Can Anyone Help??? Stuck with an extended generator... 84PT40!!!!

[t3brian]

Hello.... I hope someone can help....

84 PT40 generator stuck open .... hydraulic leak from piston that
pushes & pulls the generator tray open & closed.... how... or where do
I add hydraulic fluid so that I can get the generator to slide back in???

Many.... many much appreciated thanks in advance.... family is
supposed to be leaving town in the morning to attend a funeral....

Thank You
Brian

[Terry Neal]

Brian,

That system is part of your front step/HWH leveler system. Make sure
the reservoir under the entry step is full of ATF fluid & hopefully is
will retract the generator.

Terry Neal
Bozeman, MT
82PT40 6V92TA
74FC34 6V53T



t3brian wrote:

> Hello.... I hope someone can help....
>
> 84 PT40 generator stuck open .... hydraulic leak from piston that
> pushes & pulls the generator tray open & closed.... how... or where do
> I add hydraulic fluid so that I can get the generator to slide back in???
>
> Many.... many much appreciated thanks in advance.... family is
> supposed to be leaving town in the morning to attend a funeral....
>
> Thank You
> Brian
>
>



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

[mbulriss]

Brian,

Sorry to hear about the funeral.

Re the gen set hydraulic leak:
Been there, done that. The seal is blown. NO big deal. Adding more
fluid is pointless right now. To get going NOW, you just need to
crawl under there and just pull the cotter key that holds in the pin
on the back of the genset hydraulic ram. Then pull the pin and push
the genset tray back in by hand (You may have to lift the genset ram
up to clear the frame cross rail). When all the way in, lock the
handset bar in the front. Make very sure it is secure and stays
locked! You're good to go now.

When you get back, you will then need to replace the seals in the ram.
About a 20 minute job. To get the correct seals, unscrew the clevis
end, on the end of the ram you disconnected and remove it. Then
remove the cap on the end of the ram with a pair of water pump pliers.
As I recall, there is a "wiper" seal in the cap and a hydraulic fluid
seal in the cap. Take them to a good hydraulic shop to match up the
replacements and reinstall them the way you took them out. Put
everything back together and THEN add the hydraulic fluid (actually
Dexron ATF) to the reservoir under the steps. Cycle the syetm a
couple of times and you will be done.

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
VERY wet San Antonio, TX


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "t3brian" wrote:
>
> Hello.... I hope someone can help....
>
> 84 PT40 generator stuck open .... hydraulic leak from piston that
> pushes & pulls the generator tray open & closed.... how... or where do
> I add hydraulic fluid so that I can get the generator to slide back
in???
>
> Many.... many much appreciated thanks in advance.... family is
> supposed to be leaving town in the morning to attend a funeral....
>
> Thank You
> Brian
>

[t3brian]

OK!...THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH!

I will do it in the morning and we will be on our way.... then worry
about replacing the seal later!

again.... THANK YOU!

Brian


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@...> wrote:
>
> Brian,
>
> Sorry to hear about the funeral.
>
> Re the gen set hydraulic leak:
> Been there, done that. The seal is blown. NO big deal. Adding more
> fluid is pointless right now. To get going NOW, you just need to
> crawl under there and just pull the cotter key that holds in the pin
> on the back of the genset hydraulic ram. Then pull the pin and push
> the genset tray back in by hand (You may have to lift the genset ram
> up to clear the frame cross rail). When all the way in, lock the
> handset bar in the front. Make very sure it is secure and stays
> locked! You're good to go now.
>
> When you get back, you will then need to replace the seals in the ram.
> About a 20 minute job. To get the correct seals, unscrew the clevis
> end, on the end of the ram you disconnected and remove it. Then
> remove the cap on the end of the ram with a pair of water pump pliers.
> As I recall, there is a "wiper" seal in the cap and a hydraulic fluid
> seal in the cap. Take them to a good hydraulic shop to match up the
> replacements and reinstall them the way you took them out. Put
> everything back together and THEN add the hydraulic fluid (actually
> Dexron ATF) to the reservoir under the steps. Cycle the syetm a
> couple of times and you will be done.
>
> Mike Bulriss
> 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> VERY wet San Antonio, TX
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "t3brian" wrote:
> >
> > Hello.... I hope someone can help....
> >
> > 84 PT40 generator stuck open .... hydraulic leak from piston that
> > pushes & pulls the generator tray open & closed.... how... or where do
> > I add hydraulic fluid so that I can get the generator to slide back
> in???
> >
> > Many.... many much appreciated thanks in advance.... family is
> > supposed to be leaving town in the morning to attend a funeral....
> >
> > Thank You
> > Brian
> >
>

[t3brian]

OK.... I couldn't wait till the morning!

