I Bought An Old RV and It Won’t Start

I Bought An Old RV and It Won’t Start - Let’s Fix it!

Рет қаралды 55,645

2 жыл бұрын

This RV would crank but not start. I definitely felt out of my league working on a diesel engine. But I'm happy with how it worked out!
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Portable battery & Jumpstarter (this had no trouble starting the 7.2 liter diesel engine) → amzn.to/3yxdKda
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Пікірлер: 110

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

Please LIKE the video (that is, if you liked it). Make sure to hit the bell icon for “all notifications” on future videos. Thank you all so much!

@BlackWingParanormal 2 жыл бұрын

Done ✔️ Done ✔️ and Done ✔️ 👌

@Tronicsfix 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! Enjoyed watching you try to figure this out. Nice work

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! Yeah, it was definitely a learning curve but I’m glad I know a lot more about this engine now.

@DumbSkippy 2 жыл бұрын

G'Day from Western Australia! Kudos for having a try and not giving up on it. Diesels are not common in anything, that a normal person drives! As others have stated, Diesel fuel goes "off" and grows gunky. Never let it sit over time. Always use a great fuel preservative. I believe Caterpillars use (used?) a pre-combustion chamber which means it uses (used?) Glow plugs. (I could be wrong!) Glow plugs suck amperage, so good batteries are really important. a non return valve in your fuel system is a great idea. Pop some injector cleaner in your fuel too. A good brand. A dirty injector will cause you lots of dramas you don't need. P.S. 40 years ago I did a Diesel Mechanic apprenticeship and we had Cat Engines in a few Railway Shunting locos. We had about 30 different types of engines and it was 40 years ago, hence my uncertainty about the pre-combustion chambers.

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! And thanks for the great advice. I just got some biocide for the fuel still in the tank to kill off any algae. I’ll have to look up injector cleaner.

@jamesdonegan9507 3 ай бұрын

This is really well made… I want to watch more like this

@FrugalRepair 3 ай бұрын

Thanks! What aspects would you like to see more of? RV stuff or just fixing anything in general? Or something else?

@kencramer1697 Жыл бұрын

Cracking the fuel lines up near the injectors will let you pump all the air out of the line. Anytime you introduce air into the fuel system you need to bleed it. Air is compressible diesel is not. When you compress all the air up to the injectors it will take a long time for that air to get through the injectors and the fuel to reach the combustion chamber. Cracking the bolts loose at each injector will allow you to easily force the air out of the system. Cranking the engine over with them cracked does the same thing. But with this being a rear engine a remote start switch would be helpful so you don't flood the compartment with diesel and you can keep an eye on when the fuel reaches the injectors.

@FrugalRepair Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the suggestion, makes sense. I had not considered that option. Is there a downside (besides fuel spraying out) to doing that?

@dukeman7595 Жыл бұрын

@@FrugalRepair I have diesel tractor(s) and have a time or two ran them out of diesel., Dumb. You have to push all the air out like @kencramer1697 stated, the process he gave is the best way to do it. Yes it is a bit dirty but really not any severe down side for a guy with your talent.

@chriscutress1702 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you were able to solve your problem. Remember to run the engine every few weeks to make sure the fuel doesn't sit and deteriorate and gung up your filters. Also remember that a diesel engine is less forgiving than a gas engine and requires proper maintenance to remain healthy.

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Yes, will do. Any other tips for good diesel engine health? Should I run out the rest of the fuel that's in the tank or fill it up all the way to mix in the old stuff with the new stuff.

@chriscutress1702 2 жыл бұрын

@@FrugalRepair If there isn't much in the tank I'd flush it and fill it with new stuff. If it's got a lot in the tank then give a full fill after treating what's left in the tank. I'm not sure what it's called but there's a diesel fuel treatment you can add to remove moisture from the diesel mix if that's one of your problems.

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. There's like 1/8 tank. I'd hate to dump it (with diesel prices, haha) but I'd rather keep the engine/etc healthy. Any thoughts with 1/8 left?

@chriscutress1702 2 жыл бұрын

@@FrugalRepair Fuel treatment and then fill it up just prior to your next real trip.

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thanks. I really appreciate it.

@kimtitch 11 ай бұрын

Oh my gosh I felt so excited for you when it started!

@FrugalRepair 11 ай бұрын

Thanks! I was very excited to hear it start up. We took it cross country recently and had no engine trouble, thankfully.

