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Keyair · 09-11-2012, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Leary

I blew an alternator years ago and the "mechanic" told me the engine had to come out to replace it. I showed him the metal flange cover that exposed the master cylinder AND the alternator. Was he embarassed?

Not impressive!

Kota · 09-11-2012, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Leary

It begins, if anyone wonders where the turbo is located, look no further.

One definite advantage of the rear engine models is the "queen" sized engine compartment. Hate it when they try to pack too much in too small of a space. I just had to pull the entire front end off my Audi to replace the alternator. $1000 at the dealer.

Mike Leary · 09-11-2012, 08:02 PM

What a little heat will do to a turbo:

Mike Leary · 09-11-2012, 08:26 PM

Here's what a fresh turbo looks like: Seems like a whole new design.

Mike Leary · 09-13-2012, 07:02 PM

Good news, new turbo back in, ran her to operating temp, no noise, no pistons sticking out the side. Bad news for the rest of you with turbo-powered coaches: The Garrett # 409080-9012 is our turbo, and the number matches the one we just got. The problem(s) are there was no flange for the oil feed (center of pic #1) and my mechanic had to machine one. The other problem was the housing on the right hand side was backwards and had to come apart and be rotated to align to the Isuzu. Odd that our second turbo bolted right on, but this one (made in Mexico) is a bearcat to re-align. My mechanic is not pleased with the lack of service from Oregon Fuel Injection, Inc., as they never returned his calls about the flange.

perryg114 · 09-13-2012, 07:13 PM

You could have rebuilt the old turbo with new bearings. Your old turbine looked perfect.

I am glad it is running ok.

Perry

HiHoAgRV · 09-13-2012, 07:13 PM

Have you considered doing oil analysis checks over the next few days/miles? I have a pal with a monster C class Ford/6.0L and he uses that method to make sure it's not preppin to 'let go'...pretty cool what they can tell from a few drops of oil, they could probably alert him that his wife is expecting...

perryg114 · 09-14-2012, 08:02 AM

Yeah I agree there. Blackstone labs is a good place to send oil. You can tell them what happened and they can look for wear metals and tell you how bad your engine was damaged.

Perry

Mike Leary · 09-14-2012, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by perryg114

You could have rebuilt the old turbo with new bearings. Your old turbine looked perfect.

I am glad it is running ok.

Perry

We had talked about that very thing. The question is whether Garrett will sell us parts. Coach is heading out for tires right now, cross your fingers!

vswingfield · 09-14-2012, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Leary

We had talked about that very thing. The question is whether Garrett will sell us parts. Coach is heading out for tires right now, cross your fingers!

My experience, back in the 1980s though, is that parts are very difficult to obtain.

I worked in a shop that rebuilt engines to pump water for center-pivot irrigation systems in the NW corner of the Texas panhandle. One winter while business was slow, we decided that I would dig the best cores from our 55 gallon barrel of turbo trade-ins and rebuild them.

I ended up rebuilding about 15 turbos that winter, but getting the parts took a long time and was extremely difficult, and we were a significantly sized shop. I doubt that it has gotten any easier since then.

Best of luck with your engine. Hopefully all will be well!

Mike Leary · 09-14-2012, 10:22 AM

Made it to the tire store, Bess seems to running fine, good oil pressure, boost where it needs to be; might have dodged a bullet here.

Will run back to the mechanic's and check everything out, take a deep breath, and tomorrow head for Arizona.

masseyfarm · 09-14-2012, 10:28 AM

Sounds good.
Have a safe trip.

DAve

streamquest · 09-14-2012, 02:41 PM

Glad to hear that things are looking good. I've had my fingers crossed for you.

I'm sure there's no need for advice since you'll probably be staring at the gauges most of the time and listening for a pin to drop, but I'd keep an eye on the water temperature since that might be where you'd see the first signs of anything funny (or not so funny) starting to happen.

Good luck!!!

ROBERTSUNRUS · 09-14-2012, 05:04 PM

Hi, I certainly hope that the turbo is all that was needed and and your trips can continue.

Gypsy Jo · 09-14-2012, 06:10 PM

Glad everything is working out on the engine.
Hope your trip to Arizona goes well. Still in the 90's but can feel fall in the air here .
Jo

Mike Leary · 09-14-2012, 06:20 PM

Thanks, all of you, for your support and input. I do believe someone was smiling somewhere. My tire guy said my 19,5s are the largest he can spin balance.

Mike Leary · 09-14-2012, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gypsy Jo

Hope your trip to Arizona goes well. Still in the 90's but can feel fall in the air here . Jo

We're too thick blooded to handle the heat, we'll go to Flag, where the temp is about what we have in the PNW right now.

purman · 09-14-2012, 08:02 PM

Ive been following this Mike. I'm glad everything turned out alright. Even the tires.

Michigander · 09-14-2012, 09:59 PM

Mike,
Thanks for sharing the awesome narrative. Unfortunately, it took a tragedy it bring it on. I hope that things go smoothly from here on out.
Bob

ScrapIrony-2 · 09-15-2012, 02:05 AM

If ya get here late, I will already have consumed the beer and BBQ but I think you'll beat us out there...hell, gotta get rid of all that extra weight, anyway...glad to know you got the winning hand...m