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Topic: ‘96 U295 Engine Temps (Read 1177 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: ‘96 U295 Engine Temps

Reply #25 –
Agree with Dub, but I would replace the thermostat and its gasket.  Inexpensive and a DYI job.

Thermostats wear metal to metal and can fail to fully open (or close).
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: ‘96 U295 Engine Temps

Reply #26 –
Amarillo to home Temp was 195-200, one stretch probably 202-205. I drove a little more aggressively today at about 2000 rpms, 68-70 mph. Generator had a problem so we didn't have any air today, thus the increased speed. Plus I was experimenting with what y'all were saying.

We were on US 287 S.

1850-1950 yields 64-65

Transmission did some hunting and pecking at 68-70 in the hilly areas but temp remained pretty stable at 200.

Saw two other FTs north bound on US 287 N today too!
1996 36' U295 Build #4879 Motorcade #18088
2007 Jeep Liberty 4x4 FMCA #F474816
Foretravel Mid-South
There's no happy like Foretravel happy!

Re: ‘96 U295 Engine Temps

Reply #27 –
Temps seem high, ran south today on I-29 down to Kansas from South Dakota running into a quartering wind temps 180-185 @ 70 mph grossing 34500, outside temp middle 90s, 7.5 mpg avg.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: ‘96 U295 Engine Temps

Reply #28 –
Quote from: bbeane –
Temps seem high, ran south today on I-29 down to Kansas from South Dakota running into a quartering wind temps 180-185 @ 70 mph grossing 34500, outside temp middle 90s, 7.5 mpg avg.

You think the extra ten degrees in ambient air could make that big of difference?

I think I'll replace the thermostat for good measure, but do they partially fail? I thought they either failed open or closed?

How does one clean the radiator? Does the grill come off easily?
1996 36' U295 Build #4879 Motorcade #18088
2007 Jeep Liberty 4x4 FMCA #F474816
Foretravel Mid-South
There's no happy like Foretravel happy!

Re: ‘96 U295 Engine Temps

Reply #29 –
Hey you are learning what exact conditions the mechanical device you are driving will allow you go go.  Whether it's right or wrong is a separate subject.  Seems slightly low in capacity.  So you pushed it slightly less.  Exactly what I do on every drive.

It to 210 0r a half dozen times.  Trans to 220 max. 

36,000 pounds at 75+  Coach would go down to 60 on long medium steep  grades.

I downshift a lot and run near 2,000 rpm plus a bit or retarder

By the time the grades over the temp maxes then goes down.

Not sure I would have pulled over or removed the tow.l

Not saying you were wrong.  Great choices.

My experience is you are not nearly at the  coaches limit. 
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4

Re: ‘96 U295 Engine Temps

Reply #30 –
Jhardman, yes thermostats can fail to open completely. Walking the radiator out can help, you can do it without taking the grill  out. Be careful and spray straight through it to avoid  Distorting the fins.
Bruce, Linda, and Macy
Zoey RIP 1/20/19
1999 U295 40' build #5400
2017 silver Jeep Wrangler, 1260 watts of solar on top
Moving around the country

Re: ‘96 U295 Engine Temps

Reply #31 –
 Probably, as others have suggested, some incremental improvements, cleaning radiator, new t-stats, will drop your operating temp a few degrees.  And, sure, ambient air temp makes a significant difference.  Basically, what I'm reading, and I'm driving same year and engine coach, you're running a 24 year old engine on the pins in high temp weather, heavily loaded, pulling a heavy toad in hilly country, with 300 hp.  Can't really expect her to run cool in these conditions.

I swapped out the banjo bolt fuel overflow valve on my rig with a stock Bosch replacement and am pleasantly surprised with the increased power.  Nothing monumental, but definitely more twist. Might consider this if you havent done already.

Comparisons to 320's with 50% more hp are invalid. 
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: ‘96 U295 Engine Temps

Reply #32 –
Quote from: Chuck Pearson –
I swapped out the banjo bolt fuel overflow valve on my rig with a stock Bosch replacement and am pleasantly surprised with the increased power.  Nothing monumental, but definitely more twist. Might consider this if you havent done already.
Smart move. All Bosch P pumps have this fuel return valve. It develops microscopic channels in the little ball and also the seat from the fuel passing by so the pressure is less inside the pump. It's easy to change and will return the internal pressure back to what it was originally.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: ‘96 U295 Engine Temps

