Community Forums

Davwalt · 01-25-2017, 09:42 AM

I am a newbie to motorhomes. I recently purchased a 2009 Allegro Bus 43QRP. The bus was built in Apr 2008. The previous owner confirmed that the belts and hoses are original so almost 9 years old. I am planning on having all belts and radiator hoses replaced soon. The dash A/C is not cooling either so I am considering having that repaired. I live near Houston where it gets very hot and humid and does not get very cold. I am not a full timer and I don't plan to travel a lot in the winter. I assume that most of the time I am traveling and A/C is needed, I will have to run the coach (3) A/C's anyway.

My questions are: Do you think the heater hoses will need to be replaced at this time? If so, the Service Manager suggests that he not remove the old heater hoses, but disconnect and drain them and run the new ones under the bus somehow - not through the front and rear bulkheads and through the chassis frame.

Also, any opinions on whether I should repair the dash A/C?

Any opinions are appreciated - also I would love to hear any comments on the bus or Cat C9S engine.

lonfu · 01-25-2017, 10:38 AM

heater hoses are under a max of 15 psi, so I say no at this time, look for micro cracks and rub points with a flashlight. Do, replace your radiator cap, make sure you test the new one for the correct PSI with a cap tester. Rad hoses should be replaced when they get hard or get ballooned where they meet the radiator or engine block. Most hose problems are caused by faulty rad cap pressures. Belts, look for cracking on the inside of the belts. I replace them as soon as I see micro cracks in the rubber. Same goes for tires, take a flashlight and look in between your treads. When you start to see micro cracks then it is getting near time to replace your tires.

BigBillSD · 01-25-2017, 03:16 PM

I am fairly new at this MH driving too, but not to diesel trucks. I just bought a 2006 and brought it immediately to WW Williams in Tucson (a large truck servicing chain) and the oil & filters replaced on the Cummings and Onan diesels. Had them replace both fuel filters, replaced the transmission Fluid including the two filters on that Allison MH3000, They replaced the serpentine belt and gave me the old one as a spare for emergencies in the box from the new one with the correct part number for reorders. They checked the coolant hoses and said they didn't need to be changed. They also checked the coolant and said it only needed a shot of nitrates. Also had them look at the wheel bearings and grease the chassis. All for about $1300 (a hundred bucks less than my last Chevy Silverado maintenance last fall.) I had been thinking it would be 2k.

Davwalt · 01-25-2017, 03:25 PM

I have been trying to locate a good truck service in Houston - I am sure that there is one but have not found out anything. The one you mention is not here.

afterfiveusa · 01-26-2017, 08:44 PM

Hey Davwalt, I am also from the Houston area and a newbie also, Purchased a 2007 Allegro Bus just this month. I fell since we have no service records, I have replace air, fuel, oil and filters to everything. Start setting your own maintenance regiment. I am fortunate to have all the books for the coach. Their is a maintenance sheet in it to record everything that you have done.
If you like to have a copy of that sheet let me know. I treat it like my car. If the hoses feel rubbery/soft, should be ok for now. But I would soon replace them any way.
Gary/ afterfiveusa- Humble

Davwalt · 01-27-2017, 07:32 AM

Hi, nice to meet you. Thanks for the offer but I think I have all the manuals also. I have heard that the best RV repair place near Houston is Action RV in Conroe. I would however like to find a truck service shop to do the engine work - even better, a shop closer to me. Action says they can do the belts / hoses but they don't do more advanced engine work.

Are you planning on joining the Allegro Club? We are planning to do so. I have heard the Texas group is pretty active. maybe we will meet and can compare notes.