Towed 1200 miles with 5er. 88 F350 made it! Need some help now.

[ripfish]

Well you guys would be proud. The ole 88 F-350 hooked up to the newly purchased(91 Avion 5th Wheel) and towed her 1200 miles from Northern California to Oregon and down the coast. Some serious grades too. Hwy 299 from Arcata to Redding has some steep sections. I could sure use more power, but have no complaints to this old crew cab performed.

So here I am a week later after leaving with a few problems along the way. I need some advise to these issues.

1. C6 Transmission started having problems shifting into 3rd. Just barely made it home, but now wont go into reverse either. I was having to go to neutral while driving fast enough, and then slide it back into drive. Sometimes it would slide into 3rd gear, others it just stayed in second. Sound like a rebuild required to you? I dont think I am having any vaccuum issues.

2. Engine Temperature ran between 195 and peaked at 230F on the toughest climbs. (Trailer wieghs 10,000 lbs - empty) Is 230 to hot? I was losing water at that temp and had to add water.

3. Heater core started leaking on passenger floor board. Wife's feet. Bypassed it to get home. Buy a new one or have it fixed? Anyone now how much a new one is?

4. AC not working. Leaking Freon I guess. I can jumper the switch to maked compressor run(just for testing). Where is the most common leak location?

Overall the engine ran great. I just had injectors replaced and got around 8 or 9 miles a gallon. I was happy with that as I have only been getting 10 or 11 without pulling anything prior to replacing the injectors.

[cdnsarguy]

Glad you made it......Avion EH!
#1.. could be an adjustment, MLPS or VRV....
#2..Diesel engine coolant temperature at the top of the radiator where hose attaches after high rpm or under load condition for 20 minutes should be (195-237*F) 91-114*C nice time to have a temperature reading point and shoot tool.
#3..Get a new one..preferably brass $30?
#4..Fittings or compressor seals...look for oil leaks.

ZOOM ZOOM

[icanfixall]

Sounds like maybe the trans needs some help. The heater core is really easy. Just remove the glove box and then the small black plastic panel and you will see the core. Remove the hoses ( the hardest part of this job) and your done.

[OkieGringo]

Trans problem could be the VRV on the IP. Here are instructions on adjustment.

How to adjust VRV on C-6 trans - by James

You don't have the engine running for the test, you need to apply 20" vacuum to upper VRV port and attach vacuum gauge to lower VRV port. The lower port is the one that goes to tranny, the upper to vacuum pump.
You have to maintain 20" throughout this test. If it drops off you need to pump it back up.
Remove throttle return spring, cycle throttle lever 5 times from idle to WOT. Make sure 20" vacuum is maintained on upper port side.
Move throttle so it is 0.515" (33/64") from wide open (they make a tool for this). Vacuum gauge should read from 6-8" of vacuum. If incorrect adjust VRV to 7".
Again apply 20" vacuum, cycle throttle from idle to WOT 5 times. Return to idle. Gauge should read at least 13".

It says if you can't get the 7" or the 13" to replace the VRV. If VRV checks out maybe the diaphragm (modulator), line from VRV goes to the vacuum diaphram I believe. Can't find any adjustment for the diaphram but I think there is a little.

Basically all you need for the test is a vacuum pump (handheld type), vacuum gauge and a ruler to measure 1/2" or a 33/64" drill bit in lieu of the .515" tool. And a screwdriver for any adjustment needed.
Good Luck
James

Is the Park Neutral Position switch set correctly, and is the shift cable set right........

[sootieoil]

[ QUOTE ]
Well you guys would be proud. The ole 88 F-350 hooked up to the newly purchased(91 Avion 5th Wheel) and towed her 1200 miles from Northern California to Oregon and down the coast. Some serious grades too. Hwy 299 from Arcata to Redding has some steep sections. I could sure use more power, but have no complaints to this old crew cab performed.

So here I am a week later after leaving with a few problems along the way. I need some advise to these issues.

1. C6 Transmission started having problems shifting into 3rd. Just barely made it home, but now wont go into reverse either. I was having to go to neutral while driving fast enough, and then slide it back into drive. Sometimes it would slide into 3rd gear, others it just stayed in second. Sound like a rebuild required to you? I dont think I am having any vaccuum issues.

2. Engine Temperature ran between 195 and peaked at 230F on the toughest climbs. (Trailer wieghs 10,000 lbs - empty) Is 230 to hot? I was losing water at that temp and had to add water.

3. Heater core started leaking on passenger floor board. Wife's feet. Bypassed it to get home. Buy a new one or have it fixed? Anyone now how much a new one is?

4. AC not working. Leaking Freon I guess. I can jumper the switch to maked compressor run(just for testing). Where is the most common leak location?

Overall the engine ran great. I just had injectors replaced and got around 8 or 9 miles a gallon. I was happy with that as I have only been getting 10 or 11 without pulling anything prior to replacing the injectors.

[/ QUOTE ]
C-6 transmission needs the valve body pulled and cleaned out, find the main pressure regulator and replace it with a sonnax unit, this will keep pressure in the unit steady, also how old is the fluid? its old now after that haul [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]

next to firm up the shifts while your towing buy a R servo for the C-6, look on ebay it is about $100, best money you can spend on a C-6.
eliminate splipping during a towing shift.

engine temps getting hot, blowing out your heater core and annilating your water/coolant, been there done that, I will never have that problem again, I switched to waterless coolant EVANS COOLING.
you said is 230 too hot? well 50/50 water coolant boils out of control at 267F so I would say YES too hot, that is why you are missing water.

heater core look on www.LMCTRUCK.com