95 ---42' hi-milage

[Pete Masterson]

The principal reason that the diesel power plant in an RV gets rebuilt is due to overheating. Commercial vehicles in daily, heavy use, get watched carefully and the beginnings of problems generally get reported right away and proper maintenance to protect the considerable investment in the equipment is made. Commercial vehicles generally can go 400-500 thousand miles before an engine rebuild is required. Some engines may make it considerably further, if well cared for.

An RV or bus conversion, getting relatively light use for a vehicle of that type, is driven by an owner who is much less likely to observe or perhaps even understand the severity of a condition that leads to serious overheating. For example, not long ago, I was traveling up a moderate to heavy grade on US 101 somewhere between San Jose and San Luis Obispo. I was passed by a large, almost new, Monaco plastic palace and I noticed that water was pouring out of the radiator overflow. I couldn't believe that the driver wasn't seeing all kinds of warning lights -- it was clear that the engine was undergoing considerable stress -- but there he was, pushing up the grade at nearly 70 mph (I was doing about 55) doing who-knows-what damage to the engine. It really doesn't take too many bouts like this to cause serious damage.

While many owners are, perhaps, rather less oblivious than the driver of that Monaco, the low-level of experience with heavy equipment may cause them to be less aware of incipient problems -- or what to do if a situation starts to get out of control. Indeed, I took me some time to learn what to watch for and what to do when there was a problem.

I experienced some overheating on my maiden trip (home from Texas where I bought the coach). Westbound in eastern Nevada, there are a number of long grades through the mountains from Wendover to Wells -- and I had to pull off numerous times (on a warm afternoon) to let the engine cool down. The first order of business after I got the coach home was to take it to a heavy duty radiator service where I discovered that the radiator was seriously clogged with oily-dirt. While it could have been cleaned, more than half the cost was the R&R of the radiator, so I elected to have a new, more efficient design, radiator core installed. I have had no overheating incidents since (and I regularly clean the radiator fins). A less careful person might have 'pushed on' with the high temperatures -- and pushed right on to needing a rebuild. Fortunately, I was alerted to overheating as a danger and had learned to take the steps necessary to cool the engine -- slow down, down shift (higher RPM) while on the road. If temp doesn't drop, then pull off and fast idle until the engine returns to a normal temperature for the conditions. If warning lights come on, then pull off and fast idle until normal temperature returns. This may take 3 to 5 minutes.

It's best to avoid the problem in the first place, if you can. But if the problem occurs, then take the right defensive actions. Obviously, the engine should be checked for appropriate fluid levels at the start of each day.

Finally, there is a DD Series 60 operator's manual (or should be one) with the Blue Box. If you read nothing else, you should read and understand that manual.

Pete Masterson

'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42

El Sobrante CA

"aeonix1@mac.com"

On Apr 28, 2009, at 9:31 AM, William D. Young wrote:

That's funny! I have been wondering why I see so many BB's and others, such a Prevost, that have had the engines replaced with so few miles on them. I thought these things were supposed to run for a million miles or more without being replaced/rebuilt. What's up with that?

Birless, too, in San Antonio

On Tue, Apr 28, 2009 at 10:48 AM, Bob & Carol Howald`<"rhowald@frontiernet.net">wrote:

In my quest for another BB I see there is one advertised for $85,000 on one web-site and the same bird on craig's list for $75,000. Reason this BB is cheap is. The origional series 60 engine blew up at 172,000 miles. The origional engine was then replaced with a Junk Yard truck engine with 750,000 miles on it! The coach today has around 175,000 miles. Owner state's it uses about 1 qt. oil /1000 miles. I don't know what the consumption of the series 60 is considered normal. My question is this , the musical horn's don't work, should I still take a chance on the horn's not being too big a problem and go ahead a buy it. Bob birdless in Illinois....

--
William Young