| Author |
Message |
Matt (Hgtech)
Registered Member
Username: Hgtech
Post Number: 46
Registered: 2-2006
Posted From: 65.41.43.141
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 10:33 pm: | |
Ok guys - here's the problem . . .
My 8v71 in my 79' Silver Eagle (4 speed standard) is running like crap. This problem just started about 300 miles ago during a 700 mile non-stop stretch. Average temps are now between 195-205 (they were typically 180-190) pulling a 3% to 5% grade. Power loss is much worse than what it used to be - had to drop to 2nd more than once on small grades (typically kept it in fourth without any problems – occasionally had to shift to third). I've checked all the levels (oil and anti-freeze) - just changed the oil, fuel filters, and air filter.
I got fuel in northern Indiana headed south, things were running great until somewhere in northern Kentucky. I'm going to check the clutch adjustment tomorrow, however it was adjusted less the 5,000 miles ago and I haven't noticed it slipping. I'm also going to make sure the high idle solenoid isn't causing the problem - however I doubt it as this problem developed while I was driving. I haven’t checked the tranny fluid really recently – would low fluid cause this problem (keep in mind is a manual).
It seems like I have to mash the accelerator to the floor to get it to move (especially after shifting from 2nd). Fuel mileage has averaged about 8-9mpg. The engine uses very little oil for a 2 stroke DD – less than a quart every 1000+ miles. I’m got a small anti-freeze leak from the top of the tank – about 1/2 gallon every 3000 miles. The engine should have about 120k on it since the last rebuild. I hardly ever see any oil under the bus (except after longer idles) and smoke is to a minimum. Typical amount of black smoke when pulling steep hills with the accelerator mashed and a small amount of while smoke during a cold start (goes away as soon as it starts). It's been running really good up until this trip. I thought the thermostat could be stuck or it might need someone to run the rack on it – may be something slipped in the governor setup where I’m no longer getting full fuel when I need it.
I’m supposed to be leaving for a 3,000 mile trip Wednesday morning. I’m not looking forward to driving an underpowered bus for that long. If there’s anything you expert BusNuts can recommend – I’d love to hear it!!!
Thanks!!!
Matt – 1979 Silver Eagle Model 05 |
Len Silva (Lsilva)
Registered Member
Username: Lsilva
Post Number: 22
Registered: 12-2000
Posted From: 67.141.147.40
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 10:48 pm: | |
Matt, the first thing to check is your throttle linkage make sure your're getting full governor. I've had it slip on me with similar symptoms.
Len Silva
(Message edited by lsilva on July 10, 2006) |
Larry Higuera (Larryh)
Registered Member
Username: Larryh
Post Number: 5
Registered: 6-2006
Posted From: 64.192.95.147
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 11:53 pm: | |
Len change your fuel filter's you sound like you got water when you fueled up and add some standyne and see what happens
Larry H |
John MC9,
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 66.217.105.104
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 10, 2006 - 11:58 pm: | |
I dunno, man... but before I go into a rebuild.....
"had to drop to 2nd more than once on small grades (typically
kept it in fourth without any problems"
Once you lug it up to overtemp, you'll be settling down to
what it'll decide to give you.
Try pulling those same grades in third, and let us know the results.
, |
Matt (Hgtech)
Registered Member
Username: Hgtech
Post Number: 48
Registered: 2-2006
Posted From: 65.41.43.141
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 1:26 am: | |
Lsilva:
I'll check the throttle linkage at the same time I check the high idle solenoid. This isn't really an option I had considered - but I makes sense.
Larryh:
I've thought about this. When you get water in the tank - does it settle to the top or the bottom? I should have noted also that this problem started when my fuel tanks were about 5/8 full. If I had water in the fuel, I know that would decrease performance. Which in turn would make me smash the pedal farther to the floor - sending more fuel causing higher temps. How typical is it to get bad diesel from a Pilot (or anywhere for that matter)?
John MC9:
I don't typically lug my DD. It gets angry at me when I do that. In all seriousness, if I even start to notice that it's not gonna pull the grade in the gear I'm in - I back off and change gears. I learned that about 60,000 miles ago. Also, the fact remains - this problem just showed up.
I'm guessing there are two possible causes for this problem - fuel or coolant. Fuel seems more likely as nothing has changed with the coolant system (at least not that I am aware of). So fuel seems like the most logical option. I put a new fuel pump on the bus about 40K ago. I change fuel filters every 5K (give or take) and they were just changed less than 2K ago. In my mind, that leaves either the fuel it's self or something related to fuel delivery (governor, linkage, injectors, etc.)
- Matt |
Bob Greenwood
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 63.233.85.157
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 6:52 am: | |
FIRST thing,CHANGE FUEL FILTERS,and ALWAYS have spare fuel filters |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Registered Member
Username: Drivingmisslazy
Post Number: 1606
Registered: 1-2001
Posted From: 70.105.143.139
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 9:19 am: | |
Have you checked the air filter?
Richard |
Larry Higuera (Larryh)
Registered Member
Username: Larryh
Post Number: 6
Registered: 6-2006
Posted From: 64.192.95.147
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 11:16 am: | |
Matt;
Most truck stops are safe to get fuel, but if a fuel truck making a delivery of fuel I can guarantee you the s&^% gets stirred up usually their filters catch it but s&^% happens and luckily your filters caught it change both filters and make sure you fill them before putting on bus and I'm sure your problems will be over.
Larry
32 yrs diesel Mechanic |
Sammy (Sammy)
Registered Member
Username: Sammy
Post Number: 53
Registered: 8-2005
Posted From: 68.237.213.178
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 5:43 pm: | |
I'd change the fuel filters. You said you checked the air filter, did you check all hoses and clamps from filter housing to blower?
If you have a turbo, what kind of boost pressure are you seeing under a load? |
DMDave
Unregistered guest
Posted From: 71.125.20.72
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 7:51 pm: | |
Hi Sam, i had the same problem last trip and it was a clogged screen on the fuel pickup tube in the tank. It had a grungy clog of mung hanging off the screen. Cleaned it off and it was good to go. Water gathers in the bottom of the tank, thats why the pickup tubes dont go all the way to the bottom. |
Matt (Hgtech)
Registered Member
Username: Hgtech
Post Number: 49
Registered: 2-2006
Posted From: 65.41.43.141
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, July 27, 2006 - 10:25 am: | |
Ok, here is an update for anyone interested.
First things first - something had slipped in the throttle linkage. Pedal to the floor - it was only getting about 1/2 way to full fuel. After adjusting the throttle linkage - I took her out for a test drive.
Results: A little more power - still running hot - lots of black smoke under acceleration.
To temporarily deal with the temp issue - I picked up a recommended dose of Detroit’s ProCool (or PowerCool) 2000 coolant additive. It dropped the engine temp about 10 degrees.
As for the lack of power and black smoke - I dropped the bus off at the Detroit shop a couple of days ago to find out what was wrong. Talked to them this morning and they said injectors looked fine as did the fuel lines. They said the left side rack and valves were WAY out of adjustment. They ran the rack and adjusted all the valves and were headed out to test drive when I talked to them.
I've got my fingers crossed.
Matt
1979 Silver Eagle Model 05/10 |