Fluid Levels

tyreman · December 19, 2018, 07:31:10 AM

Well I'm discovering that there are MULTIPLE sight glasses to monitor the fluid levels for the different systems on my bus, coolant was easy to see, but I've discovered the small box between the cooling fans that has a sight glass (it's showing full) and the power steering reservoir (nothing on the glass, yikes! how do I determine what goes in, ATF, 10w 40 etc?). Any other things I should be aware of?
Full disclosure I was a OTR truck driver for years and knew my equipment very well but I never drove a 2 stroke and had to keep up on all these separate systems, it's a little overwhelming and want to learn as much as I can while it's still in my driveway and NOT on the side of the road!

richard5933 · December 19, 2018, 10:52:04 AM

Check your manual for the particulars on the power steering fluid. Our 4106 used auto transmission fluid. Our 4108 uses engine oil. Your manual should specify which is used in your bus. Since you've got a 8V71, probably won't be any need for multi-weight oil anywhere near your bus.

tyreman · December 19, 2018, 12:32:11 PM

ATF fluid is what it needs, thanks for the reply!

Geoff · December 19, 2018, 01:47:47 PM

No on the ATF. Bus steering pumps use either SAE 30 wt. or 10w-30wt oil because they have Vickers gear pumps. The gear pump for the radiator blowers use non-detergent oil. Find a manual for your bus.

Dave5Cs · December 19, 2018, 02:44:27 PM

Our MCI has always used ATF Dextron II

richard5933 · December 19, 2018, 02:55:14 PM

Quote from: Geoff on December 19, 2018, 01:47:47 PM
No on the ATF. Bus steering pumps use either SAE 30 wt. or 10w-30wt oil because they have Vickers gear pumps. The gear pump for the radiator blowers use non-detergent oil. Find a manual for your bus.

Not true on all buses. Ours uses engine oil, per the manual. Our 4106 used ATF. Various systems were used for power steering over the years, and it's important to know which system you've got and which fluid is recommended. The proper manual for your bus is your best friend for things like this.

Geoff · December 19, 2018, 03:10:21 PM

I don't know how your 4106 manual called for ATF, Richard.

richard5933 · December 19, 2018, 03:18:54 PM

Quote from: Geoff on December 19, 2018, 03:10:21 PM
I don't know how your 4106 manual called for ATF, Richard.

Section 13, page 6 of the manual:

TYPE A FLUID
(SYMBOL S19 ON CHART)

Fluid indicated by symbol "S19" on chart, must be an "Automatic Transmission Fluid - Type A"...

Then it goes on to list the Power Steering System in the next paragraph.

dtcerrato · December 19, 2018, 06:27:58 PM

Our 53 GM PD4104 also calls for Type A transmission fluid. That stuff isn't readily available so we have been using for many years without issue Dextron - I through III and now Dextron/Mercon. By the way our unobtainium Vickers power assist booster cylinder was just rebuilt by a hydraulic shop here in Florida! They said it was one of the easiest rebuilds they'd done in years...

Very reasonable and obviously successful.

richard5933 · December 19, 2018, 07:00:51 PM

Some of the GM manuals actually specify Dexron. Not sure if it's still used in cars anymore, but wasn't it standard issue for GM cars for decades?

dtcerrato · December 19, 2018, 07:03:11 PM

Yes, seems like GM & Chevron had a relationship when it came to lubricants!

Busn-Gramps · December 20, 2018, 05:51:24 AM

Check the color of the fluid in the power steering, if it is red use ATF. If not red use 30 wt motor oil. Best not to mix. The fan gear box on a MCI should use 30 wt. non detergent motor oil.

TomC · December 20, 2018, 08:51:02 AM

I have a Vickers power steering pump and use 15W-40 in it. On a cold day will whine, once warm, whines very quietly. Good Luck, TomC