Are you ready for a mechanical breakdown - Page 4

Beau388 · 08-01-2021, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidEM

It is not only DEF injection systems that are necessary for diesel engines to control NOx emissions. Many diesels also have soot filters and more importantly soot incineration systems to capture soot and incinerate it. It is the incineration part that causes problems, maybe not so much as DEF though.

Both are usually required to allow diesels to meet current NOx and particulate emission standards.

I hope that these systems malfunctioning are just teething pains for the diesel engine industry. Hopefully they will solve the glitches and diesels will regain their reliability reputation.

David

DEF is only used in heavily loaded diesels. If the diesel is run at part throttle, the EGR will keep the combustion chamber gases low enough, so the the N2 is not dissociated. Small non-turbocharged diesels usually do not require DEF. VW was able to increase the EGR during full throttle in their 2L TDI diesels to pass CA emission laws (2015) in their light vehicles (under 3,300 lbs). The changes did decrease fuel mileage by 2 mpg at speeds above 88 mph and when accelerating with boost above 16 psi. Around town the fuel mileage actually increased, as the modifications required, did include triple the size of the particulate filter and reprogramming the computer.

JamieGeek · 08-01-2021, 11:32 PM

Just got back from a 3600 mile/2 week trip in our 7 year old Axis with only 20,000 miles on it.

Left on Friday, on Sunday approaching our exit from the interstate system our check engine light comes on. I figure it is likely just the gas cap as that is very common. Get gas and the cap comes right off "yup must have been it". Try a few key cycles to see if it clears...nope. Go into the gas station asking if they have a code reader: nope (huh?).

Since engine was running ok (all gauges continued to read normal and it was producing power just like before and no additional "noises") we continued on but kept an eye out for some place open where we could get some sort of help (dealership, auto parts store, service, etc.).

Our route takes us into the middle of nowhere: two lane roads where you may see another car once an hour or so. Continuing on the engine starts to surge..!?

I start running through the different scenarios in my head (many mentioned at the beginning of this thread: Where will we leave it, where will we stay, will we continue the trip or just punt and drive the car home--we had a TOAD with us).

Finally find an O'Reilly auto parts store open and have them check the codes (they will do that for free). P0171, and P0174 on our V-10. They basically mean its running lean. According to their database potential causes: MAF (mass-air-flow), fuel pump, air filter, etc. Again going with the low hanging fruit we check the air filter (maybe its clogged or something) and the canister containing the air filter had popped open with a good 1/2" gap allowing unmetered air into the system (and any potential bad objects).

Fortunately for us the engine didn't ingest anything and closing up the air cleaner corrected both the lean condition and the surging issues. So after a good 20 minutes of fighting with the air cleaner (those of you with an E350 or E450 know what I'm talking about ! LOL) and a new code reader so I could clear the codes we were on our way (and continued the trip without further engine issues). (I further confirmed that an open air cleaner can, indeed, cause those codes and the symptoms we were having.)

So we got really lucky that our issue was easily fixable but I'm well aware it could have been worse and was working on various options of what we could do based on different scenarios of what could be wrong.

DavidEM · 08-02-2021, 12:05 AM

As a retired chemical engineer I take a bit of exception to the description of what DEF is and what it does. It is mostly urea (which is made from ammonia), a common industrial chemical and is injected into the exhaust stream where it reacts with NOx compounds and converts them to less noxious stuff.

In addition to DEF injection, you usually have a particulate filter which traps soot and other small particles. When the filter gets full it has to go through a regeneration or incineration cycle that burns the carbon particles to CO2. Yes the CO2 is a green house gas but apparently the C particles are worse for your health than the CO2 that is produced when they are burned.

David

GVP-The Boxcar Children · 08-02-2021, 07:17 AM

I carry plenty of hand tools and fuses but no parts, and NEVER go on a trip anywhere without the TOAD. That way I can secure my family and go get help w/o being stranded. If we lose the fridge items, so be it.
Gary

GVP

**EA37TS** · 08-02-2021, 02:57 PM

Well, this time they may have got the repair right. They decided to change the DEF Header.

