This morning, there was a heavy cloud cover and a chance of rain. It was nearly 7 o’clock before I realized the sun was up and I’m supposed to be ready to head out at 8 o'clock.
Yuma and I quickly got dressed and went out to put the last few items in the bays and took down the antenna, and before I knew it, Tom and Deb and Deb and Riley were ready to head out and I hadn’t even tried to start the White Lion. Got a picture of Tom and Deb leaving, but didn’t realize Deb and Riley left before them.
Got the WL started, but sounded like the starting batteries were weak. Just glad it started. The plan was to meet Deb and Riley at the dump station not far up the road, and we did. She left when she was done and we were to meet at the Big Guns outside the Yuma Proving Grounds on hwy 95 heading north to Quartzsite after fueling, which we did.
The WL ran just fine the first 25 miles to this point. I wanted to let the WL sit for awhile and check the oil, just in case. Deb and Riley headed north and I was to meet them at the Road Runner Camping Area where all of us planned to stay for a couple of weeks.
After checking the oil and it was okay, a little below full, but fine, I headed north with a stop at Stone Cabin, about 10 miles south of where we are to camp. There are a few hills before getting there and I could not believe that the WL water temperature rose to 226 degrees, hot enough to light up the red engine Light.
Talk about disappointed, I was feeling really low. May be a long trip home if I can’t drive on a cool drizzly morning over a few hills without overheating. At this point, I’m thinking the WL will give up the ghost way before I get home. Oh well, that’s a problem for another day. I turned the wheel over to Yuma and went back and cried on the couch.
I stopped at the Stone Cabin and had breakfast, finished up my brain games and took a few pictures. I stop here every year to remanence about the time Dolly and I stopped for a burger, fries and a coke. Now it is just a dilapidated building on the road from Yuma to Quartzsite.
Checked the oil, and this time it was low, so I put in a couple of quarts and topped off the antifreeze. Just as we got ready to go, Ken and Shirley, pulled in behind us. They were headed to join us at the Road Runner camping area for a day or two before heading on back to their home in Nevada.
We drove the 25 miles to the camp Tom and Deb had previously picked out for our group of four RVs, and the WL ran cool the whole way and that’s good. No hills, of course!
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| Never get tired of the Kofa Mountains on the east side of hwy 95 leading into Quartzsite, Arizona |
We set up camp and by this time it was Happy Hour till sundown.
I wish, I could have said it was a simple one hour, 57 mile move, but it wasn’t to be. I’m going to continue my travel plans till the WL fails me for good, or I make it home. Does anyone know of a highway that is all downhill from here to Bloomington, Illinois? Not me!
Thanks for stopping by.
I know nothing about diesel engines, but I'm wondering if the RPM is getting too low going up the hills, and if you shifted to a lower gear the radiator fan would be moving more air? I assume you have an auto transmission and maybe it isn't downshifting soon enough when the load gets heavier. If there is a broken ring, it could be cutting down on the power output. My two cents, unless somebody has a better idea. Phil
ReplyDeleteI think you've hit on something, phxxer. Several other commenters have mentioned downshifting, so I will check it out closer on the next hill. I've been keeping it at around 1500 rpms and maybe should go higher on hills to keep the power up.
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ReplyDeleteDeleted as a slight correction on above comment.
DeleteAt least you made it to your next destination. That's always a positive. You'll just have to nurse the MH along and hopefully make it all the way home. Yuma looks like a natural behind the wheel!
ReplyDeleteYuma was a little shocked at first, but did a good job of relieving me of command. One destination at a time is my new slogan. Don't want to look at the big picture.
DeleteYuma was concentrating pretty hard behind that wheel. I hope he remembered to use the turn signals.
ReplyDeleteA nice spot here at Road Runner LTVA, once we get rid of the wind I think we might like it.
Deb
We did just get here when the weather changed for the worse, but won't last long. At least it is sunny and I'll take that.
DeleteLike above, are you shifting down going up the hills? I watched my gauges all the time ... if they started to go up, I downshifted a gear to keep the fan moving faster and cooling the engine. Try it next time. Even with my big engine and lightweight rig, it would overheat a bit going uphill before the fan would come on.
ReplyDeleteI did shift down, but didn't really shift further down. I'll try the shifting and keeping an I on the tach. I like the idea of the faster fan.
DeleteIt does sound like a fan problem. Some fans have a switch to increase the Fan RPM at a certain water temp. Or maybe the water sensor is bad. My 2-cents.
ReplyDeleteThanks, John. I have manuals. I will check to see if they broach the subject of pulling another vehicle. Amazing how I get so fixed on the smoke, I don't check elsewhere.
DeleteMaybe your owner's manual, if you have one, will suggest a minimum RPM under load. If not call Empire, they owe you a favor. Phil
ReplyDeleteThanks for the ideas. I was under the impression that downshifting would make the engine run faster and get hotter, but didn't think that the fan would blow faster. Will try these out next time I'm on the road.
DeleteTry calling Dave Atherton at Dave’s Diesel in Quartzsite 605-999-0720. He knows these engines inside and out.
ReplyDeleteB
Thank you. Since I'm here for a few weeks, I just gave him a call to see if he will take a look.
DeleteSo far that White Lion is hanging on like a trooper even if sometimes by a thin thread. I really think he wants to make it through the trip and home. Sounds like you have lots of good advice above to try. Yuma looks like he is all business when he is driving, good job Yuma...lol
ReplyDeleteGood comments above. I called the diesel guy, Dave and left a text message. Maybe he has an idea to help.
DeleteI think you have been doing real well in dealing with all these motorhome problems Doug. I hope you can finally get to the bottom of things and resolve the problems to the point where you can relax your worries and enjoy the rest of your time in the Southwest.
ReplyDeleteThat picture of Yuma in the driver's seat is frame worthy! So cute! He is such a great dog :) It was awesome spending another day with you all! :)
ReplyDeleteDarn the issues with the WL! I'm sure it is frustrating, but you seem to handle all those curve-balls in stride. I'm sure I'd not be so calm, and consider driving into the cold weather you are trying to avoid.
ReplyDelete