Edit: This is Rudy going back in time to tell you that there are lots of nice photos in the latter part of this forum thread. Check them out. Now to the regularly scheduled program.
My friend Bob has been living in campers and motorhomes for a long time. I thought I would start this thread so that the posts he has made lately won't remain hidden at the back of the Blue Bird thread. To get it going, here are the posts and replies.
This is Bob here, a longtime friend of Rudy's and member of the Urban Camping Society, 22 years of full time living on the road.
I just want to say that this forum is awesome!5 years ago I upgraded to a used diesel pusher rv...after living in "vintage" motorhomes for so many years I wasnt sure about this at first...but now I am better.
I drive a 1989 Hawkins with a Cat 3208 and I am still learning about how this thing works...the forum helps out a lot. I did just lose air brakes while driving down a steep and curvy mountain a few weeks ago. I had 2 choices...the cliff or the dump truck. I chose the truck. I am at the shop as I write this...front end is all beautiful again and I am having new brakes put on on monday. Ahhhh life on the road! Plans can change in a second.
If anyone is interested in seeing some pictures, or hearing some of my music or reading about life on the road you can do all this at www.myspace.com/bobhalloran.
Bob's Machine
Moderator: TMAX
Bob's Machine
Last edited by Rudy on Tue Apr 13, 2010 4:20 am, edited 3 times in total.
dburt
Joined: 08/21/09
Posts: 105
Location: NE Oregon
Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 10:32 am
Bob, that is a real bummer about losing your brakes! Can you post a picture of your rollin' home for us to see? I went to your website, you sure can pluck those strings. I love great 12-string music. Not being musically gifted myself, I have to live that part of life vicariously thru other's music and ability! Welcome to the website, I am sure we will all look forward to your future postings and pictures here! DB
Joined: 08/21/09
Posts: 105
Location: NE Oregon
Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 10:32 am
Bob, that is a real bummer about losing your brakes! Can you post a picture of your rollin' home for us to see? I went to your website, you sure can pluck those strings. I love great 12-string music. Not being musically gifted myself, I have to live that part of life vicariously thru other's music and ability! Welcome to the website, I am sure we will all look forward to your future postings and pictures here! DB
Bob
Joined: 09/19/09
Posts: 5
Location: The Road
Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 1:38 pm
Thanks for the warm welcome and kind words about my guitar playing. Rudy was quite the guitarist in his day...I am sure he still would be if he played..but he does rock out on accordian!
I have done a lot of modifications to my home on wheels, a one-peice rubber roof, nice solar system with 6 golf cart batteries, I just finished installing an oak hardwood floor in the entire coach, Olympian catalytic heaters, new ceilings with led lights, ceramic tiles on the walls. I have been intimidated about doing mechanical work on this so far..besides the emergency roadside repairs. I ran out of diesel a few weeks ago...what a pain! I found out that by spraying starting fluid into the air filter breather that you dont have to do any priming. It takes about 3 cans to get it running on its own.
If you are interested in seeing my rig and what I have done I will start a thread somewhere...this isnt really a bus...but it is built on a Gillig frame and I have a Caterpiller 3208 turbo engine with Allison tranny.
Joined: 09/19/09
Posts: 5
Location: The Road
Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 1:38 pm
Thanks for the warm welcome and kind words about my guitar playing. Rudy was quite the guitarist in his day...I am sure he still would be if he played..but he does rock out on accordian!
I have done a lot of modifications to my home on wheels, a one-peice rubber roof, nice solar system with 6 golf cart batteries, I just finished installing an oak hardwood floor in the entire coach, Olympian catalytic heaters, new ceilings with led lights, ceramic tiles on the walls. I have been intimidated about doing mechanical work on this so far..besides the emergency roadside repairs. I ran out of diesel a few weeks ago...what a pain! I found out that by spraying starting fluid into the air filter breather that you dont have to do any priming. It takes about 3 cans to get it running on its own.
