1991 U300-- bought it!

Topic: 1991 U300-- bought it! (Read 7561 times) previous topic - next topic

1991 Grand Villa-- bought it!

Reply #50 – June 02, 2020, 10:23:42 am

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 – June 02, 2020, 10:39:53 am

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 – June 02, 2020, 11:17:00 am

Quote from: wolfe10 – June 02, 2020, 10:39:53 am

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 – June 02, 2020, 11:27:42 am

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 – June 02, 2020, 11:45:23 am

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 #55 – June 02, 2020, 11:49:30 am

DD specifically say not to judge a anti freeze type by the color.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3m7mk7inxnykst2/Detroit%20Diesel%20Coolants.pdf?dl=0

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

Reply #56 – June 02, 2020, 12:01:23 pm

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 – June 02, 2020, 04:02:11 pm

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 – June 02, 2020, 08:45:12 pm

Quote from: jiaxinxi – June 01, 2020, 12:48:15 am

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 – June 02, 2020, 10:02:16 pm

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.

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

Reply #60 – June 02, 2020, 10:16:58 pm

Quote from: steve31 – June 02, 2020, 10:02:16 pm

...... 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.

Excellent recommendation, however, I would use
use this over regular Simple Green. It was first recommended to me by a local radiator shop.
Amazon.com: Simple Green Extreme Aircraft and Precision Cleaner, 1 Gallon...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

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

Reply #61 – June 03, 2020, 12:12:58 am

As Steve says, watch the low oil pressure and don't overheat it like all wet sleeve engines. After pumping at a fire our Detroits would not have that much oil pressure at idle. One of several reasons we never idled them for very long. The fast idle switch on the dash brought the idle RPM up from 600 to 1000. This speed circulates coolant much better, brings the oil pressure way up and cools the oil, especially important with turbos. Foretravel Detroits don't have a fast idle switch and the cruise control does not work for that so it's up to the operator and their foot.

Unlike most wet sleeve engines, the 92 series only has a 2 inch area that is exposed to the coolant but the sealing rings at the top and bottom of the sleeves don't like to get overheated. Overheating and cavitation can cause pitting on the outside of the sleeves and eventual erosion.

Pierce

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

Reply #62 – June 03, 2020, 07:00:23 am

<snip>

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
[/quote]

Hi Pierce.

Where do I punch the hole that you mentioned?

Thanks,
Jeff

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

Reply #63 – June 03, 2020, 10:50:46 am

1991_filters-for-foretravel

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

Reply #64 – June 03, 2020, 11:38:39 am

Quote from: Jeff & Sandy – June 03, 2020, 07:00:23 am

<snip>

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

Hi Pierce.

Where do I punch the hole that you mentioned?

Thanks,
Jeff

OK, you can see the rubber/foam gasket that you removed from the old filter so you just punch a hole anywhere on the inside. I had a sharp punch and just tapped it with a hammer.

The big problem with GVs is the air intake location right behind the right rear duals. Anything thrown back by the tires is sucked in, dust, dirt, leaves, twigs and water. It's worse on the 2 cycle Detroit as it uses twice as much air as a 4 cycle plus the big blower has great suction power, so much in fact that it partially collapsed the old air cleaner. The construction on the Donaldson is much more robust and there are more places a glue has been applied.

Not sure if the rear radiator U300 air cleaner is the same part number as the later side radiator U300 models.

If you are wondering why the 1991 has 50 less horsepower, it's because HT746 transmission was not available to Foretravel and then MTB648 Allison was not rated to handle the 350 hp along with the torque the 6V-92TA produces so the engine was derated. It's just in the DDEC IIs ECU so a firmware update will raise the HP to the max allowed by the EPA for the street. (fire trucks excepted)

Attached photo shows the hole I made in the air cleaner two changes ago. Watching the restriction gauge is important as it really increased the power in ours the first time I changed it. This is especially important for 4 cycles as a restricted air cleaner may cause excess fuel to be delivered, even more so at altitude causing high EGTs. Also attached is the maximum restriction for each brand of engines.

Pierce

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

Reply #65 – June 03, 2020, 12:24:51 pm

Why do I remember a cruise control fast idle?

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

Reply #66 – June 03, 2020, 12:55:33 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – June 03, 2020, 12:24:51 pm

Why do I remember a cruise control fast idle?

Good memory Bob. On some Cummins (possible CAT?) powered Foretravels not U300 Detroit.

Pierce

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

Reply #67 – June 03, 2020, 03:51:51 pm

Sure thought the Detroit's had a fast idle somewhere?

Re: Thinking of purchasing this 1991 Grand Villa, worth it? (Bought it!)

Reply #68 – June 04, 2020, 08:40:11 am

Some more updates.

With @stump help, I am able to fix the leak and move the bus back and forth for a little bit.

