On the road...

[Terry Neal]

Ryan,

If you continue on I90, you can stop & see Ernie & I easily. He is in
Livingston, where you can exit I90 to head South to the park or continue
on to Bozeman/Belgrade & take 191 South to the park. Not sure what the
roads are like to Gardiner since it's early in the season still. I was
though West Yellowstone last week though & all is good on that highway.
It's 1 1/2 hours to West Yellowstone from Bozeman (actually Belgrade).

Terry Neal
Bozeman, MT
82PT40 6V92TA
74FC34 6V53T



Ryan Wright wrote:

> Ernie,
>
> On 4/30/07, erniecarpet@...
> > wrote:
> >
> > Ryan, what is you route west?
> >
>
> Still debating that. Plan was to continue on I-90 all the way home to
> Washington. Now we're thinking we might swing through Yellowstone
> instead. Still not sure here. Depends on how things go. I don't need
> to be home until Thursday night / Friday morning-ish.
>
> -Ryan
>
>



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Bob & Carol Howald`]

> Ryan: You'll want to check the opening entrance date's for
yellowstone park. The South gate won't open until at least the 7th of
may and the East gate will probably be later. North and West gate's are
probably open now. It's a great park well worth the time to see it....
Bob 93pt40 Illinois

>
>
> > Ryan, what is you route west?
> >
>
> Still debating that. Plan was to continue on I-90 all the way home to
> Washington. Now we're thinking we might swing through Yellowstone
> instead. Still not sure here. Depends on how things go. I don't need
> to be home until Thursday night / Friday morning-ish.
>
> -Ryan
>

[Mike Hohnstein]

Good point, the oil and water can mix in the heat exchanger. A forum member
posted about an expensive transmission failure due to a leaky heat exchanger a
while back. Seems the trans was overhauled the bad exchanger was missed, the
reman failed and the rebuilder got to tow it back in and fix it right the second
time. I love them automatic transmissions.
Check the coolant in the morning, atf floating on the top will not be a good
sign.
MH

----- Original Message -----
From: Terry Neal
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Monday, April 30, 2007 7:07 PM
Subject: Re: [WanderlodgeForum] On the road...


Ryan, maybe the transmission cooler was not full when you picked up the
coach? As long as the temps are in the normal range & you see no loss
of fluid under the coach, you should be ok.

Did you check the engine coolant to see what it looks like??

Terry Neal
Bozeman, MT
82PT40 6V92TA
74FC34 6V53T

Ryan Wright wrote:

> Folks,
>
> No - I meant to say tranny fluid. Just had to add another quart after 400
> miles. So, record so far:
>
> When I picked the coach up, it was down a quart. Mr. Oliver's topped
> it off
> for me.
> After 800 miles, "check tranny" light came on. Checked it, down another
> quart. Topped it off, all is well again.
> Now, 400 more miles driven, down another quart! Topped it off again and
> we're at the KOA just outside of Deadwood, SD.
>
> So.... This is not good, I assume. And yes I know for a fact I'm talking
> transmission fluid and not oil. Interestingly, checked the oil last
> night -
> after about 1000 miles driven - and it's right where it's supposed to be.
> Didn't have to add any. Will check again later when the engine has cooled
> down.
>
> I do not see any leaks, anywhere.... unless I'm leaking tranny fluid while
> driving. Have checked multiple times after driving and nothing on the
> pavement underneath me.
>
> Previous owner says tranny was rebuilt awhile ago. Something about a minor
> problem and he just went ahead and had the whole thing rebuilt just to
> make
> sure... There are a lot of records and stuff in my blue box so I'm sure I
> can find more info. In the meantime, any advice on what to check on this
> tranny would be nice. Seems to shift fine. Temperatures all normal. So...
> Not sure.
>
> Also, seem to be getting just over 4mpg. Expected 6, but this works.
>
> We are having a lot of fun with the coach. Assuming this tranny thing does
> not cost me a fortune, I'll be very happy. Seems as advertised and in
> excellent overall condition.
>
> -Ryan
>
> On 4/29/07, Terry Neal > > wrote:
> >
> > Hi Ryan,
> >
> > If you get to Billings or Bozeman, call me at 406.579.9758 cell. I am
> > in one city or the other most of the time. You meant to say engine oil,
> > not trans fluid? My 6V82 uses about a quart every 1,000 miles or so.
> > Sounds like you're running pretty good. Call if you nd anything.
> >
> > Terry.
> >
> > Terry Neal
> > Bozeman, MT
> > 82PT40
> > 74FC34
> >
> >
> > Ryan Wright wrote:
> >
> > > First time I could get access to the Internet. We're on the road, made
> > > it to Torrington, WY. Coach is great. A few things here and there I
> > > want to fix and/or change but she's running well. Did notice it's
> > > eating about a quart of tranny fluid every 800 miles or so, that
> > > normal? No leaks that I can see. I'm keeping it topped off.
> > >
> > > That's about it. I'll be back in touch when I can find more Internet
> > > access...
> > >
> > > -Ryan
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]





