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Dead 1/2 on and 1/2 off of the highway


Vegas Teacher

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Hello All,

It was an eventful weekend.........

We left Vegas for Flagstaff on Friday (Bob tailing) at about 2:15 p.m. for our first trip Me, wife and dog. We got to the other side of the Dam and the truck shut down due to low coolant. I always keep a few gallons with me no big deal, added it and off we went. Drove down to Flagstaff and checked in at Black Barts RV park - 100 foot pull through it was great with room to spare, wonderful people. We got there late and they had everything we needed on the office door up front. I got up early and went to the marathon, we did not get back to the campground until a little after noon. I checked in and paid then at the desk. They were great, no hassles and friendly people. 

Sunday..................

So we got on the road early so we could get home and enjoy the day in Vegas (or so we thought)

I am cruising right a long we make it to Kingman AZ, go to Loves and grab some gas. Picked up this really nice cell phone holder / charger that fits into the 12v outlet. I used the one above the drivers seat next to my C.B. microphone holder. I also bought a C.D. of old country truck songs called 40 miles of bad road - it has phantom 309 on it. Eat a banana, pet the dog and away we go. So now we are headed back to Vegas, it is about 9:15 and we should be home by 11:30 or close to it. I live on the Northwest side of Vegas up by the Clark County Gun Range which just happens to be HDT friendly. Wife is saying how much she likes the Semi and how nice it is to travel in...........

About 4 miles away from the Hoover Dam (Lake Meade) I hear air rushing out of something, my stop light comes on, on the dash board and it shuts the truck down, brakes pop on and I am trying to get the truck off of the road. I am 1/2 on 1/2 off of highway 93 I am panicked at this point and the only load I am ready to drop is probably going in my underwear. After 15 other truckers passing me and honking a guy in a Peterbilt pulls over and pulls me off of the road, fully onto the shoulder. We get the hazards all set up and we are at least safe now. 2 hours later a towing service shows up, and the guy mostly cusses the fact it is a Volvo and that is has an Ishift transmission in it, supposedly this makes it more difficult for him. He is really nice to me and friendly but is not a fan of the Volvo semi - tells me of others that are much easier to deal with. After about an hour or more of work he gets me in his cab and shows me his Eaton Fuller transmission, I explain my wife wanted an automatic so she could drive it. $350.00 and 8 miles later we are at the Rail Road Pass Casino just outside of Boulder City / Henderson Nevada. My wife called a mobile repair guy and he is on his way to get us. On a side note we traveled with friends so in the mean time they took her and the puppy up to Rail Road pass to wait on me, when the tow truck showed up. So it is now 3:30 p.m. The wrecker drops me off and I send my wife home to get the dog home and for her to shower - it was hot and we were both starting to smell, pretty sweaty. Around 5:30 mobile repair shows up, I pop the hood and start the engine in a matter of two seconds he tells me to turn it off and knows what the problem is.

Schrader Valve is missing. It popped off and my air pressure was gone in a heart beat. He did not cuss the Volvo he patched it and I got home. I have to go to Volvo today to get the correct valve after school is over and after I pick my dogs other two dogs up from boarding. Puppy (1 year old) goes with us the older dogs got boarded this trip. Wife returned with our Tundra to the casino. I also found out there is a hole in the inner cooler - looks to be a $1200.00 repair. 

I have been driving my semi now since March going on short runs here and there - 100 mile round trip runs Pahrump NV and  back, Indian Springs and back and my confidence was really building. I was almost home when this happened and now I am almost scared to drive it. When the Volvo shut down, it shut down. I was told I could have received a $3000.00 for lane obstruction and if an accident would have happened because of me I would have been held liable for that also. In some ways I am scared to drive it now, who says I won't be stranded on the road side out of commission again? Also I am planning on going to the W.C.R. in Caldwell then to Michigan and finally to Kansas to see my family. Last but not least back to Vegas and through the mountains of Colorado along I -70 pulling my 6500 lb bumper tow 23.5 foot Fleetwood Pioneer. I am just nervous to get behind the wheel. The last thing that happened last night is when I got to Cheyenne and 95 I got the transmission pressure low again while at the intersection stop light  and the stop sign on the dash board. I was only 3 miles from where I stored the semi. I pulled into a gas station and left the semi running. I got out opened the hood and the patch work was still in place but air was coming out of it. I got back in, put it in Neutral and brought my RPM's up to 1500 the pressure built up. The warning went away the stop sign went away and I got back on the road. Each stop light I encountered from there on I put the truck into neutral and brought up the RPM's and prayed for a miracle. I got the Semi into storage, wife picked me up, and got home about 8:30 p.m. Oh the mobile mechanic was 125.00 to come out, 125.00 per hour and 40.00 for parts - 250.00 later I was back on the road.

