I'm debating whether to service the generator myself, or bring it to a shop.
It's the 10kw Pro Tech with an Isuzu engine, in our '98 U295 which we've owned for about a year. I have no idea when any previous maintenance was performed. The hour meter on the unit shows 550. What would you all do or have done if this were your new purchase?
Good time to start learning about stuf!
I changed the oil, coolant and belt on our generator. Fluids are easy, maybe easier than a car. The belt required crawling into the cavity behind the generator to access a shroud bolt. Not too bad, but not recommended for claustrophobic.
If you are even a little bit DIY, you will save A LOT by learning coach anatomy. Just days ago, our fridge quit, and I fixed it for free in ten minutes.
Replace Engine Oil and Filter, Air Filter, Fuel Filter, Clean Spark Arrestor, check all hoses for leaks and chaffing, Belts for cracks and tension, Electrical wiring for chaffing and terminal corrosion and tightness
I've spent the last year "learning about stuff"! Just getting around to the front of the coach now. How do you get "into the cavity behind the generator"? Pull genny out on the slide, or from underneath? Or both?
For oil and filters pull it out to the stop. For hoses pull the rubber plate off the bottom.
Your coach may have a different configuration. On our 320, the generator is in the nose. One removes two bolts, and the generator slides out about a foot for maintenance access. When the generator is slided (slud? slidden?) out, a person can crawl underneath and sit in the cavity.
Check your rear bearing. That can be done with a stethoscope if you have on
or use a screwdriver to listen to the sound of the bearing. No sound is good.
On our coach there is a heavy rubber floor under the generator. To be able to crawl underneath and sit in the cavity you must first remove (drop) the rubber floor with it's steel frame. Again, on our coach it only requires removing three screws to drop this panel.
As Matt indicated, you do not have to get up behind the generator to change oil and all the filters.
Richard
Slid or extended out
Johnh
Need some general info:
What is the function of the squirrel cage?
The radiator is directly behind the squirrel cage, right, and not inside the slide-out generator compartment? But the pressure-cap for the radiator IS inside the slide-out?
You are correct about the locations of the radiator and fill cap. The squirrel cage draws air and blows it through the radiator to cool it just as a fan would mounted on an engine.