Three weeks later and my motor is running again finally

[belfert]

I finally got my motor running again!  It was three weeks ago that the radiator was pulled.  I was wildly optimistic and thought it would only take a week or two to have the motor running again.

I only ran the motor for a minute or so because I thought I heard a nasty rattle from the gearcase.  I think it is really normal diesel rattle and I was being paranoid after all the work done particularly the water pump driven by the gears.  It was late so I'll run the motor again tomorrow.

I did a bunch of things in three weeks:

Removed rear bumper to make motor work easier
Removed/replaced charge air cooler and radiator.  Radiator sent out for cleaning and needed new core
Replaced all removed radiator hoses and installed constant-torque clamps if not already used
Replaced water pump
Replaced oil drain line from DN50.  Had to remove DN50 to do this.
Replaced alternator drive belt
Replaced coolant that was removed
Replaced primary fuel filter
Replaced dessicant and rebuilt purge valve in AD-9 air drier

I know most of this stuff would be child's play to most of you, but I would be fired as a mechanic after the first shift.  Many of you would probably have done all of this in one weekend and had time left over.

Thanks to all those that answered my stupid questions along the way.

I still have one issue, the fan belts, to take care of before I can actually drive the bus.  I hope to put my old fan belts on tomorrow and get on the road.

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Brian,

See, your a bus mechanic after all....  You just completed a job, your no different then any one of us!

Welcome to your bus, it needs repairs from time to time. Your hired...

Nick-

[FloridaCliff]

Brian,

I am proud of you.  A year ago, I think, you were ready to hang this bus project.

Now your tearing it a part and rebuilding things that by your own admission you didn't know much about before.

In my opinion its very Normal to get frustrated, just not to quit. And you didn't.

Give yourself a pat on the back!   

Cliff

[Dallas]

Way Cool!

You get a whole bunch of 'attaboys' from Cat and I!

Even though I like to give you a hard time sometimes, I also like to push you to go a little farther and a do a little more than you did the last time.

I knew you could do it Brian!

Job well done!

Dallas

[belfert]

Hi Brian,

See, your a bus mechanic after all....  You just completed a job, your no different then any one of us!

Welcome to your bus, it needs repairs from time to time. Your hired...

Other than the filters, none of this stuff better need replacing for a long time at the low miles it gets compared to charters.  My brakes should last a number of years after all the money into them last year.

I'm still not at the level of tackling wheel bearings or brakes and might well never be.  I don't even have the tools to remove a tire yet.

[Sammy]

Congrats on completing your repairs. 

[TomC]

The point is you got the jobs done.  Just keep doing one job at a time, and do it completely with the best workmanship you can, and your bus is soon done.  Doesn't matter how long it takes to do the job, it's that you did it-and congratulations!! Good Luck, TomC

[maria-n-skip]

Brian

   By my count   9 attaboys and only one admitted ah shoot.
Pretty good percentages if you ask me.

Good job.

Skip

[buswarrior]

Brakes and wheel bearings are just grunt work and a little finess.

You'll be bored with your accomplishments in little time and be game for the next adventure!

happy coaching!
buswarrior