Update - Thermostat and radiator service, with 6,000 pound in tow.

[warbucks13477]

I doubt there is any correlation between maintenance on an engine
used in RV service on one coach relative to any other coach and/or on
an RV engine versus one used in over the road class 8 truck service.
After talking to diesel mechanics, coach owners and truck owners
there appears to be a vast difference in the way the engines are
regularly driven and serviced which I believe is the main reason so
many of our engines are overhauled or replaced at such low mileages.
From what I have seen it is not unusual for our coaches to sit for
months at a time between uses which is not good.

If you look over the various internet sites where RVs are sold it is
not unusual to see engines replaced long before the average service
life of the engines detailed in the manufacturers manuals.

The same appears to be consistent with transmissions, radiators etc.
Two things you can do to minimize the problems with your coach, first
use it as much as possible, and/or start it up and drive it a few
miles at least once a month EXCEPT if it is stored for the winter.
Secondly do the regularly scheduled maintenance, including filters,
air dryers etc and dont over stress the engine by lugging it.

tom warner
now in florida
1985 PT 40 running perfectly

because of the --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Curt Sprenger
wrote:
>
> Terry,
> I wonder if a correlation could be established between engine miles
and
> the coolant/fuel hose, pump, maintenance requirements. Would be
useful
> to other 'Bird owners for sure.
>
> You are doing a lot of work on your engine. What is the rational
for the
> blower and turbo work? Do you have the maintenance history on your
coach?
>
> You must have a shop to park your bus and work on it.
>
> Curt Sprenger
> 1987 PT38 8V92 "MacAttack Racing"
> Anaheim Hills, Calif.
>
>
>
> Terry Neal wrote:
>
> > Curt, it has 171,000 on it which appears pretty close from the
Hobbs
> > hour meter. Went through all the upper part of the engine.
Rebuilt or
> > replaced the blower, turbo, water pump, fuel pump, Charge air
cooler,
> > etc. Resetting the fuel rails now & putting it all back together.
> >
> > Terry Neal
> > Bozeman, MT
> > 82PT40 6V92TA
> > 74FC34 6V53T
> >
> > Curt Sprenger wrote:
> >
> > > Terry,
> > > Please keep us posted.
> > > How many miles on your engine?
> > >
> > > Curt Sprenger
> > > 1987 PT38 8V92 "MacAttack Racing"
> > > Anaheim Hills, Calif.
> > >
> > > Terry Neal wrote:
> > >
> > > > Sounds like you did the right thing replacing all of those
parts.
> > > > That's what I did on mine too. Plus new water pump & new rad
core
> > > > (increased cooling capacity 15%). When it warms up some, will
take it
> > > > out on I90 to see what it runs at now.
> > > >
> > > > Terry Neal
> > > > Bozeman, MT
> > > > 82PT40 6V92TA
> > > > 74FC34 6V53T
> > > >
> > > > Curt Sprenger wrote:
> > > >
> > > > > Update...The past few days I ran the bus about 400 miles,
6,000
> > pounds
> > > > > in tow, outside temperature in the 80's. On the flat the
coolant
> > > > > temperature run 180-185, oil temperature 220. Climbing
Whitewater
> > > Grade
> > > > > out of Palm Springs, 40 mph head wind, the coolant
temperature got
> > > up to
> > > > > 190 degrees, oil just over 230. I'd say changing the
thermostats and
> > > > > clean/rodding the radiator was a good thing to do.
> > > > >
> > > > > --
> > > > > Curt Sprenger
> > > > > 1987 PT38 8V92 "MacAttack Racing"
> > > > > Anaheim Hills, Calif.
> > > > >
> > > > >
> > > >
> > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
> >
> >
>