More coach bucks

Topic: More coach bucks (Read 9645 times) previous topic - next topic

More coach bucks

January 06, 2017, 05:12:37 pm

Tuesday morning we left Fort Stockton heading towards the SKP park near Hondo, TX. We spent the night in Sonora. No troubles on the drive in on Tuesday. After the engine had cooled off I checked the oil and coolant, planning to top off anything that needed it, so that we could leave right away Wednesday morning. In fact, we didn't even unhook the Jeep. All was fine, and I turned on the block heater so that we could leave right away. Wednesday morning I turned off the block heater and hit the key. Engine fired up, but the STOP ENGINE light was on. Shut down, and went to the back. Everything looked good, but there was a dark something on the ground. Looked underneath, and there was a drip, drip, drip from what looked like the lowest point of the engine. That explained the dark something on the ground. Was it oil or coolant? Dipstick showed the same level as the afternoon before. Radiator overflow tank had coolant in it, but when I opened the black reservoir (the one on the right with the sensor) and put some water in it sounded empty. Okay, stuff on the ground is coolant.

Called Coach-net. Eventually a large tow truck with two young guys arrived. By this time the motor home in front of us had moved to another place to make it easier for the tow truck to hook up. By Wednesday afternoon we were here in San Angelo, about 60 miles from Sonora, at the Freightliner place. They originally thought they could get us right in, but that was at 8:00 in the morning, and now it was after 3:00. We went to a hotel for the night as they couldn't let us stay in the coach. Thursday morning we showed up, expecting to hear that the water pump was bad, or a hose had a leak, or something like that. Instead I was told that the low point was the catch can, and got an explanation of how that worked. I'm starting to get the idea that this is going to be expensive, and not quick.

Long story short, it sounds like either a new engine or an overhaul is in the works. Unfortunately, they haven't been able to locate either someone who can sell them a reman engine or the necessary parts to overhaul our engine. Last word is that they won't know anything more until Monday.

On another thread someone mentioned that an 8V92 would fit in our coach. Hmmm, how much more would that cost, I wonder? What would having either a reman 6V or 8V add to the value of our coach?

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #1 – January 06, 2017, 05:19:03 pm

Oh David.. prayers for you buddy that it's fixable and if not a windfall of coach bucks your way

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #2 – January 06, 2017, 05:20:18 pm

David,

You need to locate a GOOD Detroit Diesel 2 stroke tech. This engine is different enough that many techs, even good techs know next to nothing about them.

And, a more detailed description on exactly what failed.

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #3 – January 06, 2017, 05:23:13 pm

David,

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I know you are under a lot of stress right now. I'm not getting a clear picture of what they think the problem is, but then I also don't know anything about your engine. When you get a chance, you might expand a bit more on what all you discussed with the mechanics. Perhaps some of the DD6V92 experts on the Forum might then have some thoughts on how to proceed?

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #4 – January 06, 2017, 05:34:47 pm

David,

I know that Stewart & Stevenson in Odesa usually has a 6V92 setting on an engine stand in the front showroom. They should also have an in frame kit. They also have mechanical people there that know 6V92s and how to fix them. The problem will be getting to them to see what your real problem is and what it will take to fix it. Here is there # (432) 563-4800 IIRC Anthony is the service manager you might give them a call.

Pamela & Mike

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #5 – January 06, 2017, 05:36:02 pm

At this point they are going by external information only. Their best guess is that a head gasket may have failed or there is a cracked cylinder. It sounds like they want to be sure that there are replacement parts available before they start taking things apart. As we were sitting inside (temp is in the 20's) discussing the problem one of the guys wondered if the engine was on a slide, as that would obviously make life much easier on the guys who have to do the work. It also seems that they may have to work on it out in the lot, where the tow truck dropped it.

The generator is running, as there is no convenient place to plug in. That will probably work until Monday, and then I'll have to figure out how to either get more diesel or electricity.

Thanks for the phone number. I'll call over to Freightliner now and see if they have talked to them.

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #6 – January 06, 2017, 05:41:40 pm

Just talked to Freightliner and they already have calls into Stewart & Stevenson and are waiting for them to call back.

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #7 – January 06, 2017, 05:56:08 pm

Quote from: kb0zke – January 06, 2017, 05:36:02 pm

The generator is running, as there is no convenient place to plug in. That will probably work until Monday, and then I'll have to figure out how to either get more diesel or electricity.

There might a local fuel supplier that could deliver some diesel to your location with a small pump truck.

Or if not, go buy a couple 5 gallon gas cans and find the closest gas station with diesel. Use the cans to refill your fuel tank 10 gallons at a time. Sounds like you'll be sitting around all weekend anyway - this will give you something to do while you wait.

Keep us advised on your status!

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #8 – January 06, 2017, 07:18:28 pm

Seems peculiar that it was running great when you stopped and then the next morning a problem? Seems like
if you would have had a leak there would have been something on the toad. Think I would look for the mechanic
with the most frosty hair on top and see what his thoughts were. I had a friend with a converted Eagle coach
and he took out the 6V92 and replaced it with an 8V92. It was fast but I liked the way the 6V ran. One big thing
on any DD is the size of the injectors and keeping the overhead run on them.

Best of luck, David, keep us posted,

Carter

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #9 – January 06, 2017, 07:47:57 pm

Quote from: kb0zke – January 06, 2017, 05:12:37 pm

On another thread someone mentioned that an 8V92 would fit in our coach. Hmmm, how much more would that cost, I wonder? What would having either a reman 6V or 8V add to the value of our coach?

Hope you don't need a rebuild. Just a comment that going to the 8V92 would require an upgrade of the tyranny to handle the additional torque, and the radiator to handle the additional heat. This would be a very expensive upgrade and also require custom exhaust work.

