I'm sure this has been asked and explained 100 times but I can't seem to find an answer for my problem.I've got an 86 Minnie Winnie with a Onan Emerald I Genset. Rv was recently purchased and I've had the generator running and seemed to be perfect. The fuel level may have gotten too low to run the generator but I've since filled it up. I've had the fuel pump out and checked it on a good battery and it ran like it should then. When I take fuel line off of pump and try to start it no fuel is coming out, I'm gonna get a meter and check to see if I'm getting power to the pump but if I'm not then where would my problem lie? Also should fuel run out of the line to the generator? I don't have any coming out so I tried to trace the line, it seems to run to the carb? Is that correct? I figured it would go to tank but doesn't seem to. Thanks for any help In advance

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.

Generator issue | Good Sam Community

Adamgre
Explorer
Sep 04, 2014
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.
Water-Bug
Explorer
Sep 04, 2014
If there is a fuel filter anywhere in the line, it should be replaced.
Jerrybo66
Explorer
Sep 04, 2014
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..
Adamgre
Explorer
Sep 03, 2014
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
Adamgre
Explorer
Sep 03, 2014
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??
Matt_Colie
Explorer II
Sep 03, 2014
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

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