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Topic: Bernd (Read 1829 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Bernd

Reply #25 –
You know what is sad about this thread?  It is not the difference of opinions on the only "dedicated" diesel engine repair shop in NAC.  There will always be different opinions.  What is SAD is the fact that there IS only ONE shop in NAC that works on RV diesel engines.  With all the big diesel coaches that are built, bought and sold there, and two major dealers (FOT and MOT) that attract hundreds of coaches to the town every year, you'd think there would be several places that would offer quality diesel engine service and repair.

Instead, we have the 'choice" of ONE shop and one "sometimes" mobile mechanic who may or may not be available.  Doesn't exactly give you a warm fuzzy feeling if you have a engine problem.  True, most diesel engines are fairly robust and reliable, but stuff happens.  When it does, and you are stuck in the HEART of the diesel motorhome community in Texas, it would be nice to have at least a few choices of repair facility.  I don't know what the solution is, but I sincerely hope the situation changes (for the better) some day...
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
"Surely, no age has been more fraught with insecurity than our own present time."

Re: Bernd

Reply #26 –
Quote from: John44 –
Have build #4810,we do not have a low coolant sensor or the water in fuel sensor.

Very few 270's of that age did.  Lot of the 295's of that age did but not all.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

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

Re: Bernd

Reply #27 –
So let me understand this situation. The original poster is asking about Bernd so he can have the check engine light from the engine computer checked on his RV that has a mechanical Cummins engine that does not have a computer?
1998 U270 34'

Re: Bernd

Reply #28 –
May be an opportunity for MOT and FOT to jointly open an engine/transmission shop in Nacogdoches. Maybe not a full service shop at first but one that could address ( seems like there is always a bad connection somewhere) the problems that these electronic engine/transmission coaches have.
They certainly could send some business to that shop and keep some dollars in Nacogdoches. And keep Foretravel owners from having to drive some additional miles to address a problem.
Never give dollars an opportunity to leave the community. Maybe Nacogdoches would give some kind of financial break to add another business to the neighborhood.
John Duld
1995 U320C SE 40'

Re: Bernd

Reply #29 –
Quote from: U295 Owner –
Would you be willing to drive from Nacogdoches to Houston with a 'check engine' light on?

I would go to Bernd to have the codes read. I do not know him or have had any dealing with him but if I was in your shoes I would take it to him first. It is possible that the check engine light will go out before you even get there.

As stated above FOT & MOT can do maintenance but when it comes to check engine and other engine issues they are not the company to go to.
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: Bernd

Reply #30 –
Not arguing but the 295 may have more sensors but it does not have a computer,if his has the coolant and water in fuel sensors
make sure they are not tripping the light.On that engine it is not a code it is a sensor tripping,something you can check yourself.
The shop is not going to hook a scanner up and extract a code to tell you what is wrong,they will do the things we are telling you to do yourself.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Bernd

Reply #32 –
Understand that Bernd is a good engine man but the mechanical diesel engines are super simple engines easy to figure out.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Bernd

Reply #33 –
Later model engines ie the ones with def and the earlier ceramic muffler exhaust cleaner.... The "check engine" light is more crucial.. Not so much with mechanical engines.. I've had them that Have been on so long that if it went off I would wonder if something was wrong.
Dub McBride 1996 270

Re: Bernd

Reply #34 –
295

Did your service included a transmission fluid and filter change?

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

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

Re: Bernd

Reply #35 –
Here's my story.  I previously revealed that my computer skills are null, and I cannot change my profile without an email account - and I don't have one anymore.

In late March - remember we had the transmission fiasco on our U295 in Gilbert AZ at the Freightliner shop - we bought a 2002 42' U320 from Premium Coach Group in Gilbert (my advice is NOT to patronize them).  It has a 450 HP ISM in it.  That is the engine that I have been talking about in my previous posts.

Larry

Tim, I can't pull up anything on the alternative mechanic whose website you posted.

Re: Bernd

Reply #37 –
Quote from: U295 Owner –
- we bought a 2002 42' U320  It has a 450 HP ISM in it.  That is the engine that I have been talking about in my previous posts.

Larry,

Now this is a hog of a different color. There is a whole list of things that can drop the check engine light on this engine. It could be any number of sensors.  You sure need to pull the flags that are down on the ECM. We sure need to get your profile page up to date as that 295 is the coach I thought you were talking about.

Mike
Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

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

Re: Bernd

Reply #38 –
Any shop that works on Diesel engines in trucks should have a scan tool to read codes. Our coach has a habit of throwing a BS code that says "road speed doesn't match engine speed", long story but by turning the key on and waiting 30-40 seconds before cranking clears this code. May take up to 3 clean starts to get it cleared.

Worth a try to see if your code clears by waiting 40 seconds or so with the ignition on before cranking. I try and give a pause every time before starting and rarely get the code.

Driving with the engine light on is worry some, if the dinger is dinging it'll drive you nuts but thats easy to fix by disconnecting it.
 
Silverleaf codes are not always correct but that's another story.
David Bethard
2003 U320 - 40ft. Build #6159
ISM 500hp
2006 Jeep Liberty CRD
2021 Honda Goldwing DCT

Re: Bernd

Reply #39 –
Was his email address, try his phone, great guy might have went to work in the oil fields - was great mobile diesel mechanic In NAC
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Bernd

Reply #40 –
To all:

My DW got in the face of the service writer at FOT and pointed out him that since we brought the coach in to FOT without a 'service engine' light, they best come up with a solution.  They eventually decided it might be best to do so. 

We had the entry carpet replaced, which caused them to remove the seats and some other stuff.  Well, they forget to plug in the accelerator petal after completing the carpet work, and that was driving the 'check engine' light.  They plugged it in and all was well (with the engine, that is).

We had FOT do a headlight conversion - instead of XTREME - and FOT was unable to match the grey color shade to the front cap.  That looks a bit odd (to us).

We had a bunch of other issues, also.  But won't bore you with our difficulties...except to say that after the headlight conversion, the passenger-side fog lamp was just dangling there because FOT mechanic forgot to 'install' it.

Larry

Re: Bernd

Reply #41 –
Quote from: U295 Owner –
To all:

My DW got in the face of the service writer at FOT and pointed out him that since we brought the coach in to FOT without a 'service engine' light, they best come up with a solution.  They eventually decided it might be best to do so. 

Good for her!

Also sorry to hear about your other issues.  Those are unacceptable and hopefully she also gets in the face of whoever is the service manager these days and that you are

#1 made whole

#2 compensated for your aggravation.
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: Bernd

Reply #42 –
The FOT shop is not a happy place right now.  Employee turnover is rampant.

Larry

Re: Bernd

Reply #43 –
My last experience at FOT was not up to par either.  I think there is a new service manager.  Attention to detail not what it used to be.  Thinking of trying MOT in the future.
2000 U295 40'
Build 5635

Re: Bernd

Reply #44 –
When you can please change your handle to another name so we don't go thru this next time.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.
 

Re: Bernd

Reply #45 –
We have used Bernd and he did some good changes to increase our turbo pressure about +10psi. Changes were made years ago and we still operate fine without exhaust color with max boost about 30 psi.