Failure on the road what to do - who to call

[rokblazer]

2008 Jayco Seneca 35GS - Diesel.

Last month I pulled in to a rest stop, turned off the motor and when I came back it just cranked and cranked.

I thought ok, maybe fuel, call AAA . 2 Hours later, guys shows gives us fuel, still nothing.

Call AAA again, big wrecker shows up, drags my coach 138 miles to a shop that said they could work on it.

Three days later, shop calls, we don't work on duramax you have to move it in 3 days.

Call around find a big diesel repair shop who agrees to look at it, next big wrecker shows up and moves it the 6 miles.

Three weeks later, RV is repaired - Broken wire on fuel pump no parts.

Costs - Towing $950
Diagnosis $861

So my dilema is this, can you call a mobile truck mechanic and would it have been at this massive cost?

Thoughts and suggestions please.

[CAG]

Originally Posted by rokblazer

2008 Jayco Seneca 35GS - Diesel.

Last month I pulled in to a rest stop, turned off the motor and when I came back it just cranked and cranked.

I thought ok, maybe fuel, call AAA . 2 Hours later, guys shows gives us fuel, still nothing.

Call AAA again, big wrecker shows up, drags my coach 138 miles to a shop that said they could work on it.

Three days later, shop calls, we don't work on duramax you have to move it in 3 days.

Call around find a big diesel repair shop who agrees to look at it, next big wrecker shows up and moves it the 6 miles.

Three weeks later, RV is repaired - Broken wire on fuel pump no parts.

Costs - Towing $950
Diagnosis $861

So my dilema is this, can you call a mobile truck mechanic and would it have been at this massive cost?

Thoughts and suggestions please.

Duramax fuel filter. The Duramax fuel filter is a pretty simple operation but is has its issues. The most of which is air in the system. The Duramax pulls fuel from the tank. It does not pump. So if there is a break in the line letting air in it draws air. Shutting the system down. The solution is a pump at the tank (lift pump) that forces fuel up the line to the filter and to the system. The bottom line is a pump at the tank (lift pump) because the Duramax system does not have a fuel pump, thus it needs something forcing fuel up the line.

There are numerous web sites with information on lift pumps for the Duramax. Basically it is do your research.

[Grumpy]

Originally Posted by rokblazer

So my dilema is this, can you call a mobile truck mechanic and would it have been at this massive cost?

Thoughts and suggestions please.

I called one to do a filter change, when we had our 08, at a campground in Gatlinburg and the charge was not that bad. I don't remember the exact cost however. So I think you would have been better off doing that even if the diagnostics came in at the same price. You would have at least saved the towing bill.

[Jeepin Jason]

If it is not something I can diagnose and fix, I would call my insurance company and have them tow it someplace that I can confirm works on the engine and chassis. The towing insurance is really cheap addon. You just have to call ahead to ensure they are not dragging it all around.

[rokblazer]

People were correct on the fuel filter being the issue. The total cost of the situation was over $4k in missed diagnosis, Towing, and replaced parts that were actually good. Lesson learned...

[Jeepin Jason]

Sorry you had to go through all of this. The fuel filter is fairly easy to replace, as are hoses, clamps, fluids, and a few other items that are minor, but can leave you stranded if you don't have the parts on hand. A good reminder to others to try to keep these on board just in case. They do not take more than basic hand tools to replace. Unfortunately, like rokblazer, I have learned the hard way to keep parts on board... Part of the Adventure, right?

[dwaynebmsg]

I am having an FASS fuel lift pump installed, even as I write this. My 08 36ms went into limp mode twice within a week because of "low fuel rail pressure". It is 26 feet from the fuel tank to the engine and it uses the same pump to pull the fuel and to drive the fuel injectors.

[Grumpy]

Not only a filter, but as a wise diesel mech told me, also the silver bottle of Power Service Diesel Kleen additive. You can safely use that to fill the filter for priming.

[TaftCoach]

AAA towed you to a AAA shop that doesn't work on that engine? Why was your towing bill so high if you had AAA? If be asking them how they towed you to a shop that didn't work on your model and try to get back some of that towing cost.

[CAG]

I put a Kennedy fuel lift pump on my Duramax shortly after I bought it. Never had a problem from there. It is important to understand that diesels do not have fuel pumps and sucking fuel from the tank to the lifters is a very inefficient system, It needs help or you end up much like a Ford truck found on road dead!

[Superseneca]

Duramax doesn't come from the factory with an electric fuel pump. Can you clarify the repair? Thanks

[CAG]

Originally Posted by Superseneca

Duramax doesn't come from the factory with an electric fuel pump. Can you clarify the repair? Thanks

Fuel pump and Duramax are not in the same ball field. If you have a Duramax put a lift pump on it. That will solve this problem. There are several different pumps that are available but simply you need something that pumps fuel from the tank forward. The Duramax system pulls fuel from the tank with a pump that sucks air into the system. That kills injectors and your fuel system. Try the DieselPlace for further informaton.