Generator issue

Well Adam,

It's like this, the pump works? You tested it and it pumps fuel, but when you put it back in place, it does not pump fuel. - Right?

Yes, you should have a meter, everybody should, but you should not need it here as you should be able to feel the pump when you (or a friend) holds the start button. Better yet (read the manual and check me on this) hold the stop button. This engages the "Prime" feature and the fuel pump should run.

If you can feel the pump run and no fuel comes out, then there is a problem with the fuel lines to the tank. As an old coach owner, this is no surprise. I would tell you that the entire problem is caused by the EPA mandated alcohol content of the stuff that is sold as motor fuel, but that might political so I won't. The fact is that the rubber fuel lines may well have aged out.

Matt

Rv wasn't at home so I bought the cheapest analog meter I could find and I'm showin 35 volts to the pump? Is this any way right??

It is looking like a fuel line problem. I do agree about these fuels nowadays! I put an ethanol treatment in everything I own that's carbureted but this one is a new purchase. So if I do have a line problem does anyone know if this line does go to the vehicle carburetor or to the tank? From what I could see it looked like it went to the carburetor

When I needed to give my generator a shot of carb cleaner I didn't want to dilute it with all the gas in the tank. I put gas in a gallon can then added the cleaner. Ran a hose from the can to the intake of the pump. It sounds like your problem may be a bad hose, cracked, making the pump suck air instead of fuel. If you try this application and the genny runs, that would pretty much show the problem is from the tank to the pump... Just a thought.... Good luck..

If there is a fuel filter anywhere in the line, it should be replaced.

There is a inline filter but it between tank and vehicle carb, I replaced it shortly after buying the rv. I'm still trying to figure out where the fuel line to the generator comes from. I've read when the tank gets around 1/4 full the generator will shut off. I was assuming the line was just higher on the tank and wouldn't pick up fuel but as far as I've gotten on the line it looks like it goes to vehicle carb. Hard to track it because it disappears under the firewall and I can't see much under hood. Will probably take dog house off tomorrow and try it that way and will try a hose in a can of gas to see if that will run the generator.

HERE is a troubleshooting guide

If the unit is 12V DC based and you are getting 35V at the fuel pump, then check the meter across the battery. Was there a decimal point somewhere? You may have a bad meter or you may be reading a ghost.

Can you feel the pump run?

Most motorhomes have a separate fuel pick-up in the tank for the generator (APU). This pick-up is typically short so the APU can't run you out of fuel. The other unfortunate issue is that the old fuel lines may have been replaced and the person that did the job missed the APU lines completely.

Silly but cheap diagnostic trick...
Take the line off the fuel pump and try to suck fuel up. (Yes, if you suck with you mouth there is a chance of getting a mouthful of gasoline, but hey, its 20 proof - better than beer.) Just be cautious . I have pumps and jars I use for this test, but as a one-off you don't need to invest in those.
Oh, if you don't get fuel up there fast, you now know where the problem is....

Matt

Ok here's what I got. When trying to start I'm showing 20v to the fuel pump. If I take a hose and put in a can of gas it still doesn't pump anything, also if I suck on fuel line to pump gas flows freely. Why would I have 20v to the pump and why wouldn't pump still work

I think maybe you have two problems. Either it's a HF volt meter or the battery in it needs replaced. I get radical readings in my American Made Fluke multi-meter when the internal battery gets low.

If you have unrestricted fuel to the pump and it doesn't pump, even though it runs, under "working resistance" to the motor it doesn't move fuel you may need a new fuel pump. Have you tried a pressure gauge at the outlet of the pump??. They're fairly reasonably priced at your parts store. They are a low pressure/vacuum gauge.. .Just some rambling thoughts....Maybe don't mean much....
Be sure to let us know your fix...

PS.. What I don't understand is how you can get 20-35V out of a 12V system. If that is possible then I should expect a 24 pk of Bud the next time I buy an eighteen pak. How do I 'splain that to the check-out gal?? :)