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Just noticed water under the bus!
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Hi Jon and thank you.
Here is what I got from Prevost. NAPA told me they can order Antifreeze from Zertec approved for Detroit Diesel and has the GM 1899 performance recommendation. Will that do it?
Oops make that Zerex…
Harry
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Harry, you have to determine the correct spec for your coach coolant and then verify it is in fact the correct coolant. My gut tells me a GM spec coolant might be OK for an Impala but I have no clue if it is acceptable for a large Detroit Diesel engine.
But if you want to trust others to tell you what is OK for your coach, go for it. I assume you will trust them to pay for the rebuilding of your engine also?
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Harry…the more I watch your saga unfold the more I think you should cut your losses, sell the Beaver and get a vintage Marathon or Liberty that would put you in better company and not so isolated out there. You’ve got a coach that needs a bunch of tinkering and from what I see, you like to tinker on the computer more than on your coach. Who knows what’s going to happen and who can help when you finally take a real trip. But don’t buy the first coach you see like you did this time. Do your homework and get a real PDI on a coach that is still in business.
Just my thoughts.
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On rereading the spec you posted did you notice the GM spec called for is different than the spec on the coolant container?
Oops……….The ASTM spec was cutoff in my photo but it looks like the spec is met by the coolant if I am reading it correctly.
That coolant does appear to be acceptable.
My bad. Can I blame my glasses?
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Hi Jon, Yes I did notice that and recognize I have the wrong stuff. I went over to the bus and didn’t find anything in the engine compartment about antifreeze. But I grabbed the two Prevost manuals that came with the coach to make sure I don’t make the mistake again.
Thanks for all your help.
Harry
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Hi Jimmy, Allow me to answer your questions as stated…
RE: the more I watch your saga unfold the more I think you should cut your losses, sell the Beaver and get a vintage Marathon or Liberty that would put you in better company and not so isolated out there.
I’m sure that all Beaver Coach owners look at their bus as a loss leader and recognize things that happen to our coaches would not happen to a vintage Marathon or Liberty! I think we can all agree we’d all feel, what was it your said? Oh yes, “in better company and not so isolated out there”! WoW, I think I can speak for all Beaver Coach owners when I say “thank’s for that”!
RE: You’ve got a coach that needs a bunch of tinkering and from what I see, you like to tinker on the computer more than on your coach.
Very interesting and we are in agreement on the computer aspect of your statement. But what you call “tinker” I call making a living as computers and database design has been my business for many years! Your inference of course is that I don’t enjoy working on the coach. That’s interesting because the manager of the RV park where my coach is in storage said just yesterday I’ve never seen anyone spend so much time on their coach”! But I must admit I like working on a switch replacement inside the coach more than I do replacing a radiator hose in the engine compartment. But I should point out that I did in fact do both!
RE: Who knows what’s going to happen and who can help when you finally take a real trip.
Good question and I’m not sure I have the answer. I hope before that time comes in early June that I have things pretty well worked out and is exactly what I’m doing as we speak. But I’ll call Jon, or Tom or Jim, or Dick or Jeff or Greg, or Andy and/or so many others who have been so incredibly helpful to me. One day I’ll return the favor which is the intent of the forum to begin with and I look forward to that!
But don’t buy the first coach you see like you did this time. Do your homework and get a real PDI on a coach that is still in business.
Just my thoughts.
You got me there Jimmy, I may well have jumped too fast without a real PDI and may not have been one of the smartest things I’ve done. But with that said, I lover my coach and getting rid of it is the last thing on my mind. But I get what you’re saying that Liberty and Marathon are still in business and there is merit to that without a doubt. But I do know that Liberty and Marathon and East Carolina Luxury Coach and Prevost and Clark Power Services etc etc etc will work on my Beaver Coach!
Just my thoughts,
Harry
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Harry keep your head up and keep plowing. I like your attitude on the work. Bought mine 7 or 8 years ago and it had been sitting in a climate controlled bus bar for 7 years, never started. Was a work out the first year. Glad I’m retired as now it’s only a 10 to 20 hour work around after I take it out for a short trip. Do most repair or updates myself. Always something.
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Glens, The King of Kingsland!
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Both Jimmy and Harry have valid points, but I think Harry may be on the right track. Assuming equal dollars I don’t think a Liberty or Marathon will have any less things that need fixing or tweaking. I also believe the Beaver coach was one of the best built at the time so the only difference might be some converter support. The problem is few people working for converters today were there 26 years ago and those that were may not remember all the details. I think Harry’s advice will probably be as good as advice from converters regarding their 26 year old products.
While Harry has some issues he is going to have to face with the conversion most of what we have seen him question relates to the engine or Prevost chassis so I don’t think he would be any better off trading at this point.
What I think Harry needs to do however is continue to learn his coach. The best learning will come from continued use. He needs to get more inquisitive and before he starts asking for advice he needs to try to understand the systems or devices and the logic used by the coach builders. He needs to understand his attitude needs to develop a little more pessimism. If he finds a leak as this thread is about his pessimism has to kick in. He cannot optimistically assume the few drips he sees on the ground were all that leaked and needs to assume the worst before moving on. That pessimism would have required him to check the coolant level before starting the coach, but his current optimism did not allow him to question the coolant level. Now he knows and is lucky the engine shut down before it got damaged.
