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Mbrgr1 · 04-06-2019, 07:57 PM

Retiring in 10months and have brought on board my escape vehicle. 2003 PA 35G, 8.1 WH Allison 5spd. 68k miles, Southwest vehicle, no frame or chassis rust, all recalls done, a little paint fade, but overall in good shape. My first project is the cracked engine cover that from an old school RV guy seems pretty silly. A nice big access cover solidly glued to the floor, with a tiny access hole that seems useless for any real maintenance. The cover was also cracked and wobbly from years of service and the only remedy was complete removal and repair.

My repair has begun and I will definitely make the access much easier.

Here are some pics of the fiberglass repair.

Has anyone else had to deal with this issue? Overall, this is a great chassis!

Thanks.

edgray · 04-07-2019, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mbrgr1

Retiring in 10months and have brought on board my escape vehicle. 2003 PA 35G, 8.1 WH Allison 5spd. 68k miles, Southwest vehicle, no frame or chassis rust, all recalls done, a little paint fade, but overall in good shape. My first project is the cracked engine cover that from an old school RV guy seems pretty silly. A nice big access cover solidly glued to the floor, with a tiny access hole that seems useless for any real maintenance. The cover was also cracked and wobbly from years of service and the only remedy was complete removal and repair.

My repair has begun and I will definitely make the access much easier.

Here are some pics of the fiberglass repair.

Has anyone else had to deal with this issue? Overall, this is a great chassis!

Thanks.

WELCOME to iRV2 and the Workhorse forum in particular. You'll likely find lots of advice and opinions here about the chassis.
FYI, the "doghouse" you are repairing is a Fleetwood design and build, and was not provided as part of the chassis from WCC.
Congrats on your pending "escape".

Craig36 · 04-07-2019, 10:24 AM

Before you spend a lot of time trying to fix another person's work, you might want to consider just buying another used (unmolested) dog house from one of the many RV salvage yards. Just Google RV salvage yards. Almost all will ship and take credit cards.

BTW, had a 2003 PA. Great coach!

zorro2kita · 04-07-2019, 12:26 PM

Ours also cracked - simple fix for us was to cut out a 3/4" piece of plywood to cover the cracked fiberglass cover - I could then stand on this cover without fear of breaking again -- really need that area strong as getting out from the drivers seat is crucial to using the doghouse cover -- hope that helps --

Mbrgr1 · 04-07-2019, 03:24 PM

[QUOTE=Craig36;4714898]Before you spend a lot of time trying to fix another person's work, you might want to consider just buying another used (unmolested) dog house from one of the many RV salvage yards. Just Google RV salvage yards. Almost all will ship and take credit cards.

Thanks, it was a poor design from the start, so rather than buying another one, I have strengthened this one to the point it should not break again, I'll also be able to remove it much easier next time I want to fiddle with the engine.

Thanks all!

Arch Hoagland · 04-07-2019, 10:22 PM

Welcome aboard!

Do you have the maintenance records?

The Allison 1000 transmission for that year came with Dexron iii that was supposed to be replaced every two years or 25,000.

I'd suggest changing to Transynd transmission fluid.

I also strongly suggest cleaning the MAF.

Mbrgr1 · 04-09-2019, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arch Hoagland

Welcome aboard!

Do you have the maintenance records?

The Allison 1000 transmission for that year came with Dexron iii that was supposed to be replaced every two years or 25,000.

I'd suggest changing to Transynd transmission fluid.

I also strongly suggest cleaning the MAF.

Thanks, some maintenance records, a lot of the basics have been done in the 68k miles, rotors, brakes and all recalls, transmission fluid it clear and clean and the right color as is the engine oil. Being a southwest rig, it is clean and not rusted in the undercarriage, exhaust all clean.

We use Transynd in our city buses, pretty pricey but will transition at some point. Generator hours are 178, it runs like a top.

Engine looks clean, may have original spark plug wires, but no burning or heat problems. A steering stabilizer was added, tires are a few years old but looking good.

I'll check the MAF when I get to the air filter, I don't know why they did not just go right over the radiator and save 6ft of tubing on the intake!

Thanks for all the help.