Break down on I-10 (fan pump failure)

Topic: Break down on I-10 (fan pump failure) (Read 8020 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #50 – February 01, 2015, 07:35:42 am

Brad, this is good news, happy for you. Bon voyage!

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #51 – February 01, 2015, 07:56:36 am

suspence, suspence !!!!!!..........
how did the test drive go !!!!!!!!

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #52 – February 01, 2015, 08:01:34 am

This pump is a two piece bolted together and the two shafts are what connects to it together ( Inner and outer) . One part is the gear box , the other is the pump . This is bolted to the transmission as a unit . This unit is heavy , about 100 pounds + or - . One wire plug , one output hose and a large return hose . The mechanic said , if it would have had grease on that spline it would most likely last as long as the engine . You have to hand it to James T. , he said that was the problem from the get go . Mike , parts mgr. sent exactly the correct parts . Can not fault Foretravel one bit . Went to bed last night with the feeling that that big gray thing with a trunk stepped off my foot .

Want to get this coach on the interstate and hammer down to get the temp up to see that the fan goes into high output mode . Brad Metzger

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #53 – February 01, 2015, 08:09:32 am

Brad,

That makes sense. I was wondering if it was the main drive splines that had wore. That should fix the problem.

P & M

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #54 – February 01, 2015, 10:20:47 am

The frustration of being broke down and not being able to drive off is a bummer . The mental defeat feeling is a tuffy as well . Mine was bad enough but John's ----well that has got to be a test of what keeps men from saying bad things out loud . I know the feeling John is going thru . I expect he can handle it better than myself . Brad Metzger

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #55 – February 01, 2015, 03:09:04 pm

Brad
James new what part you needed because almost every nimbus and Phoenix has had this problem. I had a 2009 nimbus with 26,000 miles on it when the pto shelled out. Foretravel is aware of the problem and does nothing about it.

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #56 – February 01, 2015, 07:59:54 pm

I have to agree with you on that . I knew there were other failures , just didn't tune in on it since it wasn't me . My big point on this issue is this ----where is the grease -----? Why wasn't it applied when installed ? Is it because some one didn't give a toot , or didn.t follow instructions

? The more I think on this , the more questions come up . Drats squared twice !!! Did Foretravel install this pump ? Did it come from Allison installed ---I doubt it --? Will ask some key FOT folks and let every one know the results . Like I said before , the mechanic said that pump should have lasted as long as the engine . Goes right back to grease . I seam to be ready to hit the road when ready . Still ticked off about it . Brad Metzger

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #57 – February 01, 2015, 08:59:54 pm

You won't get an answer. "There isn't a problem" is all you will hear from the factory.

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #58 – February 01, 2015, 09:57:20 pm

Country Coach also had a problem with the drive for their hydraulic pumps that run off the Allison transmission pto. I have changed quite a few with a new kit, which was a bear to do. Glad that I am not doing that anymore.

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #59 – February 01, 2015, 10:19:08 pm

I watched that guy named (greasy) for 4 hours under that coach . His boss handed him tools . That has got to be considered a really bad job to do . I could not do it , too big , and old . Made me tired just watching him working in such a tight close area . His boss said that Greasy likes jobs that other people don't like . Said it makes him feel important .

Brad Metzger

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #60 – February 01, 2015, 11:48:26 pm

Sure makes one glad there's still workers like that still around.

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #61 – February 01, 2015, 11:58:32 pm

@Brad Glad everything is back together. Hope the the drive goes well tomorrow. We need some good news!

see ya
ken

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #62 – February 02, 2015, 12:40:53 am

I didn't know if this was applicable to Foretravel or not but after hearing Brad's experience, I guess I should mention what I know from when I worked at Country Coach in '08:
My understanding of the PTO problem is that a wet kit needs to be added that fills the spline chamber with engine oil from a small hose tapped into the engine oil galley. A second hose is a drain. Grease will work for only a limited time. The root cause I was told was that Cummins changed the idle such that the engine doesn't always fire on every cylinder (to decrease fuel consumption at idle) and a type of vibration is sent through the power train. The vibration causes "fretting corrosion" on the splines. Prior to '08 this step up was used for years in a dry (assembly grease only) configuration with no issues, then suddenly many failures in '08. This took all manufactures by surprise who use this setup. One of those things you could never predict ahead of time. Hard to say how many miles the grease will last because it's actually a function of idle time. If it were me I would get a kit installed as soon as convenient. I think the kit is just a supply hose(s), fittings and maybe some gaskets. Country Coach, LLC. had to do a recall for this due to the loss of power steering. Started on the Magna/Affinity line but I read lately owners of all models with PTO's are adding the wet kit.
Here's a good description from the new Country Coach Corporation.
Starts on page 5: http://www.countrycoach.com/pdf/destinations/Fall_2011-1.pdf

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #63 – February 02, 2015, 07:22:05 am

Looks like everyone will need to do this conversion. I knew about it on CC as they announced it but FT is silent on it. Time for them to contact owners.