If you are interested in seeing my rig and what I have done I will start a thread somewhere...this isnt really a bus...but it is built on a Gillig frame and I have a Caterpiller 3208 turbo engine with Allison tranny.
Last edited by Rudy on Fri Nov 06, 2009 6:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
Mark R. Obtinario
Joined: 06/12/05
Posts: 91
Location: Winlock, WA
Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 11:14 am
Bob--trying to prime a diesel engine by using starting fluid is a good way to break compression rings and wreck the lift pump on the injection pump.
On most 3208 engines the fuel filter has a hand pump to prime the system--open the drain valve on the injection pump and hand pump until fuel comes out of the drain. Once you have done that you will have enough fuel in the system to get the engine going. You may have to loosen the injectors to get all of the air out of the system but at least you won't have had to use starting fluid.
If hand pumping isn't something you like to do you can add in an electric lift pump somewhere between the filter and the tank. Put the pump on a demand switch and it will pump the fuel from the tank up to the injection pump when you need it.
Joined: 06/12/05
Posts: 91
Location: Winlock, WA
Posted: Mon Nov 02, 2009 11:14 am
Bob--trying to prime a diesel engine by using starting fluid is a good way to break compression rings and wreck the lift pump on the injection pump.
On most 3208 engines the fuel filter has a hand pump to prime the system--open the drain valve on the injection pump and hand pump until fuel comes out of the drain. Once you have done that you will have enough fuel in the system to get the engine going. You may have to loosen the injectors to get all of the air out of the system but at least you won't have had to use starting fluid.
If hand pumping isn't something you like to do you can add in an electric lift pump somewhere between the filter and the tank. Put the pump on a demand switch and it will pump the fuel from the tank up to the injection pump when you need it.
Bob
Joined: 09/19/09
Posts: 5
Location: The Road
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:59 pm
Thanks Mark...like I have stated many times...I am new at these diesel rigs. I did try the pump behind the water seperator and pumped my heart out to no avail. Looks like I will have to go tomorrow and buy the right sized wrench for the main fuel filter. It was supposed to be changed at the shop that it spent the last 3 weeks at, but they only changed the water separator. I drove from the L.A. area today to Phoenix...it performed pretty good about halfway...then the top speed became 30mph (with a speed limit of 75, and trucks doing at least 80mph) it was nerve racking at best. It was after stalling out at the off ramp intersection that I inspected what I could and found the main fuel filter was never changed.
I am hoping to change it tomorrow and get this baby up to 55mph! At least I made it to a Home Depot parking lot...a beautiful place to spend the night...compared to the middle of an intersection.
I will make sure not to run out of fuel again...although the fuel gauge still doesnt work after paying a big custom coach company TWICE to fix it.
I will remember to stay away from starting fluid...but it sure did the trick.
Joined: 09/19/09
Posts: 5
Location: The Road
Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 11:59 pm
Thanks Mark...like I have stated many times...I am new at these diesel rigs. I did try the pump behind the water seperator and pumped my heart out to no avail. Looks like I will have to go tomorrow and buy the right sized wrench for the main fuel filter. It was supposed to be changed at the shop that it spent the last 3 weeks at, but they only changed the water separator. I drove from the L.A. area today to Phoenix...it performed pretty good about halfway...then the top speed became 30mph (with a speed limit of 75, and trucks doing at least 80mph) it was nerve racking at best. It was after stalling out at the off ramp intersection that I inspected what I could and found the main fuel filter was never changed.
I am hoping to change it tomorrow and get this baby up to 55mph! At least I made it to a Home Depot parking lot...a beautiful place to spend the night...compared to the middle of an intersection.
I will make sure not to run out of fuel again...although the fuel gauge still doesnt work after paying a big custom coach company TWICE to fix it.
I will remember to stay away from starting fluid...but it sure did the trick.
