MH check up. To-do-list

[Octane]

My 'new' ( click: ) Argosy MH
is down in Santa Fe NM, waiting for me to pick it up some time in July.

My friend in Santa Fe is making arrangements for it to be checked up
by a local Truck/MH garage.
He's been talking to the manager and they definitely seam to be
knowledgeable when it comes older MH's, and they have a couple
of techs who are seriously into 454 engines.

Here's what I plan on letting them do:

Complete service/tune-up of engine including:


..perform leak-down test..engine oil
..transmission oil
(including complete pump out of fluid and filter replacement)
..power steering system;
oil and Power Booster reservoir / lines
..coolant
..oil-filter
..fuel filter(s)


Check engine mounts (rubber)


Check all cooling system and heating system hoses
Check fan-clutch


Check all belts



Check carb and fuel-pump including
..throttle linkage and throttle return control system
..choke
..idle-stop solenoid
..air-cleaner
..vacuum lines/hoses ..idle and other adjustments
..check fuel-lines
..check fuel-filters


Adjust carb.



Check ignition system including
..spark plugs
..distributor ( replace for electronic High performance distributor ?)
..HT leads ( spark plug wires )
..check vacuum advance diaphragm
..ignition 'electronic module'
(heat-sink silicone between module and distributor body)
Check ignition timing


Transmission etc.
..replace ATF
..check transmission mounts
..check shift linkage
..check downshift mechanism


..replace diff. oil




Other mechanics / brakes / drive-train:
check brakes including parking brake
check/replace brake fluid
check master cylinder etc.


check wheel bearings/lubrication
Adjust wheel-bearings if necessary
check and grease all chassis/suspension/steering -lubrication points
check/lubricate U-Joint's

.................................................. ...............................


I have worked on cars and motorcycles for ages
and plan on doing a lot of the other "small stuff" myself but:

Question:
Am I forgetting anything that would make sense
letting them do, knowing that they have the right equipment,
knowledge etc. ?

[Gypsy Jo]

All the rubber bushings on the front end. and the air bags unless that is something you are going to do yourself.
Jo

[GREENovaters]

I have taken your comprehensive list and am going to cover it with my service shop where my moho is right now... awaiting a check up for all things. Thanks! You might help me get something taken care of in the shop and not on the side of the road!

[Michigander]

After you drive it a while, you might want to have a front end wheel alignment done.
There is a lot that can be adjusted there.

I had this done when we first picked ours up and noticed a big improvement in handling.

Also, this brought the steering wheel into better center alignment, not sure why, but, when we first got it the steering wheel was off center.

[Octane]

Originally Posted by Gypsy Jo

All the rubber bushings on the front end.

OK ! Looking through my 'new' Manual



...the only rubber bushing on the P30 front end that I can seam to find are these:



The stabilizer bar rubber bushings.
I'm sure there has to be more to it (?).
Could you please point me in the right direction ?

PS: I read in some other place on this forum about the
"The P30 chassis Roadmaster sway bar kit includes a 1 5/8" FRont sway bar, polyurethane bushings and polyurethane bushings for the stock rear sway bar"

Anyone care to comment on that kit ?
( I'm not quite familiar with the English terms , but I take it that "stabilizer bar" is the same as "sway bar" (?))
What is the cost of said kit ?

EDIT: I found it:


RSS Sway Bar Configuration Vehicle Type CLASS A MOTORHOME GAS
Vehicle Make & Model CHEVY P30 FRONT
Year P-30 ALL YEARS






655.55 $US
.................................................. .................................................. .........................................

and the air bags unless that is something you are going to do yourself.

Yep. I plan on looking into that myself. From what I read it doesn't
take any special equipment, but requires LOTS of patience and a large'ish
supply of band-aid at hand...both of which I have
.-)

Thanks Joe!

Originally Posted by GREENovaters

I have taken your comprehensive list and am going to cover it with my service shop where my moho is right now... awaiting a check up for all things. Thanks! ...

You're welcome Green !

Originally Posted by Michigander

After you drive it a while, you might want to have a front end wheel alignment done.
There is a lot that can be adjusted there...

Thanks ! I should have thought about that myself.

[Octane]

Would anyone care tho comment on the quotes I'm getting from the garage,
as I have no clue how much a garage in the USA will be expected to charge:


Here's what they told my friend:

Tune up: approx $300.00

Trans service, including complete pump out of fluid and filter replacement approx $300+

Complete Service: including belts, hoses, all fluids, tranny service, tune up, plugs, wires , filters etc, probably would cost $1000,00
depending on parts cost and access difficulty.


...and my friend added:
"..It is important to remember that the ball park estimates that I got, assume that everything goes right
(no broken bolts that need to be removed, parts availability for reasonable prices etc.)..."

.................................................. .................................................. ............................

It all sounds reasonable to me.

[John H.]

Looks reasonable to me.

If you can get all of that done, Plus the new Parts. for $1,000
that is good.

That is good.

Remember, a good set of Plug wires can cost $150.
so Make sure you are getting the Best, High Performance, Heat resistant Parts.

[DaveFL]

"check/replace brake fluid
check master cylinder "

I would state, empty resevoir, clean any scum out, fill, flush and bleed lines, and do a road test on completion of work. While wheels are off easy time to check disks and or brake pads.
With that much work going on I would want a good policy from Coach-net or Sams emergency road service, seeing as you will be doing a road trip on lists completion.

[Smartstream]

Octane, when Gypsy Jo was talking about the rubber bushings, he was probably thinking about the A frame bushings, ball joints, tie-rod ends and all the joints in the front end suspension.

Dave is also spont on about the brakes, especially since the vehicle has been setting for awhile.

I don't think I would drop $655 for a new sway bar until I drove the vehicle to see how it feels. I'm not sure about your coach but mine has a factory bar that does just fine.

Cheers, Dan

[Octane]

Originally Posted by John Haggard

Looks reasonable to me.

If you can get all of that done, Plus the new Parts. for $1,000
that is good.

That is good.

Remember, a good set of Plug wires can cost $150.
so Make sure you are getting the Best, High Performance, Heat resistant Parts.

OK.
Thanks!

Originally Posted by DaveFL

"check/replace brake fluid
check master cylinder "

I would state, empty resevoir, clean any scum out, fill, flush and bleed lines, and do a road test on completion of work. While wheels are off easy time to check disks and or brake pads.
With that much work going on I would want a good policy from Coach-net or Sams emergency road service, seeing as you will be doing a road trip on lists completion.

I do have some sort of road service as part of my
Progressive insurance.
I better check exactly what it covers.
Thanks.

Originally Posted by Smartstream

Octane, when Gypsy Jo was talking about the rubber bushings, he was probably thinking about the A frame bushings, ball joints, tie-rod ends and all the joints in the front end suspension.

OK

Dave is also spont on about the brakes, especially since the vehicle has been setting for awhile.

Yep, you've got a point there.

I don't think I would drop $655 for a new sway bar until I drove the vehicle to see how it feels. I'm not sure about your coach but mine has a factory bar that does just fine.

Cheers, Dan

Thanks dan !