Engine won't start: not getting fuel

[The_Handier_Man1]

From: chris0876  (Original Message)
Sent: 12/7/2005 9:28 PM

this might be a pretty petty question, but I am still pretty new with my bago....

went out to try and start my bago after letting it sit for about a week, it would crank, but no start. it sounds like it wants to start though, and if you spray a little puff of starting fluid in the card, it wants to start even more, but no follow through.
so Im thinking it miht be a clog in the fuel filter, or maybe my fuel pump. where might the fuel filter be located, I havent crawled underneath her yet so Im not that sure. any ideas?



From: daved27c
Sent: 12/7/2005 9:39 PM

Hi;

If you follow the gas line down from the carb, it will lead you to the fuel pump. If you follow the other line back towards the gas tank you should fine the filter. I have had the problem that you describe. On my 72 if I let it sit for a couple of days it would turn over untill the battery was dead, and never start. If I dumped a little gas down the carb it would start right up. The problem was the fuel pump. Not to hard to change on my 413, not sure about the 440.

Dave



From: OldEdBrady
Sent: 12/7/2005 9:44 PM

On most (not all) vehicles, the fuel filter is just before the fuel pump.  And, the fuel pump is fastened into the motor.  In fact, running the motor makes the fuel pump work.

Now, on mine (440--and most others I've seen), the fuel pump is on the passenger side of the motor, at the front.  But, there have been a few vehicles I've owned where it's on the driver's side.

Then there are the bears, where the blasted pump is in the gas tanks.  But, those, for the most part, I've seen on those little bitty cars.

So, trace the fuel line from the carberator.  Going down the line, you'll run into the pump.  And right near there will be the filter.  (usually.)



From: cooneytunes
Sent: 12/7/2005 10:02 PM

73....... Not hard to change the fuel pump on the 440 either.....the filters should be located underneath the rig near the fuel tank(s) one coming from each tank (possibly) or maybe just one before or after the selector valve, ....(a little tee where the gas lines from both tanks meet and become one) If you have a generator there may be one on the line comming from the AUX tank going to the rear of the coach.....if yours does not have one before the carb......(after the fuel pump) My suggestion is, put one on there. All you need are two short 3/8 rubber fuel hoses and 4 small clamps.....mine sits about 3 inches from the carb...... CARQUEST has the universal see through filters (clear) they are about $5 and change each...cheap and easy to install and easy to see if they are clogged..... I always carry a couple of spares...Also, if there is any air in the lines, this will cause a real problem getting the pump to suck...air does some strange things with liquid, and an air lock will stop fluids dead.....also any small crack or hole in any part of the gas line will cause the fuel to not flow correctly and will suck air....Take the line off the carb and put it in a small cup, crank the engine....you should get a good steady flow of fuel...
Let us know what you find....

Timmy



From: chris0876
Sent: 12/7/2005 10:59 PM

sounds lik some useful information, I will crawl underneath there tommorrow and see whats up with those fuel filters. suppose it is air in the fuel lines, what could be done to fix that problem?

-walker



From: The_Handier_Man
Sent: 12/8/2005 12:03 AM

The Fuel pump should take care of any air in the fuel lines. If you have a see thru filter on both sides of the pump,1 between the tank(s) and pump, then another between the pump and carb
you can see if fuel is getting thru. Good luck, Les



From: DampDude007
Sent: 12/8/2005 2:17 PM

If you do not run it regularly it is possible the floats have stuck on you or the accelerater pump has crapped out and your carb may need a rebuild, I messed around with a truck once all day,just to find out I was out of gas!!! I would check that first.
Dude



From: spudboy
Sent: 12/8/2005 7:15 PM

On my 72 D22 Indian with the 413, the PO had installed an electric fuel pump on the cross member behind the engine.  I do not have a mechanical fuel pump. I have a fuel filter in line from each tank (2) and one before the fuel pump and one before the carb. 

I was having same starting problem after spending much effort to tune engine etc.  Made the mechanic come to the coach, since I couldn't get it to run after initial firing with engine start in the carb once I drove it home.  Turned out the electric fuel pump needs some time to prime from the tank to the carb, and I wasn't patient.

Previously, I had poor starts with year-old unstabilized gas.  Also had problems with clogged fuel filters.  I currently use the clear kind, but I really liked Denison's idea of going to a farm/utility canister filter before the fuel pump.  I also agree with Timmy that one before the carb is a must.  Since I have cruddy tanks, I carry a full set of replacement filters at all times.

-Crudboy
(Spudboy)

From: chris0876
Sent: 12/9/2005 1:11 AM

you guys were right about the fuel filter, I took that sucker off and you could shake it and hear the crud on the inside shaking! I replaced it with a brand knew one, and the bago' will just about start, but it still seems like the fuel pump isn't working, so I will have to go and get a new one, and see what happens from there. but I must say, from just changing the filter, you can tell a differance in it trying to start. thanks for the helpful info guys! soon the winnie will be up and running once agian



From: denison
Sent: 12/9/2005 10:20 PM

I only have the fuel filter located 'before' the fuel pump. This keeps the inside of the fuel pump fairly clean too. I use the plastic see-through filter, and it is in the non-pressurized part of the fuel system.
I believe the original fuel system on our rigs had only metal lines from the fuel pump to the carburetor. Any rubber hose or plastic filter that is between the fuel pump and the carburetor is in the pressurized part of the fuel system, and was probably added by a prior owner. Even though I replaced the line from the pump to the carb, I only used metal lines, made from Bundy tubing, like brake lines are made of. Avoiding engine fires is the reason.
I would not advise anyone to have a plastic filter (or rubber fuel hoses) located where it can melt and allow fuel to be pumped onto the exhaust manifolds.

If I bought another RV, I would do a preemptive replacement of the fuel pump and all rubber hoses, unless I was certain they were less than ten years old. -- For peace of mind --.