I just did what you mentioned.... I did have to remove both pins...
slide the RAM out of the way.. and presto! I slid the generator into
position and it is locked and ready to go!

again.... THANK YOU SO MUCH!

I really have not been able to participate in this forum and
contribute to it's content as I could have.... self employeed ....
family of 6 .... we are also foster parents.... and a wanderlodge
newbe.......

I will make time in the future to return to this forum that in only a
few interactions with my questions... had made such a positive and
supportive effect on our families well being!

Thank You

Brian!


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@...> wrote:
>
> Brian,
>
> Sorry to hear about the funeral.
>
> Re the gen set hydraulic leak:
> Been there, done that. The seal is blown. NO big deal. Adding more
> fluid is pointless right now. To get going NOW, you just need to
> crawl under there and just pull the cotter key that holds in the pin
> on the back of the genset hydraulic ram. Then pull the pin and push
> the genset tray back in by hand (You may have to lift the genset ram
> up to clear the frame cross rail). When all the way in, lock the
> handset bar in the front. Make very sure it is secure and stays
> locked! You're good to go now.
>
> When you get back, you will then need to replace the seals in the ram.
> About a 20 minute job. To get the correct seals, unscrew the clevis
> end, on the end of the ram you disconnected and remove it. Then
> remove the cap on the end of the ram with a pair of water pump pliers.
> As I recall, there is a "wiper" seal in the cap and a hydraulic fluid
> seal in the cap. Take them to a good hydraulic shop to match up the
> replacements and reinstall them the way you took them out. Put
> everything back together and THEN add the hydraulic fluid (actually
> Dexron ATF) to the reservoir under the steps. Cycle the syetm a
> couple of times and you will be done.
>
> Mike Bulriss
> 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> VERY wet San Antonio, TX
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "t3brian" wrote:
> >
> > Hello.... I hope someone can help....
> >
> > 84 PT40 generator stuck open .... hydraulic leak from piston that
> > pushes & pulls the generator tray open & closed.... how... or where do
> > I add hydraulic fluid so that I can get the generator to slide back
> in???
> >
> > Many.... many much appreciated thanks in advance.... family is
> > supposed to be leaving town in the morning to attend a funeral....
> >
> > Thank You
> > Brian
> >
>

[Ron Thompson]

This is a sort of related response to the forth coming repair job.

I have found that a digital camera is the best mechanics friend you could have.
Take pictures, with a flash for detail, of whatever it is you are going to
repair in its unrepaired state. That way when you get ready to reassemble
everything and get into trouble remembering how it all goes together, you can
refer to the pictures.

I have used my camera many times on different things that I have repaired and
found it to be a blessing. Got me out of trouble many times. You can't take
too many pictures either. Take them at every stage of the repair.

Regards,
Ron Thompson
Waller, Tx.
1995 42' BB

mbulriss <mbulriss@...> wrote: Brian,

Sorry to hear about the funeral.

Re the gen set hydraulic leak:
Been there, done that. The seal is blown. NO big deal. Adding more
fluid is pointless right now. To get going NOW, you just need to
crawl under there and just pull the cotter key that holds in the pin
on the back of the genset hydraulic ram. Then pull the pin and push
the genset tray back in by hand (You may have to lift the genset ram
up to clear the frame cross rail). When all the way in, lock the
handset bar in the front. Make very sure it is secure and stays
locked! You're good to go now.

