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04 /25/ 24, 9:30am

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Subject: Diesels: rebuilt/replaced & Trans. Author: JollyJim [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 02/ 21/ 03, 1:07pm Hi, In my looking for an RV (Vintage Bluebird) I've noticed a lot have had either or both the engine rebuilt/replaced and/or the trans and the RV's usually have less than 125,000 miles but are in the 1980's. It seems to be more so with CAT's than Detroit's diesels. Is this a common problem with Bluebird RV's? I thought diesels were suppose to be good for 300,000 to 600,000+ miles before needing major work. Is this just something about Bluebirds, or does it happen with any make of RV? Any comments would be greatly appreciated. Thank you. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Replies:

[> Subject: Re: Diesels: rebuilt/replaced & Trans. Author: harvey lawrence [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 02/ 22/ 03, 8:24am Jolly jim you are correct when you say that a 3208 cat or a 6V92 detroit should be a 300,000 mile engine....and it is, but only if they are properly taken care of. A Cat,for example, will swallow valves if they are not adjusted periodically. People who bought these units to begin with were mostly used to running gas engines. A diesel is a new ball game,but most said if it is running right dont touch it..Wrong!!!!Too many ran their engines well over 120000 miles with no valves adjustments and unknowingly courted and found disaster.At a minimum the older diesels should have an adjustment job(called running racks)every 60000 max I do believe that is why it is very wise if to have valves done right away if you buy a used FC bird. Harvey Lawrence [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Diesels: rebuilt/replaced & Trans. Author: Jeff Miller [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 02/ 26/ 03, 12:32pm I agree with Harvey that they SHOULD be high-mileage engines, but not all will be. For the most part these diesels don't die young, they are killed. Neglect and mis-use. I have not yet met anyone who had valve troubles in a 3208, I have personally adjusted mine and have not seen anything out of spec. in two FCs neither did my brother in his FC. Early 3208na engines had valve spring problems, this and the possibility of over-revving the engine on downgrades probably led to people believing that the valves are fragile, over-revving (valve float) or a broken valve spring are the only way that you might break a valve, poor valve adjustment would at worst burn a valve which would require head work only. They also suffer from improper fuel system maintenance, and from general neglect, as to the DD engines, I see as many Wanderlodges with replaced 2-stroke detroits as 3208s. Look it over well, if it is held together by duct-tape and bailing wire it has likely been neglected, and if it has been neglected where you can see it, it has probably been neglected under the hood as well. - Jeff [ Post a Reply to This Message ]

[> Subject: Re: Diesels: rebuilt/replaced & Trans. Author: Bob Lawrence [ Edit | View ] Date Posted: 03/ 8/ 03, 6:36pm Hi Jim, We just bought our first bird, a 84 PT35 that had a new DD692 put in at 125,000. The reason was the previous owner broke a radiator hose, the bells and whistles went off and he thought that it meant that he had to take the rig in for servicing sometime soon....trashed the engine. When I picked it up, the new engine paperwork showed that it cost $14,000 not including labor for his mistake. Have the one you might be interested in checked by a respectable shop before you buy. Bob [ Post a Reply to This Message ]