Why the engine replacements?

[Henry Jay Hannigan]

---GARY:
You mentioned "change oil before storage." Could you expand your
comments a bit. eg 1200 miles on oil..is it ok to put in
storage?? where is the "change oil" miles point in your opinion as
I am storing my BIRD for six months or so.
Thanks,
HANK HANNIGAN
90SP36
In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Christina Corpus"
wrote:
> Gary,
>
> Thanks for your reply.
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Gary Miller"
> wrote:
> > Phil,
> >
> > Very good question. I've pondered the same thing before and
would
> > have to agree with your assumptions #1 and #4, with #2 being a
part
> > of #4.
> >
> > I've been following the Wanderlodge forums for 4 years or so
now,
> > and am often amazed when the topic of lubrication comes up and
> > people are trying to figure out the minimum they can get away
with
> > when maintaining their engines/drivelines. Do I hafta use
> expensive
> > lubricants? Do I hafta change the oil before storage? Should I
> > bother with oil sampling? Should I bother with additives in the
> > coolant? Normally these folks become converts to proper
mechanical
> > maintenance after the discussions, but there are folks out there
> who
> > don't partake in the forum.
>
> Kind of like the old TV ad, "Pay me now, or pay me later." Sounds
> like asking a seller whether or not he has all his service records
> available would be a good idea. If not, then it's 'buyer beware'
> time.
>
>
> > How often should I check the oil? Well, if you have to ask,
> > probably more often than you are...
>
> Copy that.
>
> >
> > Regarding assumption #1, I saw receipts from an owner of a fresh
> > transmission fluid and filter change (internal and external).
His
> > transmission had no internal filter (to my knowledge), and the
spin
> > on filter had a date marked on it with marker over 5 years old!
I
> > insist on keeping a friendly eye on the folks who work on my
coach
> > (rare).
>
> ...and since there is more money to made...
>
>
> >
> > Some folks overspin their engines. This'll kill the CAT. The
way
> I
> > understand it the valve springs can't keep up and it eats a
valve.
>
> One company I worked for installed a CAT engine into one its medium
> duty trucks. It was replacing a Cummins. The thing I remember
about
> driving that truck after the swap was how quickly the CAT engine
> peaked out in each gear. You definitely had to watch the tach.
>
>
> > These coaches were built when the national speed limit was 55
and
> > most were geared for about 65 max. So unless you install a new
> rear
> > end or larger tires, that's all you should do. As you know, the
> > governor won't slow the engine if the driver wants to point the
rig
> > downhill and mat the pedal and some tach's are in need of
> > adjustments after many years.
>
> Out here in California, we have the Grapevine heading north out of
Los
> Angeles. On the north side, northbound, the speed limit for
trucks is
> 35 mph. I downshift my 78,000 pound truck into 6th gear, engage
the
> Jake brake, and cruise down that grade at 18 mph, never touching
the
> brake pedal. I am constantly amazed at all the motorhomes that
pass
> me going full tilt down that mountain. I mean, they are keeping up
> with the cars that are going down at 75 mph. You can hear the
engines
> winding out tight.
>
> > There's always the temptation to be motoring on down the road,
but
> > hey, if there's a house on your back, what's the hurry? You're
> >already there.
>
> Our plan is to full time, so this is exactly our philosophy.
>
>
> >
> > The engines are all very staunch, heavy duty top line units.
But
> > they're only bulletproof with proper maintenance.
> >
> > I wouldn't make the assumption that all the engines have a
> checkered
> > past though. What you are seeing is a small percentage of
coaches
> > that have been misunderstood by their owners and are being sold.
>
> It appears from the responses to my question from everyone that
there
> is no issue regarding the durability of the engines used in the
> Bluebird.
>
>
> >
> > I would look for an owner who baby's his coach, changes fluids
and
> > keeps records, gets oil samples, and generally would rather keep
> his
> > coach than sell it. Oh wait...that's me!
>
> My wife is very impressed with your coach. I have to remind her
what
> our plans are and that 35 feet is the minimum we've decided on.
Now
> if you could figure out how to extend your unit 2-3 feet... :>)
>
> >
> > Gary Miller
> > 83 FC 33 - For Sale 'millercoachworks.com'
> > Milwaukee area
> >