[Archived]

Jon,

Thanks so much for all your help. We are cruising down 24 toward Chatanooga and both water and oil temps are at 185 !! They drained out about 2 gallons of fluid and that’s about how far off the stick is! The technician started the coach to warm up the trans fluid but then an older tech told him, no that plug above the filler tube is “cold full”. So now we know!! Don could tell the difference with the first shift!!

Our taillight problem was a 24 volt relay. (R12–magnetic relay–looks like a Ford starter solenoid) that wasn’t plainly visible inside the drivers side compartment. We had tested the ones we could see but this one is behind the panel. There are 3 black rectangular plastic pieces, each about 3″ tall and 1″ wide, that look like old house circuit breakers only bigger – ours were labeled LT, M, RT– a couple of screws and that whole box came out giving access to the bad R12 relay behind them.

Again, thanks for all your help. Don is smiling and less stressed which makes this trip way more enjoyable.

Joanne

PS: I am learning a ton reading the forum. Thanks to all for sharing your knowledge and experiences.

[Jerry]

Don don’t know if your model is different (mine is 1991) but found a recall on brakelight system that makes breaker pop every once in a while. Also my coach had been sitting for years and when I took it in a couple years back they put new hoses on air brake system in back. Covered under recall notice issued in 1995.

[tom]

So far, the brake light system is fine as well as turn signals and hazards. It was tail lights, clearance lights and dash lights that all were fixed by replacing that one relay. But thanks for the info on the brake light system recall. The former owner probably had it done as he owned the bus until 2007 and took it to a Prevost Service Center every two years.

Still cruising and smiling!!

[Archived]

Just an update on oil overfill. Talked to Houston Prevost and going in for another bit of light work and they will look into it. Was going to wash oil off but will let it stay their untill they see. It has quit throwing it out. Still an inch and a half over full on stick. Thanks Bubba, Houston Prevost.

[AL]

I have no facts to back this up but I have always heard
it’s worse to run an engine oil level over full than a little low. At a certain
point over full the counter weights on the crank began to splash the oil
causing it to aerate. The result is at least
some air being distributed to vital engine parts instead of oil only. It’s
makes sense to me. I don’t think an “1 ½
over full is a good ideal. Like I said, I have no specific facts.

Ken

[Archived]

Thanks Ken. Gonna get it down to Houston next Tuesday. Might try and suction it out before I go. They said it wouldn’t hurt but who knows. Think Clifford said 7 gallons somewhere in the 8V92 and they put in 9 gallons or 3 cases. I guess I should have separated it out for them.

[Dick]

On our own equipment, cars, trucks, we would fill the crankcase with the amount of oil the engine manufacture called for. This is sometimes based on the engine oil pan installed.

Another way to increase oil capacity is installing longer length oil filters but not often done due to road clearance issues.

Wix-NAPA extended long life oil filters are available as direct replacement to your current NAPA # 1971 filter. These have a different filter material make-up .

In my case with the current bus it’s 9 1/2 gallons. That also works out to be right at the dipstick full mark. Our previous bus was a 500 HP DD it would show full at dipstick full mark with 9 1/2 gals. When I did the first oil change at 10 gals showed about 3/4 inch overfull.

When you have your oil changed at any service center I’am sure your billed for 10 gallons even if the correct amount is 9 1/2 gallons.

Changing the oil pan to increase capacity your oil pick screen must be lower in deep part of oil pan. This is where that option gets complicated. Easier to install larger capacity filters.

If you have an over full oil reading the easy way to correct is removing a filter. Each one holds appox 1 gallon.

[glen]

HERE is my experience with an oil change. I have no blame to throw around. It was a complete accident and accidents happen. But the take away for me was, ALWAYS pay attention!

I take my bus to people I trust like Prevost and Jeff and I understand that they are people too. I love to watch the work being done. First, I am very liable to learn something. Second, a second or third set of eyes on a situation can some times be helpful.

Davy

[Robert]

This has been stated often previously, but it needs repeating.

If there is any way possible, always try to be present and watching when anyone services your coach. And if possible keep notes on what was done, and what time it was started and completed.

When you turn your coach over to someone for service and then go away you lose control over the quality of the work, the accuracy of the invoice, and the opportunity to learn something.

[Chas]

Amen, what he said!!!