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dadstoy · 09-29-2012, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elbundi

Looks like loadsa fun

It's a blast!

dadstoy · 09-30-2012, 09:01 PM

The horse is back in the barn!

816 miles round trip to Coos Bay and back. It was a good trip! We spent 3.5 days riding the ATVs in the sand dunes. I won't be needing to ride the ATV for awhile now! It's about an hour drive for me to Redding and then about 4 hours up highway 5 to the Seven Feathers Casino and RV Resort at Canyonville Oregon. The RV park is inexpensive and it is one of the nicest parks I've been in. Highway 5 from Redding to Canyonville is all mountain driving. It is grade after grade after grade. It's a good workout for the Motorhome. If your rig can survive it I think it would survive anything.

It's another 2.5 hours to Coos Bay, Oregon. The weather this time was excellent...no rain! I know almost impossible to believe isn't it? We stay at the KOA campground since it is oriented towards ATVs and it gives us access to the sand dunes for the ATVs. The campground was fairly quiet this time of year with the kids back in school...no masses of ATVs waking us up at 7-8 am in the morning. It was the noisy diesel pushers and diesel pickups who's owners believe for some idiotic reason that they must run those smelly/noisy diesels for long periods of time while they just sit there...oh yes, I'm rolling my f'ing eyes!

I think it is a real toss up as to weather the Motorhome or the ATV gets the worst gas mileage. Of course both are run quiet a bit on this trip with the pedal to the floor! And, I have oil leaks on both.

I also must mention that I have the greatest time watching my buddy that I go riding with and who owns a Class C SOB, get so damn jealous when the AIrstream gets all the attention! That my actually be the best part of the entire trip. Oh, and I leave him and his 460 behind when climbing the grades...gloating!

Well I have a new list of issue to work on after this trip. My nickel and dime me to death machine, wink wink, had a few problems. The hydraulic leveling jacks would not deploy. The hydraulic pump will run but the jacks won't come down. The manual says if this is the case then it is a blown fuse in the wiring harness. Well let's hope that the system was installed properly with this fuse and that is what the problem is. I'm sure however that it will take multiple days to hunt down that fuse! The cruise control also did not work on this trip. Again, I'm hoping for a fuse somewhere. On the morning of the second day at Coos Bay, I noticed a puddle of oil under the engine and in a new location so I knew it wasn't my typical engine oil leak that I have. I got under there and discovered it was the power steering pump. Hoses and connections look good so it is the pump that is leaking. I topped off the reservoir for the trip back and when running and warm, it leaks but not too much. Anyway, I made it back with steering and brakes! I'm still not happy with the second fan clutch that I have on the MH. It seems to be partially engaged all the time. I needed to use the furnace each night on the trip. It worked well until last night when it started to just blow cold air. I can turn off the thermostat and then back on and it lights and almost comes up to temp then starts blowing cold ain't again and the fan then doesn't shut off.

So my list grows again!

All and all it was a great trip and we had a great time. The MH once again got me there and back. I thoroughly enjoy driving it and camping in it. Now it's time to begin the plans for the next trip!

dadstoy · 09-30-2012, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by masseyfarm

You dreamer you!

Dave

Dave, I must be quite the dreamer for my list grows again after this last trip! LOL

Sonia · 10-04-2012, 05:09 PM

At least you are out enjoying your Airstream, that's what counts.

Sonia

dadstoy · 10-04-2012, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonia

At least you are out enjoying your Airstream, that's what counts.

Sonia

Yup, it is a lot of fun!

dadstoy · 10-07-2012, 11:32 PM

Here's a short video from my trip at Coos Bay out on the dunes...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QABn-...e_gdata_player

dadstoy · 10-13-2012, 02:55 PM

Hydraulic Leveling Jacks...