I have National General insurance - Christine Yust was my ensurer - I think that is her name she is in T.X. I know others have mentioned her name on the forum - does anybody have her phone number? I need to talk about getting my paper work turned in for the towing.

Later,

Cory O

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Cory,

A good story to tell in the future when YOU give advice to people new to the HDT world.  Does not help with the emotional turmoil now, though. :(

You need to go over ALL your systems with a fine tooth comb. Things that "seem" to be a problem are - if you have a symptom you need to pursue it to the resolution. For example - how did you need that much coolant? And WHERE is the coolant going? Have you done an oil analysis? Speedco can do that for you. Your pre-trip inspection should have indicated that you were low on coolant. You MUST do pre-trip inspections. This is not a car. 

You also need to ensure you have GOOD towing service available to you. Generally, the towing that comes with your policy is not such a beast. Look at Good Sam and Coachnet - although ALL the towing services can have issues. There is no golden bullet on towing, it seems. 

You also need to find your air leaks....If it leaks down to warning in less than four hours you REALLY need to find them. Or eventually it will bite you. 

Don't let this set you back. Do the work to get a more reliable truck, do pre-trips, carry some spare air line parts, and some basic tools. You don't have to be a mechanic. Just some basic debugging logic....and I know you can do that. Keep doing what you have been - shorter trips to build up confidence in the truck. 

Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member
Living on the road since 2000

PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail
2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it)
2022 New Horizons 43' 5er
2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 
2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU
No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units
2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar power
www.jackdanmayer.com
Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com

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I purchased Coach-Net for my towing. I have found that insurance companies don't usually man the phones after hours. Coach-Net has 24 hour service. Don't let this stuff scare you. Ever notice how many trucks are on the side of the road with their hoods open? Don't be afraid to call highway patrol to block traffic in cases like this. They would much rather block traffic than work an accident. Most of us have had all the auto shut downs turned off, then we won't be left stranded in traffic. Just about any repair you do will be a one time repair. We really liked Black Bart's. You missed the good food at the resturaunt. Now get that Schroeder valve fixed. 

Ron C.

2013 Dynamax Trilogy 3850 D3

2000 Kenworth T2000 Optimus Prime

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All the advice re: towing services are for naught, when a 50 cent part would have you on the road in minutes. This is bare-knuckle, roadside triage. If you don't have shade-tree mechanicing in your family tree, it's time to learn. That glycol didn't evaporate, and the air brakes didn't instantly apply. The Low Air alarm will be on before the knob pops out. Listen to it. The amount of time it sings to you, before the brakes auto-apply depends on the size of the leak, but the Schraeder valve screws into a 1/8" pipe thread. If you didn't get a low air alarm before brakes came on, add that to your list.

I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 

2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication
2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet
2007 32.5' Fleetwood Quantum


Please e-mail us here.

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Corey,

Your truck is like the bully on the playground. It's big, mean looking and intimidating. We have all been there. What now seems like mountains will be just bumps in the road as your experience and confidence grow so don't get discouraged. Jack is dead on. Do a pretrip and a lot of these problems will become apparent.   BTW was it the Schroeder on the air governor?

2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift

Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding"

2017 DRV 39DBRS3

2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty"

 

"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!"

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Cory    I have some good news for you.  You said in a previous post that you were not a mechanic.  Well the good news is that after you have a HDT for a while you will be.

Having an air leak that you can actually hear that will shut you down that fast is a good thing. Something like a schrader valve missing is an easy find and fix..

As you have already leaned it is important to be in neutral before you are out of air.

The learning curve is steep but you will be fine.

You will learn the systems and become very comfortable with your truck.

 

2004 Volvo 630, Freedomline, Rear view camera, Max Brake, Jackalopee, 38 ft 4 horse LQ Platinum, 40ft Jayco Talon toy hauler

Http:/www.flickr.com/photos/shallow_draft/

Https://flic.kr/p/fqhyAN

 

You are not lost if you don't care where you are!!

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7 minutes ago, Shallow Draft said:

 

 

7 minutes ago, Shallow Draft said:

Cory    I have some good news for you.  You said in a previous post that you were not a mechanic.  Well the good news is that after you have a HDT for a while you will be.

Having an air leak that you can actually hear that will shut you down that fast is a good thing. Something like a schrader valve missing is an easy find and fix..

As you have already leaned it is important to be in neutral before you are out of air.

The learning curve is steep but you will be fine.

You will learn the systems and become very comfortable with your truck.

