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Topic: Needing Repairs (Read 2903 times) previous topic - next topic

Needing Repairs

We recently purchased a '98 Foretravel U320 and we are looking for a good shop to go in order to get following items worked on.
-Aquahot needs servicing.
-The engine has 133,000 miles and the valves and injectors need to be adjusted.
-Our fuel lines have cracks and we would like to have them checked out.
-Our airbags are the original ones and don't look to good on the bottom area, we'd like them checked out as well.
-The speedometer display and tachometer also keeps failing once in awhile.
-Maybe get a resonator installed.
We have heard a lot about Bernd's shop in Nacogdoches and he seems to be highly recommended by several members of the forum. Would anyone be able to share some more information about how things go there?
Best Regards, Howard and Nancy.

Re: Needing Repairs

Reply #1 –
Howard and Nancy, first of all welcome to the ForeForum! Can you tell us where you are located as members have some favorites all around the country. If you are anywhere near Houston I would get a hold of Rudy here on the forum for you Aquahot servicing.

Greg

Re: Needing Repairs

Reply #2 –
Greg,
Thank you for the response. We have heard of Rudy before from another source. We are located in Nacogdoches and may consider him.
Howard & Nancy

Re: Needing Repairs

Reply #3 –
My opinion on you repairs,get the aquahot fixed,have the engine valves checked,the injectors are either working or not there is no
adjustment.You can either replace fuel lines or not,one shop may say they are bad another may say they are good.same with the air bags ,they may last a few more years and they may not,cost for 1 is about $150 not including labor.get the speedo and tach fixed.
Resonator is up to you,will make the engine sound different and maybe more power.If your not doing any of the work your talking
boo-kuu money.(a few so called coach bucks).

Re: Needing Repairs

Reply #4 –
Welcome! Please put you info in the signature area of your profile, and let us know what city the coach is in.
That being said, a trip to NAC is always a good thing

Re: Needing Repairs

Reply #5 –
There has been a number of us 98 model year owners that have had the fuel line material failure.  I was lucky that the PO, had the failure while they were at FOT, and they paid for them to be replaced.  The failure stopped them from leaving the day they had planned to travel on, after some service days.

Re: Needing Repairs

Reply #6 –
Quote from: John44 –
the injectors are either working or not there is no adjustment.

John,
A '98 U-320 should have a Celect Plus and if so the injectors do have an adjustment. This is from Cummins tech manual on the adjustment of M-11 injectors.

4. Injectors are adjusted using the following method:
• Bottom the injector plunger out three or four times to remove fuel beneath the timing plunger by tightening and loosening the injector adjustment screw. Do not tighten more than 25 in-lbs.
• Tighten the adjusting screw to 25 in-lbs.
• Back-out adjusting screw 2 flats or 120 degrees.
• Lock the lock nut.

I'm  not trying to be like an over educated burrow just wanted to get the proper info for the subject.

Pamela & Mike

Re: Needing Repairs

Reply #7 –
Welcome to Foreforums, congrats on the coach. Several places in Nacadoches for service.

Re: Needing Repairs

Reply #8 –
Your list is probably all required.

Air bags, fuel lines, fuel filter system if it has the Winn still on it.  Mine needed a cam position sensor and a new air pressure sensor and the valves and imjectors adjusted.

Front wheel seals, drag link rubber covers over the ends. 

Generator requires valve adjustment ever 1,000 hours.  I replaced the glow plugs also.

If your budget allows a set of koni fsd's shocks are a major improvement in ride quality and body roll.

Centrimatics auto balance the tires.

We replaced all the batteries and added a few solar panels and a cross over system to charge the engine batteries when the house are being charged automatically.

Led lights. 

Re: Needing Repairs

Reply #9 –
No matter what you have repaired/replaced/adjusted, try to STAY WITH THE COACH. I have found that to be a very important part of getting good service.

Be as knowledgeable as you can. Work with your service provide. Try not to be a problem, but watch and learn.

Re: Needing Repairs

Reply #10 –
I agree stay with the coach if possible, but if you have a home in NAC, it would be silly to do that.  Get an estimate first for each of the items, expect for more things to be found that need repair.  You could get good work at Bernd, but in my case it wasn't, but he did stand behind his work and sent 2 employees to Austin to correct the problem.

Re: Needing Repairs

Reply #11 –
Bernd has done good work for me, however I have also used MOT (Motorhomes of Texas) for many things and have been happy there also.  FOT has a service center also- you might try them.

You might want to take your coach to several places to be evaluated and get estimates on the work.  Then use your gut to determine who you want to do the work and watch as much as possible.  Learning from a good tech is a great experience.