The jacks didn't work on the last trip, they wouldn't deploy. The pump worked but jacks did not come down. I looked though the manual and it said for this condition a fuse is probably blown on the wiring harness. I have the three jack system from Power Gear. It was not original to this MH...my dad had it installed at some point. The pump, reservoir and solenoids are installed right behind the front right tire. There is a custom made cover to protect the unit from dirt and water. I pulled the cover today and found the +12 volt wire between the 12 volt side of the pump solenoid and the fuse was broken. I'm sure it occasionally grounded itself again the body!

I spliced in a new fuse and wire, placing the fuse on the engine side so it can be changed in the future through the dog house. The jacks are now working. I've got to run into town on Monday for zip ties and 9 quarts of ATF Type A so I can straighten up the wiring harness and change the fluid in the pump reservoir.

dadstoy · 10-14-2012, 05:44 PM

Power Steering Pump...

I got my leaky power steering pump out today. I will take it and the high pressure hose into town tomorrow and see if I can get myself a rebuild. It's not too bad of a job getting the pump out. The worst is dealing with the messy fluid!

To start, I removed the entertainment center and the access panel at the front of the dog house. I loosened the a/c pump and power steering pump in order to remove the belts. I also removed the alternator belt since I'm going to change the fan clutch for the third time. To loosen the a/c, I pulled the dog house back a bit and moved the air cleaner to the side. To remove the power steering pump, I removed he adjustment bolt on the top from the dog house side. Then removed the bolts from the block on the lower pump bracket. I also removed the oil pressure sender before this last step. I disconnected the high pressure hose at the back of the pump and cut the two return hoses. I let the fluid drain for awhile at this point. I disconnected the filler hose up top at the reservoir. I pulled the pump down a bit and then removed the lower bracket from the pump. I also had to disconnect the high pressure hose from the hydoboost unit since it is sort of wrapped around the hose clamp of the return hose at the pump. Then I pulled the pump and hoses out from the bottom and made myself a nice mess on the ground!

Mike Leary · 10-14-2012, 05:57 PM

I'm assuming you're replacing both lower steering hoses?

dadstoy · 10-14-2012, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Leary

I'm assuming you're replacing both lower steering hoses?

Yup, I'll replace all the hoses. There is a high pressure hose from the back of the pump to the hydroboost unit, metal line from hydroboost to power steering gear box, hard line from power steering gearbox to half way to pump, then bulk hose from this hard line to return on pump. There is also a bulk hose from hydroboost to another return line on pump.

So there is only one high pressure line and two low pressure return lines (bulk hose with clamps).

Mike Leary · 10-14-2012, 06:16 PM

Excellent idea, while you're at it to replace all the hoses. I had one my lowers spring a leak, boiled the fluid and almost melted the electrical harness that was next to the filler canister.

Keyair · 10-15-2012, 01:15 PM

Nice write-up Dean!
I was under mine last week, and can see fluid dripping off the bottom of the pump body, so will be doing that when I get into the engine... and that will be soon!

Take a look at these for longer lasting solutions!
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G3160/?rtype=10

BTW...
On the subject of the NLA radiator hoses....
I found these, and wondered if they could work...
Goodyear EPDM hose kit for C/K series.. and only small block, but worth looking at lengths and diameters...
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/GTR-5004/

Or these universal flexible SS pipes...
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SU...n/?prefilter=0

dadstoy · 10-15-2012, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keyair

Nice write-up Dean!
I was under mine last week, and can see fluid dripping off the bottom of the pump body, so will be doing that when I get into the engine... and that will be soon!

Take a look at these for longer lasting solutions!
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G3160/?rtype=10

BTW...
On the subject of the NLA radiator hoses....
I found these, and wondered if they could work...
Goodyear EPDM hose kit for C/K series.. and only small block, but worth looking at lengths and diameters...
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/GTR-5004/

Or these universal flexible SS pipes...
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SU...n/?prefilter=0

Thanks Steve. The power steering hose looks nice, but too pricy. I think the stock replacement will last the remainder of the MH's life or at least mine! I love the blue color of the radiator hose, but they aren't close to the originals. The lower hose might have the correct V bend but would have to be mixed with other end sections. It's possible that flexible hose may work, but the bend in the lower hose is a good bend. The upper also needs a hard bend to keep it off the a/c belt.