 

Thanks to all of you and yes you are all right! I really want to learn and yes it is a big bully (I really liked that analogy) but I am not sure where to start. It does not help that my heritage is Italian. We tend to blow up and get loud, my temper and nerves get the best of me at times, then I start to panic. That is not good. When I get up to the rally can somebody walk me through some of the more simple things? Plus it seems like each repair is over 1000.00 and I just can't afford spend 8 man hours at 125.00 an hour right now.

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3 minutes ago, Vegas Teacher said:

 

Thanks to all of you and yes you are all right! I really want to learn and yes it is a big bully (I really liked that analogy) but I am not sure where to start. It does not help that my heritage is Italian. We tend to blow up and get loud, my temper and nerves get the best of me at times, then I start to panic. That is not good. When I get up to the rally can somebody walk me through some of the more simple things? Plus it seems like each repair is over 1000.00 and I just can't afford spend 8 man hours at 125.00 an hour right now.

One place to start is an air brake course. I didn't have a clue about this system and taking the air brake course gave me a better understanding of the air system. Also as time goes on you will collect a parts supply to fix the little things that a shop would have you sell a kidney for..   Get some air line and fitting for repairs and a small vice grip to seal a line if you have to. Also a cage bolt.

2004 Volvo 630, Freedomline, Rear view camera, Max Brake, Jackalopee, 38 ft 4 horse LQ Platinum, 40ft Jayco Talon toy hauler

Http:/www.flickr.com/photos/shallow_draft/

Https://flic.kr/p/fqhyAN

 

You are not lost if you don't care where you are!!

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1 hour ago, SuiteSuccess said:

Corey,

Your truck is like the bully on the playground. It's big, mean looking and intimidating. We have all been there. What now seems like mountains will be just bumps in the road as your experience and confidence grow so don't get discouraged. Jack is dead on. Do a pretrip and a lot of these problems will become apparent.   BTW was it the Schroeder on the air governor?

Corey,

I would be interested also in knowing where this Schroeder valve is located. Please keep us informed.

Al

 

Carl,

What is the name of the tool that helps to find air leaks ? My brain has gone blank trying to think of the brand name of that tool.

2012 Volvo VNL 630 w/ I-Shift; D13 engine; " Veeger "
  Redwood, model 3401R ; 5th Wheel Trailer, " Dead Wood "
    2006 Smart Car " Killer Frog "
 

 

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I am not Carl  but the leak detector is: INFICON Whisper.

They work really great. I used mine to pinpoint an air leak in between the bellows of the air bag on a Ttail-Air Centerpoint suspension.

 

ShortyO

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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9 minutes ago, alan0043 said:

Corey,

I would be interested also in knowing where this Schroeder valve is located. Please keep us informed.

Al

 

Carl,

What is the name of the tool that helps to find air leaks ? My brain has gone blank trying to think of the brand name of that tool.

Inficon Whisper

https://www.amazon.com/Inficon-711-202-G1-Whisper-Ultrasonic-Detector/dp/B000TRJA8M/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1495474692&sr=8-4&keywords=inficon+leak+detector

2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift

Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding"

2017 DRV 39DBRS3

2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty"

 

"Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!"

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Hi Guys,

Thank you for the replies. I have a need for one of those slick tools myself.

Al

2012 Volvo VNL 630 w/ I-Shift; D13 engine; " Veeger "
  Redwood, model 3401R ; 5th Wheel Trailer, " Dead Wood "
    2006 Smart Car " Killer Frog "
 

 

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Cory,

A lot of folks have given you some very wise information here.  Forgive me, but it seems like I heard you being told most of it before.......B)

I will repeat again to you, the best thing you could do is to start by enrolling in a   CDL course, as soon as you start your summer break.

Even if you only obtain the Non-Commercial Class A, they will teach you all the basics of how the fundamental systems of your truck work.

Watching you struggle along with this, is like it would be for you to watch someone buy the biggest chemistry set available, with no chemistry background and no instructions, just pouring a bunch of chemicals into a beaker wondering what might happen.

Granted, there are a lot of people on this forum who self taught after buying a truck.  I would bet the majority made a lot of expensive mistakes along that path.  It would not be wise to set your path, based on that, especially since you  are the first to point out your lack of mechanical insight.

Let's try and keep the surprises limited to Birthdays and Christmas........

