Fuel to Generator

[Mari H.]

1985 Winnebago Chieftain. Generator starts using starting fluid and runs for a few seconds fine. Checked Fuel line and nothing is in it : ) Fuel pump is making normal noise and vibration. Is there a switch somewhere or a valve that I need to turn on. It takes fuel from the same tank as the rig and I have fuel (1/4 tank only). Does the RV have priority and once it drops below a certain point, stops feeding the generator? Any input would be appreciated mucho.

M

[Mari H.]

John "T" Nordhoff, thanks so much for the in depth direction. I'll see to it later this morning and let you know how I do.

[Jimco_W001]

Great information.Thanks

[John "T" Nordhoff]

  On I think every old Winnebago plus any other Generator equipped RV's Ive owned (several) the gas line to the genny goes into the the regular main RV engine tank but ONLY deep enough to where about 1/4 remains so the genny cant run the main tank out of gas. So first off, INSURE THERES LIKE AT LEAST 1/2 TANK OF GAS IN THE TANK.

 Next there's often an in line fuel filter right at the electric fuel pump or close to it, CHECK OR CHANGE THAT NEXT. Some thread right into the pump or on the carb or in the line just before the pump.

 Next thing Id do after insuring there's plenty of gas in the tank and the filter is okay, is to remove the fuel line right where it enters the carb and manually/electrically activate the fuel pump and let her run safely into a can to see if there a steady pulsing flow of clean gas??????????? On some Onan gennys if you press the start/stop button to stop it activates the fuel pump for priming purposes. NOTHINGS GONNA OBVIOUSLY HAPPEN UNTIL THAT PUMP IS DELIVERING GAS TO THE CARB and that's an easy test. 

 Next if fuel is flowing to the carb replace the line and activate the pump (or let crank to try to start it)  and if the carb has a bottom bowl drain cock/valve open it to see if the carbs needle valve is opening to allow gas to fill the carbs bowl???? The needle valve can stick closed (gum and varnish) in which case the carbs bowl never fills with gas. You gotta get fuel pressure to the carb and then the carbs needle valve and seat assembly has to open so the bowl fills with gas.

 If the pump isn't delivering gas the pump can be bad orrrrrrrrr or theres a small air leak (or even a break) in the fuel line to the tank. It doesn't take much of either to cause her not to pump. What I do is stick a small rubber fuel line onto the pumps input and stick the other end down into a gas can and see if the pump works then??? If so but not when hooked to the RV line, I suspect the line is bad or cracked back to the tank as even a small air leak causes her not to pump. An old rubber fuel line is prone to cracks or leaks.....

 Nuff said for now

 Ol John T from Indiana, currently in Avon Park Florida