I bought this thing with a blown engine. One of the first things I did was try to get the generator going. It wouldn't run off of the feed from the fuel tank. I figured the fuel was bad (had been sitting for 6 or 7 years). The generator works fine running off of a gas can.Long story short, I accidentally found that the generator runs out of fuel when the fuel tank gas cap is installed. It will run all day long if I take the gas tank cap off. Kind of makes sense now that I think about it. I used a hand-pump to try to get a siphon action going from the fuel line up at the fuel pump. It wouldn't work.So what's the problem? Is it the wrong cap or a bad cap? Should it be vented? I *think* new gas caps create a seal and the venting is done through an EVAP system, which this vehicle does not have.

You need enough gas in the tank to reach the tube. The pick up tube on the Jenny sits above the bottom. This ensures you have gas left to drive out from where you are camping. Today my Southwind Jenny stopped running ewhe the gauge was just above 1/4 th tank

Your genset's fuel pump could be weak.The rubber line from tank to metal line could be collapsing.Fuel filter could be clogged.

enblethen wrote:Your genset's fuel pump could be weak.The rubber line from tank to metal line could be collapsing.Fuel filter could be clogged.I have a new filter but I haven't installed it yet - I'm hoping that might be it. Stupid thing ran for 2 hours. I shut it off for about half an hour to install a new hour meter. Went to restart it and it wouldn't run. Used a MityVac to suck some fuel up to it, and it fired up and ran like it should. New hour meter didn't.

You may be on the right track on the gas cap. I had a '87 P30 with a 454 and had the same problem, someone stole my gas cap while also stealing my gas, I replaced it and had the same problem. My Brother, a mechanic suggested that I replace it with a vented cap. I then replaced it with a vented one and had no more problems with the generator.They are cheap and may be worth the experiment.

Look to see if your rig has a fuel vapor canister. Normally located front right corner of rig.There is a filter in it that relieves pressure from tank. Check for emission sticker. This could aid in identifying whether it is equipped with California emission system.

1984 P30 Chassis - Gas Cap? | Good Sam Community

turbojimmy
Explorer
Apr 28, 2014
whem2fish wrote:
get the manual?

Yes I did - thanks! I have that manual from a different year in paper format - the electronic version is very handy! I have a vapor lock section, too, but it doesn't have the wiring diagram yours does. It helps a lot!
JimFromJersey
Explorer
Apr 28, 2014
turbojimmy wrote:
EDIT: Just noticed your screen name. I'm Jim from Jersey as well. I'm up north.
I'm down in Salem, within sight of the DMB. Cheers!
whem2fish
Explorer
Apr 28, 2014
get the manual?
turbojimmy
Explorer
Apr 27, 2014
JimFromJersey wrote:
Just to kick in, our 88 Bounder on the P32 chassis also has had several feet of fuel line replaced due to rot and leakage. I was filling it up at a station in town 2 summers ago, and suddenly realized the large puddle under my feet was growing - it was Sunoco Regular. And, to top it off, the rot in the fuel line allowed the escaping gas to drip right on the exhaust pipe....my brain told me the liquid fuel would not ignite on the pipe, but the reptilian part of my braid said, "Yikes!"..

Yeah that's what would eventually happen. Mine had been sitting a long time. I'm not sure if the rot was from it being unused for 6 or 7 years or if they would have done that eventually.

I'm getting a gas smell wafting up into the RV through the open hole. There was quite a bit of spillage while I was working. It appears as if everything is sealed up. Still, I don't want fumes accumulating under the floor. I'll have to give it a bit more time to air out.

EDIT: Just noticed your screen name. I'm Jim from Jersey as well. I'm up north.
JimFromJersey
Explorer
Apr 27, 2014
Just to kick in, our 88 Bounder on the P32 chassis also has had several feet of fuel line replaced due to rot and leakage. I was filling it up at a station in town 2 summers ago, and suddenly realized the large puddle under my feet was growing - it was Sunoco Regular. And, to top it off, the rot in the fuel line allowed the escaping gas to drip right on the exhaust pipe....my brain told me the liquid fuel would not ignite on the pipe, but the reptilian part of my braid said, "Yikes!"..
turbojimmy
Explorer
Apr 26, 2014
whem2fish wrote:
good to hear ever need help you got my number

Sent you a PM :)

I still don't have the gauges hooked up.

Put antifreeze in it today and put the belts on so the water pump would turn. That resulted in an immediate leak at a fitting I installed in the pump. When I was installing that fitting I KNEW that was going to happen but I hoped for the best. I have a new fitting handy. Alternator makes noise above idle, too. But that's not a big deal either.

Anyway, I was able to let it idle for a while. I could only let it run for short spurts previously because of the lack of coolant. Except for the water leak, it looks like I'm well on my way. Power steering works, Hydroboost brakes work (not that I moved it, but the pedal feels good).

I still need to hook up the exhaust system but the "to-do" list is getting shorter.
whem2fish
Explorer
Apr 26, 2014
good to hear ever need help you got my number
magik235
Explorer
Apr 26, 2014
Excellent outcome
BrianinMichigan
Explorer
Apr 25, 2014
Fantastic. I know now I have to replace my fuel line soon! Mines getting up there in years.
turbojimmy
Explorer
Apr 25, 2014
It's all fixed now. I replaced the engine fuel feed, engine return line and the generator feed. Everything is getting gas now. Who knew?

I'll be installing an electric fuel pump where the old one apparently used to be.

Now to patch up that hole in the floor.....

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