Reply #33 –
You can easily check for end play for the P3 bearing,put a prybar between the transmission harmonic balancer and the frame,on mine it's about a 1/2 inch gap where you put the pryer,if you get 1/8" play you have a loose bearing,many of us have had this problem,had mine retightened and inspected for 1K.You need to find a good Alison repair shop to do this,if it's caught in time and they save your bearing it's a whole lot less expensive.PS,not knocking "Risch"but what does his pickup have to do with yours running hot.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: ‘96 U295 Engine Temps

Reply #34 –
Quote from: John44 –
You can easily check for end play for the P3 bearing,put a prybar between the transmission harmonic balancer and the frame,on mine it's about a 1/2 inch gap where you put the pryer,if you get 1/8" play you have a loose bearing,many of us have had this problem,had mine retightened and inspected for 1K.You need to find a good Alison repair shop to do this,if it's caught in time and they save your bearing it's a whole lot less expensive.PS,not knocking "Risch"but what does his pickup have to do with yours running hot.



I was referring to the effect of the ambient temps.

What is the banjo bolt they're talking about, David? Where is it??
1996 36' U295 Build #4879 Motorcade #18088
2007 Jeep Liberty 4x4 FMCA #F474816
Foretravel Mid-South
There's no happy like Foretravel happy!

Re: ‘96 U295 Engine Temps

Reply #35 –
Quote from: jhardman –
What is the banjo bolt they're talking about, David? Where is it??
It's usually between the block and the injection pump. Normally takes a 17mm to loosen it. It will have a copper washer on each side. Here is the perfect illustration on the location and how to test it.

Check / Replace Fuel Return Overflow Valve | Cummins Diesel Engine Service

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: ‘96 U295 Engine Temps

Reply #36 –
Will look it up but there is an aftermarket place that sells a kit to beef up the fuel pressure at idle,a few of us have done this,they also
have a fitting to install that you can put a gauge on to check fuel pressure,is good idea. Research,Tork Tools,they have the info.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: ‘96 U295 Engine Temps

Reply #37 –
If return valve is OK, the Cummins lift pump has a higher than normal problem rate. Pressure gauge will pinpoint problem. A lot of Bosch P pumps on smaller engines have the lift pump mounted on the side of the main injection pump and some even have the manual prime pump as part of the lift pump. Never seen one of these fail. Not so much on larger diesels as the lift pump is usually between the primary and secondary fuel filter and with large filters, the line routing would be more challenging.

A new stock fuel return valve will allow the injection pump to produce the full pressure/volume for full power.

Pierce
Pierce and Gaylie Stewart
'93 U300/36 WTBI
Detroit 6V-92TA Jake
1140 watts on the roof
SBFD (ret)

Re: ‘96 U295 Engine Temps

Reply #38 –
Even though our coaches have differing drive trains. The effects of how one pulls a hill are the same for any diesel pusher. We were coming back from Idaho last week and had a long grade of 5 miles and average of 6% with an 8% section. It was 90 degrees. We had lots of fluids on board and a 3,000Lb car out back. I slowed down from the posted 60MPH limit to 45-50MPH and manually put it in 4th gear. Boost never got above 17PSI (I have seen 27PSI) revs were about 1700-1800. Water temp never exceeded the upper 180's, Oil temps never exceeded 212.  ^.^d 

Further down the road. I had another hill to pull. But not as steep or long. I had a pickup with a loaded car trailer going pretty slow. So I used the HP of the M11 and let her rip to pass him. Turbo boost was 25PSI, Water temp went up to 200, 15-20 degrees higher than the steeper pull. The oil temp went up by 5-6 degrees. Still not close to dangerous temps.  However, It was a perfect illustration of why you slow down and gear down for steep grades. Forget about those nascar dreams of passing everyone. We are in RV's, No one waved a green flag.
Jerry & Nona and Kimeru the cat that thinks she's a dog
1998 36' WTFE U320  #5314 Motorcade #17711
USAF 1975-1995
2019 Subaru Crosstrek 'toad'
2003 Subaru Legacy touring car
jerry Fincher | Flickr

Re: ‘96 U295 Engine Temps

Reply #39 –
Quote from: John44 –
Will look it up but there is an aftermarket place that sells a kit to beef up the fuel pressure at idle,a few of us have done this,they also
have a fitting to install that you can put a gauge on to check fuel pressure,is good idea. Research,Tork Tools,they have the info.

Replaced my stock Cummins valve (broken spring) years ago with a Tork-tec adjustable valve years ago.

https://cppdiesel.com/adjustable-p7100-overflow-valve/
Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW