Foretravel Owners' Forum

Foretravel Motorhome Forums => Foretravel Tech Talk => Topic started by: Jon Twork on June 10, 2012, 03:47:31 pm

Title: HYDRAULIC PUMP AND HYDRAULIC FAN MOTOR REPAIRS
Post by: Jon Twork on June 10, 2012, 03:47:31 pm
HYDRAULIC PUMP AND HYDRAULIC FAN MOTOR REPAIRS.

I have been troubled by a leaking hydraulic pump and leaking fan motors for some time.  I installed some specialty fluid designed to swell the seals in the hydraulic system and it seemed to work quite well for a while but, the leaks never totally stopped.  In the back of my mind, I awaited imminent failure.
I had already done research on obtaining new or rebuilt pumps from VARIOUS sources.  Some said the pumps MIGHT be able to be rebuilt and others said NO WAY as the manufacturer has gone out of business.  A new hydraulic pump might run as high as  $2800 along with one fan motor being $1900 and the other about $1400.  THIS WAS JUST FOR THE PARTS.  NO LABOR. 
Too pricey for me.  I kept looking and looking.

I finally ran across a repair facility that indicated that they could help. It seemed to be a very clean and well run shop.  The facility specialized in mining and forestry hydraulics.

From here, read carefully.

I drove into the shop on Wednesday morning and backed me up to the garage door on the pump rebuilding building.  I opened the engine compartment door for the mechanic and the first words out of his mouth when he looked into the compartment were, "Whoa! Hummm!That's not good!"  He was pointing to the engine coolant pump which was slowly dripping coolant out on the ground.  We both understood the gravity of the situation and after looking it over, he commented that, :No problem we can deal with that. He removed it and they ordered a replacement from Columbus, OH. 
The replacement coolant pump arrived the next day and installed.  BIG problem resolved.

They pulled the hydraulic pump and had it all rebuilt and installed by 9 AM the next day and they had also removed the two fan motors and found that they needed a series of "O" rings which were available in Michigan.  The parts were shipped over night and arrived about noon on Thursday.  They were installed and tested and we left the area on Thursday afternoon with everything working.  We spent two nights parked in their lot hooked up to electric along with a nice view and gentle breezes.  It gave us time to drive around that area of WV and enjoy the rivers and lakes and scenery.  WV is a nice place.
We have put on about 1100 miles since the repair and no sign of any leaks or any problems.

The following is the bill I received for the above services:

1 GALLON ANTIFREEZE                  15.00
1 WP-9008 water pump                  125.00
REPAIR HYDRAULIC PUMP               90.00
REPAIR TWO (2) FAN MOTORS               130.00
2 GALLON 15-40 ROTELLA               44.00
4 HOURS LABOR                     200.00

The labor was originally 8 hours on the bill.  He crossed out the 8 and made it a 4
The subtotal was $604 and he X'd it out and made it $550 and added tax of  $33 for a grand total of:
$583.00

He realized that we were traveling and he mentioned that the labor part of the work they did was related to hydraulics and NOT motor home service and then discounted the labor charges.  I really appreciated that on my limited budget.
 
If you are considering having work done on your hydraulic system, I would recommend that you contact the person below and have them REPAIR your hydraulic parts.  I highly recommend them.

Mr. Wayne Beckett
J & S Hydraulics, Inc
785 Airport Road
Sutton, WV 26601

Office: 304-765-7008
Cell: 304-619-4776
FAX:304-765-0109

I inquired to Wayne about your shipping in your defective pumps and motors and he said he does it all the time for his primary industries.  He would be glad to assist motorhome owners who need his services. Be sure to have UPS or FEDEX properly package your equipment for shipping. 
It would be best to allow two weeks for the item to be returned to you.  This allows for shipping times, parts ordering times, and return shipping times along with time for the repairs.
Title: Re: HYDRAULIC PUMP AND HYDRAULIC FAN MOTOR REPAIRS
Post by: J. D. Stevens on June 10, 2012, 04:01:30 pm
If you are considering having work done on your hydraulic system, I would recommend that you contact the person below and have them REPAIR your hydraulic parts.  I highly recommend them.

Mr. Wayne Beckett
J & S Hydraulics, Inc
785 Airport Road
Sutton, WV 26601

Office: 304-765-7008
Cell: 304-619-4776
FAX:304-765-0109

I inquired to Wayne about your shipping in your defective pumps and motors and he said he does it all the time for his primary industries.  He would be glad to assist motorhome owners who need his services. Be sure to have UPS or FEDEX properly package your equipment for shipping. 

Wow! What a find, Jon. Thank you for sharing the information. ^.^d
Title: Re: HYDRAULIC PUMP AND HYDRAULIC FAN MOTOR REPAIRS
Post by: Dave M (RIP) on June 10, 2012, 04:12:30 pm
There are can-do shops around, sometimes they can be hard to find, but a jewel when you  locate one. 
And there seems to be more shops that are only interested in your money, quality and service are way down the list.
Finding the correct shop can be a challenge.
Many thanks for the info.
Dave M
Title: Re: HYDRAULIC PUMP AND HYDRAULIC FAN MOTOR REPAIRS
Post by: Raymond Jordan on June 10, 2012, 05:11:24 pm
Ho Jon,
  Wow, that is great news. Thanks for the info.
Raymond
Title: Re: HYDRAULIC PUMP AND HYDRAULIC FAN MOTOR REPAIRS
Post by: Dave Head on June 10, 2012, 05:12:33 pm
This calls for a celebration!
Title: Re: HYDRAULIC PUMP AND HYDRAULIC FAN MOTOR REPAIRS
Post by: Gary Bouland (RIP) on June 10, 2012, 05:27:16 pm
Great Jon, Glad you found a competent repair shop.  I am fortunate to have a shop in town that can do the same thing and I will repeat what I was told.  Unless the barrel of the pump is badly scored or the impeller damaged ANY hydraulic pump can be repaired.  The GOTCHA with our motor homes is the labor to R & R and some shops don't have the space to park us.
Gary B
Title: Re: HYDRAULIC PUMP AND HYDRAULIC FAN MOTOR REPAIRS
Post by: Don & Tys on June 10, 2012, 05:30:32 pm
Thanks Jon! ^.^d Added to my bookmarks :D Now, back to hoping I won't need that info for awhile yet... :)
Title: Re: HYDRAULIC PUMP AND HYDRAULIC FAN MOTOR REPAIRS
Post by: 96u270 on June 10, 2012, 10:33:08 pm
Great info....Mine is a 1996 u270 as well,I have no leaks or issues with the hydraulics,, ''knock on wood''..Do you remember what your mileage was when you first noticed leaks??? I have around 75,000 on mine. Wondering if I should have my Water pump replaced and the seals on the hydraulic pump/fan motors?
Title: Re: HYDRAULIC PUMP AND HYDRAULIC FAN MOTOR REPAIRS
Post by: Peter & Beth on June 11, 2012, 02:54:45 pm
Kudos Jon...It's nice to know that the hydraulic pump and fans can be overhauled by a competent and reasonably priced shop that does real work.  They're really not far from Cincinnati either.  Thanks for sharing...
Peter