Several 60=100 mi trips. Started immediatley until left it sit too long with leak at the primary filter. I think I'm learning that we really don't know much about our diesels until we let the tank get too low!!

Jim

Re: [still no fuel to engine] Premature thanks for every one's help

Reply #14 – August 25, 2017, 08:47:48 pm

if you spray a little either in the air filter will it fire up? Does this engine have a fuel solenoid Is it opening?

Re: [still no fuel to engine] Premature thanks for every one's help

Reply #15 – August 26, 2017, 11:00:06 am

Stump - fuel solenoid appears and sounds like it's working. Today will feel to make sure. It's hard for me to stand/walk long enough to take care of this myself, so most has been done by others. If we don; get fuel flowing today, will try gasoline soaked rag at air breather. Have had success with Mercedes before. I keep telling the others I'm in no hurry for this - and they take me at my word...

Jim

Re: [still no fuel to engine] Premature thanks for every one's help

Reply #16 – August 26, 2017, 11:42:42 am

Jim,

Another option is to use a jerry can and run a short hose to the primary fuel filter. That would allow you to verify that the engine end of things works OK.

Re: [still no fuel to engine] Premature thanks for every one's help

Reply #17 – August 26, 2017, 12:41:34 pm

Thanks, Brett. That's the first thing that will be done today. I was just thinking about trying to hold the line up higher than the tank and pouring fuel to fill up the line. I guess the lift pump won't move air as well as it does fuel. I'm sure everyone realizes this is first experience like this for me. Sure glad i'm not out on the edge of the road somewhere! I just checked the fuel gauge and it indicates 1/2 full. Think I'll hold this last 15 gal until we see if it will run off one of them with the short hose...

Jim

Re: [still no fuel to engine] Premature thanks for every one's help

Reply #18 – August 26, 2017, 01:02:29 pm

Jim,

Fill the hose with fuel and then with the jug end plugged, attach to the primary filter "IN" side. You want to start with the hose full.

And, remember, return fuel will go to the built in tank, so the engine will not run as long as you would think on that volume of fuel.

Re: [still no fuel to engine] Premature thanks for every one's help

Reply #19 – August 26, 2017, 01:20:22 pm

My "filling the line" was about the loooong line to the tank up front. Don't know if it would have dawned on me that we would be in the same fix with the jug of fuel(especially with the jug on the ground!). I understand your advise.

Thank you,

Jim

Re: [still no fuel to engine] Premature thanks for every one's help

Reply #20 – August 26, 2017, 03:00:30 pm

Fred hooked a mighty vac. to the line from the tank and finally got fuel up to the filter.Started and ran for 2-3 min & stopped. He just stopped by & said it's runnin'!!.Thanks all for stayin' thru this with me.
Maybe I'll learn one day? Now I gotta bring it to the house and find out why the generator only runs in start. Ran perfect until I let the coach sit too long.
I've already been searching the forum.
Jim

Final on getting fuel to the engine

Reply #21 – August 28, 2017, 04:20:12 pm

Two days ago I wrote that Fred finally got the coach running. Well- wouldn't start yesterday. Fred came by a while ago, pumped the lift pump a few times and we ran it for 20 min or so. Shut it off for about five and it started immediatly. Maybe we finally got it...Maybe I can think about Ajo or someplace this winter? Went last January in my '90 Econoline Sierra. Spent 2cb and stayed broke down Until I got to Van Horn on the way back. The van has run perfect since then...

Jim

Re: Final on getting fuel to the engine

Reply #22 – August 28, 2017, 04:52:33 pm

Quote from: Jim Sizemore – August 28, 2017, 04:20:12 pm

Two days ago I wrote that Fred finally got the coach running. Well- wouldn't start yesterday. Fred came by a while ago, pumped the lift pump a few times and we ran it for 20 min or so. Shut it off for about five and it started immediatly. Maybe we finally got it...Maybe I can think about Ajo or someplace this winter? Went last January in my '90 Econoline Sierra. Spent 2cb and stayed broke down Until I got to Van Horn on the way back. The van has run perfect since then...

Jim

Most anytime it's been running OK when you shut it down but won't start the next morning, it's usually air getting into the system overnight. From a few minutes to several hours, a small leak won't show up.
Pierce

Re: Final on getting fuel to the engine

Reply #23 – August 28, 2017, 06:04:31 pm

Thanks, Pierce - will holler back tomorrow. Fred says he felt all over both filters and will look hard at it tomorrow.

Jim

Re: [still no fuel to engine] Premature thanks for every one's help

Reply #24 – August 29, 2017, 12:02:14 pm

Started up instantly this morning,(like it always did before I let the tank leak dry!)with no further pumping of the lift pump...

That was around a three hundred dollar lesseon learned.

Jim

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