Figure this one out....

[Greenvans]

Hey Guys,

Having a little trouble with the v3.
So far, I've logged about 50,000 miles on this rig and it's been running 100% perfect. 1999 E350 7.3, now it has about 145,000 miles on it, almost all on veggie.

A few days ago the system went down completely. I changed the filter and cleaned a very gunky pre-screen. It didn't switch over on auto mode, and when I tried to switch it to manual, the light didn't turn on. (it should always illuminate when switched to manual, even if its running on diesel, correct?).

The breaker under the hood was fine, but I found a blown fuse on the timer cards. 15 amp fuse, the pump fuse I believe. I replaced it and the system ran fine for the rest of the day. Today it wouldn't switch over to veggie in auto mode. Checked pre-screen and changed filter, but still nothing.

Any ideas???? I was thinking that there was a blockage in the system that caused the pump to blow a fuse. Maybe that has happened again? The light turns on when I switch it to manual mode, so I don't think it's the same issue.

Any troubleshooting suggestions? Thanks guys!

-Andy

[lancaster,pa]

Hey Guys,

Having a little trouble with the v3.
So far, I've logged about 50,000 miles on this rig and it's been running 100% perfect. 1999 E350 7.3, now it has about 145,000 miles on it, almost all on veggie.

A few days ago the system went down completely. I changed the filter and cleaned a very gunky pre-screen. It didn't switch over on auto mode, and when I tried to switch it to manual, the light didn't turn on. (it should always illuminate when switched to manual, even if its running on diesel, correct?).

The breaker under the hood was fine, but I found a blown fuse on the timer cards. 15 amp fuse, the pump fuse I believe. I replaced it and the system ran fine for the rest of the day. Today it wouldn't switch over to veggie in auto mode. Checked pre-screen and changed filter, but still nothing.

Any ideas???? I was thinking that there was a blockage in the system that caused the pump to blow a fuse. Maybe that has happened again? The light turns on when I switch it to manual mode, so I don't think it's the same issue.

Any troubleshooting suggestions? Thanks guys!

-Andy

Andy,
Any luck verifying that the pump fuse is OK the second time? If it is OK, can you verify that the pump is running by touch or sound (system warmed up). Any gunk in the pre-filter screen the second time? If so, any contamination in the tank and/or supply line? How cold is the weather? Have adequate insulation from V3 back to tank? Have adequate heat in tank? Done a pressure check with system warmed up? - Patrick

[skyskijason]

I changed the filter and cleaned a very gunky pre-screen.
-Andy

What did the 'gunk' look like? What do you think it was? When was last time ya cleaned that screen?

[clindberg]

not to hijack the thread....

Are the prefilter screens supposed to be attached to the plug that unscrews from the manifold or does it come on or off from the plug?

[Marv]

not to hijack the thread....

Are the prefilter screens supposed to be attached to the plug that unscrews from the manifold or does it come on or off from the plug?

Lindberg, from my experience, the screen is permanently attached to the plug that you remove from the manifold. Did yours come loose?

Also, everyone listed some good things to check. I'd probably verfiy the pump is running and maybe pull it for visual inspection and cleaning. Also, I'd double check all wiring for possible shorts or broken connections.

Have you verified that the pressure switch and temp switch are working correctly?

Good luck!

[Greenvans]

Thanks Guys,

I'm going to be having a look at it in a few hours. My biggest question is why the pump blew a fuse in the first place, especially after it was running flawlessly for so long. Could it just be a result of the plugged prescreen putting too much stress on the pump?

-andy

[Wilson]

Thanks Guys,

I'm going to be having a look at it in a few hours. My biggest question is why the pump blew a fuse in the first place, especially after it was running flawlessly for so long. Could it just be a result of the plugged prescreen putting too much stress on the pump?

-andy

well, i didnt post this originally because I hate to just throw stuff out there.. But I have heard reports of these motors getting tightened down too much to the V3. This could cause some binding...