Now we get to go get our keys and start the RV to allow it and the fridge to cool down for a few hours. Once things are cool we will reload the coach and tomorrow morning resume our travels if we can reclaim our campsite reservation we had changed. If not, we will resume our travels on Wednesday morning.

paulwadley · 08-02-2021, 03:07 PM

Hopefully your troubles will remain behind you with no further issues.

Paul

Bob Denman · 08-02-2021, 03:29 PM

https://www.thorforums.com/forums/at...1&d=1627918163

MJC62 · 08-02-2021, 04:31 PM

On with the Show

dkoldman · 08-02-2021, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulwadley

Hopefully your troubles will remain behind you with no further issues.

Paul

X2

dkoldman · 08-02-2021, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

https://www.thorforums.com/forums/at...1&d=1627918163

How old is that baby now?

Bob Denman · 08-02-2021, 06:16 PM

Medicare age...

**EA37TS** · 08-03-2021, 06:56 PM

For those that might be interested here is the write up from yesterday.

Scan Aug 3, 2021, 2.35 PM 2.pdf

mcr1010 · 08-04-2021, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamieGeek

Just got back from a 3600 mile/2 week trip in our 7 year old Axis with only 20,000 miles on it.

Left on Friday, on Sunday approaching our exit from the interstate system our check engine light comes on. I figure it is likely just the gas cap as that is very common. Get gas and the cap comes right off "yup must have been it". Try a few key cycles to see if it clears...nope. Go into the gas station asking if they have a code reader: nope (huh?).

Since engine was running ok (all gauges continued to read normal and it was producing power just like before and no additional "noises") we continued on but kept an eye out for some place open where we could get some sort of help (dealership, auto parts store, service, etc.).

Our route takes us into the middle of nowhere: two lane roads where you may see another car once an hour or so. Continuing on the engine starts to surge..!?

I start running through the different scenarios in my head (many mentioned at the beginning of this thread: Where will we leave it, where will we stay, will we continue the trip or just punt and drive the car home--we had a TOAD with us).

Finally find an O'Reilly auto parts store open and have them check the codes (they will do that for free). P0171, and P0174 on our V-10. They basically mean its running lean. According to their database potential causes: MAF (mass-air-flow), fuel pump, air filter, etc. Again going with the low hanging fruit we check the air filter (maybe its clogged or something) and the canister containing the air filter had popped open with a good 1/2" gap allowing unmetered air into the system (and any potential bad objects).

Fortunately for us the engine didn't ingest anything and closing up the air cleaner corrected both the lean condition and the surging issues. So after a good 20 minutes of fighting with the air cleaner (those of you with an E350 or E450 know what I'm talking about ! LOL) and a new code reader so I could clear the codes we were on our way (and continued the trip without further engine issues). (I further confirmed that an open air cleaner can, indeed, cause those codes and the symptoms we were having.)

So we got really lucky that our issue was easily fixable but I'm well aware it could have been worse and was working on various options of what we could do based on different scenarios of what could be wrong.

Glad you found the problem Jamie. You are right about the air filter housing as I have done it a few times in 60k+ miles on the old Vegas. I would rather do 5 oil changes than one air filter change.

WearyTraveler · 08-04-2021, 02:10 PM

This thread frightens me! I’m mechanically declined! It’s just me, my toad, and my pup.
If we were to break down, I’d have to decide whether to toad home or find a local hotel. I leave tomorrow for a week at Ft Meade. Short (3hr) drive. I’m planning this winter’s trip to get out of the cold. So far, 30 days near JAX followed by 30 outside New Orleans. I’m still looking for a 30 day stay after NOLA. If anything happens on that trip I can only hope I’m smart and calm enough to get thru it. I’ll certainly ping this forum if, OK - when, I need help.
Thank you all, in advance, for your help!

