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06-08-2017, 07:10 PM
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#181
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Rivet Master
2011 Interstate Coach
Overland Park
, Kansas
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,798
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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
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Thanks. Looks like pre-controlled diesels could use regular oils formulated for diesels.
__________________
Glass half full or half empty to an engineer is the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
2011 Interstate SOLD! Upfitted 2017 Transit 350. SOLD!
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06-09-2017, 02:46 PM
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#182
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2 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
2005 22' Interstate
N. Hollywood
, California
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 86
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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.
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07-04-2017, 10:19 AM
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#183
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,089
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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
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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07-04-2017, 10:42 AM
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#184
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Rivet Master
2006 22' Interstate
Port Angeles
, Washington
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 940
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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.
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07-04-2017, 11:30 AM
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#185
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
League City
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,139
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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.
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07-04-2017, 12:29 PM
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#186
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Rivet Master
2011 Interstate Coach
Overland Park
, Kansas
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,798
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Most auto parts stores will check batteries, alternators, & starters for free.
__________________
Glass half full or half empty to an engineer is the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
2011 Interstate SOLD! Upfitted 2017 Transit 350. SOLD!
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07-04-2017, 12:41 PM
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#187
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
League City
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 6,139
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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/
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07-04-2017, 01:08 PM
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#188
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,089
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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
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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07-04-2017, 03:28 PM
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#189
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Living Riveted since 2013
2016 Interstate Lounge Ext
Green Cove Springs
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 8,210
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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/
__________________
Rocinante Piccolo is our new-to-us 2016 Interstate Lounge 3500 EXT
(Named for John Steinbeck's camper from "Travels With Charley")
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07-04-2017, 05:44 PM
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#190
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,089
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I'd probably electrocute myself with one of those, but thanks for the suggestion, Bill.
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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07-05-2017, 10:04 AM
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#191
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,089
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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
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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07-05-2017, 10:08 AM
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#192
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Rivet Master
2006 22' Interstate
Port Angeles
, Washington
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 940
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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
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07-05-2017, 10:21 AM
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#193
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,089
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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
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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07-05-2017, 11:06 AM
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#194
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Rivet Master
Muskogee
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 749
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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
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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.
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07-05-2017, 12:14 PM
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#195
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,089
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Thanks, and I will do that before I leave...when I muster the nerve to look under the hood.
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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07-05-2017, 03:27 PM
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#196
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Living Riveted since 2013
2016 Interstate Lounge Ext
Green Cove Springs
, Florida
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 8,210
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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).
__________________
Rocinante Piccolo is our new-to-us 2016 Interstate Lounge 3500 EXT
(Named for John Steinbeck's camper from "Travels With Charley")
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07-05-2017, 03:34 PM
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#197
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,089
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I will do that, and thanks, Bill.
Maggie
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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07-09-2017, 09:56 AM
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#198
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,089
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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
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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07-09-2017, 03:32 PM
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#199
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Rivet Master
2011 Interstate Coach
Overland Park
, Kansas
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,798
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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.
__________________
Glass half full or half empty to an engineer is the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.
2011 Interstate SOLD! Upfitted 2017 Transit 350. SOLD!
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07-09-2017, 04:43 PM
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#200
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Normal
, Illinois
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 18,089
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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
__________________
🏡 🚐 Cherish and appreciate those you love. This moment could be your last.🌹🐚
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