Community Forums

wayupnorth · 01-01-2019, 05:45 PM

Hey there. First time RVers who were given this beast. It's been a project for us and the kiddos and we're enjoying it for the most part. Looking forward to our first road trip. We have lots to learn.

So, Here's what's at the top of our list of mysteries. We have a problem with the cooling/heating vents. The Defroster works but when selecting for air to come out of the front vents, switching nothing comes out. Select/switch back to defrost and I can hear the vacuum moving the flap (or whatever it's called) back to that position. Repeat... and nothing comes out vent but something has moved enough to hear it go back to defrost when selected. Any ideas what the problem could be?

Thanks for your help.

Soppy · 01-01-2019, 06:39 PM

You could start by checking the vacuum lines on the vacuum actuators and the control. All it takes is a small crack in the line and the actuators will not operate properly.

Birddog1148 · 01-01-2019, 07:04 PM

Hey, I'm working on a 89 Cheiftan

wayupnorth · 01-02-2019, 10:26 AM

Thanks guys. Correction... 1990 Chieftain. Family straightened me out.

I'll check the vacuum lines and see what I find.

On the 1989... How has that project been going? Have you found a good source for salvage parts?

F76Marion · 01-02-2019, 11:22 AM

You don't specify where "Way Up North" is, but if is not far enough, then you have mice. They love the insulation on wires (that is probably not this issue) and rubber hoses. They will also chew (they don't carry much for tools) into the HVAC ducts and use your insulation to make a nest in there. This can take hours of uncomfortable bending to at at this stuff, but it all needs to work.

Do I need to add BTDT?

But, no matter what else, keep the roof sound. If it leaks the coach will be toast before you can stop it.

Frank

Birddog1148 · 01-02-2019, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayupnorth

Thanks guys. Correction... 1990 Chieftain. Family straightened me out.

I'll check the vacuum lines and see what I find.

On the 1989... How has that project been going? Have you found a good source for salvage parts?

I just brought the '89 home a few days ago, right before Christmas. I havnt found a source for salvage parts yet, but have not needed any either. The stuff I have ordered is mostly from Amazon or Ebay or local parts stores. My thread is the "Bring it Home" thread on this page.

wayupnorth · 01-02-2019, 03:08 PM

We live in northern Minnesota. Not too far north for mice. They just wear thicker coats. I'll check out the "Bring it Home" thread.

Once it warms up a bit we'll pull the dash cover so we can check the vacuum lines. Need to replace the blower fan now to. Just conked.

Soppy · 01-03-2019, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wayupnorth

We live in northern Minnesota. Not too far north for mice. They just wear thicker coats. I'll check out the "Bring it Home" thread.

Once it warms up a bit we'll pull the dash cover so we can check the vacuum lines. Need to replace the blower fan now to. Just conked.

I'm north of Northern Minnesota and we got tons of mice up here. Seems the colder the weather , the more they try to get inside.
You could also check the vacuum line from the engine to the reserve canister(s). They should be mounted under the hood somewhere.

Wroughtnharv · 01-03-2019, 09:46 AM

Mice? Down south here we have rats. About a year ago we had a dead odor that I chased for a couple of weeks. Finally I pulled the microwave and found two dead rats up in the wire chase behind it. They were liquid by then, think wiping up Vaseline that doesn’t smell nice by feel, no can see.

RV’n, it’s the adventures that make it worthwhile.