@geekmp3 2 жыл бұрын

This journey was 6 minutes for me... infinite for you! What a trip either way... omg nice job!

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, appreciate it! I’m glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching.

@stephenma6150 9 күн бұрын

@@FrugalRepairgot new sub!

@mrbr549 2 жыл бұрын

Great sleuthing! Glad you got it started.

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks, me too!

@craigosterberg5045 2 жыл бұрын

Good discovery’s. Congratulations.

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@christravels360 Жыл бұрын

Love the video! So glad it worked out for you in the end. I am hoping for the day I can get a diesel motorhome.

@FrugalRepair Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Hope it works for you to get one.

@christravels360 Жыл бұрын

@@FrugalRepair Thank you. I really hope it does. My dad introduced me to the RV lifestyle back in the 80's, and I love it. Plus, I love to tinker. So, this is right up my alley. lol

@nilloviz 2 жыл бұрын

Yay, new project 🤗

@williamzoom 2 жыл бұрын

Biological's form in diesel when it sits for long periods of time, you have to put additive into the diesel when it sits. When you change fuel filters take some diesel and fill up the filter with diesel and then install it.

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! How long is a 'long time' usually? Like a few months? If I put the additive in now, should I change both fuel filters again soon after? Or can I see how it goes and not worry if I don't have any issues?

@williamzoom 2 жыл бұрын

@@FrugalRepair if it's sitting longer than 6 months with the same fuel you need to run some anti biological in it. If you are going to be taking a road trip soon i would change the filters also adding half a quart of ATF or a small bottle of 2 stroke oil to the fuel every tank will keep your injectors lubed since we have to run low sulfur diesel. Don't do that on a newer diesel with DPF though! Not trying to be negative but those Cat engines are expensive to work on and they don't have anywhere near as long a service life as a Cummins.

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

@@williamzoom Thanks. Do you mean change the fuel filters again? (I had changed them in this video) I just added biocide to the tank and a few gallons of diesel.

@williamzoom 2 жыл бұрын

@@FrugalRepair Fuel filters are cheap injectors and injection pumps are very expensive so I would run it for an hour and replace them again if you are planning on taking it for a trip. If it's just sitting I would not bother right now. The only thing that sucks worse than working on one of them on the side of the road is paying 2k dollars for a tow because roadside assistance cannot handle a vehicle of that size!

@carriemars-maurer8814 Жыл бұрын

Super awesome video! Thank you even though you were hot n sweaty. That's the weather for us rt now too! 😂

@FrugalRepair Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! I can’t wait to take another trip.

@snowballsvlogs621 2 жыл бұрын

Had a Mercedes diesel with similar problem, put a non return valve behind the front filter, will stop any fuel returning back to the tank. Avoids all that priming change the air filter.

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! This engine supposedly has one but perhaps it got stuck open?

@spikehamer2 2 жыл бұрын

Congrats on taking a new challenge and succeeding! I got a question though, what microphone are you using? It's very crisp audio

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! I know a little about electronics/computers but engines are new to me. If you want to check out the equipment I use I have it all listed on my amazon shop page. In this video I used the sennheiser G4 lav, deity D3 shotgun mic, and just the phone's camera/mic (when it sounded the worst).

@kingbolen_official Жыл бұрын

A nice DIY fix channel!

@FrugalRepair Жыл бұрын

Thanks! 👍

@kingbolen_official Жыл бұрын

@@FrugalRepair You're welcome, not sure if you love to test a car diagnostic tool.

@mimi0424 2 жыл бұрын

just found your channel when I looked up solar panels diy. it's still way past something I can do or my husband. we are moving when the economy/housing market gets a bit better.. but def going to invest in solar bc electric bills are outrageous. right now we live in a town in Delaware that purchases electric from the main electric Co and RESELLS it to us at a higher price..we pay more for our electric than my MIL who owns a 4 story townhouse does & we have a small 2 bd home. just shows you how much MORE we pay due to the upcharge. I love seeing RVS restored! I've been watching a channel where thus couple bought land. yet they only have KZfaq as their $$. they bought the land & should have bought a camper ! you can't live in the woods forever..anyways I subbed. glad u got it started!!

@FrugalRepair Жыл бұрын

Thanks! Hope you can get solar one day.

