Martin's Argosy Rebuild Thread

[bkahler]

Martin, if I was a betting man I bet it has something to do with the oil pressure line that runs from the engine block up to the gauge.

That was the last thing touched which in my mind makes it the most suspect.

[martin300662]

Mystery solved.

Topped off the oil, left Bella sitting over a sheet of cardboard overnight = slight trace of oil on the drivers side/rear of the engine. Looked associated with the oil filter, but hardly any real flow.

So this morning started up the engine; slight delay whilst oil pressure built, then a steady stream of oil from the base of the filter. Looks like the filter oil seal has actually been pushed out under pressure as there is evidence of a slight 'bulge' at the point it is leaking. Must have just happened as the leak is equal to about around a quart an hour and would empty the engine quite quickly.

Biggest issue now is finding someone local that has a filter in stock on a Saturday morning, looks like I maybe waiting until Monday/Tuesday for one to arrive. The local shop was even out of 10-30 oil!

[bkahler]

Wow, that oil filter should have been on just about every parts house shelf!

At least it wasn't something expensive or serious.

[Isuzusweet]

You have to be careful with oil filters, as sometimes if over tightened they will leak, or sometimes the o-ring on the filter can separate and remain stuck on the engine; when putting on new filter it will leak around the now two o-rings. I always check oil filter for leaks upon initial start up.

Some scary reading on oil flter comparisons. Don't ever buy Fram, period.

http://www.austincc.edu/wkibbe/oilfilterstudy.htm

Cheers
Tony

[Boom Sounds]

Originally Posted by martin300662

Dangit!

The Schlange deadlock won't open and I can't get it Bella. I think it is just the cylinder as the my spare key is just turning in the lock as well....time to look for a small child to climb through the window!!!!

Martin - mine failed on me. You can get a replacement cyclinder fairly easily. If it is the same mechanism, you need to be really careful when you open here all up not to drop bits through the outer and inner hull. As a workaround, I was able to open mine up from the inside and manually turn the lock by pliers or hand (can't quite remember). Let me know if you need any more info and I'll try and remember when I did......although still haven't completely finished the job.

[Boom Sounds]

Originally Posted by Boom Sounds

Martin - mine failed on me. You can get a replacement cyclinder fairly easily. If it is the same mechanism, you need to be really careful when you open here all up not to drop bits through the outer and inner hull. As a workaround, I was able to open mine up from the inside and manually turn the lock by pliers or hand (can't quite remember). Let me know if you need any more info and I'll try and remember when I did......although still haven't completely finished the job.

Oh and have a look through the forums. There is a funny square post which Airstream modified to make it all work. From memory, it might even have been Brad who posted some pictures of the bolt and Airstream mod....that is an essential, so you either have to re-use the existing square piece of metal with a kinda hook thing on the end or take the one from your new Schalange cylinder and modify it........or crawl in and out of the emergency windows!

all the best
Nick

[bkahler]

Nick, the dead bolt arrangement on Martin's coach is totally different than yours. The db on Martin's is in the door and yours is in the wall. Martin's is a custom add on done by AS NE.

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Nick, the dead bolt arrangement on Martin's coach is totally different than yours. The db on Martin's is in the door and yours is in the wall. Martin's is a custom add on done by AS NE.

I think the Schlange was fitted several owners ago. What AS NE did was modify the screen door to add a second gizzy, or rather alumin(i)um flap to allow access to the inside lever of the deadbolt.

The issue is that flap fouls the inside lever and as I found out if the inside lever can't fully rotate then the dead bolt isn't retracted; the outside key can fully turn, without retracting the deadbolt, if the inside lever is fouled.

In the end I was lucky/persistent enough that I found moving the outside key moved the gizzy enough (each turn), that if I could turn, then put pull on the outer door to pull it away from the screen door, I could rotate the key back to 'lock', I could walk the gizzy back to free the lever.

Fundamentally the issue is AS NE added a second panel to the screen door, inside of what they should have done and that was make the first panel larger like a modern screen door to give access to both locks!

So I have this,



And needed this,



What was it Bob used to always say....its never done.

[bkahler]

Hopefully you won't have to do much to correct the problem.

I still haven't made up my mind whether I want to add a deadbolt. I still have a few weeks to decide

"What was it Bob used to always say....its never done"

Needless to say, I really hope Bob is wrong abut that!

[martin300662]

The deed is done.....I booked the shipping for Bella's trip across the Atlantic today.

First stop when she arrives is at LAS Motorhomes in Roade, Northants. They will change the lights for local regs and the first UK annual inspection. These guys have some experience in working on Classic motorhomes having previously worked on the 'Rush' motorhome (https://www.lasmotorhomes.com/case-s...ream-re-paint/).

[SteveSueMac]

Good luck, Martin!

[Boom Sounds]

Good work fella. I've not used LAS, but spoken to the chap and he seemed straight and very knowledgeable. Will be interested to hear your experience with them.


Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums

[Vycan]

Sad day, glad I got to see her in person!

[mayco]

Shes one of a kind, what great love, time, energy, and commitment youve put into Bella.
Best of luck shipping her across the pond Martin. Its been a great pleasure sharing the process of Bella's resurection here on the forums.

Mike

[martin300662]

Thanks guys, but you wont be loosing me just yet....the reason for buying Peanut was to keep a base in the US and with a little luck and a fair wind, I hope to be at the next Classic Motorhome get-together in Peanut!

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by martin300662

Thanks guys, but you wont be loosing me just yet....the reason for buying Peanut was to keep a base in the US and with a little luck and a fair wind, I hope to be at the next Classic Motorhome get-together in Peanut!

I definitely have my fingers crossed

[Vycan]

Wait... is your peanut and brad's peanut the same peanut?

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by Vycan

Wait... is your peanut and brad's peanut the same peanut?

Yep...

I'm just the caretaker

[martin300662]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Yep...

I'm just the caretaker

I think curator is a better title...

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by martin300662

I think curator is a better title...

Maybe I should have said baby sitter