Well I took the power steering pump and hoses into town this morning for my parts guy to find the parts for me. I will make another trip into town tomorrow to pick up the parts. Let's see, two round trips to town and back...about 10 gallons of gas at $4.49....oh my!

dadstoy · 10-16-2012, 06:52 PM

My parts run today yielded the following...

Rebuilt power steering pump
(I had the machine shop install the mounting bracket and the pulley)
High pressure power steering hose
Low pressure return hose and clamps
Power steering filter
Gallon of power steering fluid (so I can flush the system)
New AC Delco fan clutch (third time is the charm, right?)
Engine fuel filter
GenSet fuel filter
Electric choke for the Quadra-Jet
10 quarts ATF to drain and refill the hydraulic leveler reservoir

Believe it or not, that's $500 dollars worth...Yikes!

I see a busy day tomorrow!

bkahler · 10-16-2012, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadstoy

My parts run today yielded the following...

Power steering filter

I haven't heard of these before? Tell me more!

Quote:

New AC Delco fan clutch (third time is the charm, right?)

For some people...

Quote:

Believe it or not, that's $500 dollars worth...Yikes!

Unfortunately I believe it

Have fun tomorrow. At least you're doing something productive, wish I was.

dadstoy · 10-16-2012, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkahler

I haven't heard of these before? Tell me more!

For some people...

Unfortunately I believe it

Have fun tomorrow. At least you're doing something productive, wish I was.

The stock system doesn't come with a power steering filter so this is an add on. It is highly suggested these days to add a filter. It is a filter specifically for transmissions and power steering...looks like a large fuel filter. It's put in the return line so it is under low pressure and easy to install in one of the return lines since these lines are bulk hose with hose clamps. Probably helps to keep junk out of fluid that might damage the pump vanes and seals.

We were hoping to hit the road again and head to Yosemite before the snow falls. Would have done that except for that damn PS pump...the rest I could have lived with.

bkahler · 10-17-2012, 08:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadstoy

The stock system doesn't come with a power steering filter so this is an add on. It is highly suggested these days to add a filter. It is a filter specifically for transmissions and power steering...looks like a large fuel filter. It's put in the return line so it is under low pressure and easy to install in one of the return lines since these lines are bulk hose with hose clamps. Probably helps to keep junk out of fluid that might damage the pump vanes and seals.

We were hoping to hit the road again and head to Yosemite before the snow falls. Would have done that except for that damn PS pump...the rest I could have lived with.

When you have a chance could you post the part number for the filter?

Do you know if the filter has an internal bypass valve? I'd hate to have it plug up over time and reduce flow, especially for a transmission.

Brad

vswingfield · 10-17-2012, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkahler

When you have a chance could you post the part number for the filter?

Do you know if the filter has an internal bypass valve? I'd hate to have it plug up over time and reduce flow, especially for a transmission.

Brad

Hi Brad,

B&M makes a nice remote trans filter kit. I comes with a spin-on filter adapter.

While I was looking at Summit's trans filters, I found a WIX inline filter, too.

bkahler · 10-17-2012, 09:05 AM

Actually I already have a remote filter for the transmission made by Derale. I was more surprised by the filter for the power steering pump. I had not heard of those before. My concern with any filter inline is whether it has a bypass or not. If it doesn't then as it starts plugging you will get reduced flow.

The inline filter from Derale has a byass in the filter itself just like engine oil filters do.

I'd hate to be driving and have my power steering start acting weird because of reduced flow through the filter back to the pump.

Brad

dadstoy · 10-17-2012, 09:41 AM

Here's the manufacturer's web site for the filter. It is basically the same as the WIX shown by vswingfield. It does have a safety by-pass. Part number is JX-160.

http://www.magnefine.com/html/filtration.html