[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Ryan Wright]

On 4/30/07, Terry Neal wrote:
>
> The tranny cooler is just an extension of the transmission fluid
> system. You should see 2 hoses going to it from the transmission. I
> think your cooler should be mounted on the same frame work as your
> radiator fan? As long as your fluid level is checking ok, your cooler
> should be full too.
>
> Was just curious about the coolant condition and if there was any
> evidence of oil products in it or not? If it's a pure green, you should
> be good there too.

Thanks Terry. I'll check it first thing in the morning & get back to everyone.

-Ryan

[Gregory OConnor]

Ryan, the tranny cooler may not be at the radiator. I forgot what
year bus you have and it is not in your post. On my 94pt there is a
big pipe under the radiator that has tranny lines in and out. The
pipe also has two large radiator line in and out. this is the part
MikeH refered to that failed and allowed water to mix with fluid.
If you are losing fluid that is better than taking on water
(coolant). The trans cooler pipe is a borgWarner part. If you are
dumping fluid into the radiator you should see white residue around
an opening like the puke tank. If it was my bus I would call the PO
( previous owner) and contact the rebuilder for input. I would also
ask the PO more questions on what was going on when he was required
to rebuild the tranny. If he repeats the symptoms you quote here,
maybe the failed tranny was a result and not the cause of failure.

My bus would show a do not shift light from time to time and I was
unable to have the computer read because the Allison dealer said it
goes blank when you shift into reverse????? The intermitting idiot
light went away and never cause a problem with shifting.

GregoryO'Connor
94ptRomolandCa

[Ryan Wright]

Thanks for the reply Gregory. I need to get used to signing my posts.
It's an '86 PT-40 8V92.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92 (I'm going to forget this regularly... and can't set a
signature 'cause it will go out onto other lists I post on, too)

On 4/30/07, Gregory OConnor wrote:
>
> Ryan, the tranny cooler may not be at the radiator. I forgot what
> year bus you have and it is not in your post. On my 94pt there is a
> big pipe under the radiator that has tranny lines in and out. The
> pipe also has two large radiator line in and out. this is the part
> MikeH refered to that failed and allowed water to mix with fluid.
> If you are losing fluid that is better than taking on water
> (coolant). The trans cooler pipe is a borgWarner part. If you are
> dumping fluid into the radiator you should see white residue around
> an opening like the puke tank. If it was my bus I would call the PO
> ( previous owner) and contact the rebuilder for input. I would also
> ask the PO more questions on what was going on when he was required
> to rebuild the tranny. If he repeats the symptoms you quote here,
> maybe the failed tranny was a result and not the cause of failure.
>
> My bus would show a do not shift light from time to time and I was
> unable to have the computer read because the Allison dealer said it
> goes blank when you shift into reverse????? The intermitting idiot
> light went away and never cause a problem with shifting.
>
> GregoryO'Connor
> 94ptRomolandCa
>
>

[Ryan Wright]

OK, so how do I check the coolant? Pulled the cap off but there isn't
any coolant high enough in the fill tube for me to see. Below the fill
tube is the resorvoir with the little glass view-port and that's a
nice bright green, but wish I could draw a small amount of fluid out
somehow to look at it.

