Skip to main content
Topic: What is this engine component? (Read 1670 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: What is this engine component?

Reply #25
Looks like you could use a hydraulic oil and filter change.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: What is this engine component?

Reply #26
Might also want to get coolant tested and possibly replace coolant filter.  Far more important than it sounds.
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: What is this engine component?

Reply #27
I had the exact same drip in the exact same location on my 2004 coach with an ISL400.  While I agree with all the other comments about having to ultimately work through all your fluid and filter changes, my problems turned out to be a leaking hydraulic pump seal.  It became very evident after 3000 miles returning home from a Motorcade.  Pulled the pump (good time to change the hydraulic oil and filters), and I had it rebuilt for about $200.  It's been vault solid for the past 3 years.  I'm not sure of your location, but I used ACR Hydraulics, 756 N Hariton St, Orange, CA 92868.  Great people.  You can probably find a hydraulic repair shop somewhere near you.  Hydraulic pumps are ubiquitous and there are lots of service folks around.
Mark, Monique & Steven Hachigian
2004 36U295 Build No. 6239
2011 Honda CRV 4WD
2024 Dynamax Isata 5 30fw Xplorer

Re: What is this engine component?

Reply #28
Can you explain what this is and suggest a product? Thanks.
1998 U295 36' No slides
Towing 2018 Jeep Wrangler
Previous rigs:
  1995 26' Fleetwood Flair
  1998 34' Fleetwood Bounder
  1997 40' Bluebird BMC
  1999 24' Winnebago Minnie Class C

Re: What is this engine component?

Reply #29
Dan,

Look through this site as this is what several here on the Forum use. If you don't like this brand there are several out there and others will chime in as to there preference.

8 oz. SealLube - seallube

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: What is this engine component?

Reply #30
SealLube seal expander sounds like just the ticket. Anybody know what the fluid capacity is of the hydraulic fluid reservoir/system?
1998 U295 36' No slides
Towing 2018 Jeep Wrangler
Previous rigs:
  1995 26' Fleetwood Flair
  1998 34' Fleetwood Bounder
  1997 40' Bluebird BMC
  1999 24' Winnebago Minnie Class C

Re: What is this engine component?

Reply #31
Anybody know what the fluid capacity is of the hydraulic fluid reservoir/system?
I doubt if anyone can give you a exact figure for total hydraulic system capacity.  It would depend, in part, on whether your coach uses a single pump or two pumps for the cooling fan motors and the power steering.  Big difference in hose lengths depending on the answer.

Someone who recently replaced the hydraulic reservoir filter(s) on a similar model year coach could perhaps tell you how much oil they drained out of the tank prior to removing filter(s).  What the remainder of the system holds is pretty much a guesstimate.
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: What is this engine component?

Reply #32
On our 99 320 the black  reservoir tank holds 9 gallon
Chris
1999 U 320 DGFE
Build Number 5523
Chris & Elka Lang
In the field, Lonoke AR

Re: What is this engine component?

Reply #33
Our '97 holds 15 and 1/2 Quarts and in the reservoir only.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: What is this engine component?

Reply #34
Update from OP:
Per advice from this forum, I drained the hydraulic fluid, replaced the 3 filters, refilled the tank with 4 gallons Delo 15W40 and added SealLube. 1,000 miles into our cross-country trip and no leaks, no seeps from the hydraulic pump seals. Thanks for the advice.
On the other hand, you may recall a trip from a few months ago, where I drove 1,000 miles and all looked good, then all of a sudden there was a huge mess of oil sprayed all over the rear of the engine compartment and the toad with no explanation. Well the same thing happened yesterday (at 1,000 miles again) except when I stood there trying to see what broke, I noticed the oil dipstick sticking out an inch and a half. That's the problem. I cleaned it up, added oil to bring the level back up, and duct-taped the dipstick in place so it doesn't pop out again.
Last question: I filled the hydraulic tank with Delo 15W40 400 XLE from Walmart. At a different Walmart yesterday I found both Delo 400 XLE and 400 SDE. What's the difference, and which should I be using in the hydraulic tank and the engine?
1998 U295 36' No slides
Towing 2018 Jeep Wrangler
Previous rigs:
  1995 26' Fleetwood Flair
  1998 34' Fleetwood Bounder
  1997 40' Bluebird BMC
  1999 24' Winnebago Minnie Class C

Re: What is this engine component?

Reply #35
As I have read Delo 400 SDE SAE 15W-40 is the non-synthetic, Delo 400 XLE SAE 15W-40 (Synthetic Technology)
Future Foretravel Owners
2019 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
Retired USAF, Retired DOD Civ's
FAA A&P, Indust. Eng., Acft Depot Lvl. Maint.
Larry and Becky Rountree

Re: What is this engine component?

Reply #36
Check the crankcase breather system. The dip stick should not eject itself.

Re: What is this engine component?

Reply #37
Check the crankcase breather system. The dip stick should not eject itself.
Don't know what that means...
1998 U295 36' No slides
Towing 2018 Jeep Wrangler
Previous rigs:
  1995 26' Fleetwood Flair
  1998 34' Fleetwood Bounder
  1997 40' Bluebird BMC
  1999 24' Winnebago Minnie Class C

Re: What is this engine component?

Reply #38
He is talking about hydraulics in loosing oil not the engine. Doesn't your dipstick tighten up by screwing it in.
You might need a new dipstick. They should tighten up so they can't be pulled out.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: What is this engine component?

Reply #39
He is talking about hydraulics in loosing oil not the engine. Doesn't your dipstick tighten up by screwing it in.
You might need a new dipstick. They should tighten up so they can't be pulled out.

I am taking it he is now talking about engine oil @ the 1000 mile point.  Which also could be dipstick wrong and overfilling with oil.


I can see now he might still be on the hydraulics tank dipstick.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: What is this engine component?

Reply #40
No, no, it's the engine oil dipstick.
Hydraulic dipstick screws in with the expanding rubber cap. It's not that one.
I just don't know how to go about checking the crankcase breather system, as suggested.
1998 U295 36' No slides
Towing 2018 Jeep Wrangler
Previous rigs:
  1995 26' Fleetwood Flair
  1998 34' Fleetwood Bounder
  1997 40' Bluebird BMC
  1999 24' Winnebago Minnie Class C

Re: What is this engine component?

Reply #41
The crankcase breather is the 1" or so ID hose exiting near the bottom of the engine.  It will likely have some oil around it as oil vapor does/should exit the hose.

On a cold morning (no, don't wait until fall) you will be able to see water vapor coming out.

When warm out, you may need to (safely) crawl under and make sure that there is reasonable air flow out it.  Yes, if blocked, it can cause crankcase pressure that can blow the engine oil dipstick up enough to leak as the crankcase pressure seeks an alternative escape route.

I would also compare the end of your dipstick to others-- you may have lost the O ring/seal.

Yes, it could be something else, but that is where to start.
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: What is this engine component?

Reply #42
Explained it 3 months ago on reply number 21,read again.
Reply to number 40,take the hose off the valve cover and clean it with brake cleaner.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.