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| [GMCnet] coach keeps dying [message #94932] |
Sat, 07 August 2010 09:51  |
Lissa Caltrider
Messages: 11
Registered: August 2010
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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Greetings from Reisterstown, MD. We are brand new owners in need of some
advice...if you have time to read our tale and make suggestions to the
mechanic, I'll be grateful!
Last weekend, we bought a 1976 Eleganza II from a mechanic in Erie, PA. It
passed PA inspection and we took it for an hour-long, issue-free test drive.
When we got into some stop and go traffic in Pittsburgh, it stopped running.
We tried switching to auxiliary gas tank and it still didn't run. So,we had
it towed away. The mechanic to whom we towed it said it started right up
for him. We asked him to give it a good head-to-toe look and he gave it a
clean bill of health.
Yesterday, my husband flew to Pittsburgh to drive it home. He hit some
traffic, it died. He waited, restarted it, and it ran. Then, on 68, in the
hills of WV, it died. And did not restart. So, now it is with a mechanic
in WV.
Some other facts to consider:
We know that it sat for a long time, unused, before the mechanic we bought
it from aquired it.
A friend who was following our beautiful new coach commented that the
exhaust looked rust-colored.
All thoughts/ideas will be greatly appreciated. We just want to get it home
so we can learn about it and gear up for our first family outing!!!
Gratefully,
Lissa Caltrider
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| Re: [GMCnet] coach keeps dying [message #94939 is a reply to message #94932] |
Sat, 07 August 2010 10:20  |
emerystora
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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First you have to determine if it is not getting spark or not getting gasoline.
You can check the spark by just disconnecting one of the spark plug wires and sticking a screwdriver into the end of it and hold the side of the metal screwdriver close to a metal object on the engine when cranking (be careful that you don't touch the metal of the screwdriver or you can get a shock). When you crank it should show a good spark between the gap.
If you get a spark then it probably is not anything electrical.
Then look into the top of the carb and push the gas pedal to the floor a couple of times. You should see a squirt of gasolne from the accelrator pump.
If not then you have no fuel in the carb.
My first guess would be that your module in the distributor is bad. Replace it and try to start it. If that doesn't help then you aren't out anything as you should be carrying a spare anyway. These sometimes go bad and it is usually when they heat up. Sometimes they will run when cool but not when hot.
Emery Stora.
On Aug 7, 2010, at 7:51 AM, Lissa Caltrider wrote:
> Greetings from Reisterstown, MD. We are brand new owners in need of some
> advice...if you have time to read our tale and make suggestions to the
> mechanic, I'll be grateful!
>
>
>
> Last weekend, we bought a 1976 Eleganza II from a mechanic in Erie, PA. It
> passed PA inspection and we took it for an hour-long, issue-free test drive.
> When we got into some stop and go traffic in Pittsburgh, it stopped running.
> We tried switching to auxiliary gas tank and it still didn't run. So,we had
> it towed away. The mechanic to whom we towed it said it started right up
> for him. We asked him to give it a good head-to-toe look and he gave it a
> clean bill of health.
>
>
>
> Yesterday, my husband flew to Pittsburgh to drive it home. He hit some
> traffic, it died. He waited, restarted it, and it ran. Then, on 68, in the
> hills of WV, it died. And did not restart. So, now it is with a mechanic
> in WV.
>
>
>
> Some other facts to consider:
>
>
>
> We know that it sat for a long time, unused, before the mechanic we bought
> it from aquired it.
>
>
>
> A friend who was following our beautiful new coach commented that the
> exhaust looked rust-colored.
>
>
>
> All thoughts/ideas will be greatly appreciated. We just want to get it home
> so we can learn about it and gear up for our first family outing!!!
>
>
>
> Gratefully,
>
> Lissa Caltrider
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
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List Information and Subscription Options:
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| Re: [GMCnet] coach keeps dying [message #94942 is a reply to message #94939] |
Sat, 07 August 2010 11:25 |
Arthur Mansfield
Messages: 290
Registered: April 2010
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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I agree with Emery as to the trouble shooting as that what I did when mine when it quit. It was the HMI coil. Yours sounds like yours is either vapor lock or the filter in the carb may be plugged up. The problem is you do not know what was done to the RV before you got it. I added a relay to power the ignition and the carb choke. It went out and shut me down one time and shut me down. I new what to look at and it only took a minute to fix.