When you get back, you will then need to replace the seals in the ram.
About a 20 minute job. To get the correct seals, unscrew the clevis
end, on the end of the ram you disconnected and remove it. Then
remove the cap on the end of the ram with a pair of water pump pliers.
As I recall, there is a "wiper" seal in the cap and a hydraulic fluid
seal in the cap. Take them to a good hydraulic shop to match up the
replacements and reinstall them the way you took them out. Put
everything back together and THEN add the hydraulic fluid (actually
Dexron ATF) to the reservoir under the steps. Cycle the syetm a
couple of times and you will be done.

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
VERY wet San Antonio, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "t3brian" wrote:
>
> Hello.... I hope someone can help....
>
> 84 PT40 generator stuck open .... hydraulic leak from piston that
> pushes & pulls the generator tray open & closed.... how... or where do
> I add hydraulic fluid so that I can get the generator to slide back
in???
>
> Many.... many much appreciated thanks in advance.... family is
> supposed to be leaving town in the morning to attend a funeral....
>
> Thank You
> Brian
>






Ron Thompson
Waller, Tx.
1995 42' Blue Bird

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

[mbulriss]

You are most welcome Brian. Remember to keep a good eye on the genset
locking bar to make sure it stays solidly locked. You could even put
a bungee cord on it for extra peace of mind! If the genset slide bar
lock comes unlocked with the ram disconnected, there is nothing to
keep the genset tray from sliding out on a stop. NOT a good deal! ;^)

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
Soggy San Antonio, TX

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "t3brian" wrote:
>
> OK.... I couldn't wait till the morning!
>
> I just did what you mentioned.... I did have to remove both pins...
> slide the RAM out of the way.. and presto! I slid the generator into
> position and it is locked and ready to go!
>
> again.... THANK YOU SO MUCH!
>
> I really have not been able to participate in this forum and
> contribute to it's content as I could have.... self employeed ....
> family of 6 .... we are also foster parents.... and a wanderlodge
> newbe.......
>
> I will make time in the future to return to this forum that in only a
> few interactions with my questions... had made such a positive and
> supportive effect on our families well being!
>
> Thank You
>
> Brian!
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@> wrote:
> >
> > Brian,
> >
> > Sorry to hear about the funeral.
> >
> > Re the gen set hydraulic leak:
> > Been there, done that. The seal is blown. NO big deal. Adding more
> > fluid is pointless right now. To get going NOW, you just need to
> > crawl under there and just pull the cotter key that holds in the pin
> > on the back of the genset hydraulic ram. Then pull the pin and push
> > the genset tray back in by hand (You may have to lift the genset ram
> > up to clear the frame cross rail). When all the way in, lock the
> > handset bar in the front. Make very sure it is secure and stays
> > locked! You're good to go now.
> >
> > When you get back, you will then need to replace the seals in the ram.
> > About a 20 minute job. To get the correct seals, unscrew the clevis
> > end, on the end of the ram you disconnected and remove it. Then
> > remove the cap on the end of the ram with a pair of water pump pliers.
> > As I recall, there is a "wiper" seal in the cap and a hydraulic fluid
> > seal in the cap. Take them to a good hydraulic shop to match up the
> > replacements and reinstall them the way you took them out. Put
> > everything back together and THEN add the hydraulic fluid (actually
> > Dexron ATF) to the reservoir under the steps. Cycle the syetm a
> > couple of times and you will be done.
> >
> > Mike Bulriss
> > 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> > VERY wet San Antonio, TX
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "t3brian" wrote:
> > >
> > > Hello.... I hope someone can help....
> > >
> > > 84 PT40 generator stuck open .... hydraulic leak from piston that
> > > pushes & pulls the generator tray open & closed.... how... or
where do
> > > I add hydraulic fluid so that I can get the generator to slide back
> > in???
> > >
> > > Many.... many much appreciated thanks in advance.... family is
> > > supposed to be leaving town in the morning to attend a funeral....
> > >
> > > Thank You
> > > Brian
> > >
> >
>

[Scott Forman]

Mike...my 86 PT38 doesn't have a manual lock bar. Should it? I have
wondered what the "safety" was if the ram failed...

Scott Forman
86 PT38
Memphis

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@...>
wrote:
>
> You are most welcome Brian. Remember to keep a good eye on the
genset
> locking bar to make sure it stays solidly locked. You could even
put
> a bungee cord on it for extra peace of mind! If the genset slide
bar
> lock comes unlocked with the ram disconnected, there is nothing to
> keep the genset tray from sliding out on a stop. NOT a good
deal! ;^)
>
> Mike Bulriss
> 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> Soggy San Antonio, TX
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "t3brian" wrote:
> >
> > OK.... I couldn't wait till the morning!
> >
> > I just did what you mentioned.... I did have to remove both
pins...
> > slide the RAM out of the way.. and presto! I slid the generator
into
> > position and it is locked and ready to go!
> >
> > again.... THANK YOU SO MUCH!
> >
> > I really have not been able to participate in this forum and
> > contribute to it's content as I could have.... self employeed ....
> > family of 6 .... we are also foster parents.... and a wanderlodge
> > newbe.......
> >
> > I will make time in the future to return to this forum that in
only a
> > few interactions with my questions... had made such a positive and
> > supportive effect on our families well being!
> >
> > Thank You
> >
> > Brian!
> >
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@>
wrote:
> > >
> > > Brian,
> > >
> > > Sorry to hear about the funeral.
> > >
> > > Re the gen set hydraulic leak:
> > > Been there, done that. The seal is blown. NO big deal.
Adding more
> > > fluid is pointless right now. To get going NOW, you just need
to
> > > crawl under there and just pull the cotter key that holds in
the pin
> > > on the back of the genset hydraulic ram. Then pull the pin and
push
> > > the genset tray back in by hand (You may have to lift the
genset ram
> > > up to clear the frame cross rail). When all the way in, lock
the
> > > handset bar in the front. Make very sure it is secure and stays
> > > locked! You're good to go now.
> > >
> > > When you get back, you will then need to replace the seals in
the ram.
> > > About a 20 minute job. To get the correct seals, unscrew the
clevis
> > > end, on the end of the ram you disconnected and remove it. Then
> > > remove the cap on the end of the ram with a pair of water pump
pliers.
> > > As I recall, there is a "wiper" seal in the cap and a
hydraulic fluid
> > > seal in the cap. Take them to a good hydraulic shop to match
up the
> > > replacements and reinstall them the way you took them out. Put
> > > everything back together and THEN add the hydraulic fluid
(actually
> > > Dexron ATF) to the reservoir under the steps. Cycle the syetm a
> > > couple of times and you will be done.
> > >
> > > Mike Bulriss
> > > 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> > > VERY wet San Antonio, TX
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "t3brian"
wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Hello.... I hope someone can help....
> > > >
> > > > 84 PT40 generator stuck open .... hydraulic leak from piston
that
> > > > pushes & pulls the generator tray open & closed.... how... or
> where do
> > > > I add hydraulic fluid so that I can get the generator to
slide back
> > > in???
> > > >
> > > > Many.... many much appreciated thanks in advance.... family is
> > > > supposed to be leaving town in the morning to attend a
funeral....
> > > >
> > > > Thank You
> > > > Brian
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

[mbulriss]

Scott,

I don't known the answer to that. I thought all the early/mid 80s
with hydraulic rams had the manual lock. Looks like I was wrong in
that assumption. Someone with another 86 will have to address your
question. Seems like if the ram failed stuck out and you had to
disconnect it to continue on a trip, you would need a chain/strap or
come-along to hold the tray in place safely without a manual lock?
Hmmmm, I'm going to crawl under the 91 this weekend and take a quick
look at how that tray extender works, assuming the rain stops.

Mike Bulriss
1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
San Antonio, TX - now *really* humid!


