R.V.

The Crack of Dusk

The dog and I drove the motorhome up to Brasstown Bald a couple days ago to catch sunset.  It was a good uphill test of the transmission fluid temperature because it is one heck of a steep road for about 4 miles.  It peaked at 208 degrees which interestingly enough was also the max temperature I saw on the trip home after I purchased it.

Oh yeah, back to business. Brasstown Bald is the highest elevation in the state of Georgia at around 4600 feet.

Here is the sunset from the parking lot.

Crack of dusk at Brasstown Bald.
Crack of dusk at Brasstown Bald.
R.V.

What was Mercedes Benz thinking?

I’ve had an opportunity to climb around the new (2008) Winnebago View now and everything appears to be in great shape.

I removed enough “stuff” the other day to inspect the fuel filter. It was a great practice run because I really couldn’t determine if it has ever been replaced. Mercedes says pitch it every 10,000 miles and since bad diesel fuel can cause a world of expensive problems, why not?  I ordered one!

While waiting for it to be delivered, I searched the Internet and read volumes of information regarding changing it. I also read lots of scary stories regarding a little plastic clip that is very easy to break. It is on a tube that connects to a WIF (water in fuel) sensor in the top of the filter and which allows one to drain water from the filter.

Water! The nemesis of diesel fuel injectors. It’s amazing how violently steam can explode in the tip of a fuel injector. Which by the way, will leave a much larger hole than designed and cause too much fuel to be injected into said cylinder and generally smoke (not to mention cause lots of other problems).

I delicately placed a thumb nail under each prong of this plastic clip and tried my best to remove the fitting. Of course, it broke. Believe me, I was extremely careful and gentle. I read where some guy put his back together with one side of the clip broken (just like mine is now) and before long it was spraying fuel all over the engine.

This fitting is permanently attached to a hose that will withstand a fair amount heat and which snakes about and ends up connected to a small valve placed in a convenient place from which you can drain water. I looked it over and couldn’t begin to figure how to dismantle all the stuff that hose goes through before it reaches its terminus.

Crap!

Back to the internet I went. The more I read, the more I realized that odds are great that anyone removing this fitting is going to break the clip.  I learned that that “other” end of the hose has a small valve that unscrews to allow the water to drain. What a coincidence!!! This little valve will screw into the top of the fuel filter (where the fitting with the broken clip lives), thereby eliminating any chance of a leak. Ha! I even read where some sprinter mechanics are saying that Mercedes has had such a big problem with these clips that they are recommending making this change if a clip breaks. How about that. Rob Peter to pay Paul.

So, I immediately took enough stuff apart to get to the top of the filter. Then I reached over to the drain and unscrewed the little valve. Then. . . . And then. . . . A A AND THEN , I began to laugh.

You see, the filter I bought was manufactured by Mann, a well known name in quality filters. When I opened the box, in addition to the filter and two O rings for the sensor tube, was this exact valve. The valve which is located at the other end of the hose that connects to the sensor on the filter. The valve which really has nothing to do with changing the fuel filter. My god! They are psychic! They knew I was going to brake the clip.

Obviously this darn clip is so delicate and breaks so often and is so difficult to replace that Mann just tosses a valve identical to the one that certain Mercedes dealers are recommending you move to the filter once you break the clip, into the box.  I think they know you’re going to be needing it.

So, I can update my service records indicating it has a new fuel filter.

Done!

R.V.

08-16-2015: Today’s Most Excellent RV Adventure

Today I thought it would be wise to do some exploring. Under the hood that is. The factory specs call for replacing the fuel filter 10 times as often as the air filter! Now how’s that for being 180 degrees from what we’re used to??

Since this is a diesel engine and the diesel fuel is the life blood of the vehicle, I probably should know where the fuel filter lives.  Besides, I can’t tell for sure when it was last changed. The seller claimed he just changed the oil. Though, I can’t tell for certain. It’s black as coal and stinks like old engine oil. It doesn’t taste very good either. Why not find it and assure myself I’ll be able to change it?

