Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Topic: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Read 1739 times) previous topic - next topic

Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

May 04, 2018, 09:12:15 pm

Thanks to one and all, the coach is alive and well. With the help of lots of good forum members it started and ran a short 15 mile jaunt tonight.

I went down the list of suggestions, made sure the transmission was in neutral (thanks Nitehawk & Twig), checked the dash solenoid (thanks Mike) it was operating properly, tried the start solenoid terminals by the isolator (thanks craneman) working as it should be, climbed into the engine compartment tapped on the solenoid while the wife turned the ignition switch. Heard some noise a couple of times and got a spark once. Still no crank. Figure that the starter wires need cleaned. Had the wife turn on the headlights and turn the switch. The headlights dimmed (thanks Jerry) and suddenly the sweet sound of 400 horses began to purrrrrrrr.

I let it idle for a while and build air. It is such a wonderful feeling to see the air bags going up. Took it out for a spin around the block (15 miles), came back to storage, parked it and shut it down. Tried to start it again and started right up.

Tomorrow, assuming it starts again, I take it to the shop for a new set of Toyo m177's.

Once I get it back, I will raise it up, install my new safety stands (thanks for the reminder John), get to the starter and clean all the connections. Dewinterizing and washing the outside is next.

Again I cant thank you all for your continued support and advice.

Larry

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #1 – May 04, 2018, 09:39:23 pm

Great job Larry! When taking off any electrical connections, put some Dielectric Grease on all of the connections before reinstalling them. It helps keep the water out and connections clean.
John

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #2 – May 04, 2018, 10:19:52 pm

Thanks John. Will definitely do.

Larry

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Reply #3 – May 05, 2018, 12:08:58 am

It is that sudden clatter and bang that got many of us interested in this kind of equipment, I suspect. Fun to hear you got it running. All the best going forward!

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #4 – May 05, 2018, 07:47:24 am

After getting real familiar with all the "quirks" inherent in your coach it will turn from a project into a hobby. You will enjoy being able to quickly identify and then fix almost anything that goes wrong. That is when pride attains high water marks for a Foretravel owner.

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #5 – May 05, 2018, 09:22:50 am

I agree. Since we moved back into a house and placed the MH in storage, this old brain forgot a lot that it knew before. But when it remembers and the "ahh haa" moment kicks in, it is great.

Larry

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #6 – May 05, 2018, 06:44:34 pm

Please be sure to disconnect the start battery before you remove the cables from the starter! An accidental short of the cable against the frame or other grounded part will cause great damage--- an 8D battery makes a pretty powerful welding machine!

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #7 – May 05, 2018, 10:30:49 pm

Yes I have seen it before from others.

The saga continues... went to get the motorhome, no crank again. Tried the persuader but to no avail. Did see a spark on the starter solenoid, but didn't have the tools with me to do any good. About the same time, got some family news and had to leave the coach. Probably won't be able to get back till Monday at the earliest. Also, the generator decided it didn't want to run. First time ever. Acts like fuel issue, will look into a new filter to start with. So it goes..................

Larry

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #8 – May 06, 2018, 09:19:20 am

Our starter issues began with the clunk of the ignition solenoid, and then progressed (?) to the ritual of tapping the starter with a rubber mallet (4/5 times starting) as a temporary measure before Cummins could get their hands on the proper starter. Eventually the starter reluctance to kick over devolved into a slow turn over that worked the last few times before the fix. Since we were in a campground an hour's drive away from the repair shop, I had to talk very nicely to our wee beasty and even gave the dash a pat of encouragement before I turned the key one last time on the old starter Getting that replaced (actually I should have done it myself) was a large relief. The lesson in this is that occasional issues eventually need bigger fixes. Good luck with the search.

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #9 – May 06, 2018, 09:31:13 am

Right now, I will likely take to the shop to get a new starter. If it is just the solenoid, I would rather replace the whole starter while the work is being done. I a'm looking at a 2-3 week excursion in the fall so the coach has to be trusty and road worthy. so the little extra is well worth it. I will be checking with coach net for a tow to the shop. I just don,t have the time to get this done myself. Some times it is better to let the pros do the work, and if it isn't correct, they can redo it again.

