Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Topic: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up. (Read 1734 times) previous topic - next topic

Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

March 14, 2014, 08:02:35 am

After it sits over night or for a couple weeks it starts, runs fine for a few minutes and then stalls. It seems to need to clear some air I suspect and then runs fine. It did this once a couple months ago and on our trip last week it did it after each time it sat. For brief stops it does not do this. So I think it is getting air somewhere in the system? I looked at the clear filter and I can see fuel looking like it is sheeting into it? I have never viewed it while running before so I don't know if that is the norm?

Any thoughts or recommendations?

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #1 – March 14, 2014, 08:09:47 am

I would check that my filters are all on tight then I would start at the engine fuel line and follow them back to the tank. Looking for cracks that will leak and allow the system to cyphine the fuel back to the tank. If your 320 is like mine it is very hard to see the lines. You may have to replace the lines. 15 years is about it.

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #2 – March 14, 2014, 09:09:55 am

This is typical symptoms of failed fuel lines. You are due.

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #3 – March 14, 2014, 11:21:52 am

As the posts above say, good chance it's fuel lines but replace both fuel filters first and then see if the problem is still there. Guess which costs the most to replace. Fitting or filter O ring can also let air in.

Pierce

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #4 – March 14, 2014, 12:04:04 pm

One thing about these fuel lines that has always interested me is- of the ones that have failed, what percentage are on "full time coaches", and the locations of them as far as storage. In other words, does temperature play a part in thiis breakdown as much as age?
Would be interesting if Michelle could set up a chart for people who have had to replace could answer these 3 questions.
1.Do you full time.
2.Area (State) of main domicle of coach.
3.Age of coach at replacement time.
JohnH

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #5 – March 14, 2014, 12:24:39 pm

1.Do you full time.
2.Area (State) of main domicle of coach.
3.Age of coach at replacement time.
JohnH
[/quote]

Half time, 6 in TX in the winter and 6 parked by house in the summers
TX winters / CO summers
15 years old when the PO had it done (11/12), when it would not run to leave Camp Foretravel, how lucky was that?

Seems we are seeing years, 97-99's reports of first problems and then replacement.

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #6 – March 14, 2014, 07:32:16 pm

1997 U295
Part timer - a few weeks each year
Coach "lived" in airplane hangar in southeast Texas 1997-2010
Coach lived outside in southeast Texas 2010-present
Generator quit running reliably in December, 2012
Fuel lines replace January, 2013

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #7 – March 14, 2014, 08:03:24 pm

It is also a symptom of a Racor originally put in going bad too. I changed mine out and just did the fuel lines too.

Part timer but put about 30k on a year
Stored inside the garage
Virginia.

I think it is just the age.

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #8 – March 14, 2014, 10:33:41 pm

I have been seeing all the posts regarding the fuel lines and know I am likely due. I considered doing them last summer when we where in Nac. But before we left I talked to my mechanic buddy and he looked with me at what we could see (not much) and we thought they looked good. I guess I will try the filters first and hope for the best but I am sure the fuel lines are in my future. Any one know someone who is familiar with doing them in south Fla?

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #9 – March 14, 2014, 11:37:41 pm

Full-timer-9 months/year traveling southwest from Texas to Arizona, balance undercover on Cape Cod.

Replace 10/13

It's just age.

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #10 – March 14, 2014, 11:57:14 pm

Looks like you may be right Brett but why only so few units out of all built since 96 or so have had the problem. Ours is a 2000 and no hint and lines look perfect(what I can see of them).
My feeling is that it is also a heat problem(meaning ambient temps in atmosphere).??
johnH

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #11 – March 15, 2014, 12:18:04 am

The heat comes from the hot fuel. The less fuel in the tank while driving, the hotter it will be. I can't touch the tank after driving an hour or so. Hot weather will raise it even further. A cooler on the fuel return line would drop it quite a bit. Our tanks are not exposed like a truck so the fuel tank has no airflow around it. Hot fuel in fuel lines made of marginal material may shorten their life considerably. Just follow the automatic transmission lifespan vs ATF temp graphs.

