Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Testing the Reserve Fuel (RESERVE seems to have failed and not holding)
| Testing the Reserve Fuel [message #87895] |
Wed, 09 June 2010 22:46  |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Having thought most of the bad problems were gone last year, a new one has come to light.
The coach has been in the drive over Winter. She was driven there directly from the Mechanic. A lot of running had been done in the effert to find and fix the power loss problem.
I ran her a week ago and noticed she had trouble holding a good idle speed after warming up. I shut her down.
The other day I tried to start her and only had sputtering and then just cranking.
As I knew the fuel was low, I pressed the RESERVE button but to no avail, just cranking. I even put gas in the bowl in the carborator to help. She ran for a sec or two then down again.
I began assuming she was out of gas but the RESERVE should have supplied some fuel, about 25 miles I think it is, but this save did not happen.
I put 4 gallons of gas in and she started to run again.
The fickle finger is pointing at a bad reserve.....
Can the reserve wall fail in the tank? anyone ever hear of this or maybe the valve could fail?? I can hear the valve clicking when the switch is hit...
Or maybe the main/res valve is not working?? can that be when I can clearly hear the click of the solenoid???
If I were to pull gas line to the gas pump, how would I prove one or the other is working?
As always, any ideas are appreciated....
LarC ( Thinking the Reserve barrier may have come loose inside the tank making the RESERVE supply a memory )
Gatsbys' CRUISER  08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
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| Re: Testing the Reserve Fuel [message #87902 is a reply to message #87895] |
Wed, 09 June 2010 23:21  |
idrob
Messages: 645
Registered: January 2005
Location: Central Idaho
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| Larry C wrote on Wed, 09 June 2010 20:46 |
Or maybe the main/res valve is not working?? can that be when I can clearly hear the click of the solenoid???
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The fuel selector valve may fail even when there is a "clicking" sound.
There is no "reserve wall" in the tank, there are two different tanks with interconnections between them.
Rob Allen
former owner of '76 x-PB
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| Re: [GMCnet] Testing the Reserve Fuel [message #87904 is a reply to message #87895] |
Wed, 09 June 2010 23:37 |
Charles
Messages: 455
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Your primary tank might have been out of fuel and the pick up and sending
unit in the
secondary tank might be bad. Adding more fuel may have put enough in the
primary
tank for it to start woring again.
Charles
----- Original Message -----
From: "Larry" <slawrence111@yahoo.com>
To: <gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 09, 2010 10:46 PM
Subject: [GMCnet] Testing the Reserve Fuel
>
>
> Having thought most of the bad problems were gone last year, a new one has
> come to light.
>
> The coach has been in the drive over Winter. She was driven there
> directly from the Mechanic. A lot of running had been done in the effert
> to find and fix the power loss problem.
>
> I ran her a week ago and noticed she had trouble holding a good idle speed
> after warming up. I shut her down.
>
> The other day I tried to start her and only had sputtering and then just
> cranking.
> As I knew the fuel was low, I pressed the RESERVE button but to no avail,
> just cranking. I even put gas in the bowl in the carborator to help. She
> ran for a sec or two then down again.
>
> I began assuming she was out of gas but the RESERVE should have supplied
> some fuel, about 25 miles I think it is, but this save did not happen.
>
> I put 4 gallons of gas in and she started to run again.
>
> The fickle finger is pointing at a bad reserve.....
>
> Can the reserve wall fail in the tank? anyone ever hear of this or maybe
> the valve could fail?? I can hear the valve clicking when the switch is
> hit...
>
> Or maybe the main/res valve is not working?? can that be when I can
> clearly hear the click of the solenoid???
>
> If I were to pull gas line to the gas pump, how would I prove one or the
> other is working?
>
> As always, any ideas are appreciated....
>
> LarC ( Thinking the Reserve barrier may have come loose inside the tank
> making the RESERVE supply a memory )
>
>
> --
> Gatsbys' CRUISER :d
> 74 GLACIER X, 260
> 455/APC/4 bagg'r(ver3)
> Remflex Manifold gaskets
> _______________________________________________
> Purchased 08-18-04
>
> _
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
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Charles Wersal
Duncanville, Texas
26 foot 1975 Glenbrook
Pandora's Box
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| Re: Testing the Reserve Fuel [message #87908 is a reply to message #87895] |
Thu, 10 June 2010 04:17 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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The reserve is a separate tank. When you push the switch to reserve you are selecting the second tank. If you do not occasionally use the reserve tank then the electric valve never moves. That valve is a know failure item if it is not occasionally exercised.
My guess is the valve is sticking.