So Tuesday, @stump helped me find the source of the leak. It is pin hole at the bottom of the rear air tank

Wed.
I followed @stump suggestion to use self taping sheet metal screws and a washer to seal the tank.
I used some drills to drill the hole to get rid of some rust. However under the bus with very limit space, I drilled the hole too big. The largest sheet metal screw is 1/4in. It barely stay on the hole. I wrapped around some teflon tape so it can stay little bit tighter.
Then use #80 sand to smooth the nearby sufface
Use 3 worm clamp to hold the screw in place.
used JB-Weld steel enforced epoxy to seal the screw and the clamp.
It looks messy, but it should work.

Thur.
After the epoxy is fully cured. I went under the bus to check the air tank. The epoxy feels rock solid. So it should hold some air pressure.

So I first hook up the shore powered air compressor, it is able to build some air pressure to keep the air bag inflated. With the little air compressor running, I checked around, didn't hear any leaking sound. Good sign!. But the air bag still not aired up the bus.
So I try to start up the big engine. And of course the battery died due to lack of charging for the past few days. How frustrating!
So switch to new battery, start the engine. I am excited to see the air pressure gauge is moving. It is building air pressure. But it stops at 30PSI. Not able to air the bus up. Very frustrated.

This time, I can hear the air is leaking from the shore power air compressor. More specifically the left cylinder. So I need to fix the leak. Tracing the hose, there is one hose come from the tank to the shore power air compressor, so if I terminate that hose, then I should be able to by pass the little air compressor. Went to Lowes, they don't have fittings for 3/8 OD hose. Went to NAPA, bought the fittings to terminate the hose. And this time the air is up to 90 PSI!

It takes a while for all 8 air bags to be inflated. After 20 minutes, all air bags are inflated. Following @stump instructions over the phone, I put the three level switch in the middle to switch from level mode to ride mode.
Release the parking brake.
Hold the brake pedal, then put the transmission in to D, the transmission engaged! After a little put accelerate pedal, the bus moved forward for a few inches. Then put in R, the bus moved back a few inches.

For the first time in at least 15 years, the bus moved! What a moment!

After little excitement, new issues show up. After the brake pedal, the air pressure is not building up anymore. It stays at 10PSI. New problem! Luckily, at this time @stump is on the phone with me. Otherwise, I will already suffer few heart attacks.

He quickly point out the air governor is probably of no good. He instructed me to use some hammer to see if I can loose the piston. No good. The governor is connected with two hose and two bolts, with @stump encouragement, I am able to take the governor off and run to NAPA store 5 minutes before they close

The original governor works at 95-105PSI. NAPA doesn't have that parts in stock. But they have 105~125Psi. With @stump approval, I bought that one and installed back on the engine compressor. Checking the old governor, it is all filled with rust. No wonder why it is not producing air pressure any more.
With the new governor, the engine can build up air pressure up to 120PSI pretty easily.
I found another leaked hose in the shore power compressor bay. It is the 1/4 hose. Plan to splice using the quick air fittings tomorrow.

More thing to do later,
Install new 3/0 battery cables to connect the house batter. Old one rusted out.
Change all six tires. Tire shop will come to change on the spot.
clean the water tank as much as possible to get rid of the smell.
Change engine oil, coolant, transmission fluid, all filters
Startup the generator. and oil / filter of the generator

All of this happened while @stump is on the phone with me. I am unable to handle all of this by myself. His knowledge on the bus is unbelievable. I have no doubt that he can fix anything around the bus.

@stump, Thank you!

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

Reply #69 – June 04, 2020, 09:15:23 am

Quote from: Caflashbob – June 03, 2020, 03:51:51 pm

Sure thought the Detroit's had a fast idle somewhere?

Not on mine

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

Reply #70 – June 04, 2020, 09:17:44 am

Stump is awesome.

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

Reply #71 – June 04, 2020, 10:02:13 am

Quote from: Caflashbob – June 03, 2020, 03:51:51 pm

Sure thought the Detroit's had a fast idle somewhere?

Bob,

You were probably thinking of the fast idle on the ProLink 9000 used to test the injectors. If you don't do the injector test, you can stop one step early and fast idle at exactly 1000 rpm. The ProLink warns you at least twice to make sure you are in neutral as the Detroit develops a lot of torque at fast idle and will overcome the brakes. For those not familiar with the ProLink, it reads the engine's computer for history, codes, mpg for a total of about 45 items plus it tests and can change certain operating parameters. Still available on the used market with cartridges for most electronic engines, transmissions and ABS brakes.

Our Detroit powered fire trucks were all manual transmission so that was not a problem so all had a fast idle switch.

Pierce

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

Reply #72 – June 04, 2020, 10:05:36 am

Quote from: Jeff & Sandy – June 04, 2020, 09:17:44 am

Stump is awesome.

Yes, triple thumbs up!!!

Re: 1991 U300-- bought it!

Reply #73 – June 04, 2020, 01:57:11 pm

I thought the fast idle was part of the cruise control stalk on the steering column. Anyone have the owners manual from Foretravel?

I maybe wrong but I think I remember demoing the fast idle many times. Maybe the cat? At least the early u300's?

Birds had a fast idle switch on the dash.

Re: 1991 U300-- bought it!

Reply #74 – June 04, 2020, 02:26:10 pm

Detroit's don't have the option of cruise control for high idle.

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