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hewebb · 08-27-2019, 06:34 AM

While we were driving from Trinidad, CA to Susanville, CA in our 2001 Dutch Star DP, we experienced some engine over heating about 2/3 of the way. On several occasions, I was able to pull over let the engine return to normal and continue for a short distance. After we traversed the hills and started level or downhill I was able to keep the engine temperature normal by driving in 4th gear at 2000 RPM. At Susanville I bought a window fan and placed it in front of the radiator and plugged it in. (It fit between the grill and radiators). I located the closest Freightliner service facility and called them. I was advised that they would get me in the next day for repairs. The next day, Thursday August 15th, I drove to Reno/Sparks NV to the Freightliner facility without incident-temperature remained normal. I arrived there at 10:30 AM. We unloaded some clothes and turned the coach over them. They called later to tell me that they test drove the coach and verified it did in fact overheat. They indicated that they would have to diagnose the unit to determine the problem. I called to get an update and they informed me that we were number four in line for the diagnostic team to get it in and that would happen Tuesday August 20th. I called Tuesday afternoon to get an up-date and learned that we were in the number two spot. They did get it in Wednesday the 21st and called me to give me the information and I gave them the go ahead for the repair. They indicated they had the necessary parts and we could pick up the coach on Friday. Friday came and went and it was not ready. We kept getting revised completion dates that stretched until Friday the 23d. That did not happen but we were told it would be done Saturday around 11:00. We finally checked out of the hotel and headed for the facility. After a couple of delays we were finally told that it would not be ready until Monday, August 26th early morning. We could not get a room where were staying so spent several hours finding a place to stay. Because we travel with Molly, our Border Collie availability of places is limited. We finally got the last non-smoking, pet friendly, room available. Monday morning, August 26th around 8:30 AM they called to say there was another delay. We stayed in the motel room until check out time and drove to the repair facility. To my surprise the work was done. It took about a half hour to get the paperwork done and pay the bill. We drove about 200 miles from Sparks, NV to Tonopah, NV. Twice I had to pull over to let the engine cool down. It got way hotter than normal and I stopped before it over heated. I did not let it get to the warning light and beep. I believe I still have an issue with the cooling fan not working properly. I may continue to the Phoenix area to see if I can find a shop that can actually make the repair.
You cannot imagine all we went through cancelling reservations, loosing deposits, missing seeing friends and family we were scheduled to see. We ended up cancelling our visit to Yosemite in an attempt to get back on schedule, however, the constant delays and missed completion dates has completely destroyed the efforts we made to meet family, who planned a vacation to be with us at the Grand Canyon.
I hope that anyone driving a MH with a Freightliner chassis never needs service in the Reno, NV area.

dwertz · 08-27-2019, 07:08 AM

What did they repair/replace?

luvlabs · 08-27-2019, 07:34 AM

Sounds like you need your radiator cleaned, fan clutch checked, thermostat checked or replaced and the whole cooling system flushed and refilled. If your repairs didn't include that list, then I'm afraid you are going to continue to have problems.

Dav L · 08-27-2019, 09:22 AM

Need some paragraphs to make that all readable.

nathaniel · 08-27-2019, 09:40 AM

You did not say what the diagnosis team found

Barbaraok · 08-27-2019, 10:20 AM

If going to Phoenix, Massey Diesel Truck and RV is the place to go. They will even let you "live" I the coach overnight, they plug you in and then you leave during the day. Also, there is a Cummins Coach Care facility in Phoenix. Both of these are on the west side off of I-10.

beenthere · 08-27-2019, 12:03 PM

if I had overheat I would check the coolant level first. just use water if you didn't prepare with spare. then if keeps up leave the rad cap loose then replace next town. if rad is dirty it always gets low first then overheats. its not like one minute it decides its to dirty. fail thermostat is nuther story but not nearly as common, just gets changed cause of problems.

hewebb · 08-28-2019, 06:21 AM

Dav L
Sorry about the paragraphs. I wrote i in word and when I copy and pasted they went away.

Barbaraok
We have rerouted our trip. I will contact Massey in Phoenix to see what they can do.

nathaniel
The diagnostic team recommended that the cracked coolant tank be replaced.( I had already ordered a new tank and it is waiting for me at the next planned stop) (I did wrap the cracked area with fiberglass in an attempt to keep it going and it was working for several hundred miles) The water pump belt be tightened. The air cleaner be replaced. All of that was done. Fee for diagnostic activities was $300.00. I do not know what all they checked.

On several occasions I told them the cooling fan was not coming on. I even asked them to order another fan control unit as I thought that was probably the issue. They said when we did something (I don't remember the term he used) to check the fan it worked. They did mention checking the fan clutch.

hewebb · 09-10-2019, 10:11 AM

We stopped in Williams AZ to visit the Grand Canyon and ran into a retired commercial truck repairman. He recommended we take the coach to a Volvo shop near Flagstaff.

They spent a few hours checking things and found the radiator was 1/3 plugged with debris. The radiator is out and at a radiator shop to be cleaned. They will also replace the thermostat. We should be back on the road tomorrow evening without a cooling issue.

hewebb · 09-14-2019, 06:36 AM

I am happy to report that Vangard did an excellent Job. We did have to purchase a new radiator as the one in the coach, after cleaning, had some other issues. The work is done and all is well. Vangard did have to correct the coolant tank installation that Velocity did in Sparks. The difference between these two facilities is amazing.

We are very glad to be back on the road with a coach that is working well.

jimmy braden · 09-14-2019, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hewebb

Velocity in Sparks.

maybe contact the person who has replied to these reviews on google.

https://www.google.com/search?q=velo...540d1c6eb566,1,,,

winniman · 09-14-2019, 09:07 AM

It would appear that most of the work required should have been done before you left. Having a 18 year old coach that still has the original rad, hasn't had it cleaned, air filter needed replaced etc. These are the basics you do before you leave on a long trip. Im sorry, you probably don't want to hear this, but this is exactly what people need to hear. You cant expect to travel all over the country in an old rv, that hasn't been maintained properly, and get away with it time and time again. These things have enough trouble it you try to keep up with maintaining them.

AKIQPilot · 09-14-2019, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmy braden

maybe contact the person who has replied to these reviews on google.

https://www.google.com/search?q=velo...540d1c6eb566,1,,,

Wow. Those are some terrible reviews. It seems like the vast majority of people who visit that shop are very unsatisfied.

TeJay · 09-14-2019, 12:00 PM

The shop sounds like the typical shop that really does not diagnose as needed to determine the REAL cause of a failure. They just replace pats until it either gets fixed or not.

Why any shop would do a fix/repair and not check to determine if the work they did actually fixed the issue. Why shops like continue to remain open is a mystery to me.

These type of stories are the rule when they should be the exception.

I taught automotive service technology for 35 years. My students were taught three primary things: Diagnosis, Diagnosis, Diagnosis. Not parts replacing until it worked correctly.