Jim K. or Jim B. both stock the valve.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: [GMCnet] Testing the Reserve Fuel [message #87921 is a reply to message #87917] |
Thu, 10 June 2010 09:16 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Larry,
Jim Bounds has an excellent explanation of how the tanks work on his web site under 'information':
http://www.gmccoop.com/fuel_tanks.htm
If you live in a humid climate, it is always best to store your coach with the tanks full. There is less chance for condensation to form and get water/rust in your tanks. Today's gasoline formulations are 'hygroscopic' meaning that the ethanol in the gas will actually draw moisture from the air into the gas. This is bad. Keeping your tanks full will reduce the surface area that is exposed to this moisture laden air and minimize this condition. You may very well have very dirty fuel filters because of the corrosion in your tanks. Change them, they are cheap.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] Testing the Reserve Fuel [message #87925 is a reply to message #87921] |
Thu, 10 June 2010 10:26 |
James Hupy
Messages: 6806
Registered: May 2010
Karma: -62
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Senior Member |
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Smart A** comment of the day. " You can have 20 years of experience once, or
One year worth of experience 20 times. Your choice". Read Jim Bounds
explanation of how these fuel tanks are or should be plumbed and understand
this. There ain't no stinking blocked off reserve area in either tank. BTW
do you have a downsloping driveway? If you do fuel will likely transfer from
the Main to the AUX but if the fuel pickup in either tank is exposed, all
you will pump out of that tank is air, depanding on where you have the tank
selector switch. Jim Hupy
On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 7:16 AM, Carl Stouffer <carljr3b@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> Larry,
>
> Jim Bounds has an excellent explanation of how the tanks work on his web
> site under 'information':
>
> http://www.gmccoop.com/fuel_tanks.htm
>
> If you live in a humid climate, it is always best to store your coach with
> the tanks full. There is less chance for condensation to form and get
> water/rust in your tanks. Today's gasoline formulations are 'hygroscopic'
> meaning that the ethanol in the gas will actually draw moisture from the air
> into the gas. This is bad. Keeping your tanks full will reduce the surface
> area that is exposed to this moisture laden air and minimize this condition.
> You may very well have very dirty fuel filters because of the corrosion in
> your tanks. Change them, they are cheap.
> --
> Carl S.
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Testing the Reserve Fuel [message #87930 is a reply to message #87925] |
Thu, 10 June 2010 11:11 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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The solenoid valve can fail in a couple of different ways. It can be stuck in one position regardless of whether you hear it click. A more common failure is that it can be open to both tanks. What happens then is that it will suck air from the empty tank. I would get under there and take a piece of hose and try blowing theu it in various settings to see if it switches and if it may be open to both tanks at once.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: Testing the Reserve Fuel [message #88016 is a reply to message #87895] |
Thu, 10 June 2010 22:31 |
Larry C
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Jim B reports lots of trouble with fuel filters and our modern gas. Could this be the culprit?
LARRY D
Larry, The problem with the new gas and filters ( as I understand ) is when the ethonal fuel is added to tanks that ran non ethonal fuels. The ethonal cleans the gunk from the tanks and clogs the filters....... My tanks were checked clean when they were dropped so I will keep that idea on the back burner, however, I don't think it has a serious cause in this event. thankyou
===============
there really is no reserve, read here
http://gmcmotorhome.info/tank.html
GENE
Thank you GENE for finding that, it explains a lot
===============
The fuel selector valve may fail even when there is a "clicking" sound.
ROB A
Thank you
================
Your primary tank might have been out of fuel and the pick up and sending
unit in the secondary tank might be bad. Adding more fuel may have put enough in the
primary tank for it to start woring again.
CHARLES
I agree, Thank you
=================
My guess is the valve is sticking.
Jim K. or Jim B. both stock the valve.
KEN B
Thanks Ken
=================
Larry,
Once you have studied the way the fuel tanks are plumbed and that the
reserve is a remaining small puddle of gas in the front tank, what's
happening may become evident. If the solenoid in fact isn't working
that's one issue. When you run below the pickup in the rear tank there
may not be enough fuel in the front tank to provide fuel to the carb,
Your front pick up tube may be bent and not down into the little
remaining fuel or you may be sitting at an angle and the fuel is off the
pickup. My issue turned out to be bad fuel line that the fuel pump
would pull air and not fuel once the fuel level went down.
GEORGE Z
I now understand thw puddle "reserve" now.
There is a slight hill in the drive and the back end was lower so I am guessing that the fuel ran to the rear tank.
I don't usually trust the fuel guage and track my fuel by miles driven. HOWEVER, the GMC was at the Mechanics all Summer and we worked on it almost constantly, running for testing, test runs, etc, so the mileage method was not good.
Alas, here we are....
Thanks George
==================
You do not want to be on the reserve fuel when exiting an up ramp to
get more gas. Don't ask how I know. <<g>>
ROGER
I kinda figured that out, lol. May be part of the problem now.
Thank you Roger
==================
Jim Bounds has an excellent explanation of how the tanks work on his web site under 'information':
http://www.gmccoop.com/fuel_tanks.htm
CARL S
Thank you Carl
==================
Smart A** comment of the day. " You can have 20 years of experience once, or
One year worth of experience 20 times. Your choice"
JIM H
Thanks Jim
==================
The solenoid valve can fail in a couple of different ways.