Also... bulk oil fill system isn't working. She ate a little oil
through the mountains and I want to top off. Does the coach need to be
aired up for this? I seem to lose air after sitting more than 15-20
minutes. Suspension stays OK but everything else air-operated loses
pressure pretty quickly. All works fine when engine is running,
though.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8v92

[Ryan Wright]

Got the bulk oil fill going - a little air was all she needed.

Still haven't figured out how to check the coolant - must be a drain
valve somewhere, I'd guess?

-Ryan

On 5/1/07, Ryan Wright wrote:
> OK, so how do I check the coolant? Pulled the cap off but there isn't
> any coolant high enough in the fill tube for me to see. Below the fill
> tube is the resorvoir with the little glass view-port and that's a
> nice bright green, but wish I could draw a small amount of fluid out
> somehow to look at it.
>
> Also... bulk oil fill system isn't working. She ate a little oil
> through the mountains and I want to top off. Does the coach need to be
> aired up for this? I seem to lose air after sitting more than 15-20
> minutes. Suspension stays OK but everything else air-operated loses
> pressure pretty quickly. All works fine when engine is running,
> though.
>
> -Ryan
> '86 PT-40 8v92
>

[Curt Sprenger]

If the site glass is green you should be good to go. I use the test
strips and a very long needle nose pliers to get the test strip down to
the coolant. If you want you can drain off some coolant by opening up
the pet-cock at the bottom inboard radiator can.

Curt Sprenger
1987 PT38 8V92 "MacAttack Racing"
Anaheim Hills, Calif.



Ryan Wright wrote:

> Got the bulk oil fill going - a little air was all she needed.
>
> Still haven't figured out how to check the coolant - must be a drain
> valve somewhere, I'd guess?
>
> -Ryan
>
> On 5/1/07, Ryan Wright > > wrote:
> > OK, so how do I check the coolant? Pulled the cap off but there isn't
> > any coolant high enough in the fill tube for me to see. Below the fill
> > tube is the resorvoir with the little glass view-port and that's a
> > nice bright green, but wish I could draw a small amount of fluid out
> > somehow to look at it.
> >
> > Also... bulk oil fill system isn't working. She ate a little oil
> > through the mountains and I want to top off. Does the coach need to be
> > aired up for this? I seem to lose air after sitting more than 15-20
> > minutes. Suspension stays OK but everything else air-operated loses
> > pressure pretty quickly. All works fine when engine is running,
> > though.
> >
> > -Ryan
> > '86 PT-40 8v92
> >
>
>

[jim riordan]

Ryan,

Make sure you shut off the pressure switch for the oil tank. Make sure that
the cap is tight.

Areas for possible air leaks just behind the front bumper to the the end of
the hitch reciever. I regularlly air up the coach, turn off engine and all other
noise making devices and listen for hissssses around the wheels air bags step .

Jim Riordan
88WBWL XXV

Curt Sprenger wrote:
If the site glass is green you should be good to go. I use the test
strips and a very long needle nose pliers to get the test strip down to
the coolant. If you want you can drain off some coolant by opening up
the pet-cock at the bottom inboard radiator can.

Curt Sprenger
1987 PT38 8V92 "MacAttack Racing"
Anaheim Hills, Calif.

Ryan Wright wrote:

> Got the bulk oil fill going - a little air was all she needed.
>
> Still haven't figured out how to check the coolant - must be a drain
> valve somewhere, I'd guess?
>
> -Ryan
>
> On 5/1/07, Ryan Wright > > wrote:
> > OK, so how do I check the coolant? Pulled the cap off but there isn't
> > any coolant high enough in the fill tube for me to see. Below the fill
> > tube is the resorvoir with the little glass view-port and that's a
> > nice bright green, but wish I could draw a small amount of fluid out
> > somehow to look at it.
> >
> > Also... bulk oil fill system isn't working. She ate a little oil
> > through the mountains and I want to top off. Does the coach need to be
> > aired up for this? I seem to lose air after sitting more than 15-20
> > minutes. Suspension stays OK but everything else air-operated loses
> > pressure pretty quickly. All works fine when engine is running,
> > though.
> >
> > -Ryan
> > '86 PT-40 8v92
> >
>
>






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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]