John

Southern Nevada

2008 Volvo 780, D13, I-Shift

2017 Keystone Fuzion 420 Toyhauler 

2017 Can-Am Maverick X3-RS

 

ALAKAZARCACODEFLGAHIIDILINIAKSKYLAMAMNMS
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If you want to understand some of the things I think you should look at and do on a new-to-you truck they are on my website. They will vary some based on the characteristics of specific trucks, but they should all be at least considered. Ignore spending time closely looking over your truck at your own peril. :)

 

Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member
Living on the road since 2000

PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail
2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it)
2022 New Horizons 43' 5er
2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 
2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU
No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units
2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar power
www.jackdanmayer.com
Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com

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8 minutes ago, GeorgiaHybrid said:

With all the hot air the governor of Nevada has, it's no wonder he popped his Schrader valve

Amen to that GH.....

I believe it is the one on the governor.

John

Southern Nevada

2008 Volvo 780, D13, I-Shift

2017 Keystone Fuzion 420 Toyhauler 

2017 Can-Am Maverick X3-RS

 

ALAKAZARCACODEFLGAHIIDILINIAKSKYLAMAMNMS
event.png

 

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Cory, one thing to do is break things down to 'smaller' components. Try just concentrating on the air system. Fix everything you even think is wrong. After that, work on the cooling system. After that, electrical, then lights, then......Well, I think you get my idea. Don't let the whole picture overwhelm you. Little by little and bit by bit you can and will win the war!!

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Honestly working on any vehicle with a proper Maintenance manual and basic tools is not hard!  I would recommend that everyone buys a vehicle specific manual from their manufacture if it's possible!

 

They usually have a troubleshooting tree and step by step instructions!  Read one chapter at a time 3-5 times back to back about the systems and their functions and this stuff will no longer intimidate you!

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2 hours ago, VegasFlyer said:

 I would bet the majority made a lot of expensive mistakes along that path.

You peeked.  Or perhaps saw it on Facebook.......

Cory, just step back and read each bit of advice posted above.  Then take said advice.  It ain't rocket science.  These trucks are made of a lot of fairly simple systems, with a few tougher ones thrown in for fun.

Your roadside repair was largely self inflicted, because a Jack pointed out, you didn't do a pre-trip. As you learn your truck, your inspections will become second nature, and much quicker.  A simple walk around can catch most potential issues. But never do something like just adding coolant without learning WHY it need to be topped off.  Same way with hearing air leaks, or seeing a drip under the truck.  When you park, try to stop on a clean spot of pavement.  Next time you approach the truck, be looking under it to detect any new wet spots.  Before long, it will become habit.

KW T-680, POPEMOBILE
Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN
Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row
Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer.
contact me at rickeieio1@comcast.net

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4 hours ago, VegasFlyer said:

Cory,

A lot of folks have given you some very wise information here.  Forgive me, but it seems like I heard you being told most of it before.......B)

I will repeat again to you, the best thing you could do is to start by enrolling in a   CDL course, as soon as you start your summer break.

Even if you only obtain the Non-Commercial Class A, they will teach you all the basics of how the fundamental systems of your truck work.

Watching you struggle along with this, is like it would be for you to watch someone buy the biggest chemistry set available, with no chemistry background and no instructions, just pouring a bunch of chemicals into a beaker wondering what might happen.

Granted, there are a lot of people on this forum who self taught after buying a truck.  I would bet the majority made a lot of expensive mistakes along that path.  It would not be wise to set your path, based on that, especially since you  are the first to point out your lack of mechanical insight.

Let's try and keep the surprises limited to Birthdays and Christmas........

We get out of school on June the 9th the WCR is on June 15th not much time:angry:

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Better bet than the $$$ on a CDL course, is lay your hands on the machine. Talk to it, rub it's chin. You've got yourself into this, and now it's time make it work. Convince your wife to join you. At best, she's got grease under her nails already. At worst, you get some quiet time to contemplate the harshness of life. If you think repairs are expensive, try paying someone to do them for you. All you need to remember is, "Righty-tighty, Lefty-loosey". These are not complicated machines, and since you bought one that's the same as every other one (almost) here, you can bet that every problem you ever have has already been solved several times over. You need to wrap your head around some basic troubleshooting techniques. Instead of sitting on the side of the road, sweating, get out look for obvious faults. Then fix them. Anyone who wants to curse, under his breath or above, about any of my equipment WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO TOUCH IT. You're not going to get his best game, and at worst, you may end up on the hook for damage you miss him causing. 

 

First, figure out where the glycol is going. EGR, anyone? Next, confirm the need for intercooler replacement. That's a hefty bill that's best avoided, if possible. Do you have a boost gauge on the dash? What's it reading when you stand on the throttle? Even bobtail, you should see a boost climb. Do you have black smoke rolling out the pipe, along with low power?

 

We can get you through this, if you're strong enough emotionally, and physically.

I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 

2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication
2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet
2007 32.5' Fleetwood Quantum


Please e-mail us here.

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