BOB D
Thank you Bob
=================
Thanks all
I have come to realize that this is probably a simple problem, ???
I have put fuel in and she started the last time I tried.
As the drive is sloping to the rear of the coach a bit, I believe the fuel drained to the rear tank. The so called reserve tank has been corrected in my mind...
At least I know it does not take much of an incline, or decline to make the fuel drain from the front to the rear.
Thanks for all the thoughts......
LarC ( First time to actually run out of gas but with my luck lately, this is minor )
Gatsbys' CRUISER 08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" />
http://www.gmceast.com/travel
_
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Testing the Reserve Fuel [message #88018 is a reply to message #88016] |
Thu, 10 June 2010 22:49 |
Jim Bounds
Messages: 842
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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It very well could be I'm so exposed to issues with our fuel delivery system and what may seem like a plague may not be that bad and I appreciate that but you have not been on the other end of a call from someone battling clogged filters and vapor lock. heck, it all happened to me on the first outing with Larry with the new power plant. I must tell you these issues have been increasing in the last 2 years to a point that noting surprises anynore. Heck, I can;t drive my own coach over then-- we completely replaced the fuel delivery system today and have 2 more coming!
I would tell you to keep a WIX 33052 in your glove box with the 2 wrenches you need to replace it!
Jim Bounds
-------------------------
----- Original Message ----
From: Larry <slawrence111@yahoo.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Thu, June 10, 2010 11:31:01 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Testing the Reserve Fuel
Jim B reports lots of trouble with fuel filters and our modern gas. Could this be the culprit?
LARRY D
Larry, The problem with the new gas and filters ( as I understand ) is when the ethonal fuel is added to tanks that ran non ethonal fuels. The ethonal cleans the gunk from the tanks and clogs the filters....... My tanks were checked clean when they were dropped so I will keep that idea on the back burner, however, I don't think it has a serious cause in this event. thankyou
===============
there really is no reserve, read here
http://gmcmotorhome.info/tank.html
GENE
Thank you GENE for finding that, it explains a lot
===============
The fuel selector valve may fail even when there is a "clicking" sound.
ROB A
Thank you
================
Your primary tank might have been out of fuel and the pick up and sending
unit in the secondary tank might be bad. Adding more fuel may have put enough in the
primary tank for it to start woring again.
CHARLES
I agree, Thank you
=================
My guess is the valve is sticking.
Jim K. or Jim B. both stock the valve.
KEN B
Thanks Ken
=================
Larry,
Once you have studied the way the fuel tanks are plumbed and that the
reserve is a remaining small puddle of gas in the front tank, what's
happening may become evident. If the solenoid in fact isn't working
that's one issue. When you run below the pickup in the rear tank there
may not be enough fuel in the front tank to provide fuel to the carb,
Your front pick up tube may be bent and not down into the little
remaining fuel or you may be sitting at an angle and the fuel is off the
pickup. My issue turned out to be bad fuel line that the fuel pump
would pull air and not fuel once the fuel level went down.
GEORGE Z
I now understand thw puddle "reserve" now.
There is a slight hill in the drive and the back end was lower so I am guessing that the fuel ran to the rear tank.
I don't usually trust the fuel guage and track my fuel by miles driven. HOWEVER, the GMC was at the Mechanics all Summer and we worked on it almost constantly, running for testing, test runs, etc, so the mileage method was not good.
Alas, here we are....
Thanks George
==================
You do not want to be on the reserve fuel when exiting an up ramp to
get more gas. Don't ask how I know. <<g>>
ROGER
I kinda figured that out, lol. May be part of the problem now.
Thank you Roger
==================
Jim Bounds has an excellent explanation of how the tanks work on his web site under 'information':
http://www.gmccoop.com/fuel_tanks.htm
CARL S
Thank you Carl
==================
Smart A** comment of the day. " You can have 20 years of experience once, or
One year worth of experience 20 times. Your choice"
JIM H
Thanks Jim
==================
The solenoid valve can fail in a couple of different ways.
BOB D
Thank you Bob
=================
Thanks all
I have come to realize that this is probably a simple problem, ???
I have put fuel in and she started the last time I tried.
As the drive is sloping to the rear of the coach a bit, I believe the fuel drained to the rear tank. The so called reserve tank has been corrected in my mind...
At least I know it does not take much of an incline, or decline to make the fuel drain from the front to the rear.
Thanks for all the thoughts......
LarC ( First time to actually run out of gas but with my luck lately, this is minor )
--
Gatsbys' CRUISER :d
74 GLACIER X, 260
455/APC/4 bagg'r(ver3)
Remflex Manifold gaskets
_______________________________________________
Purchased 08-18-04
_
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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