General Boards > Technical Support
Won't start.
Steve Adams:
We have a new to us 2001 Beaver Contessa, 40' with a CAT 330hp/Allison 6 speed. Yesterday we left Seaside and stopped in North Plains to fuel up. When we finished the coach would not start. We had plenty of battery, it turned over but would not fire. After sitting about 45 minutes, and of course when the wrecker showed up, it started. We have not experienced this before in the short time we've owned it.
The only symptom I can offer is the tank sucked air while I removed the fuel filler cap. I have no idea if that had any impact on this or not but is the only thing I can think of that was out of the ordinary.
Anyone have any ideas?
Thanks!
Bruce Benson:
What was your fuel gage showing before you filled it? Assuming you filled it, how much did you put in? Are you driving it now or did it go to the shop? If you have a clear bowl on your fuel filter, what does that look like?
Bruce
Gerald Farris:
Without being able to check the coach, there is only one thing that comes to mind. Air in the fuel system is the most probable cause. The fact that the fuel tank sucked air when you removed the cap would indicate a restricted vent (check the vent) that may cause a poor o-ring seal at the Racor water separator or fuel filter to let a small amount of air enter the system.
There is an o-ring on each end of the sight glass/strainer for the Racor water separator that has a tendency to leak with age. Usually but not always, there will be diesel fuel stains around the area that is letting the air in because of slight fuel seepage. The other place to look is at the fuel filters esp. any filters that have been recently changed. Also look at the screen in the sight glass to see if it is clean or if it has algae build-up (a dark film).
Gerald
Steve Adams:
Bruce, over 3/4 when we arrived at station, only put in 15 gallons. When it started, I drove it home. I can't find the bowl!
Gerald, the venting got me too, but who would have thought you could vapor lock (essentially) a diesel? The fuel water seperator and fuel filter are both clean. This rig has the rear mounted radiator and I cannot get a clear view of the engine from anywhere outside. Any idea where the bowl would be located?
Thanks to both of you for your replies!
Steve
Richard And Babs Ames:
I think Gerald is referring to a Racor filter bowl that is plastic and fits on the bottom of a racor filter. I just trashed the Winn electric air purge fuel filter system that came on our '97 and replaced it with a Racor with a manual priming pump. The electric pump on the old Winn System failed.
http://www.parker.com/portal/site/PARKER/menuitem.7100150cebe5bbc2d6806710237ad1ca/?vgnextoid=f5c9b5bbec622110VgnVCM10000032a71dacRCRD&vgnextfmt=default&vgnextdiv=687630&vgnextcatid=2759464&vgnextcat=400+SERIES+FUEL+FILTER%2FWATER+SEPARATORS&Wtky=
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