Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum - Chassis

Transmission Retarder Lever location? Position?

Fri, 21 Jul 2023 03:12:20 +0000

Okay, I haven't driven my Wandelodge much. I need to get it over a small but intimidatingly steep hill and wan to use the transmission retarder.

I understand the retarder, when enabled, will kick in whenever the brake pedal is pressed (and note that engaging and disengaging the retarder should be done with your foot OFF the throttle) but that also there's a manual lever to adjust how much oomph it supplies. Only I'm not sure if it's the lever I'm thinking it is.

On a 4-speed Allison (HTB748), 1987 vintage, is the transmission retarder the black lever, under the dash but close to the shift selector? Slightly bigger than a cigarette lighter, one domed end piece, one cylindrical (or a bit tapered) shaft? I wish I had a pic.

If that's the right lever, is down the least resistance and up more resistance, or the other way around?

Cheers!

Basement Door Actuator Covers for 2001

Sat, 08 Apr 2023 01:19:08 +0000

I am looking for a source for the black flimsy brittle plastic that covers the actuators on the basement doors.
Any help will be appreciated.

Urnie

Bra for 2001 Wanderlodge LXi

Sat, 08 Apr 2023 01:00:43 +0000

Hi
I am having the front of my coach repainted. I know several of you have had this done and wanted to see if any of you had a bra put on to protect the paint in the future. Three questions:
1- are you pleased with the bra?
2- About how much was it?
3- Where did you get it?

thanks

Urnie

2001 LXi Stainless Steel Basement Door Sections

Sat, 01 Jan 2022 04:56:40 +0000

Hopefully someone can help me find the stainless steel body sections I need for my 2001 LXi Wanderlodge. I am having quite a bit of body work done to get my coach looking the way it should look. I just need to be more careful.

I have attached a picture to help explain the pieces I need.

Thanks
Stainless Steel Panel.jpg (Size: 70.3 KB / Downloads: 925)

Check the block heater in your Series 60

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 14:38:08 +0000

I've had the block heater fail on my Series 60. It's had coolant come up through the electrical connection and corrode the heater housing from the inside.

It's screwed into the oil cooler.

If you have to remove the oil cooler to get the block heater out, David has a very good
thread about that procedure. It's posted here: http://www.wanderlodgegurus.com/showthre...ock+heater

There's a very distinct marking from the coolant seepage on the outside of the oil cooler, but since the cooler is mounted under and behind the turbo, you can't really see it well. I've found that going up between the hydraulic cooler and the frame, I can get a decent view and acceptable access to things.

This is all to add another check point to everybody's list. Slide under your coaches and get a look at the oil cooler. If you're not comfortable doing that, figure out a way to get a view of the oil cooler (as if you were looking through the radiator/CAC assembly). You'll spot coolant seepage before the issue gets to be a real problem.

I'll try to remember to get a picture of the area this weekend.

8V92 DDEC I Low Power...

Thu, 18 Mar 2021 00:38:33 +0000

History is as follows:

Owner has owned bus (Bluebird Wanderlodge motorhome) since 1999 and notes it was never particularly well-powered. Motorhome weighs ~42,000lbs and would tow ~9,000lbs car and go up Interstate 80 and 81 hills at ~20mph – but this has since worsened…

Bus was stored for approximately 5 years without being driven. Work began approximately two years ago when bus was noted by mechanics as more severely underpowered.

Fuel tank and lines were replaced, as were injectors. Turbo and blower were reported as changed. Road acceleration remains extremely poor.
At this time:

1- Fuel Pressure checks – good.
2- No diag codes noted.
3- Battery voltage – checked / corrected.
4- Exhaust system: leaks addressed correctly, changed the muffler to a
resonator, turbo pipe and exhaust manifold replaced.
5- Exhaust temperature = erratic / cold. Injectors rechecked and they were
rechecked as ok.
6- Stall test (holding brake) only pulling 900 rpms at full throttle.
7- Throttle up in Neutral (no load) is good.
8- Free run on dyno: (no load) limited to 53 mph!
9- Transmission function appears correct.
10- No excessive white, grey or blue or black smoke.
11- Compression tests normal

Many different avenues have been dead ends in solving the low power issue and the shop is considering ordering a replacement EDU (cost > $2000 plus labor) with the guess that that may be responsible for incorrect firing of injectors.

Any ideas on other possible causes before replacing the EDU?

Also, does anyone have any leads on obtaining DDEC 1 EDU PN# R1227328 (Needed for 8V92 08vf120945)

Thanks for ideas – and leads!

Steve

Bypassing the CAC?

Sat, 24 Oct 2020 22:39:55 +0000

Hello All,

Wasn’t looking, but stumbled upon a ’98 41’ LXI with a Series 60, bought it drove it into storage all good except for a bit of black smoke. Turns out I have a leaky CAC. Boost doesn’t get above 18psi, Pyro stays in range on the hills so no ill effects except for poorer mileage and a bit of smoke.

Given that the CAC probably isn’t doing much now, what might the downside be of bypassing it completely? This would be a temporary solution 2-3,000 miles at which point I would pull it and the radiator and have them rebuilt.

Thanks
Kevin

Watch that belt tension!

