We've had to do some unplanned maintenance on Roachie this year. On the way home from our first camping trip a fuel line cracked and was pumping out a bunch of fuel. Replacing it was quite an adventure in that cramped engine compartment and required the removal of the turbocharger and also a massive squirrel nest in the engine valley. I took out the better part of a 5 gallon bucket worth of fuel soaked grass and peanut shells. That squirrel has to be pretty bummed.
When putting the turbo back in I saw that the donut seals in the up pipes (exhaust pipes running from the exhaust manifolds up to the turbo inlet) were leaking, which is common on this engine. The leaky pipes were replaced with an aftermarket "bellows" set that seals nicely and now I can hear the turbo whistle and the engine seems to be quieter and more peppy.
Since we've had the bus we've felt a vibration between 30 to 40 mph. I dealt with it by not driving at those speeds if I could help it.
A previous shop replaced front end ball joints and two tie rod ends but the problem remained. This year the vibration got worse so I had the drive shaft universal joints and center bearing replaced. Now it drives silky smooth.
Even with most of the front end replaced it felt like the front wheels were "hunting" on some surfaces, particularly on the new concrete roads with anti-hydroplaning cuts. I had the last tie rod end replaced when the U-joints were being done and finally the steering feels stable.
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Finally, last year the ABS warning light came on but I ignored it. On our latest trip the red brake warning light also came on. I couldn't find any leaks and the fluid level didn't change so we got home just fine, but I took it into Ford and they found one of the wheel speed sensors had failed.
I'm running out of things to repair on this beast.
We also did some work up at the family camp. The old shelter was getting a bit rickety so we built a new one.
The out house had been in place for about 10 years and was getting pretty full. We considered digging a new hole and moving the outhouse but ultimately decided to dig out the original pit. We were expecting a smelly mess but what we dug out was completely odorless and looked more like dirt than dung. It was a crappy job but someone had to do it.
On our last trip the kids got bored and decided to give us all a spa day. Here is my little niece Charlotte giving me a new doo and later a shampoo/facial which I desperately needed after a long, sweaty 4th of July weekend. Am I stylin' or what?
Here's Charlotte again with campfire ash on her face doing the zombie thing.
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