Help! Near Phoenix (Non Airstream)

[swebster]

A good friend (and co-worker) flew out ot Mesa to pick up his "new to him" 1989 Itasca Motorhome this weekend. After a successful check out and test drive (with no apparent mechanical issues) he set out through Phoenix toward 40 East.

About one hour into the trip he began losing power and described what I would consider a moderate backfire. The RV is drivable but at times can only make 20 MPH in the mountains.

While I've tried to help disagnose things over the phone, I'm trying to get him to a decent mechanic or repair facility near his current location. He's currently in Payson AZ on 87 about 40 miles outside of Phoenix.

Anyone know this area or have some advice on where he should take it. His rig is on a P30 with a carburated 454 engine. I suspect misfiring or vacuum leak but it's not something I can talk him through anymore.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[garry]

Don't know about any shops other than a Chev dealer.

99% of the time it is the fuel filter or fule pump I'm sure you had him change it but there may be more than one sometimes located on the frame around the step area but not sure on the Itasca.

Garry

[swebster]

Garry,
Thanks! Yes, now thinking the same. He reported that it's been running well since he filled it up (first fill up since leaving the dealer)....so it could be a clogged pick up screen, bad gas, etc. Since it's running he's going to press on to Alburquerque. We both know a dealer there that will take care of him (a customer of ours).

[swebster]

Quick update. Thanks to those of you who replied or called me. He made it to the dealership in NM last might. Had a bad electric fuel pump. They dropped the tank and replaced the pump today so he should be on the road shortly.

Again - even though this is a non-AS MoHo....good to have so much collective P30 knowledge around here.

[grizzy]

I had the same problem on a vintage GMC motorhome -- it only happened when driving up mountain roads. It turned out the gas cap wasn't venting. When driving a large motorhome up steep grades you suck up a lot of fuel. If the cap isn't venting the electric fuel pump won't be able to push fuel to the engine -- at least that was the case with ours. A new vented cap solved the problem

[swebster]

Seems to have cured the problem. He's now making up time trying to get to Oklahoma City tonight. Glad I've sworn off dealer repairs as this cost about $500 for a $40 fuel pump installation.

But it does sound like a mess....pump is inside the tank and he just filled it up. Can you say power drill on the 55 gallon drum pump? Better than me doing this on the side of the road. (I was a moments away from flying out to meet up with him.)