JUST A SUGGESTION

[Wilson]

Thanks Guys,

I'm going to be having a look at it in a few hours. My biggest question is why the pump blew a fuse in the first place, especially after it was running flawlessly for so long. Could it just be a result of the plugged prescreen putting too much stress on the pump?

-andy

would cause cavitation... no stress. I dont know how long these pumps can run dry? but it's either on(fuel pressure there) or off (no fuel pressure) So I doubt you can ruin it that way

[Marv]

Thanks Guys,

I'm going to be having a look at it in a few hours. My biggest question is why the pump blew a fuse in the first place, especially after it was running flawlessly for so long. Could it just be a result of the plugged prescreen putting too much stress on the pump?

-andy

Andy, as others have said, I'm real sure of the effects of running the pump dry, but I would assume it's not good for it over prolonged period of times. Heat would be my first concern.

Also, not sure if anyone mentioned it, but I would check to see if oil has gotten past the seals of the pump and contaminated the internals. While rare, I think a couple folks have experienced this problem.

[greasyX]

That someone is me

had that problem search my posts with Fordnut74 pertaining this perhaps clay remembers as well(on the old forum 5-08).Your systoms sound familar,but i don't point fingers at why, but rather help someone with my experiances if they are suffering through what seems uncureable gren light no light syndrome.Let me know what ya find and if I could help...........greasy

[lancaster,pa]

Andy,
Just some of my experiences re the pump:

After install, had a pump blowing fuses from the start. Took the pump off and checked gears for gunk. Nothing in there. Put pump back on and it still blew fuses. Loosened the hold down bolts a bit and pump started working OK (think it was Wilson above that also made a reference to pressure from hold down bolts). Ran it for a couple months and it began blowing fuses again. Sent it to Jason. He took it apart and cleaned and inspected it and it has been running Ok for several months.

Only other glitch I had was just after the temp got cold here. Pump blew a fuse again. Figured that it was due to not having all my insulation from the V3 rearward installed. I believe the veg got too thick and put a strain on the pump. Fixed it right away with additional insulation and haven't had the problem since.

Sounds like something could be bogging your pump down. A blockage in the tank or lines to the V3 or cold congealed veg. - Patrick

[Marv]

Andy, I may have missed it, but what type of oil do you run in your truck?

Obvious I know, but more specifically, are you sure it's pure vegetable oil or is there a chance you're getting partially hydrogenated oil mixed in?

PH oils are known for their tendencey to set up when cool - that is cool room temperature. Factor in winter temps and you can see how PH oil could set up to a solid state.

Just another thought...perhaps you've got PH oil mixed in there that are clogging the pump up.

[Greenvans]

Hey Guys,

Thanks a ton for the info. It did ended up being a faulty pressure switch. There were a number of variables at work so I didn't think it was the pressure switch right away, but after taking the pump off, calibrating the pressure regulator, checking all the fuses and lines to my tank, once I replaced the pressure switch with the one on my other van the system kicked on just fine.

One thing I don't understand: I thought the pump shut off if it wasn't building pressure? Is it always running when the system gets up to temperature? What happens when you run your veggie tank dry or plug a filteR? Does the pump keep running dry? I can't imagine this is very good for the life of the pump. What do you think?

Thanks

Andy

[Marv]

Hey Guys,

Thanks a ton for the info. It did ended up being a faulty pressure switch. There were a number of variables at work so I didn't think it was the pressure switch right away, but after taking the pump off, calibrating the pressure regulator, checking all the fuses and lines to my tank, once I replaced the pressure switch with the one on my other van the system kicked on just fine.

One thing I don't understand: I thought the pump shut off if it wasn't building pressure? Is it always running when the system gets up to temperature? What happens when you run your veggie tank dry or plug a filteR? Does the pump keep running dry? I can't imagine this is very good for the life of the pump. What do you think?

Thanks

Andy

Andy, my understanding is that the pump continues to run in an effort to build pressure. If I recall correctly that is. Perhaps someone else can chime in to confirm.

I also agree that this can't be beneficial to the life span of the FASS pump.