Community Forums

Dave1956 · 08-09-2016, 04:23 PM

Dear Friends,

On my 2014 Itasca 33C the generator (23 hours) started and ran fine for about 45 minutes with both ACs running. It stopped and will not restart, it does not give any codes. It simply cranks and does not even try to turn over. I have half tank of gas and the oil is at proper level. I did get a sense of old gas smell when opening the hatch.

Any recommendations? Is there a gas drain etc. that I might attempt before seeking a shop? I just got it back after 4 weeks for different issues!!

Many thanks,

Dave

BFlinn181 · 08-09-2016, 06:49 PM

Since you smell gas, I'd check for spark. It could be a sensor (oil, temp.) that has failed, or the control board. If you pull a spark plug and hold (with insulated pliers) close to a ground, a spark should be present.

raineman · 08-09-2016, 06:52 PM

If it is old gas as you mentioned, it likely gummed up the carb

BFlinn181 · 08-09-2016, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raineman

If it is old gas as you mentioned, it likely gummed up the carb

He said it ran for 45 minutes. Perhaps the smell was flooding since he repeatedly tried to start it. If the spark is gone, flooding results.

To the OP, was the gas old? If you can access the sensors, you could jumper around the oil and temp sensors just to see if it runs with them by-passed.

Dave1956 · 08-09-2016, 10:19 PM

It was sitting at shop for 6 weeks for some other warranty issues, the Gen started and ran for 45 minutes before stalling and not restarting. Coach ran fine. I called tech line and he thought it might be elevation. I left at 6000 feet and parked it at 8000, I don't know where it stalled. I'll check spark and see if I can check fuel to it as well. My last coach had the Onan 4k and it never stalled due to altitude.

BFlinn181 · 08-09-2016, 10:36 PM

How long before the shop visit since you put gas in the RV? 6 weeks isn't usually time for gas to go bad. The big engine ran O.K. on the gas?

Onan suggests that you loose 3.5% of power for every 1,000 ft above 500 ft.
7.5 X 3.5 =26.25% power loss. Still should have been enough to run one A/C.

Rorytug · 08-10-2016, 10:23 AM

Is it possible the gas line for the generator is too short in the tank? Fuel Gauge inaccurate?. They are supposed to draw fuel down to 1/3 - 1/4 full gas tank but perhaps your coach was built off a bit? I would start with a full tank of fuel and then troubleshoot.

Dave1956 · 08-10-2016, 09:36 PM

So, I went out to coach today and Gen started right up, ran on full load 60 minutes! I wonder if with half tank and heading up the mountain pass if it caused the coach to seem to be low in fuel. Still can't imagine why it would not start after arriving at the storage lot. Happy it's back to normal, but can't figure it out what went wrong. BTW coach engine ran fine entire trip, so I don't think gas is the issue.

Thanks for the help.

Dtwallace · 08-10-2016, 10:02 PM

I'm thinking you may have experienced a vapor lock issue, and it took a little time to get your fuel line full again.

You may, (along with a few other things) check the fuel line routing to make sure its not too close to your exhaust system.

Disconnect the fuel line from the carb, and check your fuel flow. Replace your gen fuel filter and recheck the flow, as slow flow will make it vapor lock also.

The fuel pump on these gensets are notorious for going bad and losing fuel pressure under high temperatures.

I had to resort to using two pumps on a toy hauler I owned in the past. Never failed me again after the mod.

DTW

DTW