Stay tuned

Larry

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #10 – May 06, 2018, 09:40:31 am

Quote from: ohsonew – May 06, 2018, 09:31:13 am

I will be checking with coach net for a tow to the shop.

Not second guessing your decision to get your coach towed, but most of us consider that the "last resort". Towing by inexperienced or untrained truck operators can often inflict additional damage to your coach. Changing out a starter motor is a really simple 1-man job. Any average mobile mechanic service should be able to handle the task where your coach is parked. Just something to consider...

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #11 – May 06, 2018, 09:46:01 am

Was just typing the same thing Chuck said,the starter is one of the lesser rocket science jobs,it's heavy but doable.Would never
want to be towed if possible,find a young buck and show him the video on u-tube.

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #12 – May 06, 2018, 10:14:06 am

Larry,
Where did you see a spark at the starter?
Sounds like a loose connection?

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #13 – May 06, 2018, 10:36:20 am

Unhook the negative chassis cable, turn off boost switch and use a 3/4 wrench to loosen and clean the large cable connector on the solenoid. That should be the only place that a spark would generate from on the starter. A bad solenoid just either clicks or sits there dead.

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #14 – May 06, 2018, 11:17:18 am

There are 3 places that could be loose on starter
If it has the older style...be sure to use a thin 3/4
To hold/back-up starter post....can break field wires
Inside starter

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #15 – May 06, 2018, 12:26:51 pm

The heavy spark will likely be coming from the cable with the red end. No reason for the small wires to show a spark. The short cable from the solenoid to the motor theoretically could spark but not likely.

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #16 – May 06, 2018, 12:38:06 pm

Wow, Craneman, is that filthy thing in the picture someone's engine?
Looks like a place for a fire to start.

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #17 – May 06, 2018, 12:50:57 pm

Cleaning the engine is way back on my to-do list, but it will get done. When I bought the coach the hydraulic fan motors were leaking and that is from the spray. It actually is kind of self cleaning now that the pumps are resealed, and it is dry, dust collects and falls off carrying some of the residue with it.

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #18 – May 06, 2018, 12:58:47 pm

Your mixing Hawk with kbocke,Hawks is clean but never been out.

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #19 – May 06, 2018, 01:14:44 pm

Oops. edited reply

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #20 – May 07, 2018, 12:27:38 am

I agree with many, just have a local mechanic come out an swap it out in place. They will probably spend more time manuvering the coach in and out of a service bay than it takes to change it out.

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #21 – May 07, 2018, 07:38:42 pm

Do anything to not get towed...

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #22 – May 07, 2018, 08:15:00 pm

Somehow, I get the feeling that I shouldn't have the coach towed

Definitely not my first choice, just trying to balance time and getting things done. That being said, I was able to get down to the coach for a short while this evening. Starter is a Delco Remy. I will be trying to track down the model # for a replacement. The tag isn't real legible, but it appears to be model #1990352.

Got the wires on the back side of the starter loose. Easy done, all appear to be ground wires. Tried the bolt at the solenoid, it looks like I am moving the entire stud. Didn't want to snap it off and didn't have any penetrating oil with me, save it for later. Tried to loosen the 2 bolts holding the starter in my socket and breaker bar was to big to fit between the head of the bolt and the starter body. Tried using an open end wrench and didn't have enough leverage. Will try to get a shorter socket and more penetrating oil.

Ordered 2 fuel filters for the generator. If I have something in the filter what would I be looking for? I am worried that their is algae in the fuel. If this is the case, what is the best way to fix? Which products are recommended?

Cant get back down there before Wednesday at the earliest, so plenty of time for anyone's recommendations.

Thank you all for your support and wisdom,

Larry

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #23 – May 07, 2018, 08:46:34 pm

Had mine rebuilt two weeks ago. Used end wrench and hammer to break bolts loose. Mine was series 42MT model 1990353

Re: Its Aliiiiiiiiivvveee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply #24 – May 07, 2018, 08:57:45 pm

Chuck, that looks like mine. Researching, wasn't positive it was a 42MT or not. Did you have 3 bolt holding it in? I only see 2 at the bottom, wasn't sure if there was a 3rd one on top.

Larry

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