Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

Just purchased our first Wanderlodge. It's an 82 FC 35. It's the one I posted
questions about with the aftermarket turbo and retrofitted retarder. I bought
it from Steve, in Denver. Great guy. I've been a little leary about the
aftermarket turbo, but it has been on there since 84. It's got a pyrometer and
boost gauge so I'll monitor those closely for a while to see if there is a good
reason to return it to an NA. I was initally concerned that the engine did not
have the oil squirters on the pistons since it was an NA engine, but in looking
thru the CAT manuals, it's clear that they themselves mfg'd turbo engines
without oil squirters so it can't be a completely fatal lack.
Anyway, since Steve lives just a mile from a State Park, we bought it and drove
right to the park for a night's camping. One question immediately arose, for a
well designed vehicle, we were suprised not to find a place for the garbage can.
Are we missing something? If not, what have people done with a garbage can on
their FC's? Also, the engine warning light is on most of the time. From the
manual, it seems it monitors a number of things. Oil pressure and water temp
were ok so I'm thinking the next thing to check is the coolant level? Light did
go out or flicker once or twice going down the road. Is there anything else I
should check for.
Also, the step doesn't seem to extend properly. It looks like it comes out once
the air pressure drops, but if the air tanks are charged, neither the switch on
the left of the steps or the one on the instrument panel seems to do anything.
To put it another way, I couldn't get it to work last night, but this morning it
was out.
I'm sure I'll have a million more questions as our experience progresses.
Thanks for your help so far.

Kerry
Denver
82FC35

-


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Edwards, Kerry"
wrote:
>
>
> Just purchased our first Wanderlodge. It's an 82 FC 35. It's the
one I posted questions about with the aftermarket turbo and
retrofitted retarder. I bought it from Steve, in Denver. Great
guy. I've been a little leery about the aftermarket turbo, but it
has been on there since 84. It's got a pyrometer and boost gauge so
I'll monitor those closely for a while to see if there is a good
reason to return it to an NA. I was initally concerned that the
engine did not have the oil squirters on the pistons since it was an
NA engine, but in looking thru the CAT manuals, it's clear that they
themselves mfg'd turbo engines without oil squirters so it can't be a
completely fatal lack.
> Anyway, since Steve lives just a mile from a State Park, we bought
it and drove right to the park for a night's camping. One question
immediately arose, for a well designed vehicle, we were suprised not
to find a place for the garbage can. Are we missing something? If
not, what have people done with a garbage can on their FC's? Also,
the engine warning light is on most of the time. From the manual, it
seems it monitors a number of things. Oil pressure and water temp
were ok so I'm thinking the next thing to check is the coolant level?
Light did go out or flicker once or twice going down the road. Is
there anything else I should check for.
> Also, the step doesn't seem to extend properly. It looks like it
comes out once the air pressure drops, but if the air tanks are
charged, neither the switch on the left of the steps or the one on
the instrument panel seems to do anything. To put it another way, I
couldn't get it to work last night, but this morning it was out.
> I'm sure I'll have a million more questions as our experience
progresses. Thanks for your help so far.
>
> Kerry
> Denver
> 82FC35
>
> -
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>Ed this is Jon Lechich the other guy who bought the 78 from Steve. I
just went through this problem and here is what I would do first on
your steeps. There is a pressure activated sensing strip right under
the door access. I spent a few days finding this out and when I did I
just removed this unit and the steps work perfect. Look under the
door sill plate and see if it there. If you want to check this unit
out take out the door switch and the toggle and remove the wire that
goes to that unit. This will let you know right away if this unit is
working or not. Mine was shorting out and it would not let the steps
go back in. A real pain in the head but it works now and I know a lot
more about air operated steps.

PS I just really like my old bird and yes Steve is one nice guy!!!

Jon Lechich
1978 Wanderlodge
Bremerton Washington

Last weekend I learned something new on the way to The Dalles,
Oregon. My warning bell/alarm went off.

Well, checked oil, etc. But forgot to check ATF, when I did later
sure enough that was it....

Sincerely, Tony Pawley
1979 FC33 3208T

Seattle


Kerry wrote:
Also, the engine warning light is on most of the time. From the
manual, it seems it monitors a number of things. Oil pressure and
water temp were ok so I'm thinking the next thing to check is the
coolant level? Light did go out or flicker once or twice going down
the road. Is there anything else I should check for.
> Also, the step doesn't seem to extend properly. It looks like it
comes out once the air pressure drops, but if the air tanks are
charged, neither the switch on the left of the steps or the one on the
instrument panel seems to do anything. To put it another way, I
couldn't get it to work last night, but this morning it was out.
> I'm sure I'll have a million more questions as our experience
progresses. Thanks for your help so far.
>
> Kerry
> Denver
> 82FC35