My W-20 was almost perfect going to Alaska

[CoastieSCPO]

Hi all;
I have not posted in some time. We just returned safely home yesterday to rainy Tennessee after a 10 week, 10,500 mile trip to Alaska. I'll give a report regarding the trip itself on another part of IRV2, but wanted to offer up what I experienced with my rig.

On the way north thru Alberta and BC, we drove the icefields parkway, stopping at the glacier for the tour. Upon leaving, I did not realize that there was a really long, steep and winding downhill to negotiate and I got the speed a tad high at about 45 miles per hour. Not knowing where the end of the hill was and going too fast to down shift, I used the brakes a lot. I was very fearfull of another brake failure, but finally got the speed low enought to use the tranny. Stopped at the bottom of the hill and sure enough, I smelled that awful burned brake smell. Well, we let the thing cool down for a long time, unhooked the toad and drove to Hinton, Alberta. I found a Canadian Tire dealer, who did an oil change and flushed and changed the brake fluid. It was badly burned, but thankfully there was not damage to any brake components. The brakes did great for the rest of the trip and now I am a firm believer in the frequent changing of the brake fluid idea.

Later on the trip we noticed a hesitation in the engine as it would shudder but not stall and there seemed to be a loss of power. I had already changed the air filter. After leaving Fairbanks, the engine hesitated badly and the yellow check engine light went on. Pulled over to shut it down and reset the computer but that didn't help. I decided to drive it to Tok, Alaska and get a campsite. There, I found a mechanic who put the code reader on the rig which indicated a bad mass air sensor. I called Brezels who said they had one on hand and could send it to me, but my mechanic found one in Anchorage the next day and we had it shipped. The sensor was replaced and the engine ran ok for some time but I don't know if that solved the problem. We took the ferry to Prince Rupert and when I started driving east thru the mountains in the rain the engine did the same thing again but the check engine light never came on, in fact it never came on for the ten day trip home. But, here what we experienced driving the 1500 miles home...there seemed to be a loss of some power and the exhaust sounded like a motor cycle, with some black soot coating the tail pipe. I guess there is a fuel/air mixture problem, or a spark plug problem. We made it home in fine fashion but my engine just did not sound or perform just right. Any ideas????

On a positive note, we had a great time; my Workhorse did great (90%) of the time and we arrived safe.

Bob

[max49]

Coastie, glad you had a great time in spite of the MH problems. It did'nt leave you stranded, that's good, however I doubt if I would have graded mine as "Almost Perfect" if it had the same problems.
My guess is a burnt plug wire is one problem. #5 wire is the one that burns on mine.

[Max Hubrich]

Hi Bob,

Sounds like a wire or a plug to me-- thats the first things I woud change out. Someone else might have a better idea.

I appreciate your summary of the trip.

We have friends in a 4 vehicle caravan doing just that in Alaska now. Some rough roads for a 40' diesel "house" (Dutch Star) going down marginal roads.
He had rocks thrown up on him breaking his side pilots window and the windshield on his toad-- a Jeep. He said he couldn't tell the color of his Jeep after a 150 mile, or so, trek down a dirt road, at 5 -10 MPH, in the rain.

I told the bride if we ever do that trip it'll be in a Class "C" View/Navion with no toad (15-20MPG). I'll try to advertise and swap rigs for a 6 months period.

It appears to me that trip is an "endurance" test for your vehicle-- .

[Paoli]

We travelled the Alaska Highway in June and we had a rock thrown at us that punched a 2 inch hole in the front of our Lance Camper. I hate to think what would happen while traveling on a motorcycle when that happens and it hits you in the face. Anyhow, it was a great trip and in september we go back up there, but we are going to take the Cassiar Highway going north and will come back the other way through Fort Nelson.

[CoastieSCPO]

I suppose I over-rated the performance of the chassis because I was so darn happy to get home without another problem so far from home. I have Taylor wires and heat socks on the wires now and am planning on changing the plugs, so it would be a good time to change the wires also. Thanks for the tips.

Traveling the Alaska Highway was an adventure to say the least. It was not bad all the way to the Yukon exept for some gravel areas, narrow roads and lots of turns and hills. Lots of fun to drive. Past Haines Junction, Yukon Territory was another story. On the way north it was rainy and muddy and the road past Kluane up to the border was horrible...i drove 10 mph for what seemed like hours. Had no choice or the conditions would really damage the interior of the rig. People in TT's and 5th wheels drove much faster, as well as some MH drivers. On the way south it was dry and dusty, but the road was a little bit improved. I'm not complaining and realize driving the AK highway is part of the adventure of going to the north country. We did it with no broken headlights or windshields on both the rig or the toad.

Another upgrade to be considered is the Koni FSD's which I shall order as soon as the funds become available...should help on our next adventure which hopefully is Atlantic Canada next summer.

Bob

[lakewoodpaul]

cassiar is a rough rd. make sure you stop at stewart hyder