Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 07-31-2005, 05:59 AM   #1
Winnebago Master
 
tomsm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 773
Will probably turn this over to Freightliner in a few days, but thought I'd throw it out here and see if anybody else has seen this...

RV has been in covered storage about 3 months. Fuel was fresh when it was stored. Has been on shore power with a BatteryMinder on the chassis batteries, so all batteries are fully charged. This morning I took it to the local CAT scales since I'd never weighed it. It's about a 5 mile drive - ran beautifully.

After weighing, I shut down and went inside to pay. Came back out and restarted normally. When I pulled out on the road it felt like I had about 50 horsepower. Took about a mile to get up to 25 mph and absolute top end was 40 mph. Was showing some turbo boost so it's not a failed turbo. Would slowly work up to 5th gear, but couldn't maintain it and would shoft back down to 4th.

Limped back to storage - luckily it was a Sunday morning with almost no traffic.

One real oddity - the turn signals quit blinking at the same time. They will come on solid, but not blink - same for the hazard flasher.

No trouble lights on the panel or messages in the MMDC. Everything LOOKS absolutely normal, except for the turn signals.

Anybody seen such a thing? Thanks for any reponses.
__________________
Tom
'04 Journey 36G - Cat C7
'04 Honda CR-V
tomsm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-31-2005, 05:59 AM   #2
Winnebago Master
 
tomsm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 773
Will probably turn this over to Freightliner in a few days, but thought I'd throw it out here and see if anybody else has seen this...

RV has been in covered storage about 3 months. Fuel was fresh when it was stored. Has been on shore power with a BatteryMinder on the chassis batteries, so all batteries are fully charged. This morning I took it to the local CAT scales since I'd never weighed it. It's about a 5 mile drive - ran beautifully.

After weighing, I shut down and went inside to pay. Came back out and restarted normally. When I pulled out on the road it felt like I had about 50 horsepower. Took about a mile to get up to 25 mph and absolute top end was 40 mph. Was showing some turbo boost so it's not a failed turbo. Would slowly work up to 5th gear, but couldn't maintain it and would shoft back down to 4th.

Limped back to storage - luckily it was a Sunday morning with almost no traffic.

One real oddity - the turn signals quit blinking at the same time. They will come on solid, but not blink - same for the hazard flasher.

No trouble lights on the panel or messages in the MMDC. Everything LOOKS absolutely normal, except for the turn signals.

Anybody seen such a thing? Thanks for any reponses.
__________________
Tom
'04 Journey 36G - Cat C7
'04 Honda CR-V
tomsm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2005, 03:05 AM   #3
Winnebago Master
 
tomsm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 773
Forgot to report my weights for all you weight-watchers out there. Without DW, ~75 gal. of fuel, 1/3 fresh water and empty holding tanks (the way I normally travel). Pretty much loaded for travel except for food and DW.

Front axle - 7860 GAWR - 10410
Rear axle - 15700 GAWR - 17500
Gross - 23560 GVWR - 27910

Looks like I need to move some weight forward for optimum balance, but I'm at a loss as to how to do that. I've already loaded the heavier stuff in the forward basement compartments. Not much can be moved "upstairs, unless I want to pile all our clothes on the couch.
__________________
Tom
'04 Journey 36G - Cat C7
'04 Honda CR-V
tomsm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2005, 03:56 AM   #4
Winnebago Owner
 
BucknJeff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 156
It's highly possible that your exhaust brake has failed in the "ON" position. Best NOT to drive it like you did, and it should be released before driving again. Call Freightliner help and they can walk you through the procedure to get it to release.

There are a variety of reasons for that part to fail, but generally its the pnumatic actuator that fails.

Hope this helps.
__________________
Buck n Jeff

2004 Horizon 40AD
BucknJeff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2005, 04:16 AM   #5
Winnebago Master
 
tomsm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 773
BucknJeff,

Thanks for the info. I had the bed up and the engine cover off last night looking for loose plugs, harnesses, etc. I remember noticing the exhaust brake, but didn't look to see if it was open. I think there is an external actuator arm that would show if it's open or closed - right?

Have a medical appointment this afternoon (I'm a little bit broke too), but will try to check that this evening.

I had to slow down a couple of times during my drive back to storage and I don't remember an exhaust brake "feeling". Maybe at slower speeds and without the forced downshifts it wouldn't be very noticable.

It certainly would explain the reduced power without diagnostics. That's what was bothering me - if it was a programmed power reduction, why no "check engine" light?
__________________
Tom
'04 Journey 36G - Cat C7
'04 Honda CR-V
tomsm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2005, 05:22 AM   #6
Winnie-Wise
 
Cruzer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 306
As mentioned, it could be the exhaust brake. It could also be a plugged fuel filter. It happened after you refueled. Ii you didn't add any algaecide before storing the coach, it's possible that algae formed on the top of the fuel. Then, when you topped off the tanks recently, it all got stirred up and is now plugging the fuel filter. The algae that forms on the top of the fuel lives off the moisture in the air. You're not apt to get it when in Tucson, Arizona but in a higher humidity location it's a definite possibility. I always add a biocide when parking over the winter. If you want more info about this, visit the PriProducts.com website. Click on Products, then click on Pri-ocide. That'll show you what I use and tell you all about algae in diesel fuel. I've heard that once you have it in your system it can be a bear to get out because it keeps plugging filters until the fuel is gone unless you flush the fuel tank.
__________________
Mark & Leann Quasius
2016 Cornerstone 45A
2007 Allegro Bus 42QRP (Sold)
2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited - Rubicon
Cruzer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2005, 12:56 PM   #7
Winnebago Master
 
tomsm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 773
Cruzer,

Thanks for the response. I must have said something misleading because I didn't add any fuel - just drove to the scales, weighed, and slowly drove back. I suppose if there were algae in the tank, just the sloshing of driving could get it into the filter.

From what I had previously read here, I didn't dream of growing algae in only 3 months. However, Florida would probably be one of the worst places for it and my tank was not totally full. In my defense, I didn't intend for it to sit for 3 months - things just conspired against us getting on the road...

I'm sure hoping it's the exhaust brake!!
__________________
Tom
'04 Journey 36G - Cat C7
'04 Honda CR-V
tomsm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2005, 02:30 PM   #8
Winnebago Master
 
tomsm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 773
Well, sorry to say, it's not the exhaust brake. What does algae in fuel look like? Wouldn't it be visable in the bottom of the filter/water separator? The fuel there looks like nice clear diesel fuel.

I already talked to FL today and they are ready to tow it to the nearest FL dealer, but I was hoping to find something simple and avoid a lot of downtime. Have a warranty appointment at Lazydays next week that I've been waiting a month for. Geez!!
__________________
Tom
'04 Journey 36G - Cat C7
'04 Honda CR-V
tomsm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2005, 05:03 PM   #9
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 162
If your filter bowl is nice and clean, probably not algae. Throttle wire harness get kicked loose getting in and out? Good luck with it and let us know what it turns out to be.
gunny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2005, 08:07 PM   #10
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
.....If you have an aglae problem get to a marina and get a POWERSERVICE algae kit and use it on your Vehicle....it really works and is easy to use....geofkaye
  Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2005, 01:57 AM   #11
GG1
Winnie-Wise
 
GG1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: WHITING,NJ,USA
Posts: 470
Why not just go to a FL shop and let them solve the problem? Looks like you are under warranty. I had a power loss problem last year very similar I had to replace my air cleaner even though the site glass was just starting to rise.
__________________
07 Itasca Ellipse 40fd, 2014 Honda CRV, greyhound lab mix, pit pointer mix(RIP bessie) , shar pei mix, stupid cat, wife
GG1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2005, 04:18 AM   #12
Winnebago Master
 
tomsm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 773
GG1,

I agree. That's probably the way this will end up, but as I said in my last post, I'm trying to keep a service appointment for other warranty stuff next week and from previous experience with the local FL shop, I don't think they will turn it around that fast. Soooo, I'm trying to eliminate the simple stuff before I turn it over to the experts...

There's also the fact that "going" to the local FL shop is not that simple. It's about 40 miles away and I don't even want to think about merging on I-75 at 15 mph. That's if I could even climb the entry ramp. It'll have to be towed.
__________________
Tom
'04 Journey 36G - Cat C7
'04 Honda CR-V
tomsm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2005, 04:56 AM   #13
Winnie-Wise
 
Cruzer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Sheboygan, WI
Posts: 306
I haven't had to look at any algae because I've always kept ahead of the game so I can't tell you exactly what to look for. But my "guesses" are that you may not see it in the fuel bowl.

The fuel sediment bowl is just what it says it is - a bowl to hold "sediment". Sediment is the heavy stuff that settles to the bootom, including water and rusty "slop". Algae, on the other hand, floats and forms on the surface of the diesel fuel in the tank. It requires moisture to grow but it is lightweight. After things get stirred up it is still light but it still has size and will plug up the filter element in a fuel filter due to the fine micron rating.

Now, I'm not saying for positive that you have algae but I'm guessing that you wouldn't see it in the glass bowl so you "may" have it. I'm not familiar with the previously mentioned algae removal stuff, but if it works it would be great.

