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glfprncs · 09-03-2016, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InterBlog

(1) I think my husband bought the filter at the local auto parts big box store (he prefers O'Reilly). Blog post here on oil change DIY.

(2) Great minds think alike today. I recently noticed that our sealant, now at least 2 years old, is looking sketchy. We keep our Interstate garaged but the heat alone tends to degrade everything quickly here, even if most UV light is taken out of the equation.

What we have on hand right now is ProFlexRV flexible sealant. That's in the caulking gun probably because it was readily available when we were doing the solar system. I haven't yet researched what I might want to use for re-doing the entire roof appurtenances once the weather breaks here and it's cool enough.

Far more concerning to me is how on earth to strip the old sealant off when the time comes to do the job properly. I know from having prepped the fridge roof vent for the solar wire feed that it's like trying to chisel concrete. It cracks and makes a mess that won't hold waterproof, but at the same time, it's very difficult to remove entirely. The last time our whole roof was done, which was either by the original owner or more likely the flipper, the lazy route was taken and the new was simply slathered on over the old. That can't happen this next time. I don't have a strategy for this part yet.

Interblog...we had to do extensive repair to the seams on our last RV (a 1995 Safari Sahara 35') and we used putty knives and chisels. It eventually was scraped off pretty well. If it's old enough, it comes off REALLY easily! Alas, your roof also has been leaking like a sieve for quite awhile at that point (oftentimes, unbeknownst to you). I did use a heat gun for the final part, as it was still somewhat sticky. I then used some sort of special cleaner recommended by the people who sell the Eternabond tape (though we didn't use Eternabond). The roof wasn't a rubber roof, so working with it is similar to what's on the Airstream.

We just had the edge of Hermine roll through here yesterday, so we had a LOT of rain in a 12 hour period and saw a leak coming through the power vent (Fantastic Vent, I think it is). Today was sunny, so we climbed up and the caulking around the vent was pretty bad. Scraped it off the best we could, and did a quick run to the RV place nearby (we, too, picked up the ProFlex caulking--I think that's what we used last time, but some guy in the store said that the R-51 you can get at Lowe's works better). Recaulked for now and will carry a tube in the RV somewhere. They're heading out for 4 more weeks on the road and then will be home. In time, we'll have to pull the vent/fan and double check the wood underneath it. It may need some repair and then we'll reseal at that time.

Lily&Me · 09-03-2016, 02:09 PM

We were told to use Silkaflex for roof caulking, and that the roof should be scraped down and caulk replaced every year.

Doug always just scraped it down with a plastic putty knife.

We have not done every year, but every couple of years.

The Silkaflex has held up well, no leaks.

Maggie

glfprncs · 09-03-2016, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lily&Me

We were told to use Silkaflex for roof caulking, and that the roof should be scraped down and caulk replaced every year.

Doug always just scraped it down with a plastic putty knife.

We have not done every year, but every couple of years.

The Silkaflex has held up well, no leaks.

Maggie

I didn't realize Sikaflex made products outside the concrete industry. We would use a Sikaflex product (it literally looked like a snake sized piece of black putty that was about 3 feet long) when we were pouring concrete walls in sections. You put the sikaflex between the older concrete and the wall you were going to pour.

I'll have to look into their products designed for RV usage.

don000 · 09-03-2016, 03:35 PM

Sikaflex 1a is widely regarded as one of the best caulks around. It's all I'll use on the exterior of my home, and I'm sure that it would work well on an RV. Data sheet is here: https://usa.sika.com/dms/getdocument...aflex1a-us.pdf

Some people worry about skin exposure to uncured polyurethane caulks. It would be wise to wear nitrile gloves when applying.

JayP · 09-04-2016, 06:44 AM

Sikaflex 221 is what Airstream uses, available on Amazon for $13 per tube.

Lily&Me · 09-14-2016, 10:33 AM

At the MB dealer in Eugene, OR, they did a diagnostic on my off-and-on check engine light, and advised that "the glow plugs" are bad, they and "the board" needing replaced.

The check engine light has gone off and on for years, but as service has been regular and everything else has been working smoothly, it has been ignored.

It was not on when I pulled in here yesterday, but was on when they moved it to the service bay this morning.

The guy here says failure of these glow plugs will eventually cause the engine not to start.

So, for those of you with some miles on your rig, and the check engine light on...this is a possible cause.

