Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: New Owner Issues (Read 999 times) previous topic - next topic

New Owner Issues

Hi there new family! I pulled the trigger and flew to VT this week to buy a '93 GV U300 and drove her 2000 miles home to Houston, what a trip! I made it, not without some fun!  Forgive me until I learn how to use the site properly and search all topics before repeating, I'll try to do this just once.  I have a few problems to sort now and your collective wisdom I will appreciate.  I have an oil leak in my 6V92TA, i stopped in NY and had Detroit guys look and they found that the "catch canister" for oil had never been emptied apparently in 25 yrs and was holding 1/2 gallon and decide to flow- they addressed and off i went checking oil every 3 hrs.  I continued to lose 1 qt so I filled every 3-4 hrs.  How long are you supposed to wait for that size engine after shutoff to check oil? It occurred to me that 15/20 min may not be enough and I was simply adding oil contributing to the overflow? So I'm going to be looking for a good Detroit diesel mechanic place in Houston if anyone knows of one.  I hope it's not a rear main seal etc...

Next.. the turn signal indicator bar was replaced with a makeshift ( i have the actual part) as the previous owner couldn't replace himself so he fastened a similar yet not factory piece- I will be looking for a place that can do that sort of thing.  The high beams aren't working so I wonder if that is controlled by the factory turn signal.  Also old headlights are frosted so will need to replace with newer lights halogen or LED (recs) 

It has the 10kw Genset Kubota generator which began to run hot on the drive back after about 6 hrs in almost 98 degree heat- running at 225 water temp so I shut her down and made the trip with window a/c.  Do these things normally run hot in hot weather? She was re-built 800 hrs ago according to previous owner.  3/4 of the year in Houston are hot as hell so I'm wondering if they just run hot or if something can be done. 

Thank you for any input and patience as this will be a learning event.  I wanted a project and now I have one.  It will force me to get educated and more hands on with many things, which was part of the reason to do this.  Once again I'm sorry if I'm repeating something from previous that I've not located.  Cheers!

JL       

Re: New Owner Issues

Reply #1 –
Quote from: tubbydog12 –
Hi there new family! I pulled the trigger and flew to VT this week to buy a '93 GV U300 . Once again I'm sorry if I'm repeating something from previous that I've not located.  Cheers! 
Welcome! One thing that was pounded into my pea brain when I first joined this great forum, was to put your coach information on your 'signature' down below. including your 'build #'. It's a big help, as these coaches, tho looking much the same, are different from year to year. Yes, the search engine is daunting, but after a while, you'll learn to navigate it.  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: New Owner Issues

Reply #2 –
JL,

Welcome to the Forum!  Always glad to have another GV owner join the group.

You have asked three questions about 3 totally separate issues.  We will help you best we can, but for future reference, it simplifies things if you would make each issue a separate thread.  That way the answers can be more on point and not all jumbled up.  Helps in the future if someone tries to search for info on the same issue.

The engine oil leak I'll leave to others with the same power plant.

The "turn signal indicator bar" question is confusing to me.  I don't understand what you are asking.  It is always helpful to include photos of the thing in question.  Often helps clarify what exactly you need to know.

If you decide to replace your headlight units, see this thread:  Grand Villa Headlight Replacement

The generator overheating I can address, cuz we have the same unit.  We have run ours all day long in desert temperatures without any signs of distress.  I am curious how you knew your generator was running at 225 degrees water temp.  Did it shut down due to high temperature?  The little Kubota diesel is a good engine, but if it overheats you would check for the same things as any other engine: low coolant level, plugged radiator core, slipping fan belt, collapsed radiator hoses, bad thermostat, etc.

Hope some others chime in to address the other problems.

PS: In your photo, what are the six black square things on the driver side rear lower body panel (behind rear wheel well)?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: New Owner Issues

Reply #3 –
We don't use much oil at all. Perhaps a quart in 3000 miles. You may have a seal that needs replacing. Your Detroit will take 5.5 gallons including filter at oil change time. Good to make sure you have the correct dip stick. A five minute rest should give an accurate reading. Try running with the level half way between the marks on the dip stick. Make sure you are using only Delo 100 #40 or Shell Rotella T1 #40. Don't let anyone talk you into Delo 400 or a multi-grade. Check the top of the engine for a leak in a fitting between the turbo and the generator.

Make sure you have a couple of spare hydraulic belts. Should be 8 rib not 6 if you have the two fans. Gates Green Stripe Fleet belts are the best but buy online as they are hard to find and cost a bunch at stores.

Sand the headlights with 2500 wet or dry and finish with 3000. Use a buffer and compound and the headlights will be nice and clear. I put a aftermarket headlight kit in ours and it made a huge difference. Around 4000K would be good, 6500K is too blue for my taste. Use the Ford headlight to order the kit. Run a #10 wire down from the ignition solenoid to a fuse and then to the power supply. See my old posts.

