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Topic: 1991 U300-- bought it! (Read 9374 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Thinking of purchasing this 1991 Grand Villa, worth it?

Reply #40 –
Exactly Chuck and well worded. I told him if he was not DIY talented, best to buy a Toyota and tow a trailer. Usually, someone in the budget category does not have the cash for something recent. Nothing wrong with that as I'm in the same boat. At our age, you can't afford to make a big financial mistake. A lot of pension funds are on shaky ground now.

Pierce

Re: Thinking of purchasing this 1991 Grand Villa, worth it?

Reply #41 –
Looking underneath the bus. Whole body between two axes is covered with fiberglass panel. The frame is not exposed at all.
 Do I have to take off the panel to check it?

Re: Thinking of purchasing this 1991 Grand Villa, worth it?

Reply #42 –
Quote from: jiaxinxi –
Looking underneath the bus. Whole body between two axes is covered with fiberglass panel. The frame is not exposed at all.
 Do I have to take off the panel to check it?

Do a search here for "Bulkheads".  Lots of info and pictures of how the structure is put together.  On that age/condition coach could very well be the deal maker/breaker.

And, depending on where it is in the Houston area, there may someone here what can give the bulkheads a quick look for/with you.

Re: Thinking of purchasing this 1991 Grand Villa, worth it?

Reply #43 –
There is a 295 on the forum classifieds in Az. that I would likely buy if I were looking.. None of my biz but a lot of coach can be bought for under 30k AFTER a close inspection.. I don't know your wants, needs, or budget just saying sometimes it's smarter to spend a little more. Almost always when something is priced very low there is a darn good reason.

Re: Thinking of purchasing this 1991 Grand Villa, worth it?

Reply #44 –
Please PM me if anyone in Houston can come to take a look.

Thanks

Re: Thinking of purchasing this 1991 Grand Villa, worth it?

Reply #45 –
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to @stump.

He spend over 1 hour on the phone with me to go over some detail of the bus.
Every single minutes of the call is informative. I learned so much!
He even went over the bulkhead with me over the phone!


Thank you @stump so much!

I guess my journey of Foretravel will start from this GV.

Re: Thinking of purchasing this 1991 Grand Villa, worth it?

Reply #46 –
It is my pleasure to help. We'll get it so it will air up and you get it moved . Then you can get it freshened up at your leisure. First things first.
The pictures of the rear bulkhead looked good. One small spot in the center where the skin looks funky but all in all I think you will be fine

Re: Thinking of purchasing this 1991 Grand Villa, worth it?

Reply #47 –
Another pleasant conversation with @stump!

Today, he helped me to find the source of the air leak. It is a pin hole at the bottom of the real air tank. Most likely the air tank is rusted from inside.



But @stump come up with a solution that I am excited to try tomorrow.

Use sand paper to clean the nearby area.
Use a cordless drill to enlarge the hole a little bit to get rid of the rust
use a proper size self tapping sheet metal screws with a washer to fill the hole.
Use Epoxy (JB-Weld) to seal the surround area around the hole.
Let it cure
If I can find a hose clamp long enough to hold the whole tank, it would be even better.

Most likely this is going to fix the air leak issue so that the bus can be aired up.

Can't wait to try this tomorrow!

Great thanks again to @stump!

Anybody know how I can find the replacement air tank? It probably needs to be replaced eventually.

Re: Thinking of purchasing this 1991 Grand Villa, worth it?

Reply #48 –
You can daisy chain worm clamps to any length, but Rons fix will work fine have used that remedy on fuel and water leaks on my cranes.

Re: Thinking of purchasing this 1991 Grand Villa, worth it?

Reply #49 –
Quote from: jiaxinxi –
Anybody know how I can find the replacement air tank?

Most any local truck parts store or truck shop will have one. Now you may have to drill new mounting holes as the brackets can be different but that is doable also. They are made in all size with different air taps.  You can shop on the net if you don't have a local truck parts store. Look for Air Brake Reservoir.

Mike

1991 Grand Villa-- bought it!

Reply #50 –
Planning to change oil/Fluid by myself.

Can anyone help me on the items I need?

Engine Oil
    @stump recommend chevron-delo-conventional-motor-oil-40w-1-gallon
    How many Gallon Do I need?
        6 Gallon?
Oil Filter
    Where can I buy the oil filter, what is the part no?

Coolant
  What kind of coolant do I need?
  Any filter?
Transmission fluid
  Is it necessary to change the transmission fluid? It is still pink and clear.
  Any filter?
Air line filter?
  Is there any?
  Where can I buy?

Onan Generator Filter
  Where can I buy?


I think these information is somewhere in the forum already. But I am unable to find them.

Thanks in advance!






Re: Thinking of purchasing this 1991 Grand Villa, worth it?

Reply #51 –
The coolant question depends on what type of coolant is in there and how old it is.