Thu, 02 Jan 2020 01:30:03 +0000

Check your serpentine belt tension if you have the older non-self tensioning belt tensioner on your 60’s. I happened to remove my 50DN to do some other maintenance and found both back (front-most in the chassis) mounting bolts not only loose, but damaged. Worse yet, the alternator mounting pads had started cracking and had been repaired with helicoils prior to my ownership. While I had decent tension on the belt, I did not think it was excessive, by any means. How wrong I was!

Going back together, I’m going to decrease the tension on the belt by a lot. Something else to put in your maintenance checks.

Speed (ABS) Sensors

Wed, 03 Apr 2019 19:28:50 +0000

Would anyone know the part number for the speed (ABS) sensors used on a 1997 WB? The controller is Bendix EC-15.

Failed Lift Tag Axle, 1997 WB (youtube)

Sun, 24 Mar 2019 13:44:39 +0000

Anyone have any help for a stranded bird? (video published on March 23, 2019)

Good video on suspension: springs, damping, and natural frequency

Thu, 14 Mar 2019 13:02:47 +0000

This video nicely illustrates the effect of rebound damping on suspension response and it also touches on "high speed" rebound built into some shock absorbers like the Koni FSD.

https://youtu.be/zxrIybZxMUA

Continental tires issues

Sat, 30 Jun 2018 19:30:10 +0000

As an FYI:

NHTSA Recall ID Number : 18T008
Synopsis : Continental Tire the Americas, LLC. (Continental) is recalling certain Conti Coach HA3 tires, size 315/80R22.5 157/154 L, with DOT codes A372KWUU 3517 through A372KWUU 1618. These tires may have cords visible through the innerliner. Tires that have cords visible through the innerliner can have sudden air loss, causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. Continental will notify owners, and dealers will install equivalent tires, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in July 2018. Owners may contact Continental customer service at 1-800-726-7113.

1999 STURAA LTC40 Test

Tue, 06 Mar 2018 14:38:12 +0000

I shared this before, but it's good enough to share again. Here's the Penn State Altoona Campus (STURAA) 500,000 mile, 12 year bus test report for the Blue Bird LTC40, the bus chassis for the LX and LXi. It did very well:

WanderlodgeGurus > Document Library > Years > 1998-2003 > LTC40_Endurance_Test_Penn_State.pdf

Engine Pics

Sat, 02 Dec 2017 13:35:50 +0000

It has been a while since my last post and just remembered that David had asked for pics of my engine compartment. My model/motivation was pics of his old Wanderlodge compartment. While not as clean and as detailed as his was, I have this winter to catch up.

  28FBF912-4FC9-43CF-99A8-CF24CC47BCC4.png (Size: 809.09 KB / Downloads: 1437)

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  7E72BA92-5869-4FEB-857C-69C1BBABD865.png (Size: 1,022.01 KB / Downloads: 1342)

  3F574BB9-EB35-40C2-AC55-D19FCD503EA1.png (Size: 1.07 MB / Downloads: 1294)

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2001LXi ride quality

Mon, 30 Oct 2017 22:27:16 +0000

I am hoping someone can give me a suggestion. My coach seems to ride very rough - my wife complains that our 1983 FC35 road better. On one trip the headlight cover fell off and the front mounted TV fell while traveling. Thankfully my wife had just moved to the couch about 30 minutes before. Yesterday the top section (glass) of my passenger side mirror fell off.
The coach has about 125,000 miles.
Could the problem be the shocks? - it does seem to bounce
If it is shocks - what are the best type to install.
the tires are almost new -.
Open to any suggestions

Goodyear or Firestone Airbags

Tue, 26 Sep 2017 00:21:09 +0000

Has anybody done a comparison or tried Goodyear airbags instead of Firestones? The 9457's have been on backorder for months now, so I'm looking at alternatives.

Clippard Valve Question

Wed, 02 Aug 2017 14:26:40 +0000

Here is another ?

Is the Clippard Valve only to send a signal to the PPV to Dump ?

I ask cause no mater where I place the wires , the Tag portion of the Valve (lower) exhaust air continually . I removed the line to see if this was cause of Tag failing to inflate, but no mater what I do with the wires and air line the Tag still only fills 1 bag .

Air Suspension Issues

Wed, 02 Aug 2017 13:08:49 +0000

Seems I have been having some issues with my air system . Our coach has the steerable Tag ,or following, which ever you prefer

well the way I understand it there should be a adjustable valve up on the cross member behind the Tag . Well all I have there is 2 3 position valves .

1 handles the supply and feeds the cylinder for the tag , then it branches off to a valve that feeds the tag and also has the 2 wires from the clippard valve to dump .

My question , does anyone have a clew where else the PPV could be ,and also why only 1 Tag bag would fill .

There are no holes or air leaks in the bags . Thank you in advance

380 Head Gasket Issue

Fri, 02 Sep 2016 00:20:14 +0000

I have been reading over on wog about the issues the 380 owners seem to be having with blowing head gaskets . It would seem to me they should have some recourse with Comings or Blue Bird .
I know some of these guys and they take care of there coaches , so I do not see this as a user error issue .

king pin

Thu, 18 Aug 2016 18:51:14 +0000

just had 2 tiers mounted and during the alignment I was told I need new King Pins . Any one know the part numbers and Mfg ?

thank you in advance .