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Topic: Generator problems (Read 570 times) previous topic - next topic

Generator problems

U280 GrandVilla '93

I'm having trouble with my generator.  Hard to start and will often die after a minute.  I go bleed the fuel system, either at the fuel injection rail, or on top of the filter holder. It works but then it happens right away again.  I then bleed it again and find a bunch of air in the fuel system again, rinse and repeat.
The fuel tank is a bit less than half full.  I'm trying to remember if the previous owner had told me the gen isn't happy when the fuel tank is not fairly full?  Can't remember for sure.
Power tech/ kubota
Thoughts?

Curtis and Wendy and the baby tortoise SloMo
1993 U280 grand villa
Planes and cars
Boulder City, Nevada

Re: Generator problems

Reply #1 –
Generator should still get fuel until around the 1/4 full mark on the dash fuel gauge.  Below that, you're pushing your luck.  However, the fuel gauges on our old coaches can be rather inaccurate.  I carry a flexible tank gauging tape that I use to gauge the tank before we fill up.  Gives me a MUCH more precise idea of how much fuel I will be pumping into the tank.

You might verify how much you have in tank, just in case.  If you really have a half tank, then the problem lies elsewhere.

Dirty/plugged up fuel filter?  Cracks in the generator fuel line admitting air?  Loose connectors on the fuel line?  Weak fuel pump?
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: Generator problems

Reply #2 –
Your main engine fuel pickup tube is 3/8" off bottom.  The generator fuel pickup tube is 2.5" off bottom.  According to the diagram, that is.

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: Generator problems

Reply #3 –
I'm guessing that your fuel pump (directly below the dip stick) is original equipment which would make it pretty old.  Unless someone painted a replacement one the engine color. 
  You can disassemble them and clean the screen inside but why bother, there out there and the last time I bought one it was like 15 bucks. I think Walmart even had them.
 
Robert and Susan
 1995 36' 280 WTBI 8.3 3060r
 1200 watts on the roof, 720 Ah of lithium's
 Build # 4637. Motorcade # 17599
        FMCA  # 451505
        18  Wrangler JLUR

Re: Generator problems

Reply #4 –
I'm sorry. I should have said that I have changed the fuel pump and fuel filter when I did a full service on it...air filter, oil, oil filter...
Curtis and Wendy and the baby tortoise SloMo
1993 U280 grand villa
Planes and cars
Boulder City, Nevada

Re: Generator problems

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
Generator should still get fuel until around the 1/4 full mark on the dash fuel gauge.  Below that, you're pushing your luck.  However, the fuel gauges on our old coaches can be rather inaccurate.  I carry a flexible tank gauging tape that I use to gauge the tank before we fill up.  Gives me a MUCH more precise idea of how much fuel I will be pumping into the tank.

You might verify how much you have in tank, just in case.  If you really have a half tank, then the problem lies elsewhere.

Dirty/plugged up fuel filter?  Cracks in the generator fuel line admitting air?  Loose connectors on the fuel line?  Weak fuel pump?

Is that a flexible fuel dip stick type thing you use to check your fuel level Chuck? Just to check what fraction of the tank has fuel, or is it more complex?

Filter should be good since it's new...but may replace it again anyway....same with fuel pump....I've been wondering if perhaps the fuel line or fitting have been admitting air...

Thanks
Curtis and Wendy and the baby tortoise SloMo
1993 U280 grand villa
Planes and cars
Boulder City, Nevada

Re: Generator problems

Reply #6 –
Quote from: campipilot –
1.  Is that a flexible fuel dip stick...
2.  I've been wondering if perhaps the fuel line or fitting have been admitting air...
1.  What I use is a fabric tape measure that I "borrowed" from my wife's sewing kit.  It is apparently not adversely affected by diesel fuel, since it has lasted now for more than 13 years.  I put a little metal weight on the end of the tape.  As I lower it slowly into the tank I can clearly hear it touch bottom.  Then I pull it out and can read the fuel level, measured in inches off bottom.  I know how many inches it is from the bottom of the tank to the fuel filler opening (about 23") so dividing into the tank capacity (148 gal minus 8 gal to account for air gap at top) gives me the approximate number of gallons per inch in the tank.  140 divided by 23 = 6 gallons per inch.

2.  If the generator fuel line is original, this is high probability.  OTOH, our fuel line is still original, and our genny (same model as yours) runs like new.
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: Generator problems

Reply #7 –
Take the intake line off and run a hose to a container with fuel in it and see how your generator runs.
If it runs fine you probably need to change you fuel line but first dip your tank as Chuck suggested.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport