Can someone explain how I check the engine, tranny, power steering, and any other fluids on my bus?
Thanks
Let it sit a day on level ground and check the engine level. Fill it to the top of the dipstick. Run it 5 minutes or more and check it again for a warm engine reference. It will be lower, but still full. If you have a stick, they have a fill plug on the side and they should be to the bottom of the plug hole. The Allison I check hot for the hi mark on the stick at engine idle in neutral. The gear is like the standard transmission, it has a plug for a large wrench and should be filled to the bottom of the hole with gear oil. Don't mix gear oil and motor oil in the transmission. If you don't know and its low, change it out, it takes about 5 gallons. My transmission rebuilder likes gear oil in all his standard trannys, but not everyone does. If you have air suspension, you need a pit before you go under your coach.
For the power steering, look into the engine compartment towards the rear of the engine (towards front of bus) on the passenger side. Above the right valve cover you should see a metal "can" about 6-8" in diameter with a small sight glass in the side of it. That is the power steering reservoir. There should be a small tube coming from the reservoir about 1" in diameter with a removeable plug in the end of it. That is where you add fluid. Ours came with ATF, although I have heard of some that used moptor oil. Jack
our power steering came with 10 wgt oil, as Jack has mentioned. Be sure not to mix fluids, I had to call previous bus line.
Good Luck
don't forget to check the fan gear box and coolant level
the fan gear box is in the compartment above the engine and has a site glass similar to the power steering "can" and the coolant is above that also with a site glass
Both of these should be in the middle of the glass when sitting on level ground
another thing that is easy to check and will save a "BIG" problem is the vent on top of the fan gear box
Lets see that should cover engine tranny power steering diff coolant and the fan gear box -- lots of other stuff to check but I think that covers the fluids
Melbo