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Topic: Trouble in MI. and then again in SD. (Read 2781 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Trouble in MI. and then again in SD.

Reply #75 –
Wait a minute, Pierce, don't pick on VW's (just kidding).  I have logged many tens of thousands of miles in VW campers-- all over the U.S. and Mexico.  Starting with 1958 right through a Vanagon pop top.  The 1958 has driven across the Rio Grande River after a 200 mile trip down dirt roads in Mexico-- many other adventures in North America and Europe in them. Picked up the last one in Wiedenbruck, Germany (Westphalia factory) and drove all the way to Greece and back through Europe and crossed to tour England.

Yes, the more FACTS he can accumulate before deciding on how to proceed the better.  But, not sure I would bring up Allison/overspeed to Cummins!

Brett
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Trouble in MI. and then again in SD.

Reply #76 –
I don"t want anyone to misunderstand the circumstances here.
The very first time this happened in Michigan I did not go to a authorized Cummins repair facility,because closest one was over one hundred miles away and towing expense was more than what I paid for repairs.
Of course this is hindsight now.  The second time this failure happened I went to an authorized Cummins repair shop.
I guess a lot of the responsibility rest on my shoulders. I really don't like to point fingers.
Thank all of you people for your understanding.
'02 U295 36'
Build #5937

 SKP#104358
Motorcade#17428

Re: Trouble in MI. and then again in SD.

Reply #77 –
Then Tom a lot of the talking has to be with the first shop, obviuosly and their "reputation"
John
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: Trouble in MI. and then again in SD.

Reply #78 –
Brett,

All my life when I have gone to a party, doo-wop dance or tried to join a group, I got in a fight within the first 30 minutes. Thought this was in my past but guess it is not to be. A simple VW comment has me the goat of the forum. I feel betrayed.  :))

Actually, we have a very similar past. My family bought a new VW Micro Bus in 57 and I have owned a bunch of Vanagons since. I still have 3 1984's sitting here on the back 40, one a Westphalia and the others just garden variety water boxers. The Westphalia still has the original engine with over 200k with only a transaxle overhaul. Has been coast to coast several times, Mexico, Yellowstone and at one time had 3000 lbs of drywall on the roof (Fiberglas) and almost 30 bags of cement inside. Great vehicle.

Tom,

Sounds as if you did what most of us would have done in the same situation so don't feel you have anything to second guess yourself about. Hindsight is always 20-20.

Regardless of the repair done by the first shop, the two questions I have (and most of us have) are, was it a Cummins factory flaw that caused the original problem or was it an Allison glitch that is to blame for the failure? The computers on our Foretravels take a lot of operator error out of the equation but they could have a glitch themselves.

I do remember a similar incident on a forum about two or three years ago. There were photos of the head off and the damage. It also happened suddenly (don't they all). I did a search but nothing in the Foretravel forum that I could find. Anyone else remember this? Probably not related but...

Tom, only the best in bad times.

Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Trouble in MI. and then again in SD.

Reply #79 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –

I do remember a similar incident on a forum about two or three years ago. There were photos of the head off and the damage. It also happened suddenly (don't they all). I did a search but nothing in the Foretravel forum that I could find. Anyone else remember this? Probably not related but...

The only incident I can recall related to a FT is this one on Jim Busby's 2009 ISX:

CUMMINS ISX ENGINE 600

We also send our hope that the root cause of Tom's engine issues can be determined and some financial assistance found.

Tom - purely out of curiosity, are you a CoachNet member?  I am wondering if being one would have enabled the coach to have been towed to a Cummins service center at no cost to you rather than the first repair shop.  If you are, and they did not tow to a Cummins shop, those of us who are members need to know this.

Michelle
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Trouble in MI. and then again in SD.

Reply #80 –
Yes, that was the incident. Not a related failure but good to know CoachNet is available. Not at all familiar with them but sure it is easy to research on net.

AAA Premier membership will tow an RV 150 miles at no cost and no payment to be reimbursed. I had a flat at a funeral and they put the spare on as fast as changing a car tire. Additional $25/yr. Good iPhone/Android free app for AAA.

Our RV insurance will also tow 150 miles as I remember. Wonder if you could put the two together for a 300 mile tow? Must be a way to do it. Also covers expenses while disabled. Think I will get the policy out and go over it again.
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Trouble in MI. and then again in SD.

Reply #81 –
Tom,  I am very sorry to read about the catastrophe that has befallen you.  I have been on the road, but this morning have read all the posts regarding your issues.  I have not read a definitive answer as to what has caused this problem.  A latent defect in the Cummings Engine after 12 years somehow does not seem plausible.  You might give some thought as to pursuing a claim with your insurance company.  Obviously, some outside force came into play that caused onboard systems to malfunction and cause this disaster.  I have seen rodents chew through critical wiring harnesses, road debris loosen crucial connections, etc.  You might consider hiring a private insurance adjuster.  It maybe difficult to find one whose area of expertise this is, but they are out there.  Insurance companies will pay a claim if presented in a way that is justified.  Private adjusters typically charge about 10%.  I just can't believe how this could have happened out of the clear blue sky.  There has to be a reason.  I will be hoping for a positive outcome.

