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Re: Dust Storm LONG

Reply #1
Yahoo Message Number: 4488
Quote from: F102508@A\.\.\.
In a message dated 3/7/2003 3:35:31 PM Pacific Standard Time, > rmccracken@b... writes:

> 2. Dust storm. Again Cummins
>
>

Hi Robin, thanks for your comments to other owners, another
perspective is

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always valuable.

On the subject of dust storm I would like to add my two
cents. I am

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not a Cummins expert or motor mechanic but this is my observation

having had

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the dust storm problem.

FIRST, when I raised the issue with CC at the July rally last year

they sent

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over a service tech who diagnosed the cause, replaced the part,

reprogrammed

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the controller and it has worked ever since. The tech (wish I had

his name)

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was efficient,

took great care not soil the bedroom (we had to lift the engine

cover) and

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had a nice personality. It took about sixty minutes and we were

happy

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campers. Zero cost.

SECOND. In our case the basic problem was caused by the
temperature sensor

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being totally destroyed. This condition was obvious once the unit

was

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removed from the block for inspection.

When the sensor is no longer functioning the system goes

into a fail

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safe condition which means the engine computer calls for maximum

fan speed to

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keep the engine cool regardless of the actual engine temperature.
Consequently you will get dust storms the moment you start the

engine even

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when cold.

It is my understanding that the controller is programmed to

operate

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the fans at different speeds dependent on engine temperature
readings. If

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the controller is not working correctly this could also create a

fail safe

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condition.
> One other possibility is a failure in the wires leading from

the

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sensor to the controller causing an open condition.

Now the question of who is responsible. This immediately

raises the

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question "was the dust storm condition there on delivery (new
coach) or did

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it appear some time later. Frankly I doubt anyone knows when it

started,

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but for talking purposes let's assume it occurred some time after

delivery

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and a few hundred miles on the engine.

What can cause the sensor to fail? Rather than guess, I

would like

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comments from Cummins experts.

Is the sensor installed by Cummins? If so do Cummins run

all their

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engines to operating speeds and check sensors before shipping to

CC? Or

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alternatively does Cummins merely provide a port on the engine

where CC and

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other coach makers can install their own sensor later.

In the case of the controller responsibility seems to lay

with CC

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although once the warranty is over I'm not sure they are on the

hook. If

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the problem is caused by a program error it should be an easy fix

for a CC

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tech but may be a bigger problem for a non CC service center.
> In my opinion based on experience the dust storm problem can

be fixed

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quickly and even if a charge were involved it should not be a high

bill.

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Checking to see whether or not the sensor is severely damaged may

even be

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possible without removing it from the block.

Is there a Cummins ISC expert out there who can validate my

comments?

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>

My problem was fixed and has stayed that way for the last

four

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thousand miles.

How long will it remain that way, who knows? But to be

careful I

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run a check every so often by starting the engine (from cold) and

immediately

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walking around to the rear of the coach and standing in front of

the

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radiator. If it is working there is almost no air movement until

the engine

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is hot.
> Remember, if you have just run full speed on the freeway and > immediately pull into a dusty lot, there will be a storm as the

fans are

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still running at maximum speed and will do so until the engine

cools. If

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you travel a few miles on secondary roads before arriving at the

lot the

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engine may have cooled sufficiently to allow for reduced fan

speed.

Re: Dust Storm LONG

Reply #2
Yahoo Message Number: 4490
I do have two follow up comments on this subject based on input from Doug Rutherford at the Las Vegas rally.

1. Cummins installs the sensor when they build the engine (350ISC).
 If the sensor was faulty from the gitgo I would expect CC would discover this and correct at the time they install the controller.

2. Again, according to Doug R the Intrigue/Allures on the line are now having a baffle installed. This is an effort to further reduce dust problems even when the sensor/controller/program are working correctly, by deflecting the wind direction from the fan.

None of the I/A coaches at the rally had the baffle installed so I could not see the finished result.
However, there was one baffle on the parts truck. It was a sheet of stainless steel approximately 36" X 8" (based on my memory not actual measurements) and was pre drilled with mounting holes.
This particular baffle was reserved for one of the rally attendees. I do not know who or if it was fitted to their coach during the rally.
When I returned to my coach I crawled under the back to see where it would be mounted and couldn't figure out how that particular baffle would fit. Maybe no one size fits all.
I did not follow up any further as I had other priorities, but if someone has had the retrofit baffle installed I am sure we would like to hear about it.
BTW. IMHO I do not consider this a recall item. CC appears to be addressing the concern by installing them on new coaches and will sell to existing owners when requested.

David & Karen

2000 Intrigue 11062

 

Re: Dust Storm LONG

Reply #3
Yahoo Message Number: 4499
Hi, David.

I agree that the dust problem is a design improvement and not a recall item.

I don't know if I have a dust problem because I.... make that Country Coach... still haven't solved my engine temperature problem.
We've made progress but are not quite there yet. So I guess one could say that I have been "baffled"..... sorry :-(

Dick May

2002 Intrigue, #11438
Dick May
2002 Intrigue, #11438, towing a
2014 Jeep Gr Cherokee ecoDiesel