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Onrecess · 10-22-2021, 06:05 PM

Aug 5th we left for Michigan and a stop at JC for 120 Amish unit. We got home Monday! We goat as far as Columbia SC, where we got stop light/no run. Towed to Cummins. New ECM. Couple of days delay. Took off at 5 Pm, got all the way to Charleston WV, where I dropped the number 6 valve. Got hotel for a couple of nights, while waiting for diagnosis. Wife got sick, afraid it was covid, and didn't want her in hospital 600 miles from home. Rented car and drove straight thru to South FL and hospital. Not covid, thank heaven. After 3 weeks or so, coach was ready, can't find a rental car at any price. Flew to WV.
After that, great trip. Visited family in Michigan until my new appt at JC, got Amish unit. Amish town was fun. On the way home my genny belt started slipping/ no generating. Parked and step (just replaced controller before trip) won't go out. Maybe I pissed off the Monaco gods?

JNSNWT · 10-22-2021, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Onrecess

I dropped the number 6 valve.

I’d like to learn more about what happened that your engine dropped a valve in number six cylinder.

My cat dropped a valve in number six cylinder also and it was totally 100% my fault. We were going downhill a little too fast for my liking so I turned on the exhaust brake before I checked the tachometer. Mr. Allison immediately dropped one maybe two gears which wound the caterpillar up no telling how many RPMs.

$10k for a used motor and $10K to install it later I’d REALLY like to eliminate that auto down shift feature.

RoadTrip2084 · 10-23-2021, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JNSNWT

I’d like to learn more about what happened that your engine dropped a valve in number six cylinder.

My cat dropped a valve in number six cylinder also and it was totally 100% my fault. We were going downhill a little too fast for my liking so I turned on the exhaust brake before I checked the tachometer. Mr. Allison immediately dropped one maybe two gears which wound the caterpillar up no telling how many RPMs.

$10k for a used motor and $10K to install it later I’d REALLY like to eliminate that auto down shift feature.

Ouch! My understanding was that the Allison would never downshift if it would put the engine RPMs over max. Do you know what the tach jumped to when the downshift happened?

Randyman1 · 10-23-2021, 08:11 AM

A few years back I was at a Cummins shop in Coburg, OR and had them go into the computer and eliminated the downshift feature. That was the best money I have ever spent on the coach. When engaging the Jake on long downhill runs I controlled the downshifts manually. I remember coming home from there and was on I90 and there was a long downhill stretch and I was able to turn the Jake on in 6th gear and just coast down the hill not gaining much speed and when it did I just shifted to 5th and it held my speed all the way down. I used to have to turn it on and off as it would downshift to 4th and slow down too much.

Onrecess · 10-24-2021, 10:35 AM

No, mine was the typical egr system bad design that corrodes the #6 valve until it shatters. I said dropped, but it is really shattered. Lots of complaints about 600hp motors, they even stopped making them for motorhomes for that reason. It can, and obviously does, happen on 525HP ISX, just not as often. Cummins makes millions repairing their design flaw. They sell better valves and new heads with decent seats and valves.

JNSNWT · 10-25-2021, 03:23 PM

Thanks for sharing your info.

peterdube · 10-25-2021, 03:42 PM

When the exhaust brake is down shifting, the RPM S are just tooo high for my liking. Just my 2 cents worth. I don't use it much because every time I do it makes me scared. Peter in Maine.

vito.a · 10-25-2021, 03:52 PM

That does sound like quite a trip! I'm sorry to hear about your ISX but glad your wife is okay.
The steps are manufactured by Kwikee. They are on everything from motorhomes to trailers so lots of help out there. They use an electric motor from an automotive power window application so can be repaired inexpensively.
Usually it's a bad connection or they need lubing.

I tried to upload the Kwikee owners manual but it exceeds the web site file size. Send me a private message with your email and I'll send it to you.

Onrecess · 10-26-2021, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vito.a

That does sound like quite a trip! I'm sorry to hear about your ISX but glad your wife is okay.
The steps are manufactured by Kwikee. They are on everything from motorhomes to trailers so lots of help out there. They use an electric motor from an automotive power window application so can be repaired inexpensively.
Usually it's a bad connection or they need lubing.

I tried to upload the Kwikee owners manual but it exceeds the web site file size. Send me a private message with your email and I'll send it to you.

Thank you. I think it is the door switch. There are 2 little silver square ones, right? One is definitely coming apart. Uh oh, the kwickee site shows magnetic switches, so I definitely woul like the manual. Sent PM