Check your generator hoses as they make a couple of tight bends and may restrict the flow. Check the belt as ours was loose. No, they should not run hot. Did the last owner give a reason why it was rebuilt?
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: New Owner Issues

Reply #4 –
I second that you need to make sure the right oil is in the engine.  It's a special oil.  Truck oil change places stopped caring this oil some time ago as these engines aged out in the trucking fleets.  The multi-grades might make it burn oil as well as not being good for engine's long term wear.  Leaking a quart every 4 hours is a bit much IMO.  Seems that would make a pretty good mess underneath and on any toad you might be pulling.  I have this Unit Converter that says 1 quart = 14,592 drops.  If I have done the math right that's 1 drop per second.  That might give you an idea how much oil is leaking verse burning (the two main ways for oil to "disappear"). 

Here's a page that has been passed around before but it's the best info that I know of: Detroit Diesel 2 Cycle 2 Stroke Engine operating Oil Tips
I use only the Chevron Delo 100 40 wt.  I go to a Chevron distributor and by a 5 gallon pale and 1 gallon.  Like Pierce says 5.5 gallons and I keep the remaining 1/2 gal with me and an unopened 1 gallon too just in case.  I recall hearing that overfilling above the fill mark will cause these engines to burn it off.
John Fitzgerald
1991 U300 (SAI) Side Aisle Island Bed 40'
Detroit 6V92 with Allison Retarder
Meridian (Boise), Idaho

Re: New Owner Issues

Reply #5 –
Also on the generator overheating we had to add an air scoop under the coach because of the direction of the air flow while driving. This was when I was working for Foretravel.
previous 1984 35 ft ORED 250 HP 3208 Cat       
previous 1998 40 ft U295 CAI 325 hp Cummins
previous 2003 40 Ft u320 build #6140 450 Cummins M11.                                                         
1999 Mazda Miata
Ron, Nancy, Tipper the cat, Max The dog
1997 U 270 36 ft build number 5174 8.3 Cummins

Re: New Owner Issues

Reply #6 –
Quote from: JohnFitz –
I have this Unit Converter that says 1 quart = 14,592 drops.  If I have done the math right that's 1 drop per second.
Dang Fitz are you an engineer ir1 do u RPN.
Old Phart Phred, EIEIO
89 GV ored 36' #3405 300 hp cat 3208 ATAAC side radiator, mountain tamer exhaust brake

Re: New Owner Issues

Reply #7 –
As John says, go to the distributor and get the Delo 100. Last week, I bought a couple 3 gallon cases for $15.45 a gallon plus tax.  The distributor should be able to get it in several days. Marine suppliers should have it in stock for all the boats with Detroits in them.

There are Chevron photos from older posts that show the wear differences between Delo 100 and multigrade oils. They make a quick believer out anyone. Rotella T1 #40 has a slightly higher ash content but will do in a pinch.

PM if you have ANY questions about the care and feeding of your new coach.

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

Re: New Owner Issues

Reply #8 –
Thanks to everyone.  I will heed all the advice.  We passed 200K miles on the drive down and she's had nothing but Straight 40 Delo as per Detroit for all of her life in addition to only Detroit mechanics working on her.  Addressing the leak will be job one. 

Re: New Owner Issues

Reply #9 –
Welcome to the forum!!! What part of Houston are you in?
The selected media item is not currently available.Keith & Jo
2003 U320T 4025 PBBS Designer series
Build 6203    Cummins 500hp
2000 U320 4010 WTFE / Build 5762 —Sold—
Motorcade #18070   
Pasadena, Texas
2015 Jeep Wrangler Sahara-Sunset Orange pearl coat
Don't argue with a fool, people watching might not be able to tell the difference.
 

Re: New Owner Issues

Reply #10 –
Quote from: Pierce & Gaylie Stewart –
We don't use much oil at all. Perhaps a quart in 3000 miles. You may have a seal that needs replacing. Your Detroit will take 5.5 gallons including filter at oil change time. Good to make sure you have the correct dip stick. A five minute rest should give an accurate reading. Try running with the level half way between the marks on the dip stick. Make sure you are using only Delo 100 #40 or Shell Rotella T1 #40. Don't let anyone talk you into Delo 400 or a multi-grade. Check the top of the engine for a leak in a fitting between the turbo and the generator.

Make sure you have a couple of spare hydraulic belts. Should be 8 rib not 6 if you have the two fans. Gates Green Stripe Fleet belts are the best but buy online as they are hard to find and cost a bunch at stores.

Sand the headlights with 2500 wet or dry and finish with 3000. Use a buffer and compound and the headlights will be nice and clear. I put a aftermarket headlight kit in ours and it made a huge difference. Around 4000K would be good, 6500K is too blue for my taste. Use the Ford headlight to order the kit. Run a #10 wire down from the ignition solenoid to a fuse and then to the power supply. See my old posts.

Check your generator hoses as they make a couple of tight bends and may restrict the flow. Check the belt as ours was loose. No, they should not run hot. Did the last owner give a reason why it was rebuilt?

Hi Pierce, multigrade aren't good for this engine? Thanks. Nicolas.
Linda Ewan Noe and Nicolas
Traveling the US and Canada when off, with our 1988 40' GV
6V92 MTB648