Q: The power awning with the wind sensor; where are the dip switches to set wind sensitivity? A: On the newer ones there are DIP switches in the storage bay.

Q: Do you have any parts? A: Burke: We're doing an inventory now, and there will be parts available in the future. Better to go to dealers right now. If we don't restart the company, I don't have any information --

Q: I have an '05. Where do I get diagrams? A: Max: A lot of older coaches did not have the information. As far as chassis diagrams go, we've never given them out. Does everyone watch IRV2? I've been trying to answer questions there.

Jim: A comment: you're an association with common interests. I've talked to the ACA webmaster, who is already collecting information. Burk: What you're doing is similar to what Tiffin has done. It has value whether the company is in business or not. I WILL stay in contact with Mike Fleming. If there's anything I CAN get you I'll do it.

Q: How many Alpines are out there? Burk: About 1400. ACA has one of the highest percentage of active members pf any owners' group. Q: Have we any way to contact the other Alpine owners? A: Burk: WRV provided the ACA membership person with a record of all purchasers.

Jim: We have a complete file of all cables we've built for Alpine coach, can build to those specs. A listing of our cables will be on website.

Q: What can you do to get jacks to come up more quickly? What's lube recommendation for them? A: Nothing. You can hose them down if they're coated with mud. The spring issue is different. We have a spec sheet on HWH site, tells you how long it should take to retract. If they're out of spec, change the springs.

Q: We have an '03. When we start down the road, the rear slide opens a few inches. We stop and retract it, it stays in. A: You want to be sure that when you retract, hold the button for 3-4 secs. after the slide is fully in. That equalizes pressure. (Also applies when you extend slide).

Q: Rear jack, driver's side, will drop after we've been on road a few miles. A: Two possible reasons -- you may not be letting system time out. Even though jacks are all the way up, pressure may not be equalized.
Also, there may be enough thermal expansion in hose to cause the drop, that's not fixable except by new programming.
Q: How long is it to time out? A: Six minutes.
Q: When you activate auto level, it appears satisfied, but will just sit there and bump itself. A: Once it levels, it goes into stabilize mode. A misbehaving pressure switch may cause that. A short stabilizing period is normal.
Q: My rig will level, then front jack will run all the way out. A: That's usually the pressure switch.
Q: I level, then next day it's not level. I relevel it, turn yellow lights off - then it usually holds level. A: could be thermal expansion. We set jacks down, measure them, and wait several hours to see what's going on.

Q for Mike: Jamie claims that on his new coach, when he uses Jake Brake the check engine light comes on. A: That could be a wiring error.
Q: IRV2 talks about setting up jake brake so it comes on in two stages as you crest a hill.
A: On newer coaches, we can program it. Any of the 400's.
Q: Software for 2-stage jake brake is programmed by Allison? A: By Cummins.
Q: For exhaust brake - is it programmed? A: No. It's got an orifice to limit back pressure; because there is an orifice, the exhaust brake doesn't have much effect at low rpm's.

Q: On 2000 350, at oil change time they fill up system - I get a lot of oil coming from engine. A: A problem you may have is that crankcases are not forgiving of overfill. Let it go down (as much as) a gallon. Also, be sure plastic dipstick tube is bottomed against engine block. Otherwise you'll be off calibration. Whenever you have "oil carryover" (the technical term) you need to check dipstick, then blowby, then breather.

Q: What's proper pressure for oil on ISC? A: 50 lb. is really too high. Book says 10 psi at hot idle, 35 psi operating. But it may be an artificial indication. In some engines, there was a problem with the oil pressure transmitter so they replaced it with a switch (on/off) and programmed the module so it reported the appropriate pressure.

Q: I have an intermittent ABS light. A: It may be a communication issue, fixable by reprogramming. at Freightliner. Q: It may be moisture related. A: Max: We've seen that - it's not a problem.

Q: Is there a fuel stabilizer to add to fuel for storage? A: Mike: Especially for East Coast. There's stuff called "Shock It" that's an algicide. But be prepared with extra filters, as the dead algae will slough off and clog the filters. You can "catch" something like that from a fuel place that doesn't sell much. Diesel has longer shelf life than gasoline - 3-4 months is not a problem (requiring addition of algicide).

Q: Wherever I take the coach, the trucks are all leaving their engines going. Should I do that too? A: Mike: They're doing it strictly for comfort. They're also using 1 to 1-1/2 gals per hour. It's not good for engine.