Good luck Sorry you are having problem. You need to go to "http://www.bdub.net/Black_List/" and see if someone near by can help. The list are people who know their GMC and listed their name as some who are willing to help.
Art & Doris
76 EL
On Aug 7, 2010, at 9:20 AM, Emery Stora wrote:
> First you have to determine if it is not getting spark or not getting gasoline.
>
> You can check the spark by just disconnecting one of the spark plug wires and sticking a screwdriver into the end of it and hold the side of the metal screwdriver close to a metal object on the engine when cranking (be careful that you don't touch the metal of the screwdriver or you can get a shock). When you crank it should show a good spark between the gap.
>
> If you get a spark then it probably is not anything electrical.
>
> Then look into the top of the carb and push the gas pedal to the floor a couple of times. You should see a squirt of gasolne from the accelrator pump.
> If not then you have no fuel in the carb.
>
> My first guess would be that your module in the distributor is bad. Replace it and try to start it. If that doesn't help then you aren't out anything as you should be carrying a spare anyway. These sometimes go bad and it is usually when they heat up. Sometimes they will run when cool but not when hot.
>
> Emery Stora.
>
> On Aug 7, 2010, at 7:51 AM, Lissa Caltrider wrote:
>
>> Greetings from Reisterstown, MD. We are brand new owners in need of some
>> advice...if you have time to read our tale and make suggestions to the
>> mechanic, I'll be grateful!
>>
>>
>>
>> Last weekend, we bought a 1976 Eleganza II from a mechanic in Erie, PA. It
>> passed PA inspection and we took it for an hour-long, issue-free test drive.
>> When we got into some stop and go traffic in Pittsburgh, it stopped running.
>> We tried switching to auxiliary gas tank and it still didn't run. So,we had
>> it towed away. The mechanic to whom we towed it said it started right up
>> for him. We asked him to give it a good head-to-toe look and he gave it a
>> clean bill of health.
>>
>>
>>
>> Yesterday, my husband flew to Pittsburgh to drive it home. He hit some
>> traffic, it died. He waited, restarted it, and it ran. Then, on 68, in the
>> hills of WV, it died. And did not restart. So, now it is with a mechanic
>> in WV.
>>
>>
>>
>> Some other facts to consider:
>>
>>
>>
>> We know that it sat for a long time, unused, before the mechanic we bought
>> it from aquired it.
>>
>>
>>
>> A friend who was following our beautiful new coach commented that the
>> exhaust looked rust-colored.
>>
>>
>>
>> All thoughts/ideas will be greatly appreciated. We just want to get it home
>> so we can learn about it and gear up for our first family outing!!!
>>
>>
>>
>> Gratefully,
>>
>> Lissa Caltrider
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] coach keeps dying [message #94946 is a reply to message #94932] |
Sat, 07 August 2010 12:08 |
fred v
Messages: 999
Registered: April 2006
Location: pensacola, fl.
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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a lot of guys are reporting problems with vapor lock caused by the ethanol fuel having a lower boiling point. the ethanol also breaks loose rust and other stuff in the gas tank. this finds it's way to the fuel filter and can easily plug it up. the ethanol also will make the rubber fuel hoses crumble if they are the original hoses.
many of these GMC's have an added electric fuel pump. it is usually located under the drivers side and in front of the forward gas tank. the tank selector valve is also located there so don't confuse them.
good luck, keep us posted on what you find.
Fred V
'77 Royale RB 455
P'cola, Fl
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| Re: [GMCnet] coach keeps dying [message #94948 is a reply to message #94932] |
Sat, 07 August 2010 12:22 |
JohnL455
Messages: 4447
Registered: October 2006
Location: Woodstock, IL
Karma: 12
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Senior Member |
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If you change the HEI module don't forget to dab on the heat conductive grease to the bottom first. This is usually included with the new one.