If it was me, my first course of action would be to slap a new fuel filter on and drive the coach. If it then ran great, I'd order the algae removal kit. If it still didn't have any power, THEN I'd call Freightliner. I'd try to avoid the tow if at all possible.
__________________
Mark & Leann Quasius
2016 Cornerstone 45A
2007 Allegro Bus 42QRP (Sold)
2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited - Rubicon
Cruzer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2005, 11:48 AM   #14
Winnebago Master
 
tomsm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 773
Mark,
Took your advice. Called a local RV service shop and they verified that algae in diesel is a common problem here. Also said that the only noticable thing in the glass bowl is that the fuel would be darker, if it has algae. I think mine is darker. The only thing counter that he told me is that normally you would get some surging of the power with a plugged filter and mine was running smooth.

Anyway, they're going to work me into their schedule over the next few days. Will send a service truck to my storage location, change filter(s), test drive it, and if it runs good, treat the algae.

Keeping my fingers crossed. Will post the results...
__________________
Tom
'04 Journey 36G - Cat C7
'04 Honda CR-V
tomsm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2005, 11:53 AM   #15
Winnebago Master
 
tomsm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 773
Hit the "Post Now" too fast - forgot to mention that I verified that if FL towed it in and it turned out to be an algae problem, I get to pay for the tow. Paying for the new filters is a calculated gamble against a bigger expense.
__________________
Tom
'04 Journey 36G - Cat C7
'04 Honda CR-V
tomsm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2005, 12:11 PM   #16
Winnebago Owner
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Narragansett,RI
Posts: 79
Did you notice if you had any smoke coming out the exhaust with the loss of power, and can you rev the engine up to full rpm in neutral?

Paul
ppeter313 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2005, 01:50 PM   #17
Winnebago Master
 
tomsm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 773
Paul,

I didn't notice smoke, but I was pretty busy pedaling.

Didn't try revving the engine in neutral - what a perfectly logical thing to do, but I didn't.

Unfortunately, I've got to spend tomorrow and maybe tomorrow night in the hospital so I won't be able to check those things. Got to get my repairs done first then I'll get back to the RV in a couple of days. Thanks for the ideas.
__________________
Tom
'04 Journey 36G - Cat C7
'04 Honda CR-V
tomsm is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2005, 02:22 PM   #18
Winnie-Wise
 
DonavonP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 409
Not sure which type exhaust brake you have, but my last MH had an Xtrader and they were subject to rusting shut or open and that was easy to diagnose. The ones that were difficult were the ones that appeared to function properly but the butterfly inside the mechanism was loose on the shaft and they would stick open or closed or half way and would be intermittent.

So if the Jolly Green Giant's sleazy cousin is not the problem. Go back to BuckNJeff's suggestion.
__________________
DonavonP
2016 Jayco White Hawk 27dsrl
2015 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 diesel 4x4
DonavonP is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2005, 05:11 PM   #19
Winnebago Owner
 
BucknJeff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 156
Well... I'm always comfortable out here on a limb..

Got to stay with my initial diagnosis (blind guess). The cincher for me is that the directionals and hazzard lights failed concurrently. That may well have something to do with the exhaust brake system, be it the electronics or the pnumatic actuator, or some of both.

Algae doesn't generally just pop up, its more likely you would have noticed that right off when you headed out in the begining of the trip.

Other thoughts include turbo issues, a loose turbo or intercooler hose and/or leak in same.
There could also be a fuel leak in the rail somewhere. I'd think you would have noticed that.

Heal up, and let us know how it goes.
__________________
Buck n Jeff

2004 Horizon 40AD
BucknJeff is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2005, 05:30 PM   #20
Winnebago Master
 
tomsm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 773
Donavon and Buck n Jeff,

I thought the exhaust brake was the best guess too, given the rather sudden failure. However, I checked it yesterday evening and it's wide open. Even talked to FL before I checked it to make sure I knew what to look for. I guess it's still possible that the plate pivoted on the shaft.

I looked over the whole induction system from above and everything looks solid. No fuel leaks. It may be electronics, but if so, why no diagnostics?

Thanks for all the input and I'll get back on this in a day or two...
__________________
Tom
'04 Journey 36G - Cat C7
'04 Honda CR-V
tomsm is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
mysterious loss of power Jcous General Maintenance and Repair 7 08-13-2012 08:29 AM
Loss of Power on Steep Grades jdanbowman General Maintenance and Repair 17 01-19-2010 08:42 AM
EMS, Is there a complete "Time Out" after power loss? Logthumper General Maintenance and Repair 8 08-19-2006 01:36 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Winnebago Industries or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:41 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.