Bus adventure in progress

Fredward · March 28, 2010, 07:11:32 PM

For those interested in a little travelogue. I know I always enjoy reading everybody's stories.
We left Delano, MN Saturday morning 8:15 and 657 miles later we were in the Indy KOA at Indianapolis IN. Bucking a southeast wind the whole way pulling a 3,800 pound toed. Burned about 98 gallons of $2.99 #2 diesel. Used virtually no oil (unless I'm getting fuel in my oil!) Plugged in the block heater separate from the bus so we could run electric heat.

Saturday morning its raining as as I'm doing my pre-trip check I discover the outlet I plugged the block heater in to isn't working and its 45 degrees. Using the "bump and roll" approach (is that what its called?) the 8V71 started up; no either. I supposed it was still a little warm from shut down 12 hours earlier? Drove another 200 or so miles in rain and now we're near Mammoth National Park at Jellystone Park Camp-Resort. Still raining.

Only problem is the reverse solenoid quit working so I had to improvise to get backed into my site! I've replaced the solenoid and the relay with genuine MCI parts in the past. So I used a screwdriver and a quarter (25cents) to get it to work and we finally backed in. Wife was underwhelmed. I'm guessing it must be a moisture/ground issue after driving four hours in rain. I have wire along so I can improvise and test but its very strange. Maybe I didn't adjust the solenoid correctly when I installed it and now its failing?
Fred

Monday we tour caves; Tuesday we head towards Nashville. Maybe the KOA?

WVA_NATIVE · March 28, 2010, 07:25:10 PM

Fred, I was just two hrs west of you when you were in Indy. Did you take 65 south from Chicago? I hope you have a lot of fun and enjoy the caves. That's what we do every time we go to southern Indiana.

WVaNative

zubzub · March 29, 2010, 01:00:14 AM

Sounds good. Wouldn't be an adventure if something didn't go wrong/then right.
BTW sounds good on the moisture, in my recent engine bay work, on mine and a t drive, I have noticed a huge amount of dirt gets into the nooks and crannies of the rear. I presume a vortex gets created at highway speeds to do this and in the rain stuff would also get very wet. On the prevost t drive there was tons of dirt/oil around the tranny. Once again i am considering making a full skirt like the OE.

robertglines1 · March 29, 2010, 05:18:11 AM

Clear rain out of area for us will be comming thru tues or wed......enjoy time with family..keep steaming along..Bob

bevans6 · March 29, 2010, 05:41:28 AM

With an MC-5 what is your technique for getting to the reverse solenoid? I can hardly see mine, let alone do anything to it!

Brian

Busted Knuckle · March 29, 2010, 06:55:31 AM

Fred,
Say hi to our driver Bill at the caves today. He'll be driving the loaner we have nicked named "Smurf" because of the bluish color. (he'll be traveling with another bus from another company that we are helping out)
Have fun, and remember to shout at me if you go across I-40 our new shop is just 10 mins north of exit 108! (we'll be in & out working on gettin set up for the move!)

BK

Fredward · March 29, 2010, 07:58:56 AM

With an MC-5 what is your technique for getting to the reverse solenoid? I can hardly see mine, let alone do anything to it!

I changed it when I had the engine out! But you can get at it from the front access panel in the floor. Otherwise the part the actuates the transmission is reachable from the curb side of the engine if your AC compressor is gone.

Have fun, and remember to shout at me if you go across I-40 our new shop is just 10 mins north of exit 108!

Bryce, we plan on heading west on I-40 Wed or Thurs so I'll definitely give you a shout on the cellophone if it would fit in to stop by. Love to see the new place.
Fred

Eric · March 29, 2010, 08:53:01 PM

If you come into the KOA here in Nashville ask for Eric or Meredith! We'll get ya taken care of !

Fredward · March 29, 2010, 08:53:41 PM

Bryce,
We visited with Bill and the Smurf bus this afternoon. Thats a mighty nice looking coach for a Setra.
Nashville Tuesday night; Memphis Wednesday. Then we're heading towards Oklahoma. Hopefully I don't have to back up anywhere. I haven't tried my reverse solenoid yet but hopefully it has dried out. Might try adjusting the throw tomorrow morning before leaving.
Fred

Fredward · March 29, 2010, 08:57:01 PM

Bryce,
We visited with Bill and the Smurf bus this afternoon. Thats a mighty nice looking coach for a Setra.
Nashville Tuesday night; Memphis Wednesday. Then we're heading towards Oklahoma. Hopefully I don't have to back up anywhere. I haven't tried my reverse solenoid yet but hopefully it has dried out. Might try adjusting the throw tomorrow morning before leaving.
Fred

Fredward · March 29, 2010, 09:00:37 PM

Whoops slow connection out here by the cave. Guess I posted twice.
Ekhedge, we plan on the KOA Tuesday - hope to see you then. We should be there mid afternoon.
We plan on taking in the Opry.
Fred
612-801-4826

Fredward · March 30, 2010, 09:03:42 PM

So we end up at Jellystone Campground instead of KOA because wife and kid overrule.
Reverse solenoid is working again. Must be a ground or moisture issue.
We attended the Grand Ol Opry this evening. Its like a religious experience.

Tomorrow Graceland.

Bus still running great. We're about 1,000 miles and there's really no oil on the back of the bus.
Our rear axle/dropbox/differential leaks pretty bad though. Not the input seal; but it appears the entire pumpkin is cracked and oil leaks out the crack when we're under way. It doesn't leak just sitting.
FT

Fredward · March 31, 2010, 07:52:13 PM

Another good day. Left Nashville this morning bucking a southwest wind on our way to Memphis and Graceland. We did about 73 mph the entire way, pulling a 3700 pound toad at about 79 degrees and the engine temp never went over about 195 degrees. Pretty good I'd say.

Tomorrow we head for Oklahoma.
Fred