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richescaper · 12-16-2015, 10:56 AM

I have a 2003 Damon with a 350 cummins ISC on a Spartan chassis. On my last trip the power steering failed, the engine started to overheat and the transmission also was running hot.I was only going 20 mph and was able to pull into a vacant shopping center. Checked the fluid level in the reservoir and it was OK. The cooling fan was not running.
I have changed the screw on filter about 5 months ago, but was not aware of the filters in the reservoir. Stupid me! Could a clogged filter in the reservoir cause this problem? Could this be a pump failure?
Drove the motor home to a repair shop after it cooled down (only 3 miles) and now waiting on report from mechanic.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

palehorse89 · 12-16-2015, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richescaper

I have a 2003 Damon with a 350 cummins ISC on a Spartan chassis. On my last trip the power steering failed, the engine started to overheat and the transmission also was running hot.I was only going 20 mph and was able to pull into a vacant shopping center. Checked the fluid level in the reservoir and it was OK. The cooling fan was not running.
I have changed the screw on filter about 5 months ago, but was not aware of the filters in the reservoir. Stupid me! Could a clogged filter in the reservoir cause this problem? Could this be a pump failure?
Drove the motor home to a repair shop after it cooled down (only 3 miles) and now waiting on report from mechanic.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Hello and

I am going to say the hydraulic pump failed internally, if your filter's (3 of them) in the tank were plugged off, you would not have any power steering also along with no fan. The hydraulic pump is mounted on the back side of the air compressor, which is mounted to the back side of the timing cover and it all is driven by the timing gears. On my 2000 chassis, there is also a "Priority Valve" involved on the fan control, but I do not think there is much that could go wrong with it to make the fan stop.

gptexas · 12-17-2015, 08:13 AM

Caution is in the wind-or no wind that is.
Check out the PRIORTY VALVE for loose internal parts. The return hose to the reservoir has a orifice plug that has been known to come unscrewed and block fluid return creating no flow from steering and radiator fan. I have been down this $$$$$ route last year and spent way too much to discover this problem. You see the tank return hose from the priority valve had the loose orifice stuck in the elbow fitting (bottom of priority valve)to the hose creating blockage until I blew hoses and hydraulic motors. I noticed the engine motor was running hotter than usual and had the thermostatic and antifreeze replaced to no avail. Looking back I noticed the steering catching at times before it responded. Finally after third mechanic they removed the elbow and found a loose ~3/8" pipe plug with 1/4" orifice. Simple repair at last-used Loctite on reinstall. Back to running ~180/190 deg now with no problems all way to Michigan and back to Texas this year.

richescaper · 12-18-2015, 08:06 AM

Thanks for the reply. I will have the mechanic check the priority valve. I have the same problems with the steering and running hot. Changed the antifreeze, pressure washed the radiator. This did help, but would still have over heating problems on long inclines. The mechanic has removed the pump and said they tested it. Using a drill and hose in a hydraulic container, the pump did not pump any fluid. I told them to replace the pump. (not cheap). Thanks for every ones help