"tanks" trip North- 2015

[Keith Morris]

FOR GENERAL INFORMATION OF OUR FORUM MEMBERS -FRIENDS AND ASSOCIATES:-
mY PLANS TO TRAVEL nORTH FOR wINTER AND CONTINUE AROUND aUSTRALIA FOR ANOTHER MAJOR TRIP HAVE CHANGED:

I purchased this Winnebago “Leisure Seeker” motorhome on 23rd December 2014 from Australian Motorhomes, Newcastle NSW and drove the vehicle from Newcastle NSW to Perth WA via Mildura Vic and Strathalbyn SA.

The motor did not use any oil over the 7,000km trip and returned a fuel consumption of average 16-18 litres per 100 km.

I was preparing the motorhome for a trip around Australia and noticed a small amount of white smoke from the exhaust after the engine had been ideling for 5 minutes or so. I also noticed that there was a slight loss of power on hills, and that I had to change down a gear or two to maintain uphill speed depending on the gradient. A friend advised me to have the injectors checked before the big trip North.

I contacted Iveco Perth [Skippers Trucks] and I was informed that it would cost me about $75.00 each to have the four injectors cleaned and checked. *I had just had the twin air horns fitted to the Iveco by Skippere at Belmont.

As I had had previous work done on my Mercedes Sprinter motorhome by UNITED FUEL INJECTION at Redcliffe WA, and as it was convenient, I had their Service Department test and report on the Iveco injectors.

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UNITED INJECTORS found faults with 3 of the injectors and quoted me $2,200.00 to recondition the 4 units.

The work was undertaken and United permitted me to live in the motorhome on their premises with "Russell" for several days while the work was being carried out.

On completion of the work by UNITED, I drove the motorhome [after refueling at Shell Midland near the Swan Hospital] with the intention of returning to Wyalkatchem prior to making the big trip North. When I filled the diesel tank {it holds 100 litres} I reset the trip meter as is my normal practice.

After only driving 92 km the oil warning light came on.

I stoped the motorhome on the side of Toodjay – Goomalling road and checked the oil and observed that the oil level was below the MIN mark on the dipstick.

I had a 10 liter drum of oil which I purchased to do an oil change in Northern Territory, so I used some of this oil to bring the level to MAX on the dipstick. I phoned UNITED and informed them of this problem and decided to continue to Goomalling Caravan Park which was approx 20 km away.

I booked in at the Caravan Park for the night and next dat UNITED arranged for Mr. JOEL CARR of Carrs Automotive to attend me at the caravan park and check the motor. On Joel's inspection the oil level had dropped from MAX to below Min in the 20 km of driving from when I added oil.

Joel added another 3 litres of oil and I drove the motorhome to his workshop, a distance of about 2 km. For a more detail inspection. Joel found that there was a lot of smoke from the breather, and when he removed the oil filler cap he found that the oil was being blown out of the oil filler hole.

After Joel Carr talked with UNITED INJECTOR Service Manager on the phone, and informed them of his findings, I decided to drive to Wyalkatchem and park the motorhome pending further contact with United Injector.

On arriving at my home at Wyalkatchem I checked the oil level again and found that the oil leval was just below the Min mark. [Goomalling to Wyalkatchem is about 55 km distance], I also noted that there was less than half a tank of diesel on the guage. This indicates that the vehicle used about 50 litres to do 170 km. [previous use was 16-18 litres per 100km].

Northam Towing arrived at Wyalkatchem at 09:00 hrs Monday morning [ 10 August 2015] with a large Tilt Tray and loaded the Iveco for the trip to Skippers Trucks in Perth for inspection, quote, and engine re-build. As such; I am grounded for a while pending repairs to the motor before I can get back on-the-road again.
George has taken pictures of the loading operation and Dot may be able to post a few shots on the Forum to add to this posting.

Keith.

[SteveW]

That's bad news! Have you had any strange visitors lately? Mischievous people who might have caused trouble? Sorry, Dot - the devil made me do it!

[BruceS]

Tanks it really sounds like someone sugared your motor? In fuel tank & in oil fill cap?
Pity you can't jack up the body and slide a real truck under it.

[Shirley]

Sad story Tanks, had the MH done many Ks ? Hope you have it all repaired & are able to hit the road again soon.

[dapope]

thats a dam shame, you deserved a better run than that with it..

[Keith Morris]

Sad story Tanks, had the MH done many Ks ? Hope you have it all repaired & are able to hit the road again soon.

Yes --Bad luck here. The Iveco C-50-15 motor only had 141,143 km on the clock, which is not a great distance for an Iveco.

It would appear that United Injectors consider that there may have been a "pre-existing condition" that was the cause of the failure of the engine.
Looking at the immediate previous diesel and oil consumption and the mileage traveled I have difficulty accepting this theory.

There is not a lot I can offer as argument against the "pre-existing" presumption as my mechanical knowledge is lacking. I guess that I may have to take it on the chin and end up with the cost of an engine rebuild and the $880.00 towing fees.

Time will tell as the experts are re-testing the injectors, and Skippers are inspecting the engine for damage before they can quote me for repairs or replacement.
Keith.

[Shirley]

Would you not receive some compensation for the tow from Ken Tame? Or your insurer?
Hope they are able to solve the problem in your favour sounds like it will be expensive.

[T1 Terry]

Hi Keith, have the injector spray pattern and injection pressures tested by an independent injection specialist and have them write full report. The symptoms are typical of bore washing from faulty injectors and the distance travelled for the problems to develop are consistent with this type of problem. Also, have an oil sample tested to determine what contaminants are present and this will reveal the reason for the engine failure.

T1 Terry

[generdawg]

...United Injectors consider that there may have been a "pre-existing condition"...

Don't you get a warranty with vehicles purchased from dealers over $5000, or does that not apply to RV's?

dawg

[Dot]

I heard the Sth African on the ph trying to wriggle out of any guilt, keep pressure on him Tanks and get all the ammo you can.