Dory transit a new start.

[Brewerbob]

Originally Posted by joeblack5

Thanks folks. ...

You're posting here so you have internet access. You can't look up the service manual for your bus online? Cars get pretty fancy with their requirements hence why there are so many choices on the shelf.

The Blue Bird manual calls out damn near 57 different fluids, all being considered acceptable. They list 10W40 oil as possible transmission fluid even. The manual comes with a note:

Put only brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir and power steering fluid in the power steering system. Failure to use proper fluids could result in loss of braking or steering.

Another note it mentions: Crank engine several revolutions. (Do not
start engine.) Check pump reservoir and
refill if necessary.

Which contradicts another section: Note: Start the engine and let it idle for 5 seconds repeatedly until the fluid level remains stable. This will purge air from the system.

Approved Hydraulic Fluids
! Automatic Transmission Fluid Dextron II
! Automatic Transmission Fluid Type "E" or "F"
! Chevron 10W-40 Motor Oil
! Chevron Custom 10W-40 Motor Oil
! Chevron Torque 5 Fluid
! Exxon Nuto H32 Hydraulic Fluid
! Fleetrite PSF (Can #990625C2)
! Ford Spec M2C138CJ
! Mack EO-K2 Engine Oil
! Mobil ATf 210
! Mobil Super 10W-40 Motor Oil
! Premium Blue 2000 – SAE 15W-40
! Texaco 10W-40 Motor Oil
! Texaco TL-1833 Power Steering Fluid
! Union 10W-40 Motor Oil
! Union 15W-40 Motor Oil
! Unocal Guardol 15W-40 Motor Oil

I'm going to be fairly bored today. Give me whatever you know about your bus (make, model, year, any part numbers you have for the steering pump, etc.) and I'll see what I can find.

[cadillackid]

1500 lbs pressure is only on the supply side of the Power steering system, and that side will have hydraulic hoses.. the return side is usually very low pressure... after all the concept of pressure in the first place is that the flow is restricted enough that the pump can put force on the fluid.. so the return side is natrually much lower pressure.. thus why the return line is often standard rubber hose with hose clamps..
-Christopher

[joeblack5]

I have a parts manual from Thomas. Of course all proprietary numbers. So no use The bus is not supported anymore by Thomas freightliner.
It is a 2004 Daimler Thomas freightliner slf232 . it has Mercedes 6.2 liter diesel mbe906la. 300hp.
Hydraulic pump and air compressor are integrated with the engine.

Looks like the steering pump is a zf

Don,t worry. i knew this bus was a difficult one to keep on the road. But we are still running. This bus has a long history for us.

Later j

Later

[Brewerbob]

Still looking...


https://bus-manuals.jimdofree.com/freightliner/

[Brewerbob]

I'm getting a bunch of pages I can't open.

https://download.apasnet.org/thomas-slf200-manual.html

[joeblack5]

Thanks BB. I will keep monitoring and see if we can track SP without to much wrenching. One more day of work here in Piedmont .

Later j

[joeblack5]

Finally, Eguipment installed and now back on the road. We will continue I85 to Atlanta and then a I20 to Dallas. Currently taking a nap at the Georgia welcome center.

Later j

[joeblack5]

We overnighted at a wally west of Atlanta. It was pretty cold and I got scolded by the family that I did not turn the heat on. That was of course after Smita cooked a very nice dinner using both inverters and both induction stoves. ( while I was napping ) . I woke up because the low battery alarm on the inverter started beeping. The engine was still warm and the bus started fine. Anyhow after some idling and driving I decided not to turn on the overnight heat.

Spend some nice time at the Alabama border in the visitor center and outside with Rosie. Later at the bass pro having fun at the shooting games. Smita cooked while we were driving so plenty of juice.
Now we are a wally / Lowe's just inside Mississippi. Bought some parts to see if I can get the water pump/ tank hooked up. Heat is on all is good.

Later johan

[Native]

Drive safe and be careful. There is a forecast of rain and colder temperatures (all above freezing) in the Dallas/Fort Worth area all day tomorrow (Friday the 11th).

[joeblack5]

Thanks native. We are not traveling that fast. Hanging now 50 miles east of Dallas. If I feel brave I will try to get up at 1 in the morning and get beyond fort worth during the night.

Later j

[Native]

It has passed ... just cold with a bit of a wind-chill. You should be good to go

[plfking]

Originally Posted by joeblack5

If I feel brave I will try to get up at 1 in the morning and get beyond fort worth during the night.

Later j

Just curious J....does your wife ever drive, or is it all on you?

[joeblack5]

Just woke up and am contemplating to wait another couple of hour for the bars to close in the Dallas / Fort Worth area.
No Smita does not take the wheel. In demanding situations she is helping out with maps and directions. Also with the kids, they are 6 and 12 enough conflict that needs regular attention.

Later j

[joeblack5]

Departure from State College

[joeblack5]

Hmmm. It seemed to work from my phone. Maybe beginners luck. These are images I should have posted previously if I would have taken the time to find out how.
Here some from natural bridges

[Brewerbob]

Originally Posted by joeblack5

Also with the kids, they are 6 and 12 enough conflict that needs regular attention.

Later j

Duct tape. Tape them to the outside of the bus. One on the driver's side, one on the passenger side. Your call on facing in or facing out. If they are facing in they can see what they are missing. Crank the heat and run around in shorts. Sure looks cold out there.

Or facing outward. How close do you think I can get to that telephone pole as we go by?

There will be no problems for the rest of the ride IF you let them back in.


You're

[MarkyDee]

Originally Posted by Brewerbob

Duct tape. Tape them to the outside of the bus. One on the driver's side, one on the passenger side. Your call on facing in or facing out. If they are facing in they can see what they are missing. Crank the heat and run around in shorts. Sure looks cold out there.

Or facing outward. How close do you think I can get to that telephone pole as we go by?

There will be no problems for the rest of the ride IF you let them back in.


You're

The authorities at-large would take quite a dim view of that....

[joeblack5]

So while I was searching for a friend to find a post about our bus Dory I found that Michelle made a video tour of our bus at skooliepalooza in 2019.


I remembered that but did not realize that she posted it.
For a video tour of our bus in three parts, lengthy and with me doing to much talking .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQlBQtxU154

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R81FmEboUx8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNTzJtDzI_w

Thank you Michelle,


Johan

[joeblack5]

Not sure if anybody checked those videos above but Michelle used a 360° camera so you can pan around while I am talking.

On to the daily work.. Upgraded the bus with 6 speed controller. It shows 6 and it goes forward and backward.
Needed to move Dory to a nicer spot next to the creek and got stuck in the mud.
Since the kids are home we decided to make a small waterwheel in the creek to supplement our PV. I hope 50 watts.
More to follow.. Oh yeah raising the bus with the airbags was handy putting board and coal ash in front of the wheels.but because of the angle of the rear wheel subframe it bottoms out when the bus sinks in 5" or so. From a subframe perspective it has more clearance in normal driving position.

[Native]

I watched the videos. It was nice to have a look inside. However, on my tablet the 360 degree view was visually confusing.