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Topic: 8 kw Powertech pre heater. (Read 416 times) previous topic - next topic

8 kw Powertech pre heater.

Pull up to the fuel island in Hammond La and before I can start shutting engines off the generator died. Went ahead and fueled and the coach held 115 gal so I hoped the gen quit because of fuel level. Filled up and the gen would start but run rough  for 15 sec and die. Took off fuel filter and it was full. Let everything cool down and it doesn't start at all. I'm thinking now the pre heater may not be working. Question is where is the blasted pre heat at on a 96 Isuzu? Powertech is closed for the day so will be tomorrow before I can talk to Jeff.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: 8 kw Powertech pre heater.

Reply #1 –
Just put a voltmeter or a test light on one of the glow plugs and try and start it. There should be
voltage at the glow plugs.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: 8 kw Powertech pre heater.

Reply #2 –
3 glow plugs on top of engine, sort of look like small spark plugs.  Nice to replace them and carry old for spares.

Running fuel tank TOO low, can overheat fuel, let air get into fuel lines, and make engines hard to start. Never a good idea.

The fuel pump on bottom outer center of generator tray is supposed to pump fuel from tank to engine and back to tank. Is this round fuel pump working, voltage and fuel flow?

Gen preheat switch powers glow plug and runs fuel pump.

It may take holding down the gen preheat dash switch a lot longer. Can also hold down switch on generator so you can observe, feel parts, and measure voltage.

You will get it started.

Re: 8 kw Powertech pre heater.

Reply #3 –
I've never held over 80 gal per fill up, usually fuel at 1/2 tank and it holds 70, found myself in between fuel stops is the only reason it held over 100 because you are right in that it's not a good practice. I'm going to get back to it tomorrow because we are plugged in now at our destination and I'll have some time and have power now. It was a bit toasty today and the roof air WAS feeling good. I got a call from Lynn aka Forewheeler and he has had a very similar issue and Jeff told him change sending unit of sorts on the back of engine and that got his running. Could be airlocked as I don't hear the pump running when on pre heat. I've had kubota before but I imagine I'm about to get schooled a bit on Isuzu. Having parts shipped could be an issue because I will only be here a week. Thanks for the replies.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: 8 kw Powertech pre heater.

Reply #4 –
A cool engine won't start if it has one bad glow plug. Pull the connectors off the ends of the glow plugs and check the continunity with a multi meter. If it reads open, the glow plug is bad. Videos on YouTube on how to do this.

Many Powertech generators have a valve that may be opened and with the valve open and the switch in the glow position. any air in the system will be sent back to the fuel tank. Ours has this feature and it works well.

Pierce

Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: 8 kw Powertech pre heater.

Reply #5 –
Dub,

This sound like you may have a problem with the fuel shut off solenoid not opening, seems like it fails shut on that Isuzu IIRC. Looking at the generator as it is mounted in your coach the solenoid is mounted on the left side of the engine. It is a round piece about the size of a tomato paste can laying on it's side. It will have 2 wires coming out the end. When electricity is applied it pulls the fuel rail open. Check to see if you are getting 12VDC to this when it goes into start/run mode. If you have power give it a love tap and see if that jars it open.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: 8 kw Powertech pre heater.

Reply #6 –
10/4 Mike, sure another possibility. Check it tomorrow. Thanks
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: 8 kw Powertech pre heater.

Reply #7 –
Have the same exact gen.if I can look/check anything,let me know.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: 8 kw Powertech pre heater.

Reply #8 –
Thanks John, bad news this is the lesser of my issues. Having the King throttle issue as in dead throttle . Hit the control box a couple times and got it to throttle some. No fix for that on the road and I may have to get it home with a 40 ft cord but I'm prepared for that. Not taking on that issue now because other than drive with a string we know of no improving that issue on the road. Sometimes wish I was hooked on bird watching as a hobby instead of road travel because my last couple trips have been trying putting it mildley.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: 8 kw Powertech pre heater.

Reply #9 –
"Having the King throttle issue as in dead throttle "

When did Foretravel switch from the Williams air throttle to the King throttle controls ?



Justin & Cathy Byrd
1995 U280 "Old Faithful"
36' Build #4673
C8.3 Cummins
Allison MD3060R 6 speed - retarder
Powertech 10KW  4cyl Kubota

Re: 8 kw Powertech pre heater.

Reply #10 –

Don't know the Answer to that Justin but as long as King Cruise was in Minnesota Steve could take care of all our needs, but been out of luck since his closing. Probably go with air throttle. Think it was JOR.. John ORiely, did that a few years ago.

Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: 8 kw Powertech pre heater.

Reply #11 –
On discussion of preheaters.  The 1997 U295 I had with 10KW Powertech, they only time I hit the preheat switch is when the temps were below 50.  In the summer I would just hit the start button and it would start with no issues.

If I was to press the preheat button, I could here the fuel pump run. So if it is not running with preheat button pushed, I agree with check to verify 12v and if so, buy a new fuel pump.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: 8 kw Powertech pre heater.

Reply #12 –
This powertech you preheat in 100 deg weather. I have my hands on a new pump and if it's not the issue it will go in my parts bin for the time it is the issue.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: 8 kw Powertech pre heater.

Reply #13 –
Took off wire loom that"s on the power supply to pump and was proud to see hot wire disconnected at a connection. I just wasn't expecting easy luck on this, been ruffed up a tad lately. Thanks for all the possibilities because it could have been either one and places to look is the key to running soon.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: 8 kw Powertech pre heater.

Reply #14 –
Glad you found the gen run problem, Dub. FYI, the little round fuel pump is a common gasoline 12 pump. Nothing special with the Isuzu pump.

Sending unit on backside that has given some people problems is the oil pressure sender. It probably has an unfamiliar metric tapered thread. BTW, there is more than one metric taper standard, so getting a Power Tech replacement may be a good idea if one is needed.

Relating to the King throttle control, King does not allow normal throttle movement when it does NOT see a GROUND potential on the positive side of the rear brake light wire (through brake light bulb filament). A failed air brake switch, bad rear brake light bulbs, wiring, brake lights sticking on, etc can cause this issue.

Another issue with throttle is when the fuel solenoid on the side of the engine is NOT FULLY open. Fully closed solenoid will prevent engine start, but a common problem is when the solenoid 'hangs-up', allowing some fuel to flow, which may allow engine to run at very low power. This one is easy to temporarily fix with holding fully open with cable tie, cutting cable tie to stop engine.

Re: 8 kw Powertech pre heater.

Reply #15 –
Thanks for the info Barry. Living in your 270 the past 20 years has made you familiar with a host of things, appreciate the input.
Dub McBride 1996 270