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Topic: He Bought It! (Read 3678 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: He Bought It!

Reply #20 –
The long distance repairs can be a bit of a challenge but you will work through it. Hopefully, you will have a go to person at Cummins that you can visit with that can give you a periodic status of your repairs. If not, might want to ask for one. We also bought our coach sight unseen, so don't worry, it can be done. It wasn't the worst financial decision I ever made. Probably doesn't even rank in the top ten..... Stay optimistic, it sounds like you are.... Good luck.

Re: He Bought It!

Reply #21 –
The coach made it to shop👍
Now for the fix.
I asked then to fix the overheating, check the fuel lines for cracking (almost certain of that), check the fuel for algae, and do an overall safety check.

It'll be another week until they can look at it. We'll see what happens next.

Re: He Bought It!

Reply #22 –
If it has been sitting for a long time, quite likely the disk brake slide pins need servicing.

Do NOT let anyone use chassis grease on the brakes!

So unless the shop has someone familiar with air disk brakes, they may not be your best choice for servicing them.

Many fire trucks have the same air disk brakes, so that may be another choice for removing wheels, checking slide pins, pads, lubing the brakes and INSTALLING HELPER SPRINGS.

Re: He Bought It!

Reply #23 –
That's a good point about the brakes. I will make sure that it gets addressed. The good thing about where the coach is located: it is surrounded by truck shops.
The Michelin tire shop is two buildings down the street. I might use the FMCA or Prevost discount and get some new rubber installed before heading out of town.

Re: He Bought It!

Reply #24 –
So I finally got a callback from the shop. It will need two new hydraulic fans which is no surprise. It will also need a new radiator and a starting battery. Luckily the mechanic has spent some time at Foretravel  and knows these coaches well. He's been in contact with Foretravel and will be able to get the right parts. The price is unknown as of now, but I do want to get it fixed and running perfectly right. I'll let you know more when I know more.

Re: He Bought It!

Reply #25 –
Bob are you a Motorcade member? If so, you can get 10% off of the parts from FT. It will add up quickly.

Larry

Re: He Bought It!

Reply #26 –
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Re: He Bought It!

Reply #27 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
If it has been sitting for a long time, quite likely the disk brake slide pins need servicing.

Do NOT let anyone use chassis grease on the brakes!

So unless the shop has someone familiar with air disk brakes, they may not be your best choice for servicing them.

Many fire trucks have the same air disk brakes, so that may be another choice for removing wheels, checking slide pins, pads, lubing the brakes and INSTALLING HELPER SPRINGS.

I had taken my 97 coach to a repair place in Houston that worked on fire trucks for City of Houston.  The mechanic that was working on them also worked on mine.  The shop had NO idea about the correct grease and was upset that the manufacture rep that would come by time to time did not teach them about the correct grease.  I ended up teaching them more about the brakes from that I learned from this forum.  They ended up ordering a case of the correct grease and redoing my brakes again.  After they redid with the correct grease I still was having problems and they told me I needed new calibers for some $1500+ each + labor. (They said that was what they would do when I fire truck came in with same problem)  Ended up taking coach to MOT.  In 15 minutes they figured out slide pins rusted, and brakes adjusted incorrectly.  $800.00 later and end of my brake problems.  Lesson is just because a shop works on fire trucks does not mean they know how to correctly work on our brakes.  When you think about it a fire truck either has the brake or gas petal slammed to the floor and most do not go long distances without getting on the brakes.  Expensive lesson learned on my part. 

Re: He Bought It!

Reply #28 –
No question, the fact that a tech has worked on any system does NOT necessarily mean they know what they are doing.  Same for most any technical component.

SO, perhaps better stated-- you are more likely to find competent service from someone who has experience on that particular system.

Caveat: Want it done right, do it YOURSELF or take it to Nacogdoches.

I tend toward the former, others toward the latter.

Re: He Bought It!

Reply #30 –
I do like Mike Wolfe says. I do it myself AND most of the time even I don't know what I am doing. But I live and learn and get a little more knowledgeable every time.

Re: He Bought It!

Reply #31 –
Quote from: nitehawk –
I do like Mike Wolfe says. I do it myself AND most of the time even I don't know what I am doing. But I live and learn and get a little more knowledgeable every time.


I couldn't agree more as I do love having a wrench in my hand. Once I get it the 900 miles home, it's mine to work on. For now, I am over a barrel and have to write a check.
There are no sour grapes though, I got a nice drop in price to make up for it.
I am just anxiously awaiting the green light to take it out for a long event-free trip.

Re: He Bought It!

Reply #32 –
Congrats Bob on your new to you coach!  Let the fun begin!
 

Re: He Bought It!

Reply #33 –
Congrats!! Having this forum for reference is an outstanding resource and confidence builder!