It "COULD" be love again....

Chaz · February 18, 2009, 04:41:34 PM

Well, we had a couple pretty nice days so I thought I would warm my ol'girl up. The batteries were toast - probably from the regulator over charging. I gotta get on that. - But after I threw a couple new 31's in her, she fired right up! Maybe 3 seconds worth of turning her over and I didn't even have to plug in the heater!!! She purred like a new kitten. Yeah baaaaaby!!
Only bad thing is that she is smoking again. I imagine she will be fine out on the road, but right after Dallas redid her, and before the fiasco in IL., she never smoked at all. I guess maybe the injectors need to be looked at.
But anyway, a couple good nose hits of that nasty ol' diesel exhaust and I'm lookin forward to some open road again. My girlfriend and best bud think I'm nuts............... but that's why i like to hang out with you folks. "Birds of a feather..................!"

Talk at ya later........
Chaz

Utahclaimjumper · February 18, 2009, 04:51:14 PM

Its probably going to continue to smoke a little on start-up until the new rings seat, so get her out and drive the crapp out of her.>>>Dan

Hi yo silver · February 18, 2009, 05:27:42 PM

Drive her ten miles, then look at your temp gauge and see if she isn't up to normal operating temp. Then, I'll bet you won't see smoke unless you're really throwing the coal to her.
My experience.
Dennis

Chopper Scott · February 18, 2009, 06:21:20 PM

We have had some nice days lately also and I couldn't resist either a few weeks ago. Flipped the master, walked to the back with a can of ether and took advantage of the rear start. Fired right up and I let the ole girl run for half and hour while I enjoyed a beer or so

. I'm getting the urge to even go for a ride!!! It did remind me that I have an exhaust gasket bad along with a pop off valve on the front air tank that needs replaced. I waxed the ole girl before I put it away last fall and she sure looks purdy!! Later

PP · February 18, 2009, 06:30:29 PM

Spring is in the air!

steve5B · February 18, 2009, 06:37:30 PM

Glad you got the OL'GIRL fired up, take her out on 74 and let the good times roll!

104 is the limit ha! ha!

Steve 5B..........

Sojourner · February 18, 2009, 06:42:31 PM

Chaz...that good to replace with new gr 31 batteries.

About DD exhaust smoke...After it started...never base engine's life condition until it is road driven to reach 180°F operating temperature and after many starts & shut down around the shop or home tinker...the muffler is somewhat sooted via being colder than road driven temperature to burn off soot and/or oil.

Suggest to drive it on highway with reasonably clean air filter for 20 miles at 55 or higher mph to normalize into everyday condition format before anything can be said about the smoking condition.

However, smoking while cranking (not running) is another thing. It another set of answers before in the running mode. Caution this diagnostic is only after it has been well driven after 1st paragraph is met and a fully charge battery with good starter before doing the following:
1)   Cranking speed...too slow will not start due to compression's temperature is below 700°F igniting temperature. Smelly white fuel vapor smoke. Block heater will correct a good compression engine to starts in the cold climate condition.
2)   Cranking with very low starter current draw and at normal speed or faster but bad compression rings or leaking exhaust valve. White or light gray smoke trying to run.
3)   Cranking with normal starter current draw (good compression) and speed with other than blue smoke is a good sign.
4)   Cranking as per #3 but pure white steam moisture or none is a sign of no fuel.
5)   Uneven puffing smoke's color...one or two low compression or injector problem.
6)   Did I miss anything? Chime in if you will.

The bottom-line that all diesels need the three things before it will start and run:
1)   Compression
2)   Fuel
3)   Ignition via good injector

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Gerald

Chaz · February 19, 2009, 07:16:32 AM

HA!!!

Too funny, PP!!!

We got snow on the ground this morning so it was short lived. But the "pitter" is there yet for the ol'girl.

As far as the smoke goes....... well, right after Dallas got her done, and the few times I cold started her before the fiasco she didn't smoke an iota. (That was SUCH a good feeling!) But after the fiasco, from first start on, it's been smoking at start up but does look ok going down the road. I drove her home (200 miles) from IL. Dallas said the injectors may need some attention. He also mentioned that something could have happened to the injector in the cylinder that grenaded. I don't know. But she did run good when I brought her home and she is still starting so hopefully things will work themselves out. But I may take it to someone to have them looked at.

Sorry Gerald but ya kind lost me. I'll have to read your post again when I go out to fire her up again.

Steve I was thinking to try and top her out on 465!!

Chopper Scott,
I'm by no means an expert - God, as well as everyone on here knows that to be true!! -

but that ether thing sends chills up my spine. My ol'girl was "addicted" to it and it was a bad thing. I'm sure there are more knowledgeable cats on here that can give you a better run down on when, where, how, and whats wrong that you need ether, but go easy with that stuff.

Later guys......
Chaz

John Z · February 19, 2009, 08:10:23 AM

Hey Chaz,

My bus had sat since mid Oct, until 2/6. An hour with the block heater plugged in and it fired right up. I took it in for an oil and filter change, and had new bushings put in the rear arms and brought it home. We filled it up with the bicycles and groceries and took off for a little ride too! About 1,700 miles later and we are sitting in Mercedes Texas. Woke up here this morning and it was 71 degrees, and it is -4 back home after -40 wind chill overnight! MAN, just gotta love these old buses. Lots of folks stop by to ask about "Tubby". I hope you can get that bus out on the road,,, thats what they were made for.

viento1 · February 19, 2009, 08:15:18 AM

Ya ya, I know the feeling - the family thinks I am crazy. I have these very short to do lists that get done in spurts of enthusiasm when the sun threatens the weekend. 2 Thursdays ago I changed fuel filters and oil at midnight. This weekend taking the kids snowboarding - but only after I run a new 12volt wire to the kingcruise after work, after kids are sleeping... I love this bus.

Chaz · February 19, 2009, 10:29:16 AM

I'm with ya guys!!!

Chaz

Dallas · February 19, 2009, 11:26:11 AM

Chaz,
Glad to hear the old girl is running and had no problem firing up. She's a strong engine, and with the new trans cooler, should run for years and years.

The problem with the smoke is probably due to a bad injector tip on the #3R cylinder. That is the liner and piston that grenaded in Illinois.
I spent about 4 hours on that head alone trying to get the rack correct, and the best I could do was stop most of the white smoke when it is out on the road.

Dallas

Dreamscape · February 19, 2009, 12:39:51 PM

OK Chaz, Now go out and drive your girl around, now that you've got it up and runnin! Put some miles on her and treat her right and she'll last you a long time.

Glad to hear the positive attitude! Sounds like Chaz is back!

Good Luck,

Paul