Exhaust pipe separation

[gMw]

FYI... Strange thing happened on the way home yesterday... The exhaust pipe separated between the flex pipe and the engine / PacBrake. With the engine in the rear, I never heard anything different than normal, so have no idea how long the engine ran with the pipe disconnected. But do know it got very hot in the engine compartment... Also wanted to point out that the engine ran normal, no power problem, and no indication there was a problem except of a smell and a lot of heat in the bedroom.

After I discovered the separation, I tried to align the flex-pipe and PacBrake, found there was just over a 1/4 inch gap. I was thinking maybe the flex-pipe was too short (?).

Editorial comment: Coach manufacturers leave little to no space to conduct maintenance.

To get at the problem area, I removed the muffler and tail pipe. Next removed the rigid pipe and flex pipe that connects between the muffler and the PacBrake. With that out and accessible, I loosened the clamp between the flex-pipe and the tail pipe. It appears the flex pipe was either incorrectly clamped to far back on the tail-pipe, or somehow shifted over time.

Looks easy enough to put it all back together, but I'm going to replace the clamps to be safe.

With the muffler out, the air filter is easy to access, so I'll change that while I'm at it.

The parts are ordered and I'll pick them up at Freightliner Wednesday.

[gMw]

FYI... Strange thing happened on the way home yesterday... The exhaust pipe separated between the flex pipe and the engine / PacBrake. With the engine in the rear, I never heard anything different than normal, so have no idea how long the engine ran with the pipe disconnected. But do know it got very hot in the engine compartment... Also wanted to point out that the engine ran normal, no power problem, and no indication there was a problem except of a smell and a lot of heat in the bedroom.

After I discovered the separation, I tried to align the flex-pipe and PacBrake, found there was just over a 1/4 inch gap. I was thinking maybe the flex-pipe was too short (?).

Editorial comment: Coach manufacturers leave little to no space to conduct maintenance.

To get at the problem area, I removed the muffler and tail pipe. Next removed the rigid pipe and flex pipe that connects between the muffler and the PacBrake. With that out and accessible, I loosened the clamp between the flex-pipe and the tail pipe. It appears the flex pipe was either incorrectly clamped to far back on the tail-pipe, or somehow shifted over time.

Looks easy enough to put it all back together, but I'm going to replace the clamps to be safe.

With the muffler out, the air filter is easy to access, so I'll change that while I'm at it.

The parts are ordered and I'll pick them up at Freightliner Wednesday.

[Gary CA]

George~ There was a recall on that part; Exhaust Campaign SF352, part number ABP N35 50PLS, clamp exhaust 5". I also used Muffler Cast Bandage Kit (Auto Zone) to secure the unions in addition to the sheet metal screws.

Why you are in there check the security of the high pressure freon line, mine burned due to hanging too close to the turbo.

Also some years of CATs have a lube zerk on the engine fan. And use a few drops of the special Pac-Brake lube oil on the brake.

Good luck.