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Old 07-19-2020, 06:50 PM   #1
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 10
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins 24V
Rated Cap: 36200
New Member: Power Steering Problem

Hello all, new member here. I just purchased a 1999 Blue Bird with the 5.9L Cummins 24V engine. I believe its a ISB motor. I’m still researching and learning.

I’ve built and worked on many cars, but this is all new territory for me. I bought the bus knowing the power steering didn’t work. I opened the PS reservoir and found it to be empty. I looked under the bus and didn’t see any fresh leaks, however the bus had been sitting for a while and was driven on a dirt lot, so lots of caked dirt under it.

I added ATF to the reservoir and turned the steering wheel, it worked/assisted for a moment and then stopped I kept this up until I put a whole gallon in with the same results - The reservoir would empty and I would add more. I checked under the bus and no new leaks. I found somewhere online a post about the PS system taking 2 3/4 gallon of fluid. I got through another gallon and then noticed oil pouring out of the crankcase ventilator filter canister.

Apparently the ATV was going into the engine. I haven’t driven the bus now and know at this point I have to drain the Oil/ATF mixture and pull the pump off.

The PS pump is a TRW bolted to the back of a Holset Air compressor. The Air compressor works fine - It builds pressure fast and holds it. Can the fluid run through the air compressor into the engine? Do you guys think the pump is toast or is there a seal that can be replaced? It’s been hard to find a lot of info out there.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thank you,

Brian

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Old 07-19-2020, 08:22 PM   #2
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Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,222
Year: 1999
Coachwork: BlueBird
Chassis: TC1000 HandyBus
Engine: 5.9L 24V-L6 Cummins ISB
Rated Cap: 26 foot
Aloha and welcome!

I have a similar bus and know the motor a bit. This confuses me:
Quote:
Originally Posted by BCriswell View Post
crankcase ventilator filter canister.
I don't know of any such filter on my motor. Can you upload a picture?



My PS pump does attaches to the back of the air compressor as does yours. It may be that it is designed to be oil-lubed through the compressor to the pump. The compressor is gear-driven, and the drive gear is motor oil lubed. I would imagine, though, that there would be an oil seal there, and sealed bearings for the drive shaft throughout the compressor and to the pump.


My pump seeps a bit, and the gasket where the compressor mounts to the front engine cover is leaking, so I'm thinking of fixin' that. But it looks like the worst nightmare on the bus to work on.


I'm gonna be curios as to your situation if you replace the pump. Pictures, please!


BTW, if you have a flat completely floor, you got a TC1000. If you have wheel wells, you have a TC2000.
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Old 07-19-2020, 08:24 PM   #3
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I can offer no definitive answer. However, I once watched a mechanic trying to get the power steering to work on a Honda car. He kept pouring ATF into the PS reservoir which normally held one quart. Still no power steering after the addition of a gallon of ATF. Shortly there after trans oil began flowing across the shop floor. When the mechanic had hooked up the various oil lines after an engine R&R he had mistakenly connected the PS output line to the trans oil cooler return port. The extra gallon of ATF in the transmission blew the front trans seal.

So I ask, are the lines hooked up properly?

P.S. I don't make this stuff up. Too much trouble. I just wait to see it happen. Good luck with the fix and I hope it is something simple.
Jack
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Old 07-19-2020, 08:34 PM   #4
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins 24V
Rated Cap: 36200
Thank you for the reply, and thank you for clearing up the model. I have wheel wells, but wish I didn’t.

I also checked the oil dipstick and it’s inches past full.

The wetness in the 3rd picture is from me spilling ATV with the repeated fillings.
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Old 07-19-2020, 08:37 PM   #5
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins 24V
Rated Cap: 36200
Thank you. I followed the line from the reservoir to the pump, then pump to steering box, then box back to the reservoir. From what I can see, it looks correct.
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Old 07-19-2020, 08:53 PM   #6
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Engine: 5.9L 24V-L6 Cummins ISB
Rated Cap: 26 foot
Well, I certainly find your problem intriguing. Wish I could help more at this point, but I'm still confused.


I'm gonna go look at my bus motor for comparison. But I don't remember seeing that filter. Hate to hassle you, but where is it? It looks like it is UNDER the motor?
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Old 07-19-2020, 08:57 PM   #7
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Engine: 5.9L Cummins 24V
Rated Cap: 36200
It’s in the front right corner of the motor
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Old 08-26-2020, 06:49 PM   #8
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins 24V
Rated Cap: 36200
Hello all, just a quick update for those interested. I replaced the PS pump and it works like a champ now. Only took 2qts to fill it up.
Looks like the oil lubes the compressor up to the PS pump and the old pump was in fact pushing ATF into the engine. Did an oil change and took her for a quick drive. It’s very nice to have power steering.
Quick question, though. This issue got me wondering if there should be some kind of cooler on the power steering system. What opinions do you guys have?
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Old 08-26-2020, 09:02 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BCriswell View Post
Hello all, just a quick update for those interested. I replaced the PS pump and it works like a champ now. Only took 2qts to fill it up.
Looks like the oil lubes the compressor up to the PS pump and the old pump was in fact pushing ATF into the engine. Did an oil change and took her for a quick drive. It’s very nice to have power steering.
Quick question, though. This issue got me wondering if there should be some kind of cooler on the power steering system. What opinions do you guys have?
Most power steering systems don't need coolers unless they are on a rear engine and are also powering the engine cooling fan.

Ted
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Old 08-26-2020, 09:32 PM   #10
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air compressors are oiled from a line off the engine and they drain out the front by the Drive gear.
The P pump is the same way, oil line in, drain out around the front where it bolt on.
It sound like your PS pump is what needs a seal or the whole thing replaced.
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Old 09-02-2020, 08:48 PM   #11
Mini-Skoolie
 
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Don't forget to replace the power steering filter in the reservoir.
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Old 09-08-2020, 06:04 PM   #12
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Location: Port st joe
Posts: 5
Year: 1999
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Chassis: Tc1000
Engine: 5.9
Where did you find the power steering pump I have the same issue my local parts shop is lost so I’m lost
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Old 09-08-2020, 06:50 PM   #13
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 10
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins 24V
Rated Cap: 36200
I was able to clean mine up a little and get the part number off of it. I then looked it up on google and it linked to one on eBay that came off another bus, however there was another one listed that came off a truck. Do you have/need the same pump?
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Old 09-08-2020, 06:50 PM   #14
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Las Vegas, NV
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Year: 1999
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins 24V
Rated Cap: 36200
Thank you. I did also replace the filter.
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Old 09-08-2020, 07:00 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BCriswell View Post
I was able to clean mine up a little and get the part number off of it. I then looked it up on google and it linked to one on eBay that came off another bus, however there was another one listed that came off a truck. Do you have/need the same pump?

Yes I do I’ve been searching every where the part number I can’t find off of mine
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Old 09-08-2020, 07:06 PM   #16
Mini-Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Posts: 10
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC2000
Engine: 5.9L Cummins 24V
Rated Cap: 36200
I had to scrub the crap out /off of mine to see the part number
It’s PS221616R10301
If you type that into google you will find many options.
There’s a new one for $472 on big rig world and a few on eBay - found a used one for $200.
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Old 09-08-2020, 07:30 PM   #17
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Thanks much appreciated
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