The problem with the coach we bought in Springfield MO is resolved but now we have another issue

The shop that replaced the fuel pump also replaced the filter (standard can inline filter) We got
about 350 miles and started to slowly get the symtoms of fuel starvation to the point that we could
only go 30 mph going up hills so I had to replace the filter.

That filter only lasted about 50~60 miles before we started to get the same symtoms. We made it safely to the KOA in
Paducah and I have spare filters however we have another 800 miles to go.

My question is there anything that will break up the junk that is cloging the filters?
I think I know the answer but I am not a pro so I have to ask.

I am going to call the local Blacklister tomorrow for a reference to a good local shop, to late to bother someone tonight.
We are safe and warm so it can wait until morning.

The final analysis of the earlier issue seems to be the isolator failed open to the chassis battery when the PO still owned the coach
and the alternator boiled the house battery dry and then self-destructed. The chassis battery ran everything for the 35 miles we got from
when we picked it up. The low voltage (or just age) caused the electric fuel pump (17 years old) to cease moving enough fuel. And the inline fuel filter
was clogged after 17 years.

The problem with the coach we bought in Springfield MO is resolved but now we have another issue

The shop that replaced the fuel pump also replaced the filter (standard can inline filter) We got
about 350 miles and started to slowly get the symtoms of fuel starvation to the point that we could
only go 30 mph going up hills so I had to replace the filter.

That filter only lasted about 50~60 miles before we started to get the same symtoms. We made it safely to the KOA in
Paducah and I have spare filters however we have another 800 miles to go.

My question is there anything that will break up the junk that is cloging the filters?
I think I know the answer but I am not a pro so I have to ask.

I am going to call the local Blacklister tomorrow for a reference to a good local shop, to late to bother someone tonight.
We are safe and warm so it can wait until morning.

The final analysis of the earlier issue seems to be the isolator failed open to the chassis battery when the PO still owned the coach
and the alternator boiled the house battery dry and then self-destructed. The chassis battery ran everything for the 35 miles we got from
when we picked it up. The low voltage (or just age) caused the electric fuel pump (17 years old) to cease moving enough fuel. And the inline fuel filter
was clogged after 17 years.

If you want to run on a separate tank, simply remove the gas line input to the mechanical pump. put the two 5 gallon tanks on the front bumper and hold in place with bungie or ratchet straps. Run a 3/8" gasoline hose from the input side of the pump to one of the gas cans and away you go. Stop every 40 miles or so and switch tanks before you run one dry.

I had one once where the mechanical pump was removed. On that one we put four 5 gallon gas cans on the roof and ran a 3/8" ID hose down the side of the coach, we disconnected the selector valve and connected that hose it to the output hose that was on the selector valve. No pump was necessary as the gas would gravity feed the system. It was a real pain this way climbing out on the roof every 40 miles but we did manage to keep all of the gasoline outside rather than inside with us. Having been through one coach fire I am terrified having gasoline inside with the passengers. We ran a little over 800 miles that way and only ran one 5 gallon can completely dry.

One hint, If you do this, get a 1 foot or so piece of 3/8" OD steel pipe or steel / copper line and stick it on the end of the hose going into the gas can. That will keep the pick up end on the bottom of the can. We also stuck a short 1x2 under the can to tilt it towards the pick up end of the can. We got maximum range per can this way.

Good Luck.

Tom,

At least replace the carb filter and loosen the gas cap before you try other more involved fixes. That carb filter is a very common item and should be available at any auto parts store for around $3.00. Autozone shows it in stock here for $2.99. WalMart use to have them but they have cut back on the filters that they sell.

Ken

Ken Burton wrote on Sun, 03 December 2017 13:07

If you want to run on a separate tank, simply remove the gas line input to the mechanical pump. put the two 5 gallon tanks on the front bumper and hold in place with bungie or ratchet straps. Run a 3/8" gasoline hose from the input side of the pump to one of the gas cans and away you go. Stop every 40 miles or so and switch tanks before you run one dry.