Last edited by Rudy on Fri Nov 06, 2009 6:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
Bob, That all must have happened just after you had called me last night. That would have totally freaked me out to be only able to only go 30mph on the highway. I am glad you made it safely off the road. My question to the learned diesel people on the forum is: Would old or dirty fuel filters do that to the motor? Hey Bob, you may also want to relate what you learned about the brake cans. I sure hope you get your machine running strong again. I would probably disconnect the Jeep and take it on a test run on secondary roads without much traffic on them before jumping back on the highway.
Bob Here
Hey all! Thanks for the advice and knowledge that eveyone so freely shares in this forum!
Rudy set this thread up for me..so I better write something in here myself. I have had seven (I think) different rvs that I have lived and traveled in full time. I finally made to a diesel pusher, it is a 1989 Hawkins that is a custom made coach constucted in Ontario Ca. I am going to try to post a picture of it in here today so you can all check it out.
The interior is beautiful! All custom oak cabinets, corian counters and tables. It is the nicest home I have owned so far! While camp-hosting in Big Bear Ca I was able to install an oak hardwood floor in this puppy, it looks awesome..kind of like a cabin now. As for the living amenities I have no problem taking care of and maintaining everything. I installed a one-piece rubber roof last year (I hate leaks) and a solar system that now includes 4 75watt panels, 6 deep cycle golf cart batteries and a pro-sine 1000 watt inverter. On my wish list is a couple more panels, but I have other priorities to take care of first.
The engine is a Caterpiller 3208 with a turbo and a 4-speed allison tranny. I have batteling with the engine for a while now..its .just under powered. The first things to take care of are exhoust leaks, I have a bad one at the drivers side manifold, it is the gasket...something I have replaced on many rigs, but I am not so sure I want to tacke that job on this rig. Then a new muffler and the exhaust system should be tight once again.
Ok...the image function isnt doing what I think it should. I will get some assistance and try again later on. Thats an introduction anyways, I just pulled into a casino parking lot where I hope to stay several days, and it is shower time! It is Friday isnt it?
Rudy set this thread up for me..so I better write something in here myself. I have had seven (I think) different rvs that I have lived and traveled in full time. I finally made to a diesel pusher, it is a 1989 Hawkins that is a custom made coach constucted in Ontario Ca. I am going to try to post a picture of it in here today so you can all check it out.
The interior is beautiful! All custom oak cabinets, corian counters and tables. It is the nicest home I have owned so far! While camp-hosting in Big Bear Ca I was able to install an oak hardwood floor in this puppy, it looks awesome..kind of like a cabin now. As for the living amenities I have no problem taking care of and maintaining everything. I installed a one-piece rubber roof last year (I hate leaks) and a solar system that now includes 4 75watt panels, 6 deep cycle golf cart batteries and a pro-sine 1000 watt inverter. On my wish list is a couple more panels, but I have other priorities to take care of first.
The engine is a Caterpiller 3208 with a turbo and a 4-speed allison tranny. I have batteling with the engine for a while now..its .just under powered. The first things to take care of are exhoust leaks, I have a bad one at the drivers side manifold, it is the gasket...something I have replaced on many rigs, but I am not so sure I want to tacke that job on this rig. Then a new muffler and the exhaust system should be tight once again.
Ok...the image function isnt doing what I think it should. I will get some assistance and try again later on. Thats an introduction anyways, I just pulled into a casino parking lot where I hope to stay several days, and it is shower time! It is Friday isnt it?
I did have the filters all changed, I believe there is one someplace in the fuel pump alo? I am in Phoenix urban camping now and this thing is running WAY bad! It keeps stalling out..something with the fuel system I think. I do have a question...When I ran out of fuel a few weeks ago I tried using the hand primer,,,it seems to me that it was screwed in from the handle...but doesnt want to "catch" now. Could thins be letting air in the lines or something to that effect?
