dickandlois

Joyceroy, Welcome to the FMCA Forum! The F53 chassis used a slip ring set up for the Cruise Control and Horn circuit connections between the steering wheel and the stationary column wiring. From your post I would suspect dirty contacts and dirt buildup on the ring surface from your post information. The F53 chassis around your build year used a speed control servo amplifier, but think its a dirt issue as both the cruise and horn are not working! Rich.

Frank, A call to Fleetwood's customer care line might be your best option. Rich.

TexasSkunk, The other possibility is the evaporator cooling fan is defective, that would overload the 30 amp circuit. It only runs when the AC is operating. Rich.

Kent, Welcome to the FMCA forum ! Have Cummings run a complete print out of your engine ECM before and after you add the Bully Dog. There is a good chance the change will cost more then what you gain down the road. Rich.

Dean, Thanks for the feed back! Do you have the hydraulic cooling/fan motor? And did the shop flush out the system and replace all the filters? Rich.

Bio Diesel is in the supply chain and the point of sale can ask for diesel and still get a mix of Bio. The highest percentage of Bio tends to be in the Midwest. West of IN. to central SD and from the Canadian border to TX. You might call it the bean belt. Many states allow for a 5% blend, but the fuel could come from a number of blending facilities. Not the answer you wanted but the best information that I know of is on the Pilot / Flying J sight. Look at the very last column on the right side of there web sight information. Think that the Bio percentage has been thrown at the diesel industry and they have not run tests on how more then 5% Bio effects there engine fuel delivery systems. It is a very difficult mix to keep from gelling in cold weather and needs a biocide additive to reduce algae from forming. Rich. NOTE: The cleaning effect of Bio's cause the fuel filters to plug up faster. So keeping extra filters in stock is also a good idea. The thoughts of some diesel mechanics is that the Newer High Pressure injector systems maybe at more risk then the older low pressure systems! Time will tell, but I know who is going to pay the bill on this experiment !!!

Ivy, Check the 20 amp fuses in the chassis fuse box. Your fuse box with the Chev. chassis should be on the firewall outside the the coach above the radiator. Rich.

Good News, Algae in the fuel will plug up things. Thanks for posting the solution. Rich.

ObedB, A Road Connection. With the ethanol blend in Gas, its like the chicken and the egg scenario ! There is no easy way out at this point. With the Ethanol sensors and the effect ethanol has on metal fuel lines and putting plastic fuel lines in a high pressure system, that do not like high heat, they ten to get soft and pressure kind of blows them up. This is going to be a steep learning curve for both the consumer and the manufactures of Automobiles. Rich.

ObedB, Got a quick connection, Alcohol is the real item. Not only the fact that it attacks the fuel lines, it also combines with water. As one friend described it ! Think of moving a marble down a confined space. When they are under high pressure, they become very abrasive and cut away material inside the injector pump and at the injectors. Like high pressure water cutting stone ! Adding lubricity to the fuel, reduces this effect, but there is a limit and the marbles will win !!! Rich.

ObedB, I do not have any information on the Cat engines specifically. The thing is the loss of the lubricity of the ULSD and the effect of the alcohol used in the process of drying the Bio fuel that is still in the fuel when pumped into the tank, will also dry out the fuel lines; causing micro holes that starve the injector pumps of fuel. Causing cavitation and higher operating temperatures. That can lead to pump failure. If your unit is out of warranty, then you might want to look at using something like this. http://www.stanadyne.com/view.php?id=75 Not a perfect solution, but it should reduce the effects some. Rich.

There might be one, Hot on the trail of a possibility. Time and some more reading will tell. This is where I'm at presently. Call Cummings and they mentioned Turbo Diesel CC2588, but when I looked up the product. There is no mention of using it in conjunction with Bio fuels. http://catalog.cumminsfiltration.com/pdfs/product_lit/americas_brochures/LT32599_08.pdf This produce was offered by a contact I have that run's a large operation with a large inventory of diesel power equipment with large repair facilities. The operation avoids Bio mixes, but adds it when there is no option. This is not a product authorized by Cummings. Have not contacted Cat, but they probably do not authorize it. So if your unit is under warranty, best not to use it and void the warranty !! http://www.stanadyne.com/view.php?id=75 The issue is to replace the lubricity of Diesel due to the ULSD and the effect of Alcohol on the fuel system. Will offer information as time allows, have another obligation that will require my time over the next 2 weeks. Rich.