Congratulations on your coach and welcome to the forum.

 ^.^d

Re: Needing Repairs

Reply #12 –
Bernd's shop is likely the only one in Nac that can do valve/injector adjustments.  You need a diesel mechanic for that and neither FOT nor MOT has one and don't do engine work.  Bo at Bernd's (no longer their, I read) did our valves/injectors last year and we were very pleased.

For AquaHot in east/south Texas we recommend Rudy.  He will take the time to explain what he's doing and help educate you on the system.  Not that the other guys wouldn't be able to do the work, but you come away with so much more if you have Rudy work on your AquaHot.

Fuel lines would probably be any of the shops.

Air bags - have not used MOT but have used FOT for the front and tag and Bernd for the drive.  Much better job at Bernd's.  Took weeks sitting in the parking lot trying to get back into FOT shop for major leaks they caused (we finally had to escalate the situation to Cory Rucker, who had our coach taken to the production shop to be fixed).  After that, Bernd's guys found at least one fitting had only been tightened 1 thread's worth on a front air bag.  We now have new DOT fittings all around - had Bernd's guys go over all the fittings and connections.

Re: Needing Repairs

Reply #13 –
Quote from: Ted & Karen –
I have also used MOT (Motorhomes of Texas) for many things and have been happy there also.  FOT has a service center also- you might try them.

You might want to take your coach to several places to be evaluated and get estimates on the work.  Then use your gut to determine who you want to do the work and watch as much as possible.
I'd vote for MOT though have not had any experience working with Bernd. ...MOT has an extremely communicative staff + you actually get to make some of the hands-on decisions after being given the various choices + get shop time if needed to oversee the work.  You're lucky to live right there in "Mecaadoches"

And a warm welcome to the forum, best resources & help on the planet for these fabulous machines.

Re: Needing Repairs

Reply #14 –
Bernd for the injectors/valves and fuel lines.  Air bags - FOT/MOT - although I'm sure Bernd can check them out for you.  Rudy - Aquahot if you are down Houston way.  We have used them all.  :D

Re: Needing Repairs

Reply #15 –
Quote from: Carol & Scott –
Air bags - FOT/MOT - although I'm sure Bernd can check them out for you.

See my post above yours - Bernd's shop does airbags as well (and does a very good job with them).  I suspect similar good things from MOT but we haven't had them do an airbag.

Re: Needing Repairs

Reply #16 –
Michelle, sent them a note and if they want will meet for coffee, think thru options, schedules, get some idea first needs.  You right, i did report Bo gone and that significant loss but maybe replacement as good, do not know.

There are a couple of other changes here that I have not reported but more of ghee whiz nature than substantive.  Intersting though and is important that some shops branching out to do work they have not traditionally done...pros and cos to that...may demonstrate level of business coming here or other aspect.  For a time may confuse new owners.

Mike

Re: Needing Repairs

Reply #17 –
We took our new to us 97 270 in Dec 15 unit to Bernd for fuel lines, filters and addition of Parker purge, heater lines, new air bags and other air systems and fittings, transmission filters, seals, fluid change to transynd, coolant and filter change, hose changes and setting valves.  While I like to do my own work there was just to much for one guy to do and get back on the road any time soon.  My experience would cause me to recommend Bernd for anything with the chassis but with coach pieces, water heater, waste valves, propane testing I received good service from FOT.

Re: Needing Repairs

Reply #18 –
Howard, I sent you a private message two days ago.....but  as I am not sure you know how to access such, and no reply, I am going public so to speak and post it here.......I am offering to give you a 50 amp cord if you do not have an extra one that you may want/need to carry.  You can....I have....get into a site where the shore power cord of the coach will not reach from the coach to the pedestal.  Perhaps as a new owner you need this?  Otherwise I am going to offer to other Forum members.

Let me know if need, are interested.

mike
 

Re: Needing Repairs

Reply #19 –
We just wanted to give an update on our Foretravel. We did take it to Bernd's shop and all in all we are very pleased with the work done. Price was also very reasonable and he was very hospitable. We will definitely be returning with any further work needed. We also want to mention that we got a "private" message from a member who was trying to talk us out of going there. He gave us absolutely false information about the people working at Bernd's shop. In our opinion they are all very well trained and each of them are knowledgeable. Especially on the diesel part they have cummins trained and development engineers working there. Motor Homes of Texas and Foretravel sends all their diesel work over to Bernd and they all have a very well built relationship that's been going on for some years now. Both of them, MOT and FOT, speaks highly of them. We can only suggest to get your own idea before making a decision over a "private" message from someone who has never been to his shop or had any personal contact. Happy camping ya'll.
Howard & Nancy