1988 345... The adventure begins!

[MissyD]

Hi David...

What!?! That’s crazy! We’ve seen the 310 and you’re right they have put in a huge amount of work into the engine but the inside was a larger project them we were ready to take on at this time. We are planning a trip to see the one in Belleville as soon as we can....it does look nice and we’re hoping to drive it back to Mulhurst...🤪🤪...

Did you see the one in the Mulhurst? If no...we could go and take additional pics...etc..if you’d like?

[MissyD]

Hi David...

What!?! That’s crazy! We’ve seen the 310 and you’re right they have put in a huge amount of work into the engine but the inside was a larger project them we were ready to take on at this time. We are planning a trip to see the one in Belleville as soon as we can....it does look nice and we’re hoping to drive it back to Mulhurst...🤪🤪...

Did you see the one in the Mulhurst? If no...we could go and take additional pics...etc..if you’d like?


Ps...guess what kind of beer we we’re drinking last night?? Moosehead Radler!!

[Roby466]

Great, I spoke to the owner of the one in Belleville, he was saying they drove it everywhere in the past few years and had little to no issues. They also did a bunch of work on it, his pictures were so low res on the add however.
I purchased the one in Mulhurst because we came to an agreement with the seller before so I jumped on it. It should get loaded on the low boy in the next week (hopefully, truck driver has been a bit evasive when trying to set the definite pick up time... I suppose it's a busy business these days to carry heavy loads.

[MissyD]

I would love to chat...can I call you?

[MissyD]

Maybe we could drive it your way!?!?

[NevadaGeo]

Originally Posted by MissyD

Maybe we could drive it your way!?!?

That sounds like an idea, have another Airstreamer deliver it, that would care for it as much as you.

[Roby466]

Yes that would have been pretty cool thing! But arrangements and payments were already done with the shipper so it is being loaded tomorrow morning or Monday morning... exciting times! Hopefully it all goes well when it arrives here as our first trip is planned for the week of 9 August around the Cabot Trail on Cap Breton Island.

[Roby466]

Morning! With a quick update on the airstream transport across Canada.
well it is apparently never simply... The original driver who was supposed to pick it up and tow it here was stuck up North on a delivery that took much longer than expected somehow. The second driver was going West to drop off a load in Vancouver and then he was going to pick up the airstream on his way back. On the way there he hit a deer and it hit hard enough to damage the truck so he needs 12 days repairs... the driver is trying to get a new truck or another driver to fit it in the delivery schedule. I am awaiting news hopefully shortly.
I'll post again once I have done the safety and first walk through! Exciting times!

[Roby466]

well after over a month since paying for the motorhome and the shipment, the 345 should finally be arriving at the shop for its provincial inspection this evening! Very exciting times!
I'll try and post a video or many pictures of it being unloaded and then the troubles will really start

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Roby466

well after over a month since paying for the motorhome and the shipment, the 345 should finally be arriving at the shop for its provincial inspection this evening! Very exciting times!
I'll try and post a video or many pictures of it being unloaded and then the troubles will really start

The Band is ready, pulling up a chair and getting popcorn

[Roby466]

So it came off the truck... I couldn’t get a video as I had to get involved and help to prevent catastrophy
from happening. It obviously failed the safety this morning and I am waiting for the list and quote of what is needed...

[Roby466]

Well it’s home... it failed safety for a few very minor things (exhaust hanger loose) and for a leaky radiator. Quote is 10hrs work and about $600usd for the rad.
I normally do all these things myself but as I a stuck for the safety I may have to make them do it.
Drive home was not bad, it’s big!!
We will wash it and test the systems this weekend and then probably have them do the work.

Or what’s the consensus, is a rad job not too bad and can be done in less than 10hrs?
Thanks
David

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Roby466

Well it’s home... it failed safety for a few very minor things (exhaust hanger loose) and for a leaky radiator. Quote is 10hrs work and about $600usd for the rad.
I normally do all these things myself but as I a stuck for the safety I may have to make them do it.
Drive home was not bad, it’s big!!
We will wash it and test the systems this weekend and then probably have them do the work.