John Lebetski
Woodstock, IL
77 Eleganza II
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| Re: [GMCnet] coach keeps dying [message #94965 is a reply to message #94932] |
Sat, 07 August 2010 18:08 |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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What a small world - my sister lives there too!
I'll bet a dozen donuts that it's the fuel filter. The symptoms could be electrical or fuel, but you said it's been sitting for some time. You are just now putting new fuel into the tanks and that's when the fun begins.
Get a half dozen fuel filters and change them every couple of tanks, if you don't want to drop the tanks and replace the soft lines, yet. I say yet because it's very likely that the rubber fuel lines you currently have will soon be eaten away by our modern gas.
I'll have my sister bring over the donuts if I'm wrong!
Larry Davick
Sent from my iPad
On Aug 7, 2010, at 7:51 AM, "Lissa Caltrider" <lissacaltrider@verizon.net> wrote:
> Greetings from Reisterstown, MD. We are brand new owners in need of some
> advice...if you have time to read our tale and make suggestions to the
> mechanic, I'll be grateful!
>
>
>
> Last weekend, we bought a 1976 Eleganza II from a mechanic in Erie, PA. It
> passed PA inspection and we took it for an hour-long, issue-free test drive.
> When we got into some stop and go traffic in Pittsburgh, it stopped running.
> We tried switching to auxiliary gas tank and it still didn't run. So,we had
> it towed away. The mechanic to whom we towed it said it started right up
> for him. We asked him to give it a good head-to-toe look and he gave it a
> clean bill of health.
>
>
>
> Yesterday, my husband flew to Pittsburgh to drive it home. He hit some
> traffic, it died. He waited, restarted it, and it ran. Then, on 68, in the
> hills of WV, it died. And did not restart. So, now it is with a mechanic
> in WV.
>
>
>
> Some other facts to consider:
>
>
>
> We know that it sat for a long time, unused, before the mechanic we bought
> it from aquired it.
>
>
>
> A friend who was following our beautiful new coach commented that the
> exhaust looked rust-colored.
>
>
>
> All thoughts/ideas will be greatly appreciated. We just want to get it home
> so we can learn about it and gear up for our first family outing!!!
>
>
>
> Gratefully,
>
> Lissa Caltrider
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: [GMCnet] coach keeps dying [message #94993 is a reply to message #94932] |
Sat, 07 August 2010 22:39 |
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jaholland
Messages: 565
Registered: June 2010
Location: Sweet Home Alebamy
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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| Lissa Caltrider wrote on Sat, 07 August 2010 09:51 |
Greetings from Reisterstown, MD. We are brand new owners in need of some
advice...if you have time to read our tale and make suggestions to the
mechanic, I'll be grateful!
Last weekend, we bought a 1976 Eleganza II from a mechanic in Erie, PA. It
passed PA inspection and we took it for an hour-long, issue-free test drive.
When we got into some stop and go traffic in Pittsburgh, it stopped running.
We tried switching to auxiliary gas tank and it still didn't run. So,we had
it towed away. The mechanic to whom we towed it said it started right up
for him. We asked him to give it a good head-to-toe look and he gave it a
clean bill of health.
Yesterday, my husband flew to Pittsburgh to drive it home. He hit some
traffic, it died. He waited, restarted it, and it ran. Then, on 68, in the
hills of WV, it died. And did not restart. So, now it is with a mechanic
in WV.
Some other facts to consider:
We know that it sat for a long time, unused, before the mechanic we bought
it from aquired it.
A friend who was following our beautiful new coach commented that the
exhaust looked rust-colored.
All thoughts/ideas will be greatly appreciated. We just want to get it home
so we can learn about it and gear up for our first family outing!!!