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Scott Forman" <sforman@...>
wrote:
>
> Mike...my 86 PT38 doesn't have a manual lock bar. Should it? I have
> wondered what the "safety" was if the ram failed...
>
> Scott Forman
> 86 PT38
> Memphis
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@>
> wrote:
> >
> > You are most welcome Brian. Remember to keep a good eye on the
> genset
> > locking bar to make sure it stays solidly locked. You could even
> put
> > a bungee cord on it for extra peace of mind! If the genset slide
> bar
> > lock comes unlocked with the ram disconnected, there is nothing to
> > keep the genset tray from sliding out on a stop. NOT a good
> deal! ;^)
> >
> > Mike Bulriss
> > 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> > Soggy San Antonio, TX
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "t3brian" wrote:
> > >
> > > OK.... I couldn't wait till the morning!
> > >
> > > I just did what you mentioned.... I did have to remove both
> pins...
> > > slide the RAM out of the way.. and presto! I slid the generator
> into
> > > position and it is locked and ready to go!
> > >
> > > again.... THANK YOU SO MUCH!
> > >
> > > I really have not been able to participate in this forum and
> > > contribute to it's content as I could have.... self employeed ....
> > > family of 6 .... we are also foster parents.... and a wanderlodge
> > > newbe.......
> > >
> > > I will make time in the future to return to this forum that in
> only a
> > > few interactions with my questions... had made such a positive and
> > > supportive effect on our families well being!
> > >
> > > Thank You
> > >
> > > Brian!
> > >
> > >
> > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@>
> wrote:
> > > >
> > > > Brian,
> > > >
> > > > Sorry to hear about the funeral.
> > > >
> > > > Re the gen set hydraulic leak:
> > > > Been there, done that. The seal is blown. NO big deal.
> Adding more
> > > > fluid is pointless right now. To get going NOW, you just need
> to
> > > > crawl under there and just pull the cotter key that holds in
> the pin
> > > > on the back of the genset hydraulic ram. Then pull the pin and
> push
> > > > the genset tray back in by hand (You may have to lift the
> genset ram
> > > > up to clear the frame cross rail). When all the way in, lock
> the
> > > > handset bar in the front. Make very sure it is secure and stays
> > > > locked! You're good to go now.
> > > >
> > > > When you get back, you will then need to replace the seals in
> the ram.
> > > > About a 20 minute job. To get the correct seals, unscrew the
> clevis
> > > > end, on the end of the ram you disconnected and remove it. Then
> > > > remove the cap on the end of the ram with a pair of water pump
> pliers.
> > > > As I recall, there is a "wiper" seal in the cap and a
> hydraulic fluid
> > > > seal in the cap. Take them to a good hydraulic shop to match
> up the
> > > > replacements and reinstall them the way you took them out. Put
> > > > everything back together and THEN add the hydraulic fluid
> (actually
> > > > Dexron ATF) to the reservoir under the steps. Cycle the syetm a
> > > > couple of times and you will be done.
> > > >
> > > > Mike Bulriss
> > > > 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> > > > VERY wet San Antonio, TX
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "t3brian"
> wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Hello.... I hope someone can help....
> > > > >
> > > > > 84 PT40 generator stuck open .... hydraulic leak from piston
> that
> > > > > pushes & pulls the generator tray open & closed.... how... or
> > where do
> > > > > I add hydraulic fluid so that I can get the generator to
> slide back
> > > > in???
> > > > >
> > > > > Many.... many much appreciated thanks in advance.... family is
> > > > > supposed to be leaving town in the morning to attend a
> funeral....
> > > > >
> > > > > Thank You
> > > > > Brian
> > > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
>

[Ryan Wright]

On 6/29/07, mbulriss <mbulriss@...> wrote:
>
> Scott,
>
> I don't known the answer to that. I thought all the early/mid 80s
> with hydraulic rams had the manual lock. Looks like I was wrong in
> that assumption. Someone with another 86 will have to address your
> question.

Scott,

'86 PT-40 here. I have a lock. Big black lever on the front. I would
expect you should have one, too. Do you have the corresponding dash
light?? I have a red light on the dash that will come on if the gen
tray is unlocked. The digitel will also complain about it.

I'd find out why you don't have one - previous owner modification is
my guess - and get it fixed. I'd imagine this is a critical safety
feature to keep the genset in the coach. You'd hate to lose the entire
unit into the back of a compact if you had to come to a quick stop and
the hydraulics decided not to hold it.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92
Tri-Cities, WA