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73shark · 06-08-2017, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

I had a message asking if my materials references specific oil recommendations, and this is all that I found...no brand names.

Maggie

Thanks. Looks like pre-controlled diesels could use regular oils formulated for diesels.

mrcolin2u · 06-09-2017, 02:46 PM

I had a leak coming from the fan 2 years ago. I ended up replacing the fan because the plastic flange where the screws go in was cracked. There was some rust appearing which I removed and painted.
The wooden spacers were fine.

Lily&Me · 07-04-2017, 10:19 AM

Okay, folks, I have a question...

Driving this morning, the battery charging indicator lamp on my dash stayed on a couple of seconds after all the other lamps had gone out, then blinked a couple of more times before staying off...this as I started driving after having been parked two days.

I did a couple of things in town, and returned to my campground, and the light did not did notmdo this again thru several stops and starts.

I am at 185,000+ miles, and when checking with Interstate Batteries a month or so ago about the life of the one put in January 2014, was told it should be good for 5-6 years.

I'm not having any other problems, that I am aware of.

Is this anything I should be concerned about?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Maggie

Lotus54 · 07-04-2017, 10:42 AM

I would suggest having the charging system checked out- and the serpentine belt also.
It could be a brush getting worn or sticking, probably hard to really tell without removing the alternator. But it might be a good idea to pro-actively check it before it has a problem(always at night in the rain- with heavy traffic)

Mark

Edit:
I have a voltmeter I installed on mine, so I can monitor/check the house and vehicle battery at any time really quickly. Sometimes that helps give a clue of any issues.

InterBlog · 07-04-2017, 11:30 AM

I don't know about this specific problem, but I'd keep a sharp eye out for other indicator lights, however momentary.

I had a diesel with glow plugs some years ago - not an MB, but another well-known German brand, which was about 10 years old at the time. An incipient short developed in the electrical system, and the first symptom was lights coming on irregularly that should not have been coming on, and that were not correlated with any malfunction or reduction in performance. Little did I know that it was precursor ghost behavior preceding the complete failure of the electrical system, which set the car on fire (it was a write-off). The batteries in diesel vehicles have to be powerful enough to operate those glow plugs. That same power is also enough to start fires if a major short circuit occurs.

73shark · 07-04-2017, 12:29 PM

Most auto parts stores will check batteries, alternators, & starters for free.

InterBlog · 07-04-2017, 12:41 PM

Targeted advertising is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing when it shows me products that I want and haven't found by any other search method. A curse when it flogs a product or service to death.

You know that computer algorithms are reading everything you type, right? On forums and everywhere else on the internet?

Well, I type so much about Class B repairs and maintenance that I've got this particular targeted ad coming at me with heavy rotation on Facebook right now.
And of course I don't talk about RV stuff on Facebook...

https://rvtechcourse.com/

Lily&Me · 07-04-2017, 01:08 PM

Thanks for the suggestions, folks, and I'll try to find an auto parts store first when I leave here...no real driving again until Saturday, but I may start the engine a few times just to see what it's doing.

Maggie

**Rocinante** · 07-04-2017, 03:28 PM

Never hurts to have your own volt-meter, btw. Here's one I like because it can also measure amperage. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00V9XAT4Y/

Lily&Me · 07-04-2017, 05:44 PM

I'd probably electrocute myself with one of those, but thanks for the suggestion, Bill.

Maggie

Lily&Me · 07-05-2017, 10:04 AM

Okay...turned the engine on this morning, and checked that light, which was on after the others had gone off.

It is not the battery lamp, but the low coolant lamp.

Ought I be able to get safely 30 miles into a town?

I'm not seeing any puddles anywhere...

Thanks in advance.

Maggie

Lotus54 · 07-05-2017, 10:08 AM

If you have some distilled water you could add a little- if it is just coming on then it is probably just a little bit low.

Open the filler tank (when cool) and take a look. It is a bit hard to see inside due to the configuration.

Mark

Lily&Me · 07-05-2017, 10:21 AM

I don't have distilled water, and just noticed this yesterday, so will plan on stopping at the first place I find on Saturday...when I next plan to drive.

Thanks, Mark.

I try to use common sense, but my brain is not at all wired nor prone toward mechanics...sometimes I just need reassurance.

Maggie

gmillerok1 · 07-05-2017, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

Okay...turned the engine on this morning, and checked that light, which was on after the others had gone off.

It is not the battery lamp, but the low coolant lamp.

Ought I be able to get safely 30 miles into a town?

I'm not seeing any puddles anywhere...

Thanks in advance.

Maggie

Very likely, after the fluid expands the light will go off, if it is not very low. That happened to me once. Added about 1 pint and that fixed it. Inspect the coolant container and see if you can see the level.

Lily&Me · 07-05-2017, 12:14 PM

Thanks, and I will do that before I leave...when I muster the nerve to look under the hood.

Maggie

**Rocinante** · 07-05-2017, 03:27 PM

Maybe check with an Airstream or MB dealer to see what they recommend. Distilled water or some particular type of antifreeze. I hate to dilute antifreeze, because that will eventually reduce your protection from freezing or boiling over. In the meantime, next time you have her in for service maybe have them verify there are no leaks in the coolant system (either from a pinhole somewhere or from a cap that isn't sealing quite right).

Lily&Me · 07-05-2017, 03:34 PM

I will do that, and thanks, Bill.

Maggie

Lily&Me · 07-09-2017, 09:56 AM

I was, in fact, quite low on coolant

, tho no evidence of a leak.

If it happens again, I will get it into an MB or Dodge place to have it looked at.

The low coolant light has stayed out the last two days of driving so I may have thought it was nothing, but for the urging of you folks here.

Thank you.

Maggie

73shark · 07-09-2017, 03:32 PM

Have them check the oil level in case the coolant was making its way to the crankcase. The other possibility sans any leak evidence would be getting into the combustion chamber and out the exhaust.

Lily&Me · 07-09-2017, 04:43 PM

Thanks for that information, tho that sounds a bit scary.

I couldn't have gotten this hood open myself, barely myself and the man at AutoZone doing it together this morning....the latch on the driver's side was a bear to release, and he was working the one in front at the same time.

I do have the rest of the coolant, but hope I won't need it.

Maggie