I had one once where the mechanical pump was removed. On that one we put four 5 gallon gas cans on the roof and ran a 3/8" ID hose down the side of the coach, we disconnected the selector valve and connected that hose it to the output hose that was on the selector valve. No pump was necessary as the gas would gravity feed the system. It was a real pain this way climbing out on the roof every 40 miles but we did manage to keep all of the gasoline outside rather than inside with us. Having been through one coach fire I am terrified having gasoline inside with the passengers. We ran a little over 800 miles that way and only ran one 5 gallon can completely dry.

One hint, If you do this, get a 1 foot or so piece of 3/8" OD steel pipe or steel / copper line and stick it on the end of the hose going into the gas can. That will keep the pick up end on the bottom of the can. We also stuck a short 1x2 under the can to tilt it towards the pick up end of the can. We got maximum range per can this way.

Good Luck.

Now that you rmind me about that fire It was a stupid idea on my part.

Tom Lins wrote on Sun, 03 December 2017 15:01

Ken Burton wrote on Sun, 03 December 2017 13:07

If you want to run on a separate tank, simply remove the gas line input to the mechanical pump. put the two 5 gallon tanks on the front bumper and hold in place with bungie or ratchet straps. Run a 3/8" gasoline hose from the input side of the pump to one of the gas cans and away you go. Stop every 40 miles or so and switch tanks before you run one dry.

I had one once where the mechanical pump was removed. On that one we put four 5 gallon gas cans on the roof and ran a 3/8" ID hose down the side of the coach, we disconnected the selector valve and connected that hose it to the output hose that was on the selector valve. No pump was necessary as the gas would gravity feed the system. It was a real pain this way climbing out on the roof every 40 miles but we did manage to keep all of the gasoline outside rather than inside with us. Having been through one coach fire I am terrified having gasoline inside with the passengers. We ran a little over 800 miles that way and only ran one 5 gallon can completely dry.

One hint, If you do this, get a 1 foot or so piece of 3/8" OD steel pipe or steel / copper line and stick it on the end of the hose going into the gas can. That will keep the pick up end on the bottom of the can. We also stuck a short 1x2 under the can to tilt it towards the pick up end of the can. We got maximum range per can this way.

Good Luck.

Ken

Not really scared but a lot more cautious. I moved my previous GMC about 5 miles doing the marine tank in the cab trick to get it to where I could drain the tanks safely. This time I took your suggestion to change the carb filter. I also bought a mechanical gas pump they had in stock just in case. Took the coach out on the interstate and climbed a few hills without any problems. So we packed up and headed east. We are now just off I-40 in Newport ,TN at another KOA to rest up for tomorrow.

My misconception was that the large filter by the electric fuel pump would stop all the crud from the tank. Well you learn something new every day.


Now that you rmind me about that fire It was a stupid idea on my part.

It was not a stupid idea. I just know what Lauire and I went through trying to put out a gasoline fed fire in our coach. So I am overly cautious.

Lots of people have used the gas can inside the coach idea to move one. I just prefer to keep the gas outside just in case. There is only one quick way out of that coach if it catches fire.

I'm sorry if I scared you. I just wanted to caution you and let you make your own decision.

I took a trip to Alaska and back carrying 10 gallons of extra fuel. Those 10 gallons stayed outside on a roof rack. I met a guy along the way that ran out and needed it. I sold him my extra fuel and refilled it again at the next convenient station.

Tom Lins wrote on Sun, 03 December 2017 15:01

Ken

Not really scared but a lot more cautious. I moved my previous GMC about 5 miles doing the marine tank in the cab trick to get it to where I could drain the tanks safely. This time I took your suggestion to change the carb filter. I also bought a mechanical gas pump they had in stock just in case. Took the coach out on the interstate and climbed a few hills without any problems. So we packed up and headed east. We are now just off I-40 in Newport ,TN at another KOA to rest up for tomorrow.

My misconception was that the large filter by the electric fuel pump would stop all the crud from the tank. Well you learn something new every day.


Now that you rmind me about that fire It was a stupid idea on my part.