-
Mark R. Obtinario
- Seasoned Nomadicista
- Posts: 340
- Joined: Mon Jun 13, 2005 12:19 am
- Location: Winlock, WA
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To use the hand pump on the filter housing you unscrew the handle and it will allow the pump to work. After you get pressure up you need to screw it back in.
Those hand pumps do fail over time and can leak air into the system.
If you ran the bus clear out of fuel the problems you are having are most likely due to pulling crud and corruption off of the bottom of the tank.
You will be changing filters for a while until you get all of the crud and corruption out of your lines.
You could also have a large piece stuck in the pick up or in the line itself which won't allow for enough flow to make your engine work at full power.
One thing to keep in mind, for every gallon of fuel burned you are going to pump more than 100 gallons through the system and back into the tank. The volume of fuel moved is huge and if the flow isn't adequate you won't have enough fuel to make the engine work. It may start and idle but the volume won't be enough to create full power.
Good luck.
Those hand pumps do fail over time and can leak air into the system.
If you ran the bus clear out of fuel the problems you are having are most likely due to pulling crud and corruption off of the bottom of the tank.
You will be changing filters for a while until you get all of the crud and corruption out of your lines.
You could also have a large piece stuck in the pick up or in the line itself which won't allow for enough flow to make your engine work at full power.
One thing to keep in mind, for every gallon of fuel burned you are going to pump more than 100 gallons through the system and back into the tank. The volume of fuel moved is huge and if the flow isn't adequate you won't have enough fuel to make the engine work. It may start and idle but the volume won't be enough to create full power.
Good luck.
I thought that if I took a few pictures of my engine, since I thought I had a 3208 for all this time, I might be able to somehow, through kinetic osmosis, be able to come up with some answers. So I started with the fuel filter assembly and could not find this hand pump that Mark had talked about. Then I thought that you might have to actually remove the fuel filter to find it. I am not going to do that unless I someday have to.
I sure hope Mark reads this thread and has some answers for Bob about why his engine is stalling out.
WELL!! Getting back to the photos I just took. I learned that I DO NOT have a 3208. It is, in fact, an 1160. Just one question for now. Does the 1160 have the oval pistons as well?
Here is a photo of the fuel filter assembly.
I sure hope Mark reads this thread and has some answers for Bob about why his engine is stalling out.
WELL!! Getting back to the photos I just took. I learned that I DO NOT have a 3208. It is, in fact, an 1160. Just one question for now. Does the 1160 have the oval pistons as well?
Here is a photo of the fuel filter assembly.
Last edited by Rudy on Thu Dec 31, 2009 1:18 am, edited 4 times in total.
Here are some photos of the various placards. Some are on the driver's side valve cover. One is on the dashboard, and one I transplanted on the wall next to the drivers seat.
This next one is on the dashboard. The Ratio-high is 6.8 It is hard to read in the photo. What is that ratio? The rear end?
This next one is on the dashboard. The Ratio-high is 6.8 It is hard to read in the photo. What is that ratio? The rear end?
Last edited by Rudy on Thu Dec 31, 2009 1:21 am, edited 11 times in total.
Here are some various items, one of which I am going to guess is the governor. Here are some pictures of that. Am I correct in my guess?
As you can see, I have an oil leak on the passenger side valve cover. I don't know where it is coming from.
As you can see, I have an oil leak on the passenger side valve cover. I don't know where it is coming from.
Last edited by Rudy on Thu Dec 31, 2009 1:23 am, edited 3 times in total.
This thing looks like an air breather. Do you think the oil might be coming from there? I know I am taking up space on Bob's thread, but we both may be able to learn something from this.
Last edited by Rudy on Thu Dec 31, 2009 1:24 am, edited 2 times in total.
What is this thing? It has a screw-on pipe fitting. It is in the middle of the engine, situated on what would be considered the intake manifold on a gasoline engine.
Last edited by Rudy on Tue Dec 15, 2009 2:20 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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