6400 mile trip report

David Anderson · August 04, 2018, 05:00:30 PM

We are home after being on the road since May 30. I drove the bus 6400 miles and my tow vehicle 2900 miles. 16 states and 13 national parks. Went straight up U.S 83 from south Texas and hung a left turn on I 90 and meandered around South Dakota, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, and points west to the coast then down the coast back through Nevada, Utah, Colorado, NM, and Texas. We parked the bus in Anacortes WA and cruised on Holland America to Alaska and back. What a trip.

The bus did well. I used 6 qts of oil on the whole trip. My highest temp was 190 climbing Wolf Creek pass eastbound. I popped a front wheel stud 50 miles east of Everett WA and got that fixed in Mt Vernon WA. My Niehoff alternator barfed a bearing at the same place and screamed at me in pain. I pulled the belt and drove on to Mt. Vernon, removed it and took it to a shop in Bellingham to get a new bearing. It was the day before the cruise, so I told the guy to fix it and have it ready when I returned. Unfortunately, upon my return, he informed me the stator had crashed into the armature and the case was cracked an unrepairable. He ordered a new one from Niehoff and $2600 later I was was out of his shop. The thing did not quite fit, so a full day of modification was in order for me before we could leave. It is a good thing I brought most of my tools, and I got it done. I have a roof leak somewhere around my front AC, so that will have to be pulled to get under the base to see what is happening. My aux tank fuel gauge pegged to the full position and quit working. My skinner valve engine stop solenoid gets hot and sticks closed ?off? position when I kill the engine. I have to tap it with a tool to get it to release the arm. A bit embarrassing when people see me open my engine door and beat on my engine to get it started. Very annoying.

My most puzzling issue is my power steering. It growls like scalded hound dog when it is cold. After 10 or 20 minutes it's fine. Luke told my I have air in the system and told me how to bleed it . I did that to no avail. I've been fighting this for several years. https://www.busconversionmagazine.com/forum/index.php?topic=26379.msg289290#msg289290

I'm still not sure what to do. Luke is stumped too.
Another new thing is that my starter will do about 2 turns and stop. I have to let off the switch and spin it again, but 2 turns is about all I get. I'll have to trace through the solenoids to see what is dropping out.

I'm very pleased that the old girl did so well. This is the first time in 18 years of owning the coach that I was actually tired of driving it. The last 3 days were long mileage days and we were really ready to get home. Now back in the Texas heat and missing the cool air of Glacier Nat park.

David

windtrader · August 04, 2018, 07:10:22 PM

Love the travelog And sounds wonderful memories galore

TomC · August 05, 2018, 09:07:42 AM

I wouldn't worry about power steering noise when cold. My Sheppard whines when cold (I use 15W-40). Then quiets after warm. Good Luck, TomC

Jim Eh. · August 06, 2018, 12:38:21 AM

Try finding a steep slope and point the bleeder end uphill.

luvrbus · August 06, 2018, 05:51:53 AM

I doubt it is air in the system ,I am sure you have changed the filter in the canister but there is a inline high pressure filter on the Metro Eagles too now If i can just remember where it is located

I'll let you know and if you have kinks in the suction hose they whine ? do you have a TRW manual page 53 tells you how to check for that

chessie4905 · August 06, 2018, 06:07:26 AM

Possible to pull air in past drive pulley or gear seal? Is it Ross or Sheppard?
Check cranking voltage drop at starter when cranking. Batteries or poor connection in system. Especially check at batteries. Don't ignore through bulkhead connections. If cranking voltage at starter is ok, than pull and have starter checked.

luvrbus · August 06, 2018, 06:15:35 AM

He has a Eagle the batteries are close to the starter,sounds like his problem is the starter relay in the back panel or he could have 1 of the disconnect switches going bad ,Eagles use TRW (Ross) power steering fwiw

chessie4905 · August 06, 2018, 06:56:05 AM

Here is basic info on power steering whine issues. Fluid level, leaks on suction side of pump, fittings and lines. Fluid quality maybe, but I would think that is last on list. Especially since the company sells additive

chessie4905 · August 06, 2018, 06:59:47 AM

He should also load test batteries or use a hydrometer to check for a weak cell/s. Many people think that a monster of a battery/s can't be bad (if cranking voltage is low and other components check ok)

David Anderson · August 06, 2018, 10:48:16 AM

Quote from: luvrbus on August 06, 2018, 05:51:53 AM
I doubt it is air in the system ,I am sure you have changed the filter in the canister but there is a inline high pressure filter on the Metro Eagles too now If i can just remember where it is located I'll let you know and if you have kinks in the suction hose they whine ? do you have a TRW manual page 53 tells you how to check for that

I changed the hose front to back a couple of years ago and saw no inline filter. It still whined after the change. If I did have air in the system you would think I'd see fluid somewhere where the leak is at some point in time because the reservoir is higher than the pump. There is a hose clamp where the suction hose hooks to the pump. That would be a likely place.

I can change the filter again. It wouldn't hurt to do it. Yes it is a Ross pump. No I don't have a TRW manual, but I do have the Eagle shop manual. Might it be in there?
David

chessie4905 · August 06, 2018, 04:08:49 PM

I just saw and read the pdf. manual online from them. All diagnostic info there.

Geoff · August 06, 2018, 04:43:49 PM

David, if you have followed all the bleeding procedures, guess you have a worn pump.

chessie4905 · August 06, 2018, 06:05:16 PM

Are you using proper fluid?

http://www.pss1.com/fluids/