Deb,
GREAT report, both in content and lack of major problems.
RE: Transmission temperatures: The 200*F you saw is nothing to worry
about -- if it AVERAGED that, the ATF would still be good for almost 50,000
miles. At 300*F things would start to warp. But, to make you more
comfortable about such, I strongly suggest getting a copy from
bdub.net of
the Chevrolet P-30 Chassis Owners' Manual. It has an appendix (8.1) on
transmission temperatures, coolers, etc., including a table of ATF life vs
average temperature. While the P-30 used other transmissions, most, if not
all, of the comments should be equally applicable to the TH-425.
You'll find LOTS of other relevant information in that manual, including
excellent articles on Vapor Lock, Electrical Systems, etc., etc. I highly
recommend it to everyone, regardless of their skill and knowledge level.
Ken H.
On Fri, Jul 27, 2018 at 1:43 PM Deb McWade via Gmclist <
> Well - home safe and sound! Over 6500 miles in 6 weeks on our maiden
> voyage.
>
> Hiccups included - blown fuse; fried water heater element (my fault - ran
> out of water); broken awning release pin, so no awning for this trip; backed
> up toilet (corrected); drafting from the black tank somewhere that I have
> to source (only when driving with a window open for the dogs); leak in the
> air line at the driver side airbag (fixed!).
> No major problems, nothing that really slowed me down, and definitely
> nothing that stopped me in my tracks.
>
> Positives - Many!!
> Saw a lot of both Canada and the US; the midwest anyway - if not in depth,
> at least in passing
> Met a lot of great people, both GMCer's (and my many thanks to them all!)
> and SOBer's
> Learned a TONNE about the coach, and got to show her off to a few admirers
> of the "breed" - A Harley rider in AB, Site hosts in AB & MI (who thanked
> me for delivering "his coach" and offered to pay for the uber to get us
> the rest of the way) and 2 or 3 other RVer's who just found it a fascinating
> piece of equipment. When I offered the "nickel tour" I always got an
> enthusiastic "Yeah!" I loved the look on one fellows face when he asked
> "Diesel?", "No... Gas"; "2 axles in the back?" "No axles in the back.
> FWD" I was grinning the whole time. He was in awe. Also many thumbs up
> and
> waves along the way.
> Got the Onan running - till the "I don't know how old" condenser (which
> had already been bubbling when we got her going) packed it in
. Thanks
> to
> Jim and Bob! Replacement parts are on order for both of us
> Also now have dash air - recharged the empty but very solid compressor
> with R12A ("only in Canada, eh?
Pity.") so till I get the points &
> condenser
> changed out, &/or install the electronic ignition I got from Gary Bovee, I
> can still cool the front half of the coach.
>
> A VERY GOOD TRIP all in all. Enjoyed it thoroughly and can't wait to get
> back out somewhere.
>
> Drove through a lot of terrain. Some that didn't really challenge us
> much, flat straight highway, hills, some mountains with steep but short
> grades
> that gave us a break so no problem there in "S". I do have a question
> about lo-o-o-ng steep grades. Coming home I hit the Cascades & Crow's Nest
> -
> not a problem since those were relatively short although steep in some
> areas (6-8%). However... Places like the Kootenay Pass here in BC - a 15
> mile
> stretch of 8 & 10% grade up and down again with no breaks at all gave me a
> bit of a pause. Everywhere I read about keeping your ENGINE from
> overheating. My engine was fine (big honkin' new aluminum radiator).
> Never went above 195 which is where I assume my thermostat lives! Fan
> kicked
> in often and blew my ear drums but I'm OK with that! Advice on the
> transmission? Even running in "L" at 20 mph on a 2-3+ mile stretch of 10%
> uphill
> grade that tranny temp would climb up to 200 - 210 (never passed that
> tho').
>
> So my main question is... what is the max temperature at which I should
> start to worry under those driving conditions? There is a thransmission
> cooler & driving on normal, flat, rolling highway the temp never even gets
> to 150 (for a while I wondered if the gauge was working!). Even when
> working it harder, in stop & start city, "driving" through Toronto on the
> 401, dinky secondary "highways" (if you can call them that) with continual
> hills & switchbacks & god-awful surfaces, slowing down & accelerating,
> downshifts and running in S & L for 15 or 20 minutes at a time, it never got
> above 180. It's these long, very steep grades with NO breaks and nowhere
> to pull over to let anything cool down. Tranny fluid is good, level is
> good, and still looks fine after it all (I checked). If I HAVE to do a 10
> minute haul at what feels like straight uphill at 200-210 degrees with the
> high rpms of "L" at about 20mph, is that acceptable? Or should I be
> concerned? or doing something else?
>
> Other than the transmission temperature question, I had a wonderful,
> relaxing trip and can't wait to do it again! :d
> --
> Deb McWade
> Logan Lake, BC, CAN
> "Li'l Sister"
> '77 Kingsley, 403, EBL EFI;
> TZE167V101404
> It's Bigger on the Inside!
>
>
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