Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

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Topic: How many of us are there? Owners of Dodge based RV's?

Posted By: Jer&Ger on 06/21/12 06:27pm

Sorry for getting back to you so late Treeseeker, but your idea is right. I have used that trick in the reverse to install bearing by putting the bearing in the freezer for about an hr. and heating whatever it's going into with a torch. It drops right in (make sure it's straight)with no problem & it is in there forever. If you happen to have excess to liquid nitrogen that would work even faster.

Jerry & Gerry, our pets (dogs), Byron, Coco
1976 Monaco, 440 ci. Dodge Sportsman chassis

Posted By: TreeSeeker on 06/22/12 09:37am

fireystorm wrote:

Just got through testing the coolant temperature sensor/sender. That was quite the pain to work the connector off to test the unit. Definitely bit the dust. After the engine cools down in the morning I'll be trying to remove it without pulling the alternator.

You are still assuming the problem is the sensor. It could be the gauge, the wiring or the connections of the wiring. I would test the easy stuff first.

You can still test the sender before you remove it--in fact that is the best way. Measure the resistance to ground while the engine is cold, then warm it up and test again.

You can also test the wiring. Measure the resistance from end to end. If the resistance is infinite then there is either a bad connection or splice, or the wire is broken or corroded. Or there is a blown fuse.

The problem could also be the gauge. Put 12v across the terminals and see if the needle moves.

Posted By: fierystorm on 06/22/12 01:13pm

Hey Treeseeker,

Yep, I checked out the wiring and the gauge before the sensor. Wiring is good all the way through and the gauge responds fine (although my gauge can only handle 5v, not the full 12v). So it's definitely the sensor. My plan to swap it out today is bust though due to the nice heavy rain I'm currently getting in my area of Washington State. Hopefully it will be just today, but the way the forecast is looking I doubt it.

~Fiery
Aka Mike

Posted By: rehoppe on 06/22/12 02:48pm

fierystorm wrote:

Could ya send us some of that rain PLEASE. We're burning up down here in Colo..literally.

I'm having trouble getting into the mood to even select a trip. There's a severe drought going on here. Texas, Calif,, Nevada and N Mex. better be saving water, cause there's not much to send them left up here.

Take a look at our stream flows. Rafting season is going to be short or non-existant this year.

Colorado Streamflow Clicky

Hoppe
2011 Dodge 1500 C'boy Caddy
2000 Jayco C 28' Ford chassis w V-10 E450
Doghouse 36' or so Trophy Classic TT

Posted By: fierystorm on 06/25/12 10:30am

Hey Rehoppe. I wish I could send some to Colorado right now too with the way that wildland fire is moving... Right now we get rain from October through June apparently, and who knows what the weather will be like with this new tropical storm starting. Normally when that happens we get cool temps and rain. If this keeps up it is going to feel like year-round winter. I think we know where all of your rain went...

As to my gauge... okay, now I'm really confused... I managed to get the coolant temperature sensor off without pulling the alternator (still don't know how I managed that one but I did it). Got everything put back together and it looks good. Started up my rig. At first, no joy, then the needle on my Temp gauge starts to move upwards very slowly. I think to myself 'Finally!' [emoticon]

Then the needle drops back down all the way to the bottom of the gauge and stops registering. Seriously!? [emoticon]

So now I'm thoroughly confused. I rechecked my wiring, I've a good ground, continuity, etc. But every time I start up my rig once it has cooled down and let it warm back up, it works for a little bit and then drops down again. I'm really lost. [emoticon]

Posted By: TreeSeeker on 06/25/12 10:55am

fireystorm wrote:

It could be that a connection is breaking when it becomes warm. Did you check the continuity when warm?

Have you tried watching the voltage to the gauge while the engine is warming? If the voltage is varying and doesn't drop, then perhaps it is the gauge. I suppose it could be the voltage regulator (for the gauges) but then all the gauges would be affected.

Posted By: Griff in Fairbanks on 06/25/12 11:08am

fierystorm wrote:

Then the needle drops back down all the way to the bottom of the gauge and stops registering. Seriously!? [emoticon]

Flush and "burp" your coolant system -- you may have an air bubble that expands when the engine gets hot, causing the sensor to lose contact with the coolant.

1970 Explorer Class A on a 1969 Dodge M300 chassis with 318 cu. in. (split year)
1972 Executive Class A on a Dodge M375 chassis with 413 cu. in.
1973 Explorer Class A on a Dodge RM350 (R4) chassis with 318 engine & tranny from 1970 Explorer Class A

Posted By: rehoppe on 06/25/12 03:46pm

Just out of curiousity, check your engine to frame ground. A pair of battery jumper cables will do fine. Clip one end to the alternator bracket and the other to the frame.

It kinda sounds like a ground strap is almost not connected. And when it gets hot, it becomes an open. Just a passing thought.

Posted By: goreds2 on 07/11/12 04:17am

Look at this beauty> Looks like it came off the show room floor!

1977 Georgie Boy

See Picture In My Profile
I have a 1989 Dodge XPLORER RV Class B - Purchased 10/15/10 IN CASH
Fiance' purchased a Class C 2002 Dynamax Carri-go on 5/1/15 IN CASH
We've got the best of both worlds

Posted By: JoninFountain on 07/16/12 04:55pm

Hi all. New owner here of a 78 Dodge Brougham Sportsman. got it in ok condition. Interior was nice with all of the seat/cushion/overhead fabric. carpet and ceiling will need some overhaul in the coming years though.

Roof had some leaks which I promptly took care of via silicone for the time being. Electric/LP Fridge was inop. Pulled it and put in a small electric for now til I can find the right replacement at a decent price or maybe parts to repair it. Stove, oven, water heater, furnace run awesome. Doghouse insulation was all gone, noisy and hot as heck up in the cab. Fixed that with high temp adhesive and quality insulation. Still need to get the firewall and undercarriage with some of that.

It had no major mechanical issues aside from the driver side front hub is tending to rub after warming up. Its a warping issue, but I am unable to pinpoint the problem. I changed the wheel bearings. Its not the rotor, and its not the outer hub. I cant tell if its inside the hub or the spindle. I need to check the caliper piston too as that may be freezing up.

And this last weekend I had a overheating issue and the overflow tank duct tape stopped working [emoticon]

Gonna check the water pump and change the thermostat for good measure when I replace it and see whats what.

I was amazed at this awesome thread and the general knowledge contained here-in. I hope to be a helpful member in time.

Here are a few pics.

[image]

78 Dodge Brougham Sportsman. MB400. 360 2bl.

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