Gratefully,
Lissa Caltrider
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
|
Your problem sounds to me like the gas tanks or fuel lines
are dirty with old fuel ~
The Following Is I would do in your situation
# 1 ~ REPLACE / CHANGE ALL FUEL FILTERS ~
# 2 ~ ADD 1 QUART OF LUCAS FUEL ADDITIVE
{to a half full gas tank} ~
# 3 ~ FILL UP THE GAS TANK USING ONLY PREMIUM FUEL
UNTIL THE PROBLEM SELF CORRECTS ~
# 4 ~ IF NOT SELF CORRECTING THEN REPLACE YOUR FUEL HOSES ~
If the problem remains then have your fuel tanks cleaned ~
I Trust That You Will Be Pleased With Your Motor Home ~
Happy GMCn
Joe
/_]*[__][] *[__|] ~ * '73 TZE063V101887 "
"
O----------OO--]* ~ '78 TZE168V100234 "
"
" Joe & Lavelle " "
"
'sweet home alebamy'
[Updated on: Sat, 07 August 2010 22:43] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] coach keeps dying [message #95107 is a reply to message #94932] |
Mon, 09 August 2010 10:05 |
emerystora
Messages: 4442
Registered: January 2004
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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On Aug 7, 2010, at 7:51 AM, Lissa Caltrider wrote:
>
>
> Yesterday, my husband flew to Pittsburgh to drive it home. He hit some
> traffic, it died. He waited, restarted it, and it ran. Then, on 68, in the
> hills of WV, it died. And did not restart. So, now it is with a mechanic
> in WV.
>
Lissa - did you get it fixed? What was the problem?
Do you need additional suggestions?
Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Santa Fe, NM
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| Re: [GMCnet] coach keeps dying [message #95129 is a reply to message #94932] |
Mon, 09 August 2010 15:26 |
George Beckman
Messages: 1085
Registered: October 2008
Location: Colfax, CA
Karma: 11
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Senior Member |
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| Lissa Caltrider wrote on Sat, 07 August 2010 07:51 |
Greetings from Reisterstown, MD. We are brand new owners in need of some
advice...if you have time to read our tale and make suggestions to the
mechanic, I'll be grateful!
Last weekend, we bought a 1976 Eleganza II from a mechanic in Erie, PA. It
passed PA inspection and we took it for an hour-long, issue-free test drive.
When we got into some stop and go traffic in Pittsburgh, it stopped running.
We tried switching to auxiliary gas tank and it still didn't run.
|
I had an intermittent problem something like what you are describing. We have fuel injection and it was not vapor lock or lack of fuel. Ours was spark.
It appears (running fine now) that the plug that goes into the distributor cap on the HEI distributor was failing. There are two, and the one closest to the distributor has wires going into the side of the distributor. The lugs inside the plug had flattened out and were not making good contact.
When the engine died, a handshake with the wires would make it start or try for a second and then die. I temporarily put a little tweak on the lugs in the plug to make them fit tighter. All was well after that.
'74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
Best Wishes,
George
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| Re: [GMCnet] coach keeps dying [message #95140 is a reply to message #94932] |
Mon, 09 August 2010 17:06 |
Lissa Caltrider
Messages: 11
Registered: August 2010
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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Thank you!
------Original Message------
From: George Beckman
Sender: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
ReplyTo: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] coach keeps dying
Sent: Aug 9, 2010 4:26 PM
Lissa Caltrider wrote on Sat, 07 August 2010 07:51
> Greetings from Reisterstown, MD. We are brand new owners in need of some
> advice...if you have time to read our tale and make suggestions to the
> mechanic, I'll be grateful!
>
>
>
> Last weekend, we bought a 1976 Eleganza II from a mechanic in Erie, PA. It
> passed PA inspection and we took it for an hour-long, issue-free test drive.
> When we got into some stop and go traffic in Pittsburgh, it stopped running.
> We tried switching to auxiliary gas tank and it still didn't run.
I had an intermittent problem something like what you are describing. We have fuel injection and it was not vapor lock or lack of fuel. Ours was spark.
It appears (running fine now) that the plug that goes into the distributor cap on the HEI distributor was failing. There are two, and the one closest to the distributor has wires going into the side of the distributor. The lugs inside the plug had flattened out and were not making good contact.
When the engine died, a handshake with the wires would make it start or try for a second and then die. I temporarily put a little tweak on the lugs in the plug to make them fit tighter. All was well after that.
--
'74 Eleganza, SE
Best Wishes,
George
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
List Information and Subscription Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
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