He did say the engine is in excellent condition, 176,000+ miles on the road.

Maggie

InterBlog · 09-14-2016, 11:30 AM

Glow plugs provide the initial heat that the diesel needs in order explode in the cylinders, more or less. I lost my first car, a diesel VW Rabbit, due to a short circuit in the glow plug system. The car caught fire while parked with engine off, and when all was said and done, I got seventy-five bucks for its scrapped carcass. My mechanic kept telling me how lucky I was that I wasn't in it when the event occurred.

Lily&Me · 09-14-2016, 11:41 AM

I have resisted learning in widowhood what I need to know to continue to travel safely in my beloved Interstate.

I have narrowly averted several near-disasters here recently.

That is going to change, starting today.

Maggie

Protagonist · 09-18-2016, 03:14 PM

For those who have a DEF system as well, I believe the glow plug circuit also powers a DEF pre-heater. I'm not entirely sure though, but since DEF freezes into a slush at +11°F (without expanding), and the van can be driven year-round, there must be some way to pre-heat the DEF in winter.

FlyFishinRVr · 09-18-2016, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protagonist

For those who have a DEF system as well, I believe the glow plug circuit also powers a DEF pre-heater. I'm not entirely sure though, but since DEF freezes into a slush at +11°F (without expanding), and the van can be driven year-round, there must be some way to pre-heat the DEF in winter.

If it's like most light-duty diesels, the ECU won't call for DEF when the engine temp is below a certain level, so until the engine warms up (which in turn thaws the DEF), we add a bit more than usual to global warming......

Protagonist · 09-18-2016, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyFishinRVr

If it's like most light-duty diesels, the ECU won't call for DEF when the engine temp is below a certain level, so until the engine warms up (which in turn thaws the DEF), we add a bit more than usual to global warming......

I'll buy that. I'm still groggy on Percoset from my quadruple bypass surgery (just got home today), so right now I'll buy anything!

Hittenstiehl · 09-18-2016, 06:37 PM

Hijack

Good to hear Protagonist glad to hear it went well. Hang in there and recuperate.

73shark · 09-18-2016, 07:01 PM

Get well soon.

Don't want to lose a big chunk of knowledge base.

Al and Missy · 09-18-2016, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protagonist

I'll buy that. I'm still groggy on Percoset from my quadruple bypass surgery (just got home today), so right now I'll buy anything!

I didn't know that was in work. Glad it went OK and you are home now. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Al

Kwils25 · 09-18-2016, 07:16 PM

Get well soon Pro!

Protagonist · 09-19-2016, 03:10 AM

Thanks, All! I'm sore all over more than anywhere else, of course, I have new and interesting scars held together with medical superglue, and I itch all over from having every body hair from the throat down shaved off for the surgery. At least they didn't touch my beard!

The cardiac rehab folks at East Jefferson General Hospital said that my in-patient progress was nothing short of remarkable (for anybody, let alone a diabetic). Maybe they were saying that to boost my confidence but I'd like to think they were telling the truth. After all, for the first time ever after surgery, they allowed me to walk out of the hospital under my own power instead of plopping me into a wheelchair to be rolled out the door like usual.

For my own account, I'm just glad the problem was discovered through Lexiscan testing and not through a stroke or heart attack, so I went into the procedure already as healthy as a diabetic can be. I figure that gives me a leg up on the recovery.

And now back to your regularly scheduled "Interstate Maintenance and Upkeep" thread…

Lily&Me · 09-19-2016, 06:24 AM

Glad all is well, Protag.

Maggie

David M · 09-19-2016, 08:12 AM

Yes, here's to a speedy recovery Protagonist!

amirm · 09-19-2016, 09:00 AM

First, my best wishes for quick recovery to Protag just the same! Looks like he applied the principle of preventative maintenance to himself!

On that front, do I wait to have my first oil change at 20,000 or whenever the dash says or do I do it earlier? When I have leased cars, I have followed the dash. When I have owned them, I did them earlier. I own the AI. What should I do?

Lily&Me · 09-21-2016, 11:19 AM

I just had the sewer valve on my Interstate replaced for the first time, and have found my Rhino hose can no longer be connected within the very limited space under these older Interstates.

Going to have to get something modified, somehow.

Just a word of caution, lest owners of older rigs pull into a dump station...like I did...to find they cannot connect their hose to dump their tanks.

Maggie