Need help figuring out how to get into right rear compartment on H3-45.

Busted Knuckle · April 30, 2012, 07:55:47 AM

Here's the story. I got a call from an associate in the charter business "that one of his drivers was down my way" and had a problem getting the compartment open that gives access to the dump valve (charter bus rest room) and also the engine hatch release.
Wanted to know if he sent his driver by my shop if we could help him get the compartment open as it needed dumped bad and was going to be on the road until Tuesday.

Well long story short there was more to the story than the owner was telling me.
The driver an I know each other pretty well and do "favors" for each other quite often.
The driver had told the owner to call and ask me if he could drop this H3-45 off to me an borrow any bus I might have on the lot for the remainder of his trip.
And while I had their bus here could I figure out what was wrong with;

#1) that comparment door.

#2) the A/C seems that since they've had the bus (got it in Decemember) it's had one problem or another with the A/C.

Well now I know the whole story the driver needed a bus that #1 had working A/C and # 2 didn't stink like a pig pen because it ain't been dumped for like 3 trips out in a row now!

The driver said they have tried unsuccessfully to fix the A/C and also get that compartment open.

So I loaned him my SETRA S215 (with ice cold A/C) and sent him on his way.
Now I turn my attn. to this poor H3-45 that has been rode hard an put away wet.

I can hear linkage moving (loosely) when pull the handle on the latch but there is nothing happening on the release end of the linkages.

I can't open the engine compartment to get a look at it because the release is in that compartment as well!

Anyone have any ideas of any trick I can use to get either of these compartments open without farther damage?

I tried to figure out where to get a down load of the manual on Prevost Car's site using the VIN, but I either ain't looking in the right place or don't know what I'm doing there either.

The VIN on this jewel is 2PCH3349XV1011846

Any help at all will be appreciated.

I can be reached @ the office/shop # 731-986-5999 or my cell 270-705-1139 thanks.

BK

Boomer · April 30, 2012, 09:14:49 AM

Why not call your regional Prevost Service Rep? Number on the web site. He will know how to get in. That's their job, 24/7.

Busted Knuckle · April 30, 2012, 09:40:54 AM

Well Boomer funny you mention that.
I really didn't know who to call, as I searched and searched the website for "Tech support" like Setra & MCI have but was unable to find anything like that.

I am waiting on someone from the Nashville service center to call me back now! (as soon as they find someone that knows what I need to do! As the service manager said he'd not personally experienced this problem before)

BK

fe2_o3 · April 30, 2012, 10:01:22 AM

This may help...
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/hammers/super-duty-air-hammer-with-chisels-47868.html
Cable

Busted Knuckle · April 30, 2012, 10:14:20 AM

Quote from: fe2_o3 on April 30, 2012, 10:01:22 AM
This may help...
http://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/hammers/super-duty-air-hammer-with-chisels-47868.html
Cable

Thanks Cable, I have several of those as well as a couple die grinders an even a cutting torch. But I was hoping to find a way with out damaging it farther!

BK

Still waiting on Prevost to call me back!
I guess I'll try to find out who the local service rep is and call him as well.

robertglines1 · April 30, 2012, 01:23:59 PM

left hand console rear switch release? Bob

Ed Hackenbruch · April 30, 2012, 01:51:00 PM

Sounds like part of the linkage has come apart? Can you stick your head underneath anywhere and get a look at it? Might be able to open one of the doors from underneath.

fe2_o3 · April 30, 2012, 02:46:14 PM

Slim Jim?..Any access from below for either door? Drill latch or hinge then replace?..Done both at one time or another..Cable

Busted Knuckle · April 30, 2012, 03:00:53 PM

Wasn't easy but we got it open!
Dad an I tried several different ways before we heard back from anyone at Prevost.
And I finally found that I could get the top of the door out away from the "frame" by taking the one bolt out of each hinge where they mounted in the battery compartment.
With the top of the door leaned out we were able to get the curved end of a "wrecking" bar in and pull up on the engine hatch release.

Once the engine hatch was open we were able to see the linkage and latch are inside an enclosed door! But we could get to the 6 bolts on the latch that held it in the door. (actually 4 hold the plate in the door an 2 hold the latch to the plate but we didn't know that until we got it apart)

Once in there we found the latch was old rusty and in bad shape, (been repaired once with a bread wrapper tie) and needed replaced. Also the linkage had come off it too!

We also found the outside plate of the A/C clutch wasn't even being held in place by the blot that went through it, but the plate & bolt fell off in my hand when I grabbed hold of it to see what looked funny about it!

Bottom line we took A/C belts off, an put a bungee cord on the door and told the owner to come get it. (it's not a job I want to be married too, and he's not one to spend the $ to fix it right!)

BK

(yes Bob you know who it is!

)

robertglines1 · April 30, 2012, 05:12:30 PM

Glad he is calling you not me! Both of his XL's were at Clark last week. He really needs a good mechanic. He has the business if he would take care of it.I like the guy.

Busted Knuckle · April 30, 2012, 05:36:36 PM

Quote from: robertglines1
Glad he is calling you not me! Both of his XL's were at Clark last week. He really needs a good mechanic. He has the business if he would take care of it.I like the guy.

Well the only reason he's calling me is because he broke down in my area an thought I'd just run out there an find a way to get that door open and dump it and not charge him anything.
But his driver told me the whole story and had a group of senior citizens on board.
So I couldn't say no to the driver (who has come drove for me in the middle of the night when I was in a jam) and leave him and those senior citizens on that crappy old hot bus!

He won't spend $ on maintenance and then wonders why he has so many problems.

Yes I know the other two were @ Clarke and the only reason that was is it was WARRANTY work where he had the engine put in one an the transmission in the other.
He's been sending them back left & right for that but Clarke has been stepping up to the plate and jumping on whatever they find. (but sooner or later it's going to be on him & not them)

I'm about to start referring him back to you.

BK

Zeroclearance · April 30, 2012, 08:15:23 PM

I'm glad that you were able to get it. I knew that the hinges in the battery box were the easiest route vs the bumper removal.

Busted Knuckle · April 30, 2012, 10:36:20 PM

Quote from: Zeroclearance on April 30, 2012, 08:15:23 PM
I'm glad that you were able to get it. I knew that the hinges in the battery box were the easiest route vs the bumper removal.

THANKS Kevin the pictures REALLY helped.
Taking the hinge "pins" (bolts) out of the hinges did not get me the results we were looking for. But it did get it where the top could be leaned out an we could find the release for the engine compartment.
Once I actually see it the rest went pretty smooth.

BK