1992 B Van Ford/460

[bobby_409]

Just traded an older Excella for the Van. Is there any parts stores, that anyone knows about, that caters to Vans. Need Sewer hose hatch doors and housing plus a few more covers and goodies. Used Airstream Dreams but they don't fit now. The answer is probably keep looking until something is found and make sure you have the old part with you so you can see if it fits.

Does anyone know if there is acess to the oil drain plug on the Onan GenSet that be can be reached without pulling the GenSet? Looks like there may be a manufacturing error/oversight.

[Skater]

No, you have to pull out the generator to change the oil. It's a silly design, yes. I heard of someone that has a hole cut in their floorboard so they can drain the oil without removing the generator.

On the other hand, the generator isn't one of the really heavy ones - it's about 113 lbs, if I remember correctly. (My generator currently isn't working, and my dad and I are going to try and fix it during an upcoming trip in a few weeks, and we expect to have to pull it out of the camper to do that. I'll let you know how it goes.)

You may find the Yahoo Groups for 190 owners helpful: http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/Airstream190/

I don't know where to get parts for the 190, but I'm interested in finding out, too, since I bought a 1991 B van earlier this year. Enjoy your new Airstream!

--RJ

[Coloradobus]

We bought a 1997 B-Van 3 weeks ago and now have to fetch it ourselves.
We hired Dependable Auto Shippers (DAS), but they kept telling us, they couldn't find a truck. Last friday a last minute tow outfit we contracted with broke down before they could pick the B-Van up, So, we are leaving tonight for Jackson, Mississippi with a heavy duty utility trailer.(12,500 cap) The sales lot said the VAN survived the storm (Katrina) without problems. Guess, we might call the B-Van "Katrina." Glad to know I have to remove the genset for the oil change.

[Skater]

Originally Posted by Coloradobus

We bought a 1997 B-Van 3 weeks ago and now have to fetch it ourselves.
We hired Dependable Auto Shippers (DAS), but they kept telling us, they couldn't find a truck. Last friday a last minute tow outfit we contracted with broke down before they could pick the B-Van up, So, we are leaving tonight for Jackson, Mississippi with a heavy duty utility trailer.(12,500 cap) The sales lot said the VAN survived the storm (Katrina) without problems. Guess, we might call the B-Van "Katrina." Glad to know I have to remove the genset for the oil change.

You're towing it home? Why not drive it?

[baggydew]

I have a 1994 B-190. The drain plug location has a small hole in the floor to enable you to drain without sliding out the Gen set. Even at that, it can get messy and the best option is to slide it out. I went through a lot of hassle and expense with my genset when I first got the van. The generator would crank and start but would quit when the start switch was released. Thinking it had a faulty switch, I took it to an onan repair shop. They didn't fix the problem as it was intermittant but charged labor nonetheless. After another mis-diagnosis for a low oil switch, I found the problem was a faulty voltage regulator. The genset is an Onan 2800 model. When starting this beast, ensure you have a good charge on your coach battery or it won't fire up.

[bryanl]

To change the oil I use a pump. Inexpensive at most auto stores with a short plastic tube you can stick down the fill. Works like a big syringe and takes about three fills to pretty well clean the oil out of the engine.

I am looking at pulling the genset out in order to kit the carb. Looks like two screws, fuel line, and exhaust. The exhaust is the only one that looks like it will be a pain. Any hints or suggestions on this?

[baggydew]

The gen is easy to remove and the exaust pipe is no problem. The pipe is just clamped in place. Loosen the bracket screws and it pulls straight out and down.

[Skater]

Originally Posted by baggydew

When starting this beast, ensure you have a good charge on your coach battery or it won't fire up.

Definitely. I usually start the engine of the van before firing the generator for exactly that reason. Hmm...voltage regulator. It'd be great if that was the problem with mine (we didn't get it fixed like I thought we would).