My point is Harry is climbing up the learning curve we all have done and like a lot of us is finding out he gains experience just after he needed it.
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The Man that penned “Learning Curve” must have had one of these coaches.
1999 XLV X-6872, liberty #440 -
Everyone is contributing to this discussion regarding working on Harry’s coach so here goes a thought:
In the past, if I remember correctly, Harry… you stated certain “mechanics” came to your coach and tried to fix it but you had significant issues with their expertise. Based on your desire and interest to work on the coach yourself and being certain that issues will always be present, I would not give up on the idea of trying to find a trustworthy mechanic who could, through time, learn the coach and who, with your assistance, could be more available for immediate consultation and assistance in solving issues.
What I am suggesting is a “working relationship” with a capable person familiar with both recreational vehicles and also familiar with the more involved intricacies of a Prevost conversion. Through time, we developed such a relationship and it proved very valuable indeed.
This may be an obvious solution and one that cannot be accomplished because of logistics and a lack of available mechanical talent ….but it is a goal I would continue to aggressively pursue.
Best,
Pres
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Harry posted…..I also enjoy that NAPA discount. Jon and Tom thanks for working that out for us. It helps cut down on the exorbitant dues.
Reprint from Harry’s post…… above
Harry, I think it was Truk4u who called me about getting on board with the AITA-NAPA parts discount appox 4-5 years ago.
As a former NAPA jobber in Dallas, TX. I knew many NAPA people in Atlanta who were involved with AITA We were able sell the powers that be that WE… use a lot of heavy duty truck parts in running our Prevost buses.
After a number of discussions several things were approved.
Use of the NAPA logo on the web site, ( that is a big perk gimme)
Processing of applications from the PC web site. Fill in the blanks…hit the button.
Processing costs paid by NAPA
The last time I check nearly 700 cards had been issued. I believe many PC applications were approved off the web but the company name inserted was not PC but another business name. Probably double that 700 count.
As many members have learned your NAPA-AITA card is the real deal..you save money immediately at the counter on many parts.
Thanks, for all the NAPA support
AL
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No one should stomp on someone dream of owning one of these coaches. The Pres stated a very important point. About working on your bus. I would break projects down into, (1) I can do this myself, or (2) it’s a RV appliance so an RV repairman can fix it, or(3) it has something to do with the chassis of the bus so I need a bus qualified repairman.
Harry’s electrical cord problem falls into the first two categories and the mystery drip if either category one or three.
Harry enjoy your bus. If you get to drive it all the better. I know people who convert buses and never drive them, just sell it and start another. For them it is the hobby of making that they enjoy.
Harry you know how to get a hold of me do so at anytime. Glad to help.
Greg
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Hi Jon and thanks… I’ve been doing as you’ve said, I take the bus out for a good run every 10 days and run everything under load that’s runnable and loadable. And I’ve found something new that I didn’t know or at least hadn’t committed to memory. After I’ve started the engine (high idle) I let it air up and make sure the lights go off and the air gauges are right. Then I’d go out and do a walk around. The new thing is to open the engine doors and make sure all is copacetic. I may have caught that leak in the hose had I have done that, so It’s now included in my pre-drive. And I’ve found many things unique to my bas that I’ll not bore you with now. I’m also on the 3rd reading of my 1991 Prevost manuals and the Beaver Coach manuals. Because the more I do and learn the more meaning I get from what the manuals are telling me!
Hi Pres, Actually I do have a good local mechanic who has worked on 8V92’s for many years. He drove them, worked on them and also works with Good Sam. Steve is the ultimate Good-ol-Boy who knows his stuff and his quality of work is very important to him. I could have called him to fix my leaking hose but was something I wanted to do. And I completely agree with you about keeping him involved with my bus. I recommended Steve to a guy with a Tiffin Allegro Bus having trouble with his Cummins. He said he had him running in a couple hours and charged him $35 for parts and $50 ($25.00 per hour) for labor.
Hi Al, The NAPA deal is really excellent and I’ve found their quality of service and knowledge is top notch! I think that may be one benefit of small town America, there may not be a huge selection, but the locals have to be good or they’ll not last long.
Greg, Thanks again, you’ve always been a big help (no reference to your weight) and I could not appreciate it more.
Thanks to all you guys, it’s like I said earlier, if I need help I’ll call Jon or Pres or Al or Greg or, or,or!
You guys are the greatest,
Harry
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Harry, Good job! What you are going to find is as you gain more knowledge of your coach your confidence will climb and you will enjoy it more and more. It is gaining the knowledge that is tough and every single one of us has gone through exactly what you are going through.
I do pre and post trip inspections. After we return from a trip I do a short version of the pre-trip inspection just to verify things are OK. I look at fluid levels, belts, evidence of leaks, etc. I don’t do tire checks or any extensive inspections but a quick post trip inspection generally helps me get a heads up on things I may want to deal with before the next trip.
I always have a pad for notes any time I drive the coach. I write down things I want to check or adjust or fix when they come to mind because if I don’t do that I will forget. The list is mostly minor things like a loose cabinet hinge or replacing a light bulb in the living room, but it is important to me because if I take care of everything, including the very minor things it is very easy to stay on top of the maintenance.
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