A New Member to the Family!

[Andy Coleman]

Hello Everyone,

Proud to say that I've just officially joined the Wanderlodge Family.
I'm now the owner of a 1983 FC-35 with a 225 HP turbo 3208. Bought
it Sunday. Drove it 500 miles from Malta, Ohio to my home in Central NJ.

I wonder what the neighbors think about the new, brown addition to my
backyard!

Bought the bus from a family that did not use it much. Only a few
thousand miles of driving over the past 3.5 years.

The power steering pump leaked fluid all the way home. Had to re-fill
several times.

The worst problem I had, however, was speed. I averaged under 50 MPH
through the 500 mile journey. Some of the Pennsylvania hills on Route
70 & 76 slowed my coach down to 25 MPH in the right lane with the
emergency flashers on. Any upward elevation change, even slight ones,
slowed my coach down into the low 50s. It was the long climbs that
choked it. And the only excess weight in the bus was my girlfriend,
tool box and 100 gallons of gas!

A good friend of mine is a diesel mechanic. He is going to take a
look at the bus for me shortly. I told him about this great forum,
and he recommended that I ask experienced folks like yourself if this
performance is normal, or an indication of a problem.

I realize that they are heavy buses, but are they really that slow?
Even with the turbo? Creeping along in the right lane is dangerous!

My friend and I are going to change the fuel and air filters, adjust
the valve lash, replace the belts. Anybody else have suggestions?
They will be greatly appreciated!

Andy Coleman
Wanderlodge Virgin No More!
83 FC - 35.
Spring Lake Heights, NJ