DavidEM · 08-04-2021, 02:33 PM

WearyTraveler:

Given that you have the well proven Ford V10 chassis I don't think you will have any problems that would be due to the engine/transmission. For the coach the one thing that could make you stay in a campground longer than you would like is a failure of the slides to retract.

Study up in the manual for troubleshooting suggestions and manual slide retraction and you should be fine if this rare problem happens.

99% of the glitches that can occur you should be able to live through without drastic measures.

David

Beau388 · 08-04-2021, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WearyTraveler

This thread frightens me! I’m mechanically declined! It’s just me, my toad, and my pup.
If we were to break down, I’d have to decide whether to toad home or find a local hotel. I leave tomorrow for a week at Ft Meade. Short (3hr) drive. I’m planning this winter’s trip to get out of the cold. So far, 30 days near JAX followed by 30 outside New Orleans. I’m still looking for a 30 day stay after NOLA. If anything happens on that trip I can only hope I’m smart and calm enough to get thru it. I’ll certainly ping this forum if, OK - when, I need help.
Thank you all, in advance, for your help!

One thing I learned in engineering school is you do not have to know everything. You have to smart enough to remember where to find the answer. There are pamphlets that come with each accessory than came with coach. If you can't find them, each manufacture as an array of info on their web site. I spent the first 6 months of owning my RV assembling two binders of info. If the is a problem that the first place I look. There are still things I now how to do that I can not do, like change a 100 lb tire. I do know who to call and carry a spare. You just need to develop a plan to handle every conceivable problem and have a plan of attack. Don't act intermediately unless a life is in danger. Take time to think you actions through completely including the possible ramification. Lastly, RVing is a great enjoyable adventure over all, just don't let the bumps, potholes or closed roads deter you enjoying the trip. A positive mental attitude is your greatest asset.

taylorbob1 · 08-04-2021, 02:57 PM

I wrote on another thread about a mechanical failure I had with the Use/Store solenoid while in the middle of a 5 day boondocking trip.
When that solenoid failed, my 12v system completely shut down. No lights, no fridge, nothing.

My wife immediately said…”let’s drive home”. I told her to just be calm and wait a minute before we ruin our trip.

So, as others have shared above, the first thing is not to panic, and to begin the process of thinking thru the possibilities.
Also, I immediately used the Forum for members to share their thoughts for a fix.
We decided (the Forum & me) that the solenoid contacts corrode over time, thus not allowing the circuit to make a complete connection.

Bottomline, after about an hour, I was able to isolate the problem/failed solenoid.
I then removed the solenoid and “spliced together” the cables so that the 12v circuit was completed without a Use/Store switch.

It saved our trip.

I ordered a new $35 solenoid from Amazon that was waiting at my door when we arrived home.

PS - I did not rant on this Forum about Thor quality. I just fixed the failed component problem myself

**EA37TS** · 08-04-2021, 09:59 PM

After the latest repair we were able to continue with today’s leg being 290 miles. There were no issues.

We will remain here for 2 nights, shortened from the planned 5 and hit the road again on Thursday.

paulwadley · 08-05-2021, 12:09 AM

Hi Dave

Sounds like you are on the road to recovery. Hopefully everything is in the past.

Paul

Jimbo56 · 08-05-2021, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WearyTraveler

This thread frightens me! I’m mechanically declined! It’s just me, my toad, and my pup.
If we were to break down, I’d have to decide whether to toad home or find a local hotel. I leave tomorrow for a week at Ft Meade. Short (3hr) drive. I’m planning this winter’s trip to get out of the cold. So far, 30 days near JAX followed by 30 outside New Orleans. I’m still looking for a 30 day stay after NOLA. If anything happens on that trip I can only hope I’m smart and calm enough to get thru it. I’ll certainly ping this forum if, OK - when, I need help.
Thank you all, in advance, for your help!

I grew up in WV. WTH is Maysville?

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