Any idea what is in there?  Age? Color?

Re: Thinking of purchasing this 1991 Grand Villa, worth it?

Reply #52 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
The coolant question depends on what type of coolant is in there and how old it is.

Any idea what is in there?  Age? Color?
At least 10 year old. Color is green

Re: Thinking of purchasing this 1991 Grand Villa, worth it?

Reply #53 –
I would just change the coolant.

We have several Detroit 2 stroke experts here.  They can advise you whether to stay with the old generation coolant or flush and switch to the new generation OAT-based coolant.

Re: Thinking of purchasing this 1991 Grand Villa, worth it?

Reply #54 –
Yes, It's Chevron's Delo 100 but NOT 400 but 100. Again, not 400!! Chevron distributors, marine docks, O'Riellys can order it. Not expensive. Takes 5.5 gallons. If you are new to changing oil, I recommend buying a quick drain, the low profile style that can't be broken off. Then put a vacuum cleaner on the oil filler, tape in on with duct tape, turn on vacuum and take drain plug out and install quick drain. You will not spill even one drop. You can then drain one gallon at a time. Puncture the bottom of the filter with something sharp, pull it out and drain the oil filter into a can. If you are careful, you also will not spill a drop. Buy 7 gallons of oil as your engine may use a little. In a coast to coast and back, ours used 2.5 quarts.

I went down to the Detroit dealership in West Sacramento. They said they fill with the green antifreeze. I asked the shop manager again and he said, "if it's green, we put it in."

Napa has the oil filter for generator, main engine, etc. Best to order online as much cheaper. I go to a truck logging company and they sell Napa gold filters for 40% less right here in town.

If you have the fiberglass fan, change it to the later type as the fan can come apart and ruin the radiator on your rear radiator U300.

Check the air filter and replace with the Donaldson pictured. A hole needs to be punched in the end so the restriction gauge will work.

PM for more info.

Pierce

Re: Thinking of purchasing this 1991 Grand Villa, worth it?

Reply #56 –
SO, translate "green" to "low silicate for diesel with added SCA coolant"

Available from any parts house catering to OTR trucks.  Plenty on the east side of Houston.

Re: Thinking of purchasing this 1991 Grand Villa, worth it?

Reply #57 –
So the air filters on a 1992 U300 are different from a 1991 U300.
Attached is the page from my owners manual (1991).  Hopefully both manuals are in the coach.

Locations of filters:
Coolant filter: frame mounted, located on pass side behind rear wheel
Primary Fuel: frame mounted,located near coolant filter
Secondary Fuel: mounted on engine, drivers side, close to fan and up high, spin-on style
External transmission filter: frame mounted, drivers side behind rear wheel, spin-on style)

I would plan on changing the transmission oil sometime in the near future but not to get it home.

The radiator fan should be replaced if it's fiberglass - glass fibers are visible on surface and edges.  They will break apart and damage the core eventually.  New fans are a solid ABS like plastic.  I would take the chance and wait until you get it home if it needs replacement.

I replaced my coolant with the DD extended life OAT; no additive needs to be maintained during it's 10 year expected life.
Old style coolant needs to have the SCA additive level checked periodically (typically with test strips).  I used to use DD "need release" coolant filter that would maintain the SCA level automatically.  The Need Release P/N is 23516489 if you decide to go with the old traditional style coolant.

Re: Thinking of purchasing this 1991 Grand Villa, worth it?

Reply #58 –
Quote from: jiaxinxi –
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to @stump.

He spend over 1 hour on the phone with me to go over some detail of the bus.
Every single minutes of the call is informative. I learned so much!
He even went over the bulkhead with me over the phone!


Thank you @stump so much!

I guess my journey of Foretravel will start from this GV.



jiaxinxi  wrote: "I guess my journey of Foretravel will start from this GV."

Congratulations! on your new home on wheels, and  to quote from the great philosophers Emerson, Lake and Palmer,

"Welcome (back) my friend to the show that never ends.  We're so glad you could attend, come inside, come inside."

Art Joly

Re: Thinking of purchasing this 1991 Grand Villa, worth it?

Reply #59 –
Pierce is on point here for sure. It's Delo 100 40 weight. Low ash and made for our 2 strokes. He is also correct on the Donaldson air filter. Went with a Wix once on advice of a counterman. The Donaldson has twice the filter media of the Wix. Worth the extra cost. Remember you are feeding a turbo charger that's ramming it into a super charger. Your using lots of cubic feet of air and  a plentiful , clean supply is real important. Last keep an eye on that rear radiator and make sure it's as clean as you can. Every year douse it with full strength Simple Green ( from inside and outside with garden sprayer). Hot water rinse down. If your careful you won't have to spend an hour cleaning up the bedroom. You'll be stunned how much stuff you flush out. The things that can kill your DD is low oil pressure and heat. Keep up on those and that motor should last you your natural life.