| Author | Message | ||
| Steve Krane (Steve_krane)
Registered Member Username: Steve_krane Post Number: 33 Registered: 1-2007 Posted From: 76.176.170.219 Rating: N/A |
My mean miles between failure after 12,000 miles in a PD4106 with fairly recent (by bus standards) replacement of drivetrain and major moving parts is: MINOR - Something I have to fix MAJOR - Something that interrupts plans or causes high stress HAZARDOUS - Something that could have hurt someone MINOR: 1 per 500 miles MAJOR: 1 per 3000 miles HAZARDOUS: No events | ||
| RJ Long (Rjlong)
Registered Member Username: Rjlong Post Number: 1496 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 67.181.166.160  Rating: N/A |
Steve - Interesting stats, and adaptation of something from the aircraft industry. Would you mind elaborating on what the minor and major events were? Thanks,  | ||
| Josh McElhiney (Zcommanager)
Registered Member Username: Zcommanager Post Number: 18 Registered: 1-2009 Posted From: 166.217.46.48 Rating: N/A |
Interesting thread Steve. I'm coming up on roughly 3000 miles, perhaps a little more, on mine. I guess I should expect something major to fail soon?? YIKES!!! Not what I want to think about as I am getting ready to transport mine from Ohio to Pennsylvania tomorrow! I'd be interested, as well, in hearing (or reading) what type of events fall into your respectivce catagories. Thanks, Josh | ||
| Laryn Christley (Barn_owl)
Registered Member Username: Barn_owl Post Number: 576 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 151.199.10.101  Rating: N/A |
I am planning an ~ 7500 mile western trip in May. I need zero MMH. | ||
| Jack Conrad (Jackconrad)
Registered Member Username: Jackconrad Post Number: 936 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 72.57.236.196 Rating: N/A |
Well, let's see. 42,000 miles and 2 tire failures, 1 fuel line failure (collapsed), and 2 power steering hose failures. The first tire failure was a tag and we had road service install our spare. Second tire failure, we had road service install a new tire. Fuel line collapse was handled by running our water hose from the fuel tank (installed through filler cap) to primary filter and we continued to the bluegrass festival. Line was replaced when we got home. Both power steering hoses failed close enough to home to make it home and replace at my shop. We try to manitain a thorough preventive maintenance progam to prevent as many breakdowns as possible. Always better to replace a part at home in my shop BEFORE a failure on the road. | ||
| Dale Houston (Songman)
Registered Member Username: Songman Post Number: 80 Registered: 8-2006 Posted From: 66.17.9.74  Rating: N/A |
Hmmmm.. I've only driven my bus 400 miles but it was flawless from start to finish. Here's to hoping that it stays that way! | ||
| Frank Allen (Frank66)
Registered Member Username: Frank66 Post Number: 105 Registered: 10-2005 Posted From: 64.12.117.73 Rating: N/A |
only broke down twice in 20 yrs, once ran out of fuel, once with a minor elec problem, did rebuild a lot of things in early yrs but ive really been lucky with this bus Frank allen 4106 | ||
| Steve Krane (Steve_krane)
Registered Member Username: Steve_krane Post Number: 36 Registered: 1-2007 Posted From: 76.176.170.219 Rating: N/A |
Mine were: - Intermittent faulty starter solenoid (replaced at shop) - Air hose popped off under air ride drivers seat (that was exciting for the sound as much as anything) - Headlamp switch hot-shorted after pulling into an I-10 rest area at 1 am and filling the cabin with smoke before getting the battery disengaged. (remember where your fire extinguishers are). Removed dash panel (easy) isolated hot 12V and drove home in the day. Learned that there is a difference between an AC and DC rated switch (arcing at contact) - Leaking/loose fuel suction line check valve (stopped/ towed). That's the trip I learned how the fuel system works. - Plugged fuel filters, lost all power (replaced, reprimed, had the parts, knew how because of learning from the previous failure. Gonna start BioBor and keep at least two extra filters of each. The bus had a 10-year garaged period of little use before I bought it two years ago. I think its just getting limbered up. Most of the failures are minor "house" issues. I have kids so that adds to those... | ||
| Steve Krane (Steve_krane)
Registered Member Username: Steve_krane Post Number: 37 Registered: 1-2007 Posted From: 76.176.170.219 Rating: N/A |
Jack, That's pretty innovative using your water line for a fuel line to get home. I was thinking of buying 30 ft of rubber fuel hose just in case but maybe I'll just get an adapter to 1/4" NPT. Diesel won't eat eat the hose? | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 467 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.209.117.161 Rating: N/A |
Redundancy is fine....to a point. Best deal is just to check things out prior to a trip, or take the time, preferably on a routine basis. Case in point....I try to get my coach "serviced" yearly, no matter the mileage put on. Been to the same service facility for years. A couple of weeks ago I, for whatever reason, decided to do the lubing and filter changing, in advance of changing the oil in the near future...never have done it before. Found a "bunch" of zerks that had not been touched, probably in many years. It took more than two grease gun fills just to do those (8-10 I would guess). Also checked all air connections and found two that were leaking badly. A cleaning and re-connect resolved the issue of air loss I had been noticing. As discussed (archives) a long time ago, one could carry an extra engine, transmission, etc....but is it 1) necessary 2) worth it? Think from now on I'll be saving $200+- a year, less the parts and oil, of course. Your decision. As FF says..."do it your way". FWIW RCB 1964 Crown Supercoach (HWC) | ||
| Patrick levenson (Zubzub)
Registered Member Username: Zubzub Post Number: 52 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 76.66.202.8  Rating: N/A |
Same here on the servicing I always do my own PM stuff as well as oil changes etc...It would be cheaper to have a shop do it when I am in full production at work, but I have consistently found that garages miss stuff or don't mention stuff or break more stuff than I do or don't tell me when they break stuff (I have still not managed to not tell me something when I mess up). Also when I am under my vehicles I notice what else needs doing in the near future. | ||
| R.C.Bishop (Chuckllb)
Registered Member Username: Chuckllb Post Number: 469 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.209.58.97 Rating: N/A |
X-actly....!! One place where familiarity does not breed contempt... ; unless, perhaps toward the "don't give a flip" attitude displayed by an in-diligent (is there such a word??) technician (also often questionable} who was responsible, and paid for, prior servicing... and on and on and on.....  Keep a tight wheel. RCB |