Just, some more information on how Bio Diesel effects the fuel delivery systems. This effect will also impact ALL diesel fuel lines currently being used, regardless of model year. The alcohol used to "dry" the biodiesel is the culprit. It eats the volatile oils (compounds that make it flexible) out of flexible components and creates microscopic air holes that allow air infiltration that will quickly result in the erosion of the pressure side of the pump on VP44 pumps used on the 5.9 due to cavitation, and will destroy the delivery valve in the CAPS injection pumps used on the 8.3 from a combination of cavitation and lack of adequate fuel lubrication. The irony is that purer, 100% Bio-Diesel made with the proper process would be better then the current ULSD fuels, because it would offer better lubrication. Rich.

Sound could be the plastic cam attached to the motor shaft has failed. Might be able to get a rebuild kit. Rich.

Albert, This is a little out of my job description. 29542824-- is listed as a deep pan filter for the second design 2010 and up. Fall in your Year? 1000 series 29549684-- is listed as the pan gasket 2000 and up. Bonded gasket and looks like the only one on file. 1000 series. In the information I have, You having the part numbers helped. They do look like the items needed, but there is often a fly in the ointment! Listed in the Light Truck section and the heavy duty 26k and has a locking pawl. Rich.

Things are a little ambiguous. Many states mention 65 ft. for a triple tow. But if you look at the chart in this link. Page 2 - the length of the tractor and single trailer is greater then your combined length. Could one call the coach a tractor ? Cutting that extra foot off the trailer would still leave you a little long. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&ved=0CEoQFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.txdmv.gov%2Freports-and-data%2Fdoc_download%2F519-length-limits-for-vehicles-and-vehicle-combinations&ei=trfeU8esN8SOyATjy4DIDA&usg=AFQjCNGgm4PmHObde8z-TeZn2B3JLmflVg&sig2=T0e5FNHn5nHLELerEBtEoA A Shorter tong length would change the turning radius, limiting how tight a turn you could make, so it's a little like being between a rock and a hard place! The trike is 118in. long, that would make it to long to fit sideways. Is there a possibility of using a side loading trailer with enough height to, load it and lift the front upwards at an angle that would get you to 102 in. Not the best thought. So lets try this thought. Could you bump out the front of the trailer so the front wheel would be forward more over the tong, then with the car behind it to lower the down weight on the hitch and still have a good turning radius- with a shorter trailer over all? Rich.

Herman, Real good question!! A transition period is always fuzzy. There will be coach builders with stock on hand that will get into the coach. Just going to happen under the best of plans!! Primary issue for them is the fuel supply line(s). The stock could include Engines still in stock from 2001, so one needs to check the engine serial number from the coach builder. With that information one can call the engine builder and check build year. Not all refiners and there blending operations are supplying the Bio mix. NOW, the real interesting thing is the central part of the country is supplying B20 for the most part. So there is a 900 mile wide strip in the middle of the country where one can not find pure Diesel or B5. As much as I love to volunteer for the FMCA the possibility of the added cost to travel to events and also having to make substantial upgrades to our coach could soon prevent me from doing so. Sadly !!! If someone wants to ask why not just replace the coach, I will be willing to discuss the mater in the General Discussion Thread ! The mid West is where most of the beans are grown that are used in the production of Bio !!! The supple is close to the blenders, low shipping cost and they will use it. The price should be way less if its a viable source. That being the case and very little difference in cost I feel Someone is pocketing the money or the cost of producing Bio is not cost effective and is directly affecting the cost of food and causing the public to pay for the damage caused by Bio in the mixed fuel, to personal equipment. Just feel the EPA over stepped the line on this one. Do you feel like contracting your your government representative yet? One can see the area affected by logging on to the Pilot / Flying J web page and take a look at the last column on the right side. It lists the Bio percentage. Rich.