Gregory S
2003 Designer

Re: Trouble in MI. and then again in SD.

Reply #82 –
I'm sorry, but I am not a CoachNet subscriber so I can't answer the question as whether they will pay for towing to a Cummins shop. My insurance company, National Interstate, will pay reasonable towing expense. I don't know exactly what they mean by reasonable.
'02 U295 36'
Build #5937

 SKP#104358
Motorcade#17428

Re: Trouble in MI. and then again in SD.

Reply #83 –
Regarding towing:

Let's not make Tom feel any worse than he already does by playing "what if" or the "coulda, woulda, shouda game."
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: Trouble in MI. and then again in SD.

Reply #84 –
Here are some pictures of #2 intake tappet and #5 exhaust tappet.
Mechanic said #2 tappet was the cause of engine loss, as you can see it was worn almost completely.
He further stated that a piece or pieces of #2 probably plugged the oil hole for #5 tappet, causing it to run without lubrication and failing.
The oil port for the tappets could be plugged by a grain of sand according to the mechanic.
pic 2091 #2 tappet, 2092 #5 tappet, 2093 #5 tappet, 2094 #2tappet.
'02 U295 36'
Build #5937

 SKP#104358
Motorcade#17428

Re: Trouble in MI. and then again in SD.

Reply #85 –
Did something wrong, only one attachment out of four?
Someone will have to explain to me about attaching more than one photo.
Thanks
'02 U295 36'
Build #5937

 SKP#104358
Motorcade#17428

Re: Trouble in MI. and then again in SD.

Reply #86 –
Tom,

Easy to miss. Go down to "Attachments and other options" below will be "Attach" and right below that the clickable "Choose File".
You have gotten that far. Now in SMALL blue letters right below "Choose File" is a clickable "(more attachments)". Click on this and away you go for another photo (file) and then keep repeating this.

This is the way my page appears on a Mac with Safari.

Lifter looks terrible.  Big time failure!
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Trouble in MI. and then again in SD.

Reply #87 –
Lifter looks like it had some kind of compression damage, roller stopped rotating, cam then contacted it on one spot until it wore down and then failed completely. Would also explain why loose valve clearances at rocker arm. Clearance would increase as roller wore down.
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: Trouble in MI. and then again in SD.

Reply #88 –
Thanks Pierce.  Here are the other two pictures.
'02 U295 36'
Build #5937

 SKP#104358
Motorcade#17428

Re: Trouble in MI. and then again in SD.

Reply #89 –
Called Coach-Net.

Towing is defined as unlimited mileage to nearest qualified repair facility.  Dispatch say that they maintain a database of such facilities and constantly update it.  In the case of a Cummings engine problem a Cummings certified shop would be the place they would take you.  They will offer dispatch of a tow to non members but you will pay the tow.  No you cannot join at the time of breakdown!

Been a member for two years and never had to call them.

Keith
Keith, Joyce & Smokey the Australian Cattle Dog
1995 U320 SE Extreme 40' WTBI Build # 4780, with a Honda CR-V hopefully still following behind.
Motorcade # 17030
FMCA # F422159

Re: Trouble in MI. and then again in SD.

Reply #90 –
Quote
Called Coach-Net.
Towing is defined as unlimited mileage to nearest qualified repair facility. Dispatch say that they maintain a database of such facilities and constantly update it. In the case of a Cummings engine problem a Cummings certified shop would be the place they would take you. They will offer dispatch of a tow to non members but you will pay the tow. No you cannot join at the time of breakdown!

Been a member for two years and never had to call them.

Keith

Hi Keith,
I wonder what Coach-Net says about body/crash repairs we might want to be made at he factory or Xtreme? Are they willing to tow it to NAC when you make such a request? Most insurance companies probably would say to the nearest place that does fiberglass repair. Ugg!
Jim Frerichs
2002 U320 42'
 

Re: Trouble in MI. and then again in SD.

Reply #91 –
All,  At the time I had an occurrence with my 85 ORED one of the considerations in settling the claim was what constituted a qualified shop that could do ALL the repairs, after much discussion with the insurance carrier we agreed that only the factory could do the repairs and THEN carrier calculated the movement of the coach on a Landoll Carrier of about 900 miles.  At that point we agreed on a total loss amount.  If I recall the tow cost was $2 a mile one way totaling 1800 miles round trip. Made quite a difference in calculating the loss. FWIW All carriers and claims adjusters might not be amenable to calculating the loss in thismanner.
Gary B