2nd Trip in the Bus

[DavidInWilmNC]

We just got back from a long weekend trip in the bus last night.  As before, it performed well... on the 'going' part of the trip anyway.  I did fry the inverter somehow.  It worked well, as always, running the little fridge and a couple of lights.  Then, it was a bit flaky 'til we smelled smoke.  No problem, we'll just use the generator.  It was in the 90's out so I ran the roof A/C along with the bus air which needed a bit more 134a. 

On the way back, the generator ran really crappy.  It would surge then slow back down over and over.  It sounded like it was out of gas, but there were several gallons of fuel in there.  I could see the linkage from the governor moving back and forth.  The generator shook so much that it broke its muffler strap.  No problem.  I just pulled the muffler off and continued on our trip.  I'd added that extra 134a to the bus air, so we really didn't miss the A/C.  I'll have to tackle that issue soon, as it's that time of year referred to as 'hurricane season'.

One other thing I noticed was a lot of people pulling out from behind us to pass (we were on the interstate) washed their windshields.  I initially thought it was due to the road being slightly damp and my tires kicking up water.  Then, it happened.  The shutdown system kicked in.  I just pulled over and stopped with hazard flashers on.  The oil light was flashing.  I thought it was an oil issue 'til I looked at the temp gauge.  It was reading a bit over 200.  I check the gauges constantly, but it must have happened quickly.  We got out and opened the engine doors - sure enough, we smelled the aroma of antifreeze.  One of the small hoses that lead to a 'Y' on top of the engine then forward to the heaters had burst.  Upon examining it, the back side was damaged.  It looked like it had been melted or something.  Of course, I didn't have any hose with me.  I could call for a tow, but then what?  I noticed the hose that connects the breather cap on the valve cover to the aluminum pipe was about the same size as coolant hose and looked almost new.  Surely somebody didn't replace that hose and not an important cooling system hose!  Then, a SC DOT employee pulled up to see if he could help.  I told him all we needed was water - lots of water (I don't have a fresh water tank yet).  He took my cooler and filled it with water and dropped it back off to us.  By that time, I had the hose replaced and the folding ladder out along with some plastic bottles.  I believe we must have added about 5-7 gallons of water.  I opened the heater valve so some of the water / antifreeze mix could get back into the system. 

The first trip was uneventful, except for those tree roots.  This trip was somewhat eventful, but we were blessed with a matching 'spare' hose waiting to be used, tools, and a very helpful SCDOT employee.  My shifting is getting much better, but I still woke up one of my friends with an occasional hard shift and gear grind.  Other times, it's smooth as can be.  I'll be replacing lots of cooling system hoses soon, along with what appears to be a flaky heater control valve.  It'll be a good time to fill the system with the correct antifreeze. 

The lessons from this trip were many:  Automatic shutdown systems can save an engine.  Carry tools... lots of tools.  Carry what spares one can, especially 'consumable' items like oil and hoses.  Install holding tanks.  Check and recheck hoses and clamps for any that are suspect, especially those that can't be easily accessed or seen.  Drive the bus more to improve shifting.  Have redundant systems - bus air and roof (or basement) air, generator and inverter, etc.  And finally, when you see lots of people washing their windshields when they come from behind you, there may be a reason.

I hate that I introduced my friend to a bus trip with a breakdown on the side of the road, but he was more impressed that I was able to fix it and get going again so quickly and without 'drama'!

David

[TomC]

Sounds like a fun trip.  I don't want to be a downer, but from 12 years of having a gasoline Onan generator on my truck (about 14,000hrs worth) I can tell you to just get used to the generator doing all sorts of weird things all the time.  I got used to cleaning the spark plugs twice a month (running the gen everyday), running Onan decarbon through the engine twice a year, goofing with the carburetor settings everytime the altitude would change, having to get up in the middle of the night (when it is hot and humid out-trucks don't plug in) and goofing with it when it quits for no reason, having to change the alternators brushes.  Changing the ignition from points to electronic was the best move I made. 

Maybe when you finally get sick and tired of goofing with the gen and the hastle of a second fuel to be carried, you'll switch to Diesel (even a used one with less than 10,000hrs would be better).  I have about 550 hrs on my Powertech Diesel (like 22,000 miles) and can tell you it has NEVER missed a beat, or ever stalled without explanation.  The only time it has quit is when I forgot to turn on the radiator blower and the overheat kicked in to shut it down.  Diesels just run and run and run with no problems.  Good Luck, TomC

[prevost82]

I'll second that Tom ... my diesel gen just purrrrrrrs away all day and night if I have to run it that long.
Ron

[DavidInWilmNC]

I agree about the diesel generator.  I had one lined up last year for $800, but the guy 'suddenly' decided to sell it to a guy who offered him more cash.  He quoted me the price, too, so I wasn't low-balling him.  It was a 6.5kw with a 3-cyl. Kubota engine.  I bought the gas gen. just to have one to use 'til I can justify the expense of a diesel generator.  This one has always run well.  I've only put about 20 hours on it and it has new plugs, wires, points, condenser, etc.  The only thing I can think of is that perhaps it got wet / damp (I forgot and left the gen. bay door open during a storm) or I've got funky gas, but it's been stabilized, so that shouldn't be it, either.  I just couldn't see spending the cash on the diesel generator when I didn't even have a usable bus at the time, plus, I have the OTR air and plug in 'most all the time.  I'll tear into it and the inverter tonight and see what happened to them.  On a semi- related note... what's a good source for the green stripe hoses, if that's what everybody is using?  It seems that my hoses have what look like standard clamps on them.  Don't those Gates hoses require different clamps, or is that just the silicone hoses? 

David

[prevost82]

Yes they do require a special clamp ...I don't know what they are call I bought a couple of them from DD. You can buy the hose from them too.
Ron

[luvrbus]

they are called torque clamps and have a hefty price at DD but hot rod shops are a lot cheaper for the same clamp

[Brian Diehl]

what's a good source for the green stripe hoses, if that's what everybody is using? 
David

I use NAPA for my source ...