Pierce

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #12 – March 15, 2014, 08:44:13 am

So I have not replaced the filters before and I am not clear on what the clear filter is next to the Racor? Should I be doing something with this clear section as well? And I assume I should pre-fill the new filter?

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #13 – March 15, 2014, 09:07:11 am

That is the part that leaks air. I would look to replace that first then the fuel lines. I might do them together if I was at a location to do it.

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #14 – March 15, 2014, 09:28:25 am

Quote from: philtravel – March 14, 2014, 10:33:41 pm

Any one know someone who is familiar with doing them in south Fla?

Phil,
When I lived there some 13 years ago I used Palm RV Centers. Check to see if they are still in business. This dealer was owned by the truck service facility next door to it. 2441 S. SR 7 (441), Ft. Lauderdale. FL 33317; 954-584-1910 (Palm Truck Centers - Peterbilt and Isuzu - New and Used Medium and Heavy Trucks). I got this information from an old receipt. So, please check into it and see if they are still there.

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #15 – March 15, 2014, 11:04:09 am

Oh yes Pierce I forgot to mention that on our 295 we have a fuel line cooler sitting on top of the CAC/Rad facing the open grille so I wonder if that has helped us so far have no issues with fuel lines???
Maybe not but also maybe!!
I will one day soon pull the fuel tank cover and see if I can check the connections there. If it does look like they are "getting there" I will run new ones under the coach in an aluminum track bolted to frame, with the tubing first run inside Sch 40 pvc pipes.Tthis way I do not have to try and crawl thru the basement storage areas which I think would be necessary.
JohnH

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #16 – March 15, 2014, 11:16:15 am

John,

I have made a couple of HDMI runs down the middle and it's not a lot of fun. I had a rodent eat the first one after a couple of months so had to run a second. Climbing around in the front suspension is also difficult getting the wires from the front cockpit back to the compartments. I used a welding rod electrical taped to the HDMI connector.

I like your schedule 40 idea. You can blow one of the little wax thread thimbles through and then just easily pull the hose. Might be easier than trying to push the hose through.

Pierce

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #17 – March 15, 2014, 12:53:38 pm

I myself wouldn't run anything under the coach. Way too exposed for me. Sure would be less difficult to run stuff but a lot more chance to get damaged.
Just my opinion.
Richard B

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #18 – March 15, 2014, 01:57:12 pm

Richard, the fuel line would be inside the pipe then that is inside a 'channel' of aluminum which is bolted to underbelly. I already have a plastic pipe under there for some wires and it has never been touched. The P O did it for the new rear view cam and I guess he did not know about the wires already in ceiling runs. Anyway it has proved that in more than 60k miles it has not caused any problems.
I am the kind of person that would make sure it is safe and sound. Easy to install with the pit.
John H

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #19 – March 15, 2014, 07:05:45 pm

So Is the clear filter replaced like a cartridge or are there seals or the entire filter? I would like to have what is needed before i start taking anything apart. What is the clear filter doing? Is it before or after the Racor? What is the manufacture of the clear filter?

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #20 – March 15, 2014, 07:23:11 pm

That is a 300200 racor filter. It comes with new o rings

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #21 – March 15, 2014, 07:54:17 pm

philtravel,

If you do have the Racor 300200 here is a thread that gives part numbers and where you can get them from ISM11 Clear glass fuel filter change/clean You can do a search and find some others this one just had the most info in one spot.

Pamela & Mike

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #22 – March 15, 2014, 09:35:29 pm

Quote from: philtravel – March 15, 2014, 07:05:45 pm

What is the clear filter doing?

The clear filter allows you to give a quick look for water in your fuel. There is a drain on the last one I had.

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #23 – March 15, 2014, 11:42:24 pm

I hear ya John. I guess if I already had a tract running the length of the coach I'd do the same.
Richard B

Re: Engine stalls a few minutes after start up.

Reply #24 – March 16, 2014, 12:40:55 am

I don't mean to go way out of the box here but if my coach is low on coolant it will shut off or go into limp mode shorty after starting. Seems like that's not what's happening here but thought id throw it out there..

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