There is no additive that I know of yet that will alter or limit the chemistry in any way to reduce the effect of the Bio on the older seals and fuel lines. For the time being one needs to keep watch on the fixable fuel lines for leaks or just change them out. The effect on the metals and seals inside the mechanical injector pumps will be less noticeable, but will slowly decrease performance. Thinking the internal seals will be the first to degrade. There are no new mechanical injector pumps being manufactured at this time that I know of and the re builders changing the seal materials will happen faster then the mechanical end in my opinion. There is allot of older farm equipment still out there and I'm hoping that part of the market will have an impact on the need for upgrading. Rich. An after thought ! Don't forget about that Diesel Generator !

ObedB, I do not disagree with you, but the truth is the fuel blend is now in the supply chain and the issues it can cause on the older diesel engines is real. So members that own a coach built before 2002 need to be aware of what the blend percentages can effect concerning fuel supply system components. The sellers try to let the customers know what is in the storage tanks, but the blend can change with each drop. They do not have any control of the blend. Just can ask for a particular blend. Rich.

Biodiesel impacts all diesel engines — no matter what brand and the cautions of using biodiesel. Material compatibility Through repeated exposure, biodiesel can seep through certain seals, gaskets, hoses, elastomers, glues, and plastics. This is more of a problem in older engines. 2002 and older. This will affect the Bosh VP-44 and CAPS injector pumps used on the ISB and ISC series engines. Now, the question is can the older style mechanical injection pumps be rebuilt in a way to decrease this affect and extend pump life? Natural rubber, nitrile, and butyl rubber are particularly vulnerable to degradation. Brass, bronze, copper, lead, tin, and zinc can accelerate the oxidation of biodiesel and create deposits in the engine. Performance Compared to conventional petroleum diesel fuel, B20 will result in slight reductions in power and fuel economy. Expect a 2 percent reduction in power and a 3 percent reduction in fuel economy when using B20 biodiesel. Expect up to a 12 percent reduction in power and an 18 percent reduction in fuel economy when using B100. Biodiesel can accelerate the degradation of crankcase oil(results in changing oil and filters more frequently). When using biodiesel fuel, the engine oil level must be checked daily. In no instance should the fuel dilution of the oil be allowed to exceed 5 percent. OILSCAN™ can be used to verify fuel dilution levels. Fuel should be sampled periodically to ensure a consistent percentage of biodiesel. Biodiesel can reduce water separator efficiency. Biodiesel can cause cold weather flow degradation. Rich

Ross, Good description of the wiring and of the problem area, along with your efforts to resolve the issue. Sound like you did everything right in regards to the work you did. You sure sealed the connection from moisture intrusion. That leaves only one possibility that I can think of, at the time. There is a possibility of an electrical reaction between the pins and the connectors, due to a dissimilar material makeup between the pin and socket materials. Kind of like an electrolysis reaction. There is a conductive grease on the market, made with a very high content of carbon. A coating of this material on the pins before they are mated; might answer that question. NOTE! DO NOT get any of the grease between the pins !! will allow a current path between circuits. Not what you want. Rich.

Yes, Mine is pre-2002, so I need to check and find out what items concerning the fuel system are not compatible with the Bio Diesel. Thinking fuel lines and injector pump. There might be other items, but the basic engine is the same as later units that are not affected when using B20. Rich.

Thanks Brett ! Trying to keep the old girl in good operating condition. Rich.

Jim, With the information offered in regards to the cost of operating coaches, do the members that offered cost analysis information share in a consulting fee ? LOL I could not be included as I never offered any cost numbers. Keep missing that consulting window! Rich.

I have been looking into the Bio Diesel fuel mixes B-10, B-15 and B-20. More of the blended fuel is being pumped at Flying J, Pilot and other suppliers. Still need to ask questions and read more on B-10 and B-15. Did find this information on B-20 and Cummins engines built before 2002. Cummins engines prior to 2002? The main reason not to include engines built earlier than 2002 and the use of B-20 is due to materials compatibility concerns. Some fuel systems in pre-2002 engines contain components that are not compatible with a B20 biodiesel blend. EPA 2002 and later engines contain fuel system components that are compatible. So how much, if any of the blended fuels can be used in Cummins engines built before 2002? Rich.