What is this for?

ReturningToAlaska · April 22, 2018, 08:53:31 AM

I am getting ready to do my moving trip with my bus, took it to a shop, and they charged me over 6 grand to do breaks and fix some leaks in the air system and engine oil and filter change.

I have a 1978 MC-8 bus.

But as I am looking around the engine compartment, I noticed two things. First looks to be some oil chamber, and the operators manual does not mention it, there is no oil in the sight glass, and can't tell what it is by sniffing the filler cap. What is this for and what kind of oil should I put in it?
https://www.dropbox.com/s/l84daxmtkrjy7i9/IMG_20180422_113853.jpg?dl=0

And I also noticed this filter had not been changed when they serviced the engine like everything else. I am guessing this is a coolant filter? It's up front of the engine behind the tag axle. I have no idea how I would get in there to replace it.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/lxvptnp3x49xsqy/IMG_20180422_115024.jpg?dl=0

Kevin Johnsen

Greg Smith · April 22, 2018, 09:51:11 AM

That first pic is power steering. Not sure on the seccond.

brmax · April 22, 2018, 10:09:30 AM

Might need a number and brand on the filter, there in the photo. The first photo looks to be a typical power steering reservoir. I sugest the lube chart recomended fluid for that.

Good day

Floyd

ReturningToAlaska · April 22, 2018, 10:42:04 AM

I found it finally in the service manual. And the location and pictures look right and like you said it calls it the Power Steering Reservoir. But in the manual it says what I am supposed to use in it is: "Engine Oil SAE 10MS or DS Service"

Would it really just use 10W motor oil or is this some sort of hydraulic oil?

gumpy · April 22, 2018, 12:05:43 PM

Yes, it is the power steering reservoir, and yes, 10W motor oil.

As for the second photo, that looks like the oil filter, but mounted on the right side. Where do the lines got to that are coming off it. Maybe post photos of where those lines go to on the engine.

sledhead · April 22, 2018, 12:21:34 PM

it might be a remote transmission filter if you have a auto transmission

dave

ReturningToAlaska · April 22, 2018, 12:40:52 PM

Quote from: sledhead on April 22, 2018, 12:21:34 PM
it might be a remote transmission filter if you have a auto transmission

Is an Auto Transmission, and the lines appear to trace back to the bell housing close to the engine. So you are likely correct, transmission oil filter.

Going to be Driving from Michigan to Alaska. Probably should change that filter.

Thanks guys!

biff · April 22, 2018, 02:22:29 PM

Three also is a filter inside the canister for the power steering.

sledhead · April 22, 2018, 02:28:43 PM

on the M C I when I changed the oil and filter I would change out the transmission filter as well . just fill the filter with new transmission fluid before installing it , same as the engine filter with oil

Dave

ReturningToAlaska · April 22, 2018, 03:55:50 PM

Quote from: sledhead on April 22, 2018, 02:28:43 PM
on the M C I when I changed the oil and filter I would change out the transmission filter as well . just fill the filter with new transmission fluid before installing it , same as the engine filter with oil

Dave

Good tip! Thanks!
Found the filter online. Going to have to figure out how to get more room under the bus to get in there to change the filter. Will see if I can build up some blocking to drive the bus up on when the filter comes in.

gumpy · April 22, 2018, 06:04:27 PM

Oh sure, duh. That's where my transmission filter is, too!

Quote from: ReturningToAlaska on April 22, 2018, 12:40:52 PM
Is an Auto Transmission, and the lines appear to trace back to the bell housing close to the engine. So you are likely correct, transmission oil filter.

Going to be Driving from Michigan to Alaska. Probably should change that filter.

Thanks guys!

Scott & Heather · April 22, 2018, 06:14:55 PM

Hi Kevin,

Where in Southwest Michigan are you? We call the St. Joseph area Home. Not there at the moment but could help you out a little depending on when you are embarking?

BTW: the black cylinder in the foreground of this photo is a filter screen for something and I can't recall what. I have to look at mine again on my coach. The white spin on in the background is indeed your trans fluid filter.

Also, your power steering reservoir is indeed low or empty because you should have the level half way up the site glass. Use 10w40 motor oil in there. Works fine. Don't think of these coaches like you do your car. They are very different beasts. Also, do not run multiweight oil in the engine. Run straight 40w only.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Dave5Cs · April 22, 2018, 08:27:07 PM

First check to see what color fluid is in there. If it is red it may be Dexron ATF or II. If it is Brown then oil is fine. Don't just add something before checking so you don't want to mix. If you want to change then drain the system properly first and then fill with what you want or is correct. Just Sayin.
Dave5Cs

ReturningToAlaska · April 23, 2018, 07:21:32 AM

Quote from: Dave5Cs on April 22, 2018, 08:27:07 PM
First check to see what color fluid is in there. If it is red it may be Dexron ATF or II. If it is Brown then oil is fine. Don't just add something before check so you don't want to mix. If you want to change then drain the system properly first and then fill with what you want or is correct. Just Sayin.
Dave5Cs

Well.... Now I am more confused. I checked it, it does have a pinkish tint to it, but it is not at all as pink as ATF, nor is it as light as some 10w30 oil that I have. Took a picture of it with samples of both ATF and motor oil on a paper towel. If anything, I would say it looks like a mix of both oils. Some ATF and some motor oil. Here is a picture, the top one is what I dipped out of the fill line, the middle is the ATF and the very light stuff on the bottom is the motor oil.

Maybe it's just slightly dirty motor oil that only looks pinkish because it's older and slightly dirty?

eagle19952 · April 23, 2018, 08:07:02 AM

Quote from: ReturningToAlaska on April 23, 2018, 07:21:32 AM
Well.... Now I am more confused. I checked it, it does have a pinkish tint to it, but it is not at all as pink as ATF, nor is it as light as some 10w30 oil that I have. Took a picture of it with samples of both ATF and motor oil on a paper towel. If anything, I would say it looks like a mix of both oils. Some ATF and some motor oil. Here is a picture, the top one is what I dipped out of the fill line, the middle is the ATF and the very light stuff on the bottom is the motor oil.

Maybe it's just slightly dirty motor oil that only looks pinkish because it's older and slightly dirty?

someone mixed it. put what goes there. any oil is better than not enough....