| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
bwest
Administrator
United States
3820 Posts |
 Posted - 01/05/2018 : 10:49:24 AM
|
| OK, propane guys, I have an issue here that has been a treat (lol). I have three of my propane Roush units are giving me fits in cold weather (around zero). It starts out that they will be a hard start for a few days. (have to go through the start cycle more than once) Then the final day is that it starts hard then has low power anywhere from a mile to 10 miles from the starting point. Then it will run out of power and die eventually. I will change the fuel pump relays and things get better (in fact much better) but there is still a miss on an idle. Two buses gave me this trouble today and one had just under half tank of fuel and the other a little over 1/4. After the relay change I checked the fuel pressure at 93-95 psi in 20F ambient temp. After fueling up the engine doesn't miss but the fuel pressure is no different. Any ideas? |
|
|
mquiring
Senior Member
79 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2018 : 12:21:27 PM
|
| Seems strange to me that changing relays would change how it runs, you would think they would either provide power to the pump or not. Could it be such a thing that the pump is drawing too much current when its cold and taking the relay out? |
 |
|
|
Sherm
Top Member
USA
621 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2018 : 12:21:56 PM
|
| We had a similar issue with one of ours a few months ago and sent it back to the dealer. I believe they changed the ignition switch and that fixed it. I'll have to verify with the techs next week. |
|
|
|
Fastback
Top Member
1500 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2018 : 12:30:27 PM
|
| Are these all your propane units that are doing it? All parked in unheated areas? Water in fuel? Maybe park one in heated shop overnight and see if it behaves differently.. |
Why yes, the ORIGinal CHARGER is a Fastback |
Edited by - Fastback on 01/05/2018 12:31:53 PM |
|
|
|
bwest
Administrator
United States
3820 Posts |
Posted - 01/05/2018 : 2:05:23 PM
|
| Yes, all propanes. The relays are Ford parts. They are called relays but really act like a driver. They vary the voltage to pumps to maintain 50psi over tank pressure. |
Bryan |
|
|
|
bluebirdvision
Top Member
USA
1081 Posts |
|
|
bwest
Administrator
United States
3820 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2018 : 05:40:58 AM
|
| These things are acting fine now that temps are in the mid to upper 30s. |
Bryan |
|
|
|
Fastback
Top Member
1500 Posts |
Posted - 01/08/2018 : 07:36:28 AM
|
| I would check with propane supplier to see if they have a way to get some alcohol into your/their filling station tank. |
Why yes, the ORIGinal CHARGER is a Fastback |
|
|
|
slippert
Top Member
USA
630 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2018 : 04:21:20 AM
|
Yes propane systems can freeze,the old vapor systems did it and I have had to have my home supplier come out and put...alcohol/methanol in my tank/line in yard when regulator or line froze up.... but since that system is suppose to be liquid propane would react be same? I am curious...
One good point at least you don't have gelled diesel! |
|
|
|
bwest
Administrator
United States
3820 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2018 : 05:12:44 AM
|
| My newest propane bus isn't exhibiting any of the symptoms of the others. So, that puts the fuel supply out. |
Bryan |
|
|
|
bluebirdvision
Top Member
USA
1081 Posts |
|
|
Sherm
Top Member
USA
621 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2018 : 07:13:50 AM
|
| The one 2015 we had issues with did receive a new ignition switch and a new fuel pump. Problem solved so far. |
|
|
|
bwest
Administrator
United States
3820 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2018 : 08:43:11 AM
|
| That's not what I want to hear! Ugh |
Bryan |
|
|
|
underthebus
Active Member
11 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2018 : 09:38:09 AM
|
We have 7, 2015 V10 propane units. There was an update from Bluebird.
Cold start issue, wiring harness to add near the multi-plex. Shipped to us from our local dealer, easy to follow installation. |
|
|
|
bwest
Administrator
United States
3820 Posts |
Posted - 01/16/2018 : 4:22:14 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by underthebus
We have 7, 2015 V10 propane units. There was an update from Bluebird.
Cold start issue, wiring harness to add near the multi-plex. Shipped to us from our local dealer, easy to follow installation.
That's interesting. What's the harness for? |
Bryan |
|
|
|
iceracer
Active Member
32 Posts |
Posted - 01/22/2018 : 4:52:55 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by bwest
That's not what I want to hear! Ugh
Here is food for thought:
My guess on the running rough and dies- more than likely water in tank. When it got warmer, they ran fine-because no ice build-up. When the pump(s) were changed, the tank had to be completely drained, thus eliminating the water. I have heard of some instances where the propane supplier is not treating the bulk tank or bobtail with methanol on each fill, causing moisture.
The ignition switch shouldn't have anything to do with the engine running bad. We have had some ignition issues- where the bus will not crank when you go to the start position. Holding the key in start position until is starts cranking meant changing the ignition switch. That took care of the issue. However, we have seen this winter another starting issue, which we currently working with the dealer, Blue Bird and Roush to figure out. Stay tuned...
|
Edited by - iceracer on 01/22/2018 5:03:17 PM |
|
|
|
bwest
Administrator
United States
3820 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2018 : 05:30:15 AM
|
| OK, the latest on this; the oldest Roush system started fine and ran well at about 1 degree F when the block heater was plugged in. Go figure. The next newer one set a code of POO9E and the dealer and I traced it down (after testing) to the FRPCM. The EVAP side isn't opening up. I believe changing the FRPCM will put the light out but still not sure about the way it runs. I'll just be glad to get it back on the road. The driver pesters me about it all the time, he really misses it. As for the next newest bus, it hasn't given any trouble since the day that three of the four Roush systems gave me that issue on the cold day. I did change the relays on that one, so maybe that was it. |
Bryan |
|
|
|
Thomasbus24
Administrator
USA
4547 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2018 : 05:32:25 AM
|
| I didn't realize they even had block heaters. How often do you guys use them? |
|
|
|
Sherm
Top Member
USA
621 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2018 : 06:17:59 AM
|
| I don't use block heaters on my propane units. I figured the electricity savings into my decision to switch from diesel. So far, we haven't needed them. |
|
|
|
bwest
Administrator
United States
3820 Posts |
Posted - 01/23/2018 : 11:01:36 AM
|
| This is the first time. Tried to delete them but Bird doesn't have that option. As soon as I get caught up with the three I've got down now, I intend to dig into this with Bird. I do not want to be using a block heater, there's no sense in it. In fact, I'll bet we're just staving off the inevitable anyway. Whatever that may be. lol |
Bryan |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Roush V10- Rough Idle, Low Power, Dies
