Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Topic: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280 (Read 2329 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #25 – December 06, 2017, 11:31:45 pm

My 3208 is very cold blooded, it has two thermostats which I replaced with genuine cat parts as soon as I got it home as I thought they were stuck open, these start to open at 176, but there is also about a half inch bypass hole inside the housing. With the side radiator fan running all the time it takes forever to get up to the normal 160-200 temp range. Trip home ran about 180 running up a 14 mile 6% cajon pass grade at 55 mph in 95* ambient. Climbed into Flagstaff at 65 mph at 102* ambient got up to about 180*. Same results driving into Needles at 112* ambient at 65 mph or better. Cat makes special low leak thermostats that doesn't start opening till 186. Note that they call it a low leakage thermostat, which may help me getting up to normal temps in less than 20 miles in my rig.

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #26 – December 07, 2017, 12:12:16 am

Just relaying a comment my old guru mechanic mentioned to me. Motor did not warm up enough caused failures enough foretravel worked up a fix. Versus you try to pick my limited info apart why not research this for the poster.

We can talk about the steering column reinforcements later

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #27 – December 07, 2017, 01:06:09 am

Welcome Mike and Lilli to the GrandVilla club. They are motorhomes like no other !!!

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #28 – December 07, 2017, 07:44:57 am

Quote from: Caflashbob – December 07, 2017, 12:12:16 am

Just relaying a comment my old guru mechanic mentioned to me. Motor did not warm up enough caused failures enough foretravel worked up a fix. Versus you try to pick my limited info apart why not research this for the poster.

We can talk about the steering column reinforcements later

Bob, what is the fix.

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #29 – December 07, 2017, 08:19:47 am

Quote from: stump – December 06, 2017, 10:25:15 pm

Check your radiator fan and make sure it is not the fiberglass one.

Does anyone happen to have the part number for the replacement fan?

Folks, thanks for all the welcomes, but just to be clear I have actually been (mostly lurking) on the forum for three years. I just hadn't found my coach yet.

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #30 – December 07, 2017, 09:23:52 am

I've had a dozen or more diesel powered boats, vehicles, tractors, etc. and 180 was the normal temperature. What temperature should the 3208 operate at?

Wantabe

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #31 – December 07, 2017, 11:48:35 am

My cat 3208 book indicates 160-200 as normal operating temperature.

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #32 – December 07, 2017, 11:56:49 am

Quote from: Caflashbob – December 07, 2017, 12:12:16 am

Just relaying a comment my old guru mechanic mentioned to me. Motor did not warm up enough caused failures enough foretravel worked up a fix. Versus you try to pick my limited info apart why not research this for the poster.

Bob,

Not trying to be argumentative-- just want to find out why the thermostats or coolant passages are allowing enough flow to the radiator that proper operating temperature can not be maintained.

Looks like we already have Old phart phred identifying both root cause and potential cure.

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #33 – December 07, 2017, 12:08:25 pm

Seems he has.

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #34 – December 07, 2017, 02:39:58 pm

Welcome to the U280 club as well! Great coaches! Hope to see you on the road!

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #35 – December 07, 2017, 02:43:19 pm

Congratulations rvtinker, looks like a wonderful purchase. You made your wait and search worthwhile. Have fun!

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #36 – December 07, 2017, 03:32:06 pm

Quote from: rvtinker – December 07, 2017, 08:19:47 am

Does anyone happen to have the part number for the replacement fan?

Flex A Lite FLO8681 is the one on the 6V92 Detroit's. You might give Foretravel a call to be sure that's the same on the Caterpillar. Make sure you have the need for it first! Yours might have already been replaced or built with the right one.

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #37 – December 07, 2017, 05:01:06 pm

The 1/2" bypass hole is not supposed to be there, mine appeared to be missing the vent valve that goes in that hole. See attached.
Found this in the 3208 reference manual that I posted in the media section. (did not have this pdf when I changed out my thermostats)
I will see if I can get the model # of the low leak thermostats (cat refers to thermostats as regulators). BTW if you do change out your thermostat the (2) starboard bolts are thru-bolts with nuts on the back side of the front housing.

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #38 – December 07, 2017, 06:44:08 pm

Nice coach.....welcome to the club!

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #39 – December 07, 2017, 07:06:54 pm

BTW, does anyone recognize the Motorcade number on my coach, 11243? It isn't from the previous owner, he didn't know what it was. It may be from the original owner. I haven't got the coach home yet so I haven't gone through all the documentation, the answer may be there. It has probably changed hands more than a few times, it has a PPL license plate ring, a Bell Camper Sales decal, and a Foretravel of Dallas badge.

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #40 – December 07, 2017, 07:30:13 pm

I'm running Samson's on my CC. I would never own a Michelin rv tire.
And when I want to pull it around with with my towed

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #41 – December 07, 2017, 07:50:55 pm

Not trying to hyjack post but what were these "failures".Worked on all size Cats since the 80's and one thing you don't do is
remove a regulator.Will try and talk to a 3208 guru I know and get his opinion.

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #42 – December 07, 2017, 08:37:41 pm

Congrats- nice looking coach. Mine is 3208T also- have been happy.

as far as the push bar brackets, I've been using them to mount my bicycle rack-perfect fit.

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #43 – December 07, 2017, 09:02:20 pm

Our 91 GV has a 3208TA and it runs around 180 when running in hot weather. Warms up to around 200 when pulling long and hard in the heat. It is my understanding that these engines like to run on the cool side and bad things can happen if they run hot for a stretch. I had wondered if the temp. device that turns on the cooling fan may be running at too low of a temp. I had it checked and the fan circuit seems to be operating properly. At this point it doesn't seem to be broken, so I just won't fix it !! Have a great day ---- Fritz

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #44 – December 07, 2017, 09:11:04 pm

Nice lookin coach, welcome

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #45 – December 07, 2017, 09:53:56 pm

Early unihomes not Oshkosh had one size radiator for both the 250 cat and the 6v92 Detroit. Too much radiator it turns out for the cat. I can text my old buddy and ask Vince what the symptoms were that reducing the radiator area fixed

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #46 – December 07, 2017, 09:58:44 pm

Welcome to Foretravel and this wonderful Forum. I hope you get as much enjoyment from your coach as I have from mine. BUT change those tires Dude before you drive even one mile. I just changed all of mine at 7 years and wish I had not worried for the last six months by changing them earlier.

Re: Now I belong, bought a '91 U-280

Reply #47 – December 08, 2017, 10:40:21 am

Thinking about the 3208 temperature issue, a diesel will not get to operating temperature (180) except under load. maybe the 32008 produces enough HP that it's not loaded enough except going up hills? I got a Ford pickup diesel because it would idle all day in 100+ temp and run the AC to keep my dog cool without overheating the engine. I know some say not to idle a diesel, maybe true for a DD two stroke, but I've never had a problem with any 4 stroke.

Wantabe