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #10 – January 06, 2017, 08:26:13 pm

He could put a 8/92 and use the same tranny if it's a 740HD had one in my Eagle with a 8/92, if he has the 746might work as well.

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #11 – January 06, 2017, 08:47:26 pm

If that were my coach and I have a 6V92 also. The first thing I would do is fill cooling system and pressureize cooling system.You have a leak somewhere. Coolant can run strange directions. I'm sure my 91 has things yours dosn't. I dont have a catch can that I am aware of. I personally replaced every coolant hose on my coach. There are a lot of points you could get a leak. These engines are pretty simple as far as engines go.Is coolant in the oil? How about the transmission? Start with the simple first. Fill cooling system, pressurize it, find where coolant is originating from. If it's a head gasket fine but you at least would see it running out.
Catch can,anyone else have that under your coach?

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #12 – January 06, 2017, 08:55:06 pm

I have one on my 92its right under and forward of my trailer hitch mount, they are for catching excess oil coming from the cylinders when idling as soon as the RPMs get over 10000 they close.

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #13 – January 06, 2017, 09:06:19 pm

David,

Do they have a code reader to check which active codes were flashed on the DDEC II?
Did the engine shutdown on it's own or did you shut it down? You said it was running just fine... no smoke and idling smoothly?

You said the engine started okay and there was coolant on the ground and the black tank was low. You had that situation couple of weeks ago and it was low on coolant. If it is a code 43 then adding coolant should take care of it and the active code 43 will move to the historical codes and the stop engine light should go away until it gets low again. I would try to start it again and make sure you can see coolant in the sight window on the black tank. If it shuts down on its own after about 30 seconds, then another active code could be causing it.

Hope it's nothing more serious,

Jerry

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #14 – January 06, 2017, 09:29:14 pm

Maybe I was wrong about having a catch can I do have a drain in my rear bumper that as far as I understand is for the breather system. But still I think your system needs to be pressurized then every external inch looked over for a leak.,The drain plug on oil pan should then be loosened and see after coach has been sitting if any coolant comes out.

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #15 – January 06, 2017, 09:30:33 pm

I too, think they are talking about the air box drains. Foretravel feeds them (one on each side of the block) into a cross over tube on the frame where the hitch is like Andy mentioned. A water/oil sludge mixture is normal if you check it. I get almost nothing when I drain mine - a few drops if I wait long enough. But it sound like you are loosing a gallon plus of coolant so it would be obvious.

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #16 – January 06, 2017, 09:35:35 pm

Sounds like you should get some more opinions than from this dealership. They are seeing dollar signs in their pocket. Like has been said refill the coolant and pressure check, may be something simple.

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #17 – January 06, 2017, 10:09:15 pm

I put some water into the black reservoir with a hose and there was a noticeable increase of liquid coming out at the bottom. When I fired up the engine it POURED out. I forgot to check if they are open tomorrow or not, but if they are, maybe I can pour some more water into the black reservoir and see what happens. I would assume that whatever coolant is above the leak point has drained out by now, so any additional water should appear fairly quickly.

Now, IF there is a leak somewhere internally, did I trash the engine by running it that little bit Wednesday?

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #18 – January 06, 2017, 10:17:35 pm

where is it pouring out? of that catch tank or just all under,could it be a hose? You might have to crawl under have wife crank up and use a flashlight and see where its coming out. If it's that fast it's either something internal,Maybe compression pushing it out or it's mechanical water pump pushing it out,It also could be on the air compressor side air pressure pushing it out.

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #19 – January 06, 2017, 10:22:38 pm

David,

If it didn't run hot then I doubt it. Like stump said check the air compressor coolant hoses for leaks. It has coolant running through the head also. You can lift the bed to check it.

Jerry

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #20 – January 06, 2017, 10:33:41 pm

Running your engine for a less than a minute will not cause any overheating problems.
Just top off, get under coach [helps to have a mirror and flashlight] and start, and look for leaks.
Repeat above till you establish where the water is coming from.

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #21 – January 06, 2017, 11:04:53 pm

On the Detroit V motors, the Air Compressor coolant hoses are a very common failure item. Have yours ever been replaced? Make SURE that this is not the issue on your coach. It would be WAY more inexpensive if this is the problem.

The Wanderlodge Owners Group forum has experts on these hoses, locations, part numbers, etc. May not hurt to ask on that forum regardless, as there is a lot of experience with the Detroits over there.

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #22 – January 07, 2017, 12:05:23 am

David,

Just got back from preparing for the storm of the century here in Northern California.

So, bummer. Yes check the hoses. Have the shop check the aftercooler seals. It's under the turbo and blower.

Possible block heater if mounted low on the engine on the right side of the block by the AC compressor.

Heater hoses leading to the front. Check the aux heater coolant pump down low on the left side by the engine.

NAPA has a product of combustion checker for the coolant. A head gasket leak that severe usually results in clouds of dissipating white smoke. A couple of months ago I was following a big rig when it suddenly started blowing white smoke out both exhausts. Not for long!

Wet liner O rings don't fail unless the engine has be overheated and usually for an extended period.

Brett's words about finding a real 2 cycle mechanic are right on. Too many guys think they know but are very lacking and you pick up the tab for the tuition.

The 6V-92TA is usually a bullet proof engine unless it has been overheated.

Pierce

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #23 – January 07, 2017, 12:48:54 am

David, Sorry to hear your troubles. I hope the fix be easy and not too expensive. Good Luck.

Re: More coach bucks

Reply #24 – January 07, 2017, 09:49:26 am

I usually get a cloud of white smoke when I first start up after the engine has been off for a few days, but it goes away quickly.

I replaced the air compressor, air dryer, and hoses in the engine compartment two years ago.

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