@NigelM18 10 ай бұрын

Same motor, my wait to start light only comes on the very first time of the season, then I never see it stay on again until next year. It chokes black smoke every time I try to start it, but if I turn the block heater on it starts smoothly every time.

@labellamaffia 5 ай бұрын

Would love to see all the unedited footage of the all cranking! Sounds like there was tons of it 🥰

@FrugalRepair 5 ай бұрын

lol, I don’t think that would be very entertaining to watch. But the engine has been running great since.

@labellamaffia 4 ай бұрын

@@FrugalRepairI’d love to see it 😊

@leonnarddavis 2 жыл бұрын

Congrats my guy

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@madsjuncker307 Жыл бұрын

Hello Reese 🥖🍞. Nice analyzing job Have a Nice trip 🚌👍. Best Mads 🇩🇰

@FrugalRepair Жыл бұрын

Thank you! Hope you're doing well.

@madsjuncker307 Жыл бұрын

I get my own repairs, and are super. Always great to follow your new repairs. Have a great trip 😊👍👍

@borisb5724 2 жыл бұрын

great!

@BlackWingParanormal 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for such an informative video, I wish your family & yourself many years of happiness & wonderful memories in this beautiful "Home 🏡 on wheels" Much Love Worldwide ♥️ 🌎. Blessed Be. 🙏🏽🤍🕊💫. Xx

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@jumar360 2 жыл бұрын

Nice!

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@TWX1138 2 жыл бұрын

Are the house-batteries and the powertrain-batteries the same batteries? If they are, you might want to look at battery isolation that would allow you to split duties off so that any power draw in the house portion doesn't drain the powertrain portion, but where both can be charged when the engine runs.

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

They are separated from each other normally. (Two for engine and two for house) When starting you can press a button on the dash that connects them if the engine batteries need help getting the engine started.

@russburton4018 Жыл бұрын

I am hooked on the channel you are just like me

@russburton4018 Жыл бұрын

Put myself through trade school twice millwright and electrician

@marsrover001 2 жыл бұрын

Is there a check valve on the fuel line? It shouldn't go dry like that. Usually the check valve is built into the fuel pump.

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks. I’ve read up on it more and you might be right that the check valve could have been part of issue. The check valve (if I’m understanding correctly) is on the return line at the back of the engine (where unspent fuel returns to the tank). Would it be plausible that if it did have dirt in it causing it to be open, that now the engine is running fine that it might have cleared it out?

@marsrover001 2 жыл бұрын

@@FrugalRepair given the age it could just be a degraded check valve. I would consider it cheap insurance to not have this happen again on the road. I don't know where yours specifically is located. But regardless of location I would change it.

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

OK, thanks! I would have to remove the hand pump and oil filter base to get at it.

@JamieTransNyc Жыл бұрын

Thank god you did not use starter fluid

@FrugalRepair Жыл бұрын

You mean spray it in the air intake? I heard some suggest that but I looked into it and realized that was not a good idea.

@sonnydee4736 9 ай бұрын

Man you did good

@FrugalRepair 9 ай бұрын

Thanks! It got us around the country and no engine trouble, thankfully.

@Fix-it-tony Жыл бұрын

Clogged fuel filters for sure, should have prefilled both filters. Clogged fuel filters cause a weak lift pump, replacing the lift pump will be in your future.

@lrentals4445 Жыл бұрын

Mine wont turn on with ignition key but dash lights work I go to the back after turning key to on and push up on fuel stop and I put a push button to start fom back once stop is up the fuel stop, I push button and she starts every time, some times fuel stop won't stay up after pushing it so I have to hold it up and start and it works every time also. I don't know why but it does

@FrugalRepair Жыл бұрын

Glad you figured out a solution. Thanks for sharing.

@patriciacampbell2821 Жыл бұрын

2am Sunday morning. I won't discount all the advice everyone gave on old diesel fuel and check valves. 43 years ago I found myself on the shoulder of the road. my 1st year driving a 18 wheeler. it had a Caterpillar diesel. the engine was starving for fuel. the Caterpillar dealer in Riverside, California later found a rubber gasket that was installed backwards and allowed air to enter the pressurized fuel INJECTION system. several times I had to loosen the fuel lines at each injector, pump the fuel until it got to the injector...you'll see air bubbles in the fuel itself. when the fuel is clear of air bubbles, tighten each line at the injector. your pressurized system is ready for take off. Caterpillar motors are great. Detroit's too. Cummins I drove was a 335