Or what’s the consensus, is a rad job not too bad and can be done in less than 10hrs?
Thanks
DavidAttachment 376438

to do what to the radiator? Replace, recore? I think the consensus will be that it should be recored to a 4 row, if you go through all the trouble pulling it. AC system has to be dealt with and the radiator also has 2 coolant reservoirs, one for trans and one for engine oil. $600.- seems very reasonable, not sure they know what they are getting into.
The other consideration is access to the unreachable's, like the waterpump and the power steering pump. Replacing those items is very difficult with the rad in place.

Under the circumstances, but against my better judgement, I would probably let them do it just to pass the safety and deal with the rest later.

[Roby466]

Thanks for that!

Other newbie question: I can’t find the windshield washer bottle... where is it hidden?
Cheers
David

[PeterH-350LE]

Originally Posted by Roby466

Thanks for that!

Other newbie question: I can’t find the windshield washer bottle... where is it hidden?
Cheers
David

Depends, left facing the engine is typically the rad overflow and washer reservoir on the right in front and below of the fuse bank. Both tend to be broken or missing

[Roby466]

Lol. Found it. Both are there and appear ok. My rad however... it’s pissing

Thanks!!

[Roby466]

Alright, here are a couple more pictures in front of our home.
I went over it for a few days, trying to figure out everything that worked or not. So far I have:
The GOOD:
-both AC work (except engine AC)
-insta water works
-water pump works
-living room heater works
-generator works
-overall looking great!
-drives pretty good (although the dual exhaust appears loud, I'll inspect whether it was modified with more free-flowing parts in the past as it does not appear to be a leak)

The BAD:
-the main awning has a 1 foot long rip, but for now we will use a patch and see better long term options next summer.
-slight leak in the water pump inlet hose (it's a clear vynil hose with a clamp and was removed for winterizing so it will be an easy fix)
-water heater does not seem to start up. Lots of corrosion on the connectors so I'll clean those up and see if anything happens
-the heater in the bedroom runs but does not heat up. Maybe an igniter issue, I'll diagnose when I get a chance, not priority no.1
-the coach batteries don't appear to charge when plugged in. I'll check if there is a fuse or breaker to the univolt system and start from there (I haven't noticed if they charge when on the generator)
-the toilet has a small leak at the top. When I flush there is water that comes out by the seat bracket and drips on the side. I wonder if it's the vacuum breaker assembly top seal. I'll try and take the cover off and see

So nothing appears to prevent us from going on a small trip once the radiator gets fixed. For the toilet we can always use a bottle and dump water in there every time instead of using the flush. Maybe some water remained in there and froze in the past, hopefully it's not too bad.

I spoke to the shop and they are ok with a few days delay once they pull the rad. There is a local rad shop with a great reputation who will recore it to a 4 row (if the tanks allow this he said) and then I'll bring it back to the shop for reinstalling prior to the safety being done.

Hopefully within a week it will be back here and we will be going camping!
At least we managed to have a few pints in there with friends! Great setup for launging and enjoying friends' company! Everyone in the family loves it! (except maybe the dog, he was a bit uncertain about it while driving)

Cheers

David

[Waipio Rim]

On our '90 345 I found a switch under the sink that needed to be turned on before the batteries would charge while plugged in. Not sure whether it is stock.

[Roby466]

Thanks! I have a feeling there might be a few of these hard to find either mods or just things poorly explained in the manual

[Roby466]

Alright! The shop got the rad out and they agreed to have a 3 day delay for me to get the rad recored. The 345 will remain in their bay for that time.
I brought the rad to my AC and rad guy and he will recore with added rows to fill the tanks!
Apparently these old rads are much better than the new stuff so I’m quite happy with this!

Hopefully it will be back together Saturday!
Cheers
David