After doing some research and reading, I dismantled all that stuff on the top of the engine beneath which the fuel filter lives. It is nested down in the valley between the 2 cylinder banks under the air cleaner and an engine shroud/cover.

Found it!


IMG_1696.JPG

I think I have identified which fuel filter it uses (there are several) and hopefully ordered the proper one. I also ordered an oil filter while I was at it. I think I can pick 2 gallons of motor oil locally. I will change oil and filters once they arrive.

Cheers and stay tuned for the next Most Excellent RV Adventure.

Paul and Heyleigh The Wonder Dog.

R.V.

You know the drill 

Now that I have the RV home, it is time to go through it and bring everything up to standard. I spent several months doing this with the T.O.A.D.  I think tires are first on the list. And getting 6 of them will certainly put a dent in my pocketbook. 

Oh, and I’ve ordered a transmission dipstick. This is yet amount her vehicle where the factory decided you. Ever meet to look at transmission fluid.  I personally like to service the transmission sooner than later!

Cheers. 

Events

First night on the road. 

Yesterday morning we shoved off in the new motorhome from its former home on Grand Isle Vermont. We headed west. 

First stop was in Rochester NY where I took in the Eastman Home (of Eastman Kodak fame). What a magnificent home. While there you can see examples of all sorts of photographic and cinematic processes in the various galleries. While I was enjoying the home, Heyleigh was lounging comfortably in the new RV. 

From there we drove to Niagara (sounds like viagra) Falls where we spent the night at the Seneca Indian Casino.  Most casinos allow overnight RV parking for free. Other than being a gravel lot, it was great. It was quiet, fenced and cool. Best of all it is only a 3 block walk to the falls. 

After a good night’s sleep, I awoke, made coffee and took the dog for a walk. Then I enjoyed a nice warm shower, got dressed, grabbed my camera gear and walked to the falls. 

So, the first day (and night) on the road was a perfect success. 

  
Cheers. 

Winnebago View

Of course I’ll use the return trip for a…

So if things go according to plan, I will go to the top of Vermont in the next couple weeks to pick up the new RV. Just as I did with the last one, I will drag my feet and take some time getting familiar with it on the way home.

I think I will avoid  New England this trip. Only because I’m planning our next official Road Tour up that way and I don’t want to spoil it. Perhaps I’ll spend a little time in Kentucky. I have never been there and it might be the perfect way to enjoy a lazy trip back home.

R.V.

I found a very nice 2008 Winnebago View 24j

I didn’t think I would locate the model I was looking for so quickly.  In the 2 months since the Rialta was totaled I’ve been pretty busy with estimates and insurance companies. However, I did find time to research what I wanted to replace it with. Actually I was investigating these for a friend earlier so I had a bit of a head start. 

I drove nearly to the Canadian border Sunday to check this particular vehicle out. I had already spoken with the owner in depth and felt it warrented a road trip. A loooong road trip! And, it did. The owner didn’t misrepresent a thing and was very straight forward. 

We agreed upon terms and I turned around, headed back home and after a few hours of deperately needed sleep have been working on the logistics of getting back up there to pick it up.   I think it is all coming together now. It shouldn’t be long before The dog and I are back on the road again. 

  
Here is the only photo I have at the moment but trust me there will be plenty soon. 

Heartland Road Tour

I smell a road trip in the immediate future. 

I located just the model RV I am looking for.  Darn, it’s almost in Canada. That’s gonna be a long drive to check it out. But, it has all the options I require and the price is in my ballpark. Sounds like it has been very well taken care of. Maybe I’ll get the totaled T.O.A.D. replaced and go pick up where we left off while there is still some of 2015 left

Now where’d I put my road atlas?  Oh yeah, it’s built into my iPad.

R.V.

Narrowing down the search for an RV

I have narrowed my search down to either an Itasca Navion or Winnebago View model 24j, 2008 or 2009.

I may have found one out near Flagstaff Az. That’s a long haul. I hate to make that trip and find it isn’t up to my standard but what else can I do.

I could fly one way. Getting from here to Atlanta airport is a pain. I could drive the car and tow it back I suppose. Or, I could ride the Harley out there, trade it in and drive the RV back home. Hmmmmm