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Being new to driving a DP RV I have a question about starting the engine.
Most times I turn the key , wait for the indicator lamps to go out, and the engine starts. On a trip to Tennessee I noticed that the engine did not always start, after it sits for a day?
I have read on forums to:
If no white smoke from exhaust while cranking no fuel
Use/Not use starting fluid
Use/Not Use gasoline
Do/Don't Push the accelerator to the floor
Do/Don't Push the accelerator 1/2 to the floor
Replace engine speed sensors
Replace Fuel Filter(s)
I looked over the coach when we returned from Tennessee and don't see any signs of leakage. There are also no codes indicating an issue.
We have been back from Tennessee for about 4 days and it will not start again?
Had that problem on one of ours and it turned out to be a bad "O" ring at one of the filters. It did not leak fuel but when the coach sat for awhile air would enter at the "O" ring and the fuel would siphon back into the tank.
Took a Cummins mechanic awhile to find the problem.
Jim
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Jim and Linda Full-timers from 2001 to 2013 http://parttimewithjandl.blogspot.com/ 2006 Dodge 2500 Diesel pulling a Heartland 26LRSS TT May your days be warm, and your skies be blue. May your roads be smooth, and your views ever-new.
A year and model would help. Jim01 is probably right. The diesels have an electric fuel pump that supplys fuel to a high pressure pump that pushes the fuel to the injectors. Somewhere in the system, something is allowing fuel to drain back to the tank. Most of the manufactures don't like starting fluid. Its more of a solvent that doesn't provide any lubrication. Changing the fuel filter is always good. I do mine about every 5000 miles. Its cheap insurance in an expensive system.
Thanks for the reply's The engine is a 2003 CAT 3126 with a HEUI fuel system. I need to check on the fuel filter idea. I was told this engine may have 2 fuel filters, need to check it out.
Jim, on the 3176 CAT that I had, there was also a priming pump that is used to re prime the fuel system if you happen to run it out of fuel. Those little hand pumps, (usually located on the frame near the engine) go bad at times and could cause air to get into the system.
You might want to check and see if your coach has one.
Also, when checking for leaks, watch for any place in the fuel system that even looks a little damp with fuel. It doesn't take much of a leak for air to get into the system.
Jim
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Jim and Linda Full-timers from 2001 to 2013 http://parttimewithjandl.blogspot.com/ 2006 Dodge 2500 Diesel pulling a Heartland 26LRSS TT May your days be warm, and your skies be blue. May your roads be smooth, and your views ever-new.
If the fuel filter is "loading up" (needs changine, you will also notice the engine hesitates climbing a hill as it is starving for fuel. Having a clean fuel filter(s) is absolutely necessary for good performance. Even the one time ours required changing, the engine never failed to start. We learned to change the filter regularly, but using good fuel should not "plug" up a filter even in 10,000 miles or more.
By buying fuel from truck stops that pump high volumes assures you the fuel is "fresh" and has not been in their storage tank for long periods.
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Ethel & Charles Henry, Itasca Horizon DP/Honda Element Toad Traveling with our furry-snouted, four-legged children.
"Each of us must take part in making this a better world for all people."
Well I was looking around under the couch for wet spots to see if there was maybe a fuel leak. I didn't find any wet mark indicators but I did find something. On the HEUI pump there is a solenoid valve, I am assuming the IAP control, that the coil part was loose. The retaining nut is missing and the collar fell off when I touched the solenoid. I am wondering if that could be the problem and not that it has an air leak? Any takers on that possibility???
That could well be your issue. Everything has to be tight and secure to work right. Every connection, every fitting, every thingamagig, has to be in factory operating condition for these engines to operate right.
With it being a holiday weekend I can't try and get the part, hopefully I can just buy the nut and not the complete solenoid. But seeing it's about the $$$$ I probably will have to buy the whole part.
