Air Valve Leak

[cmillsap]

(06-07-2013 09:26)davidmbrady Wrote:  Chuck, I never have any issue spending money on my LXi. It's like one of my children; if it's in need it gets! I think you're the same way! LOL

I agree and appreciate all the repairs you're doing. The only thing I might point out is that the entire slide body from the inner skeleton to the outer skin is aluminum. So the bubbling that you're seeing has likely been there close to the bus's entire life and it may have more to do with the initial paint prep. I'd like to talk to your mechanics about the oil cooler seal kit on the S60. Mine started to leak and it looks like a bear to get to. I imagine they may need to take the bedroom apart to get to the engine hatch, which isn't a big deal especially if you have a center isle bed arrangement, but they need to be clean or you may arrive to find some greasy surprises on the inside of your coach. How far away is the repair facility? Have you been there on occasion to monitor the progress. Oh, to have an on-board camera to send an image up to WaGu from time to time... wait, I'm working on that!

BTW, do you know how old the slide seal is, or when it was last replaced?

David,

Thank you for reminding me that the slide body is aluminum (not steel). The body shop assumed there was rust under the bubbled paint that they had to deal with and the quote included that. I'm on my way to the bus this morning and will access what is required to repair the leak at the oil cooler. They and I had initially diagnosed the oil leak as the S60 rear seal but once they got it steam cleaned, they realized the leak was at the oil cooler. The estimate (labor) to replace the rear seal was $645 with the seal costing $149. I will see today whether the oil cooler repair will cost more or less and how they intend to access it.

It appears (so far) that they maintain a real clean facility and have work habits to match. I see no greassy uniforms and they completely covered the bus floor to prevent tracking dirt & grease into it.

I do watch them pretty closely by ariving unannounced every couple of days and go over the costs for anything new they have found that needs repair before I let them fix it.

I haven't got a price on the labor & parts yet to upgrade the PTO. I expect to do that today. Would you like to venture a guess? Their labor rates are not cheap at $129/hr which can add up to a large sum pretty quickly if not controlled.