@patriciacampbell2821 Жыл бұрын

1968 Kenworth log truck with a 335 Cummins motor. what I liked was the spin on fuel filter was mounted waist high on the frame rail. no bending or getting dirty. it's best to fill the fuel filter first, then install. with a 335 Cummins motor you can actually install a empty filter right out of the box. the air inside the empty fuel filter won't affect a Cummins pressurized fuel system. don't try that with Detroit or Caterpillar...I repeat, Don't try that with a Detroit or Caterpillar

@FrugalRepair Жыл бұрын

Thanks for posting! I hope we don’t have any more fuel issues but I will keep these all in mind.

@chevyapache1959 Жыл бұрын

Get some killz and put it in your fuel tank moisture has algae growing in it common problems when something sits. also use some seafoam and Howes. Need to get some new fuel ran through it, not a good sign. Have a couple filters handy as well, you'll need to replace them quicker then normal just some friendly advice.

@FrugalRepair Жыл бұрын

Thanks. After this I put some biocide in the tank. The clear bowl at the water separator looks clean to me after driving it around a bit. How would I know when to change the fuel filters quicker than normal? Is there a mileage range you would go by?

@chevyapache1959 Жыл бұрын

@@FrugalRepair normal oil change on a diesel is 10k I do all my filters on my semi , which is just a bigger version, I would say 5k swap fuel. For like two cycles then every oil change. But if you're not using it that much . I would say probably two - three months. Change em , that stuff is super bad for the injection system , killz is a good product you'll have to research where to buy it. But just keep after the fuel treatment have a great night

@FrugalRepair Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@ratatoskrgodtroll6198 9 ай бұрын

Tank is probably got Gerald

@FrugalRepair 8 ай бұрын

I put the biocide in and changed filters and I’ve not had any issues since

@CJ-xv7rw Жыл бұрын

We did it

@ketanmorajker 2 жыл бұрын

🤝🏻

@user-pu2cw1cf1g 19 күн бұрын

Crack fuel line at one of injectors

@FrugalRepair 19 күн бұрын

Good thought. But I’m a little hesitant to open it up at the injector, maybe it’s easier than I think. If I have to do this again I might just connect a vacuum on the fuel line as close to the second filter as I can.

@kylefishing21 2 жыл бұрын

A little tip. If possibly if you can take a line off near that little hand pump you can tape a shop vac to it and vacuum the fuel to that area. May save some time!

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

Great suggestion. I hope there’s not a “next time” but I’ll keep that in mind.

@fieraci8500 Жыл бұрын

Sucking fuel through a shop vac sounds like a "Hold my Beer!" idea. I know it's diesel, not gasoline, but.........

@scubatrucker6806 2 жыл бұрын

Those filters were a mess. Looks like mold. It happens when diesel sits for awhile inside a metal tank. There is a product that can takes care of the mold in the tank.

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Should I still add some additive now, or don’t worry about it?

@scubatrucker6806 2 жыл бұрын

@@FrugalRepair I would add Additives if it sat a while.

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

ok, thanks!

@user-pu2cw1cf1g 19 күн бұрын

You need to bleed the fuel line

@Anthonyshauntedrituals Ай бұрын

My 1997 ford minnie winnie will crank but wont start.

@FrugalRepair Ай бұрын

I’m guessing that’s a gas engine. Hopefully you can get it figured out.

@Anthonyshauntedrituals Ай бұрын

@@FrugalRepair yes gas engine and it seems like fuel pump isn't having enough pressure. Fuel filter been changed and lines then cleared.

@asdfasdf8659 2 жыл бұрын

You could do it

@FrugalRepair 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the encouragement!

@lazmotron Жыл бұрын

Creat channel

@FrugalRepair Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@6400az 17 күн бұрын

You gotta know something about mechanics......seriously , what the hell is a " junky vacum"?? 3:29

@urbanstuff9950 Жыл бұрын

Next time pressure wash your engine before working on it.

@broskies2598 8 ай бұрын

Clogged jets

@eduardohausser1042 3 ай бұрын

I am glad you make running the Engine I am try to buy one like yours because I want travel all the way to Texas I am living close to New Hampshire and Massachusetts and I am planning but one caravan home to working and Texas and move all my staff there

@FrugalRepair 3 ай бұрын

The engine has been working great since this video. Hopefully you can find something that works for you.