Q: How much idling time after pulling grade? A: 3-5 minutes. But only after pulling grade. Normally when you exit the interstate, the time spent getting to the diesel pump is enough.

Q: What's practical coolant life for 350? A: Officially 2 yrs, 250,000 miles. It seems to be a time/duty cycle thing. If I had an RV, I'd do it every 3-4 years. Newer engines don't have a coolant filter. When you add coolant, be sure it's low-silicon antifreeze. Or it'll form silica gel.

Q: In winter, in storage, how long to run engine? Just enough to move the rings in the cylinders. Or take it out and drive it. Don't just idle the engine for a few minutes.

Q: Fluctuating speedometer on a 2000 - A: Borg-Warner speedometer (black face) had a programming issue. (Frank H. mentioned his experience; in his case it may have been caused by corrosion at the speed sensor terminal -- or it may not!)

Q: Should you pull hills in economy? You can, unless on a hot day. Then go to standard to get the hydraulic pressure up so the cooling fan will work better.

Q: Max operating temp? 212F. 225 is time to shut down.

Q: Where to get replacement gages? Borg Warner. We used to use Actia gauges for a couple of years. Approx mid-99 to mid-01 was BW.

A: Q: I had a Cummins service and the engine lost the mileage record. Mike: It's illegal for Cummins to keep track of mileage. It's got to be OEM.

Q: WRV changed the oil for the brake system - should we go to a different product? A: Burk: only the newer coaches.

Q: Hydraulic filter says change filter every six months. Mike: That was on a label on the filter housing as it came from the supplier. 6K is way too soon. During breakin, perhaps. But then, years. A lot depends on duty cycle. Mike: When you do change filter, also flush the pot out.

Q: The container for the filter on 2000- the drain plug has two hoses; the one to the filter has one hose. The two hoses are bypassing the filter. A: (considerable discussion, but no resolution).

Q: My rule of thumb is change oil every 20K and the filter every 10. I typically run 15K a year. A: Might be a little conservative. Q: What would you consider normal? A: Change it the first year, then base it on how much stuff you see in the pot, and unless the fluid is dark or smells burnt - triple the interval.

Q: Cummins engine - is there a compressor governor change? A: Approx. '05, for a higher pressure. I would not recommend just setting up the governor setting. Just do a changeout.

Q: What are the hoses made of? A: The blue vent-line hoses are silicone, the rest are black rubber.

Q: I was told, on my '02, if you lifted both rear wheels off ground you'd damage shocks. What about '05? Q: I've done it consistently without trouble.

Q: Max, I've had trouble with my cooling system fan controller, that's not cooling auto air radiator. I understood that could be reprogrammed.

Q: I have an 04 that doesn't have a controller. I've learned to turn off my A/C when I stop, or I'll dump the refrigerant charge.

Q: Cold coolant levels - I've had problems with coolant blowing out. I have 2004. A: Mike: The sight glass should be labelled Hot Level. If you can see foam at the very top of sight glass when it's hot, level is good. There needs to be room for expansion. Also, I've seen coaches with powder coating, where a little bit of powder under the pressure cap can cause leakdown. But look out for the socket that holds the coolant level eye -- it may retain coolant so the eye shows full even when tank is empty. Max: be sure coolant reservoir is level when coach is aired up and ready to go, and the eye will indicate correctly.

Q: My wheel is rubbing up against shock on one side, against a support on the other. Max: That may be steering stops. They are adjustable.

Q: Blowing coolant out - may be wrong pressure cap. Mike: 10-12 psi on older coaches, 16 psi on newer (late '04, early '05)

Q: I have a fan problem with my heater fan. It seems to be connector under dash. Jim: We keep connectors in stock.

Q: On diesel fuel storage - Cummins recommended Viobore? for my boat.

Q: My fuel gauge is unreliable. WRV replaced gauges. Max: Could be sending unit, it's on top of tank on driver's side. Burk: That may be a part that will become available. Q: NAPA has a good selection of sending units.

Q: 2000 entry step fuse - where can I find it; does it have a name? Max: It's individualistic. Different locations.

Q: I had an ECM software upgrade at Cummins. It wiped out my information on odometer. Mike: It can be put back in - "speedo offset".

Q: Steering wheel centering - Burk: Any local shop can fix that.

Q: Burk: I really appreciate all the personal phone calls expressing support for me and Max and the rest of us. We really appreciate all the nice things people have said. We know we'll see you again, we'll be around. I'm committed to staying in Yakima.

Burk Morgan
105 N. 91st Ave
Yakima, WA 98908
505-961-0996
EMAIL