I decided to start a fresh thread on my Onan 2800 generator issue because I’ve got a very repeatable hint. The problem is that as long as the Dolphin is parked on the very slightest front end downhill slope the generator runs perfectly. The gas tank is full and the oil level in the generator is correct. But when the Dolphin is level or just slightly angled with its front end uphill (as little as 2 or 3 degrees tilt) the generator sounds starved for gas and won’t keep running. Very strange indeed. I previously confirmed that the fuel pump was working by pulling the gas line off of the carburetor and viewing the healthy gas flow. With