Engine issues 2003 Itasca Sunova

[Harterfaster]

I am having an issue with lacking power in my RV. It has the 8.1 GM motor. It starts to accelerate fine and then it feels like it is starving for fuel. Once up to speed, it seems to be okay on the flats but uphill is a struggle. I put new plugs and wires in it and that helped with overall power but still has the hesitation. I cannot find the fuel filter to replace it, manual says it is near the tank on the passenger side but I can't find it.

And then this weekend I had the low fuel warning light come on for about 10 seconds and then go back off. Tank was showing 1/2, then dropped to empty and then back to 1/2. I had never seen that before.

The RV has about 90K on it

Can anyone point me towards the filter and any other ideas on cause? There are no error codes showing.

Thank you
John

[DavidM]

Sure sounds like a plugged fuel filter. Can't help with the location though.

David

[Eagle5]

Hi John,
I agree with the plugged fuel filter (location), but the fuel indicator gauge is a different problem. The most likely cause of that would be the sender wire; either a bad termination or a broken wire.
Thanks, Eagle5

[navnaz]

Obviously check the fuel filter but when is the last time you checked your air filter?

[Harterfaster]

Thanks for the replies and links, I finally found the filter and got it replaced. It was well hidden behind a shroud and was an absolute pain in the rear to access but I got it with minimal cussing! I'll get it out for a road test later to see if that solved the hesitation issue.

Hopefully the fuel gauge issue will just not happen again......

[jspringator]

I'm guessing fuel pump. Mine went out around 70,000 miles.

[70ChevelleSS]

You might want to clean the MAF sensor as well. It's in the tube after the air filter. You can get the spray cleaner for it at any auto parts store. I cleaned ours, changed air and fuel filters and it runs like champ.