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #64 – February 02, 2015, 08:34:36 am

Interesting. Nice that CC provided a write up explaining everything in great detail on the PTO failure. Why do we not see this from FOT?

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #65 – February 02, 2015, 09:46:57 am

So , now we have the rest of the story . Where is Foretravel on this issue ?? Why do we have to find out about this from Country Coach . ?? Appears Foretravel is either hiding it or just plain don't give a damn about it's customers . They had to know . James is on top of this kind of information , and my bet he was told to keep his mouth shut about it . Boy does this fire up my negative thoughts about the top guy . This oil kit should have been done prior to these coaches being built . Damn --damn and double damn . I am not upset one bit ---do you believe that ? Brad Metzger

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #66 – February 02, 2015, 10:25:04 am

Now that I run my mouth a bit much , I will have that oil bath kit installed . Got to locate the right place to get it done . Maybe that shop in NAC I.ve been hearing about . Anybody have ideas on this . Brad Metzger

Re: Break down on I-10 (fan pump failure)

Reply #67 – February 02, 2015, 10:33:09 am

I bet Bernd can do it but you might sit a while getting it done. Or you could see if Cloverdale could do it for you on the way home.

Re: Break down on I-10 (fan pump failure)

Reply #68 – February 02, 2015, 10:43:29 am

FYI, the posts related to John Haygarth's throttle control problems have been split into their own topic here Throttle control failure (split from Break down on I-10 )

Re: Break down on I-10 (fan pump failure)

Reply #69 – February 02, 2015, 10:49:16 am

This info from CC just adds fire to my comment a while back "what is happening at FT lately, especially with serious updates of info that owners of affected coach's should be kept up to date on"
These are to me serious issues and does not sound like the FT of old. Are we seeing the sinking of the "mothership"

Bad paintwork on new models, no updating for owners on system requirements, technical help for select people only. This is not what we want to see and hear.
JohnH

Re: Break down on I-10 (fan pump failure)

Reply #70 – February 02, 2015, 11:39:19 am

Thanks John S. , but--------and but again-----I just got off the phone with James T. and he said , the rebuilt pumps that they send out for replacement (all) have a Zerk grease fitting installed . Boy is this good news or what . When you change oil and grease your coach , give it a shot of grease . Wow ---this just might be the cure . I my have to hold off on the strangulation think after all . He said the newer pumps have oil bath , but my coach has the older model and can not be fitted with oil bath . I would believe the grease fitting might be cure on my model since it will not run dry as long as I own it . That James knows some stuff for sure . He is the guy at FOT that can be trusted all the time .

Brad Metzger

Re: Break down on I-10 (fan pump failure)

Reply #71 – February 02, 2015, 11:45:14 am

James was good in oct 87 when I met him at the unihome intro at Nac

Re: Break down on I-10 (fan pump failure)

Reply #72 – February 02, 2015, 12:04:42 pm

So , as the story goes . The older model pumps where installed with grease applied at that time . Problem is after a period of time the grease is slung off and now it is dry splines working against each other . This will result in failure . It is just a matter of time , It's going to happen . So the grease fitting should save the day .

Brad Metzger

Re: Break down on I-10 (fan pump failure)

Reply #73 – February 02, 2015, 02:10:19 pm

I had my Sheppard Steering box replaced last November because it was leaking badly and on the verge of failure. Now I am reading in the CC pdf that the PTO can fail and cause a loss of power steering and hydraulics.

Being a user, not a mechanic, can anyone tell me if this is something I have on my 2001 U270 and how I can check to see if it has a grease zert?

Thanks for your help.

Ted

PS- Brad- so glad you are fixed and back on the road .

Now Let's hope Cummins can help John.

Re: Break down on I-10 (fan pump failure)

Reply #74 – February 02, 2015, 05:48:22 pm

Brad, glad you are all fixed up. Did James say in what year they started putting zerk fittings on the pumps? Would be nice to know.

Richard B

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