Hello,We have a 1998 Fleetwood Southwind 32V. I believe this is the P30 Chevy 454 chassisToday while cruising about 65mph on the interstate, the RV stalled. No engine lights came on. I still had power to my guages, a/c fan, etc, but rpm dropped to 0 as did oil pressure. I coasted to the shoulder and was able to easily restart.15-20 miles further down the road, it acted like it was going to stall again. I'd push the accelerator, but no response. RPMs were bouncing below 1500. Suddenly, the accelerator was responsive again and I was able to continue driving without pulling over.We stopped at a truck service shop on the next exit (about 10 more miles- no issues on this leg). They tested the fuel pump pressure and it was 58. Replaced fuel filter. He was able to blow through the old filter.We took off and make it another 15 or so miles before the engine stalled again. This time while I was coasting, I just shifted into Neutral and was able to restart. We took the next exit and returned back to home. Of course for the entire 70 miles back, we didn't have any issues.The RV is still fully loaded out front and we are attempted to figure out if we should risk trying again tomorrow or just cancel the week tripAny insights or suggestions would be greatAlso for reference, we just took the RV on a 350 mile trip last weekend, so the fuel is fresh. In Feb we took it on a 3300 mile trip to Texas and back without any issues. There are approx 65,000 miles on the RVThank you

You probably have a 4 barrel Holley carburetor. Chances are your accelerator pump ( needle and seat) need to be replaced. Just a thought. There are numerous areas to look at from your in tank fuel pump to the fuel regulator to the fuel filters to your mechanical fuel pump on the engine then to the carburetor. You also have a filter where the fuel line goes into the carb. So, as I said earlier, there are several areas in the fuel system to look at. Might be better to have an experienced RV mechanical repairman look at it. With all that said you might have fuel injection. Not sure what year that was introduced to the Chev. 454.

A buddy has a truck of the same era. He had similar issues and it ended finally quiting completely. They replaced the electric fuel pump and its relay and it never happed again.BTW, you have fuel injection.

blazenpm wrote:You probably have a 4 barrel Holley carburetor.Our 96 Southwind is fuel injected.I agree with ScottG, I'd be looking at the fuel pump. And, I would postpone the trip until I got the situation corrected. Mr Murphy is out there waiting to enforce his law.

Don't forget to check the fuel filter also.

My educated guess would also be the fuel pump.

1998 P30 Chevy 454 - Stalling at interstate speeds

allbrandauto
Explorer
Jul 26, 2017
there is a test for the fuel pump even though the pump is still running its called a low amp test you need a mechanic to hook a low amp probe on the wire to the fuel pump your looking at a wave patterm that will tell you if the pump is good or bad you may go on you tube to see this test performed
bfrein
Explorer
Jul 26, 2017
Thank you everyone for your replies. We have unpacked and dropped it off at a local shop. Without looking at it, their first suggestion was the fuel pump as well.

I'll update once they get it in and let me know for sure
BrianinMichigan
Explorer
Jul 26, 2017
Also the ignition switch can cause problems. With it being a 1998 it will at least be throttle body injection. no carb. Mine was the very last of the carbureted 454 engines. it's a 1990.
DryCreek
Explorer
Jul 27, 2017
Well, if it is a 1998 model (on a 1997 chassis), you probably have the updated "Vortec" version of the venerable 454. That was the final, and best iteration of that engine. It has Sequential Fuel Injection, new piston design and improved pushrods. All that being said, 58 psig seems a little low for the SFI engines at idle.

When was the last time your distributor cap, rotor and wires were replaced? The 454 really liked to cook the rearmost wires, and the coil gets weakened after several heatsoak cycles. Those are other items to check. Since it is OBD-II, did the ECM store any codes (active/pending)?
jolooote
Explorer
Jul 27, 2017
Hi, had a 454 for 14 years. Seen it all. Had simular prob. The old coach had settled down lower on the chassis. This allowed the fuel hoses atop the tank to rub on them until small holes developed. When pulling long gradual grades over time air was slowly sucked thru these holes. Engine would act like your's. Pull over, the line suction would be reduced and it sucked fuel again. Another possible...there are two electronic modules in the distributor. They get hot and begin to fail with your symptoms. Replace em.
Harold_Fairbank
Explorer
Jul 27, 2017
jolooote wrote:
Hi, had a 454 for 14 years. Seen it all. Had simular prob. The old coach had settled down lower on the chassis. This allowed the fuel hoses atop the tank to rub on them until small holes developed. When pulling long gradual grades over time air was slowly sucked thru these holes. Engine would act like your's. Pull over, the line suction would be reduced and it sucked fuel again. Another possible...there are two electronic modules in the distributor. They get hot and begin to fail with your symptoms. Replace em.

This is good advice. Years ago I had the same problem in an old 454 P30 but for some reason mine was more pronounced at elevation and when going up hills when the engine was really sucking fuel. Took a few shops to figure it out over a few occasions (it would starve horribly then would be fine for a time), it usually happened when stranded out in the middle of nowhere. The last competent shop found the problem, ended up replacing the fuel lines that were chafed and installed a better electric fuel pump installed near the tank. The problem went away forever.
Gjac
Explorer III
Jul 27, 2017
Sometimes these things can be hard to diagnose. In the beginning stages of failure it does strange things. If you read through the next post "Engine stumble's at idle" you can see the details. In short my fuel pump had the right fuel pressure ran fine at high speeds and pulling hills but was hard to start and keep running at low speeds. Good luck hope the shop finds and fixes it for you.
rgatijnet1
Explorer III
Jul 27, 2017
The P30's did have ignition switch problem which could cause the engine to stall if contact is lost. This was usually a failure caused by excessive heat in the switch from the headlights and eventually the switch would fail to make ignition contact while running but be OK after it was reset. Just a thought.
udidwht
Explorer
May 18, 2018
Ignition control module in the distributor.
bfrein
Explorer
May 19, 2018
Sorry I did not reply to this earlier. It was the fuel pump.

Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions.

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1998 P30 Chevy 454 - Stalling at interstate speeds

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