1993 U300 issues

Topic: 1993 U300 issues (Read 1603 times) previous topic - next topic

1993 U300 issues

March 09, 2013, 08:31:46 pm

As promised, here is a list of issues that I'll have to deal with on our new-to-us coach. Keep in mind that we are the third owners (just bought it officially yesterday), and the original owners had it for four years. Some may just be age-related. These are in no particular order.

1. Bedroom lights work on one side, but not the other. Both sides worked last month when we first looked at the coach. Ceiling locker lights work just fine on both sides. Time to replace with LED strips?

2. Original refrigerator does not cool on any setting. A neighbor said it needs "freon." I didn't think RV refrigerators used freon. Time to replace with a residential one?

3. Cruise control didn't work. I'll look under the dash for a fuse/breaker, but I'm not going to put a lot of effort into this, as I tend to not use cruise much anyway.

4. Retarder switch doesn't seem to do anything. Is this actually a Jake brake? Might this be related to the cruise control?

5. Emergency flashers don't work at all. I found what looked like a flasher loose under the dash, but didn't see anyplace where it ought to be plugged in. I'm guessing that this might be a fairly simple fix.

6. Outside step is functional, but shows lots of rust/decayed material. I'm wondering if it would be best to just replace it, or if it could/should be repaired. Maybe sometime this week I can get some pictures of it.

7. It is possible that I just drove 321 miles on 13-year-old rear tires. Oda's notes said the tires were replaced in 1999, but she thought they had been replaced since then, too, but couldn't find any evidence to back that up. If I read correctly, and remember correctly (neither of which is a sure bet, especially the remembering), the tires were made the 15th week of 99. I'll try to post a picture of what I was looking at and maybe someone can tell me for sure.

8. Several of the clearance lights need attention. I'm not sure whether I'll replace all of them with LED, or just change the bulbs that need changing. I suppose I could switch the ones I have to work on to LED and leave the ones that work properly alone. Since at least one bulb works in each light, there is not great hurry.

Fortunately, we don't have any travel plans for several months, and I should have plenty of time this weekend to work on the coach.

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #1 – March 09, 2013, 08:42:48 pm

David,

One side of my bedroom lights quit working also.

The fix was to remove a wood panel in the rear cabinet and remake the ground connection for that string of lights. The wire is grounded to the frame with a screw that has come loose.

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #2 – March 09, 2013, 08:56:21 pm

I had a ground screw come loose in the bathroom same issue one side did not work. Opened it up and found the open ground and it worked ever since. I do not know the93 as well as my coaches but the CC is shut off by the retarder. The retarder will put on the brake lights and that kills the cruise control.

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #3 – March 09, 2013, 09:00:18 pm

Let's address the tire issue as that is quite safety related.

Look at the FULL DOT number (molded into only one sidewall of each tire-- hopefully facing out, but may fact in):

For any tire built after 1/1/2000, the last 4 digits indicate the WEEK (first two digits) and YEAR (last two digits) of production. Tires built before that date had three digits, the first two indicating the week and the last the year.

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #4 – March 09, 2013, 09:05:09 pm

Brett, that's what I think I remember seeing. It is also possible that I wasn't looking at the right thing in the first place. If weather cooperates tomorrow I'll see if I can get a picture of what I was looking at and post it for those of you who know what you are looking at.

Even if the tires were replaced some years ago, they are most likely getting close to needing replacement again. We'll be joining FMCA shortly and will take advantage of their tire program.

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #5 – March 09, 2013, 09:05:24 pm

Hello, My 2 cents worth, any 20 year old coach will need a fair amount of TLC to get it back into proper working shape after sitting dormant for a while, between rust, corrosion, dry rotted hoses, belts, mother nature and father time, nothing would be a shock.
So good luck and enjoy the opportunity to play with a nice toy box.
I think this is referred to as having a little kitty after you buy the toy.
Lots of challenges and opportunities.

Dave M WG4T

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #6 – March 09, 2013, 09:17:37 pm

The coach has 151,000 miles on it, so it hasn't been a hanger queen. Lee and Odie haven't used it much in the past couple of years, but they didn't let it sit much prior to that.

