Bus will not stay running

[Jriddle]

I started the bus today to build air. It ran about five minutes and started to run out of fuel. I thought the tank had plenty of fuel but went and got  ten gallons and put it in anyway. I changed the fuel filters and the bus will start and run about one to two minutes and then will slowly die. It will not restart right away it takes about five to ten minutes then bus will start again. It will run about the same amount of time the die again. I pulled the secondary filter off after after it quite and found the filter still full. Any thought would be good?

Thanks John

[Len Silva]

It sounds like you don't have power to the shutdown to keep it running.  As soon as the air builds up, it shuts off.  Pretty sure it will be electrical.  Are the rear switches in the right position?

[pipes]

I had the same problem long ago, after a couple days of frustration I put in a new fuel pump, THAT was the problem ..............On a 8V 71. BUT might not be your problem

[Jriddle]

Len

Thanks I looked a the shutoff and found the piston to be actuated. I will have to look at the solenoid and find out what is going on there. I took the fitting off to the shutoff and bus runs fine till I hook it up again.

Thanks

[gus]

Some buses have shut off switches in the rear for mechanics to use, don't know about yours.

I once shut mine off by accident, got the same results as you and it drove me nuts until I read the book and realized what I had done.

If this switch is off the engine will start easily, run nicely until air pressure builds up-then stop!

[happycamperbrat]

cough % cough % um..... I found out my bus takes a full 15 gallons to prime when empty (please dont ask me or my kids how I know).....

[Jriddle]

Thanks Gus and Len

I have company over and have not spent much time troubleshooting this problem thank god. I found the shut off switch in the back OFF. I was working in the remote panel the other day and must have bumped the switch to off. I decided to ask the question hear before I spent much time on the problem and have to say that you have saved me and hopefully more people some time on trouble shooting because I would have looked passed this switch. I would have pulled most my hair out to get back to looking at a switch.

I did pour the fuel out of my filters that I thought were bad and found fuel looking good. I guess changing the filters was good but kind of feel dumb doing it because of a switch.
Thank John

[Stolaas]

What kind of bus is it? Incase i ever run into the samr problem.  If its an mc9 where is hhe switch?

[eddiepotts]

LOL I love this board. Don't feel dumb. You probably brought up something that most owners don't know. If it is an off switch you would think it would mean instant off. Glad you asked and keep bussin

[Jriddle]

Bus TMC AKA MC-9 three switches lights ,engine back or front start, then engine off at the rear remote panel.

John

[robertglines1]

I've done same...brain fart!  Bob

[NewbeeMC9]

I t was your turn ,   kinda unexpected,  but since I had read about it here when it was my turn , I knew what to do.



Open the rear engine doors on your mc9 and look at the switches on the upper left side of the compartment.


Also a good time  find the shut off arm and learn how to shut off the fuel manually without getting you arm in the belt in case you ever need to.

[steve wardwell]

another mind cramp.when the bus won't start, try jiggling the auto shifter  in  noodle....this used to beguile me in the boats.

[gus]

John,

This has happened to a bunch of us and will happen to a bunch more. It happened to me on my very first bus trip in the middle of WY.

I had no idea what was happening until I read my manual for about an hour and it struck me like a thunderbolt. I just walked back and turned it on and went on my way!

Another thing you will find is that the engine will start even with the Engine Run switch on the front panel off, it will stop when the air builds up just like it does with the rear switch off.