jmgrigsby

Brett, When adding a secondary fuel filter, where do you get a 10 micron filter element? Can I get it at CAT? Jim

Brett, It seems to me that the fuel pump was working fine before changing the filter - I guess that when it was sucking air I damaged it. Don't know what this will cost but hindsight is 20/20. Next time I need to change filters I think I'll hire it done. I was thinking about changing the oil myself but may not now. Jim

Brett, Today, I had a mobile diesel mechanic come out. He said "there is no air in the lines - and the transfer pump is out picking up fuel when it trys to start". He said it is the "transfer pump on the back of the injector pump". He made me nervous when he put ether in the intake. So I guess next week I'll have to go to Dallas and buy a transfer pump. Guess I'll also get the parts to add a second filter with primer and have the mechanic add it while he is working on it. I don't know if you recall but what led me to change the fuel filter - was coming back from Branson it had a tremendous loss of power, only go 40 mph on gentle hills with the pedal to the floor. We first suspected the fuel filter - could it have been the "transfer pump" all along? What caused it to go out? Jim

Brett, I had a buddy here today and we started over. I have fuel flow to the filter. But the line from filter to lift pump must be full of air. I have cranked it about 10 times today - then added a little air pressue to tank fill opening. And cranked on it about 5 times more. No luck! My buddy seems to think we should bleed the line from the filter to the lift pump - at the lift pump. But, there is no way we can get to that connection. Do you think cranking it will eventually push that air out of that line and it'll eventually start, if I keep trying to crank it 3 or 4 times a day. Jim

Brett, I don't recall seeing the lift pump. But I'll look again. I'll trace the line from the filter, I should find it ok. Does it split and go to the injectors after the lift pump? Do you think that I can bleed the line just before it enters the lift pump?(assumimg that I can get to it from the bedroom floor access) I noticed that this thread has quite a few views - must be a popular subject. Jim

Brett, I have fuel flow from tank to filter. I think the air is trapped in the line from the filter to the injectors. When my buddy comes - What do you think about bleeding the line at each injector? I guess I can get to all of them from the opening in the bedroom floor. Jim

Brett, If I can't get this thing started - I think I have 2 options. 1. Call Roadside Emergency Service and let them tow it to a CAT RV Service Center(I'm in east Texas). 2. Install that second filter with the primer. My question is - Will the primer solve my problem? And is this hard to install? Its pretty cool outside today and the next few days, I probably wait for a warmer day to get back on this - but just doing some thinking now. I guess I have a 3rd option - start over and get a buddy to help. What do you think about the second option? Jim

Brett, I'm not pumping the gas pedal - should I do that? Jim

Brett, I'll let it sit a while. And probably can get a buddy to come over tomorrow. I'll report back later. Thanks, jim

Brett, I opened the inlet line to the filter - fuel flowed out, good stream, no air. Tried to crank it 2 times - won't start. I then unscrewed filter about 3 turns - no flow. I put air into tank then it came out but stopped when I stopped putting air in. Tried 2 more times - won't start. Jim

Brett, This web site is amazing. I am getting your reply very fast. I'm not good with computers as you can see. Thanks for your help. I am plugged in to shore power. I going to try to bleed the fuel line now - I'll let you know if that works. Thanks, Jim

Brett, I will need to talk more about adding a primer. Jim

Brett, How many crank tries should it take to start it? I think my battery is getting slower. Jim

Brett, I started over - filled the filter full.(it may not have been full the first time) Tried to start it again - nothing after 5 tries. To pressurieze the fuel tank - unscrew the fuel filter a few turns? Then add air to tank? Jim

Brett, Today I replaced the fuel filter/water separator - but it won't start. Here's what I did - I extended the front jacks so that I have the front end a little higher than the back end. I removed the old filter - only a little fuel ran out from the fuel line(top). Then I put the new clear bowl on the new filter and filled the outer holes. Looked like the center was filling up so I opened the drain and let some fuel out of the bowl. Then put it on. I cranked it and it ran about 30 seconds. I cranked it for 20 seconds and let starter cool for 2 minutes. I did thid 5 times. What did I do wrong? Jim

Brett, My new bowl and a drain also - thought that "PUR" might stand for purge. Anyway, I will put my new filter and new bowl on probably tomorrow. Thanks for your help. jim

Brett, I purchased a new "clear" bottom bowl for the new fuel filter. I noticed that there is a big screw head on the bottom of the bowl - with "PUR" next to it. What's that for? jim

Brett, I have done all that - doesn't help. I have tried about 4 different shower heads and taken the kitchen faucet apart and cleaned it. I must have a bad valve somewhere or a crimped water line. I just have run out of places to check. I don't guess it hurts to turn on the water pump, too. Thats the only thing that helps. Jim

I have very low water pressure from our shower head and at the kitchen sink faucet - but the bath lavatory and bedroom lavatory have good pressure. When I connect to city water, we also turn on the water pump when we shower or use the kitchen sink faucet. Has anyone had this problem? if so how did you fix it? Jim

I have the same problem - my dash heater blows cool air. And when I turn the knob to "feet" it blows out the defrost. I don't think I have a motor-aided water heater. I have also had problems withe the dash a/c - not cold enough. Are these problems related? I'm new at this - what are you suggesting that should be done?

Last week we went to Branson and my dash/engine heater blew barely warm air - lukewarm at best. (We had to drive with our coats and ear muffs on). I noticed that the diverter was not working right because when I turned the dial to "feet" - it blew out the defroster vents. This summer, I also thought that the a/c was not very cold. Do you think that maybe cool air is mixing with warm air and vice versa? Can you tell me what to check or how to fix it? Thanks, Jim

Brett, Are you saying that the new filter which I purchased from a CAT Dealer(part # 198-6378, same # as the one currently on it) may not be a 2 micron filter element? If it is not a 2 micron element, where would I buy a 2 micron filter that will fit? And how often do you recommend that I should replace this filter? Thanks, Jim

Brett, Thanks for the quick reply. I have not called Freightliner but I think I only have one fuel filter-- the Fuel filter/water separator. It doesn't have a primer nor does it have a clear bowl - it is a black bowl with a drain ****. I just purchased a new Cat fuel filter/water sep and they said to reuse my bowl. So could you please give me the steps to replace this fuel filter/water sep? (And I will call Freightliner to see if I have a second fuel filter.) Thanks, Jim

I have a 2004 Coachmen 38-foot motorhome with a Caterpillar 3126 engine. Could someone please explain how to change the Fuel filter/Water Separator? And do I have another fuel filter? if so, where? Thanks for your help. Jim