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #7 – March 09, 2013, 09:20:12 pm

Dave:

We have a 1991 and I have been fixing a lot of things too. A couple of comments:

Retarder - I thought ours wasn't working either until I found out how they work. You flip the retarder switch, nothing happens...until you touch the brakes, then the retarder will kick in, as long as you are on the brakes. As soon as you let up on the brake pedal the retarder will release.

Cruise control - ours doesn't work either. I got the cruise control schematic from FOT, the turn lever cruise switches actually control 3 relays under the dash. This spring I plan to check/replace the 3 relays. I'm thinking after 22 years, there is a good chance they are crusty and non-functional. I'll post the results and if I get the cruise working.

Peter

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #8 – March 09, 2013, 09:24:29 pm

You can call Foretravel. They can look up your coach number and tell you if it came with a jake or a trans retarder... You could crawl under the coach and look at the trans data plate. Look for an R at the end of the model number... Most likely it's a jake.

I would go directly to a residential fridge. Upgrade your inverter and charger if it hasn't been done. Do the floors if you want wood or tile. HD led tvs.

Get it all done the way you want now.

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #9 – March 09, 2013, 10:57:12 pm

Quote from: kb0zke – March 09, 2013, 08:31:46 pm

4. Retarder switch doesn't seem to do anything. Is this actually a Jake brake? Might this be related to the cruise control?

ID Plate says it is E11 - Detroit 6V92TA/350hp HT746 transmission (Jake Brake)

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #10 – March 10, 2013, 01:13:04 am

On the 93 GV we had the cc was not working too when bought and it was a bad foot brake switch. Got a new one and all was well.
Chuck the clearance light all around and put new LED on, and do not forget to seal the top and side (not bottom)
John H

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #11 – March 10, 2013, 10:51:28 am

Dave:

Here is the original brochure for your coach from Barry's BeamAlarm website. This also lists a Jake brake.
And welcome to the 6V92TA club!

1993 Foretravel U300 GV Specifications

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #12 – March 10, 2013, 11:32:44 am

David,

I can see a lot of items may be "new owner" unfamiliarity. Stateroom lights have switches on each side and also a switch for the interior compartments overhead lights. Takes a while to figure out all the switch locations.

Jake is on the "retarder" switch. In your year and model, it will come on the moment the switch is activated (as long as your foot is off the throttle). It has two positions. The first activates the right side of the engine and the second is all cylinders.

The transmission is a four speed with lock up part way through second gear so it feels exactly like a 5 speed.

Check all fuses under the flip up dash (don't be afraid to pull up hard). Some of the fuses don't see juice until the key is turned on. Easy to check without pulling them by using a test light on one side and then the other and only takes a minute so so to check all. Will probably cure the Jake/Cruze problem.

Clearance lights have a corrosion problem but can be fixed pretty easy. The wires are VERY short so the replacement of the entire unit in front can be a challenge. LED bulbs are available for almost any light in the coach including the ICC lights.

Don't repair the old fridge. Ours had failed and run the last owners out of the coach with the smell. I had a new Norcold in my garage that fit almost exactly. Household fridge will work fine depending on the batteries and if you dry camp or see a lot of RV parks.

Does not sound like the last owners did a lot of PM so would read up on all issues using the "search" function on our forum.

If you have a lot of step rust, check your bulkheads per forum advice as there may be some here too.

Don't let ANYONE talk you into anything but a straight grade 40 or 50 SAE low ash oil like Delo 100 (never 400). This is the factory and Chevron official position. Lots of "wives tales" about what is good and whats not by some that belong in time share sales.

Make a list and call me. Lv message if not home.

Pierce

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #13 – March 10, 2013, 10:23:39 pm

Ditto on the oil for the Detroit 6V92! I did not know what to use and everyone told me different. Stewart and Stevenson actually carries and oil especially made for Detroit 2 cycle diesel engines......says it right on the label. An ex-engineer from Chevron told me about it.......I only use this type of oil.

Question......what should be the interval between oil changes in the Detroit 6v92 350HP turbo engine? I always get different answers from everyone I ask. I change mine every 10,000 miles including all filters. Also what about the generator and transmission?

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #14 – March 10, 2013, 11:35:45 pm

Quote from: Steve Mudd – March 10, 2013, 10:23:39 pm

Question......what should be the interval between oil changes in the Detroit 6v92 350HP turbo engine? I always get different answers from everyone I ask. I change mine every 10,000 miles including all filters. Also what about the generator and transmission?

Steve,

I recommend that you consider using an oil testing service to help choose change intervals. My recollection is that the recommended change interval on our Cummins C-8.3 is 6 month/6000 miles. I'm not going to change oil that often. I submitted samples from engine and transmission to Blackstone Laboratories at 9,600 miles after the previous change. All oil properties were well into proper ranges. We changed at about 12,000 miles and probably could have gone further based on additional samples. Sampling is easy and quick. Cost is minor compared to the cost of a change.

Search the forum for "oil analysis" for more information.

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #15 – March 11, 2013, 06:21:48 pm

#5, emergency flashers, is now fixed. I poked around a bit under the dash today after school and found the place where the flasher should plug in. Plugged it in, turned on the flashers, and they work.

Of course, when one problem is solved, another shows up. This time the RF turn signal doesn't flash, either on flashers or turn signal. My first guess is that a bulb is out. I don't see any screws on the bezel, so I'm assuming the access is from behind somewhere, but where?

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #16 – March 11, 2013, 07:01:18 pm

David,
The lamp goes in from the backside. The socket twists and pulls out of housing.

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #17 – March 11, 2013, 08:02:11 pm

Thanks, Randy. I'll play with that tomorrow after school. The weather guessers think it will be quite a bit warmer tomorrow. I doubt that I can get one thing taken care of each day, but perhaps I'll at least have enough done in the next week that I can schedule a day to take it in for an inspection. Then Jo Ann can go get the plates.

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #18 – March 14, 2013, 09:01:23 pm

I got the socket out and the bulb removed. It looks like it has been quite wet there, so I'm going to try cleaning up the socket a bit before I put the new bulb in.

I took some pictures of the tires today. It sure looks like the front tires are dated 0110, which I read to be the first week of January, 2010, which matches with what we were told. The rear tires I'm reading as week 15 of 1999, which again matches with what we were told in the notes. Mrs. Weatherred did say that she thought they had purchased tires since then (between 99 and 2010) but couldn't find any evidence of it.

If I did this correctly, there are three pictures attached. The first one shows a date code from a front tire, the second a date code from a rear tire, and the third is a pair of switches I found under the dash and what may be grounding lugs. Since there are both red and black wires attached together, I'm not sure.

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #19 – March 14, 2013, 09:05:36 pm

The black wires are the power into the breakers and the red wires are going from the breakers to what ever they are supposed to power up, may be the docking lights

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #20 – March 14, 2013, 09:07:57 pm

So those are (auto-resetting?) breakers and not ground lugs? Glad I didn't try to connect from one of those to the speedometer!

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #21 – March 14, 2013, 09:10:31 pm

Yes that is what they are. If you have a wire chart can tell what they go to for sure but I think docking lights

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #22 – March 14, 2013, 09:14:43 pm

That rear tire is a massive blowout waiting to happen. It was made the 15th week of 1999!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I would not drive out of town on that one.

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #23 – March 14, 2013, 09:17:07 pm

If the Foretravel manual with the electrical schematics came with your rig, you are in good shape. All the wires are coded so can be followed on paper as you look under the dash. Take the pages with the schematics to Kinko and have them blown up. Bill Chaplin showed up at my place a couple of years ago with several as a present. I use them all the time. What seems impossibly complex with the small print becomes EZ once it is enlarged. If you roll them up, they fit great in one of the overhead compartments.

If you don't have any, I will photo mine and send as a PDF. Same year but you have a 40 footer. Most diagrams should be close to the same.

Pierce

Re: 1993 U300 issues

Reply #24 – March 14, 2013, 09:26:49 pm

Since it is going to be some time before we're ready to move the coach, and then only to turn it around, I'm not going to get too excited about the tires yet. We are in the process of joining FMCA, and as soon as that is all official we'll take advantage of their tire discount program. I'm assuming that I'll probably have to drive it down to Springfield to get the tires put on, unless my chance the local car dealership (Dodge and Ford, only new car dealership in the county) happens to be on the approved list.

Now, which tires should I get? I'm assuming that all four rear tires are of the same vintage, and it would make sense to do them all at once. I do prefer Michelin tires, and have them on both cars and on the front of the Foretravel. Front tires are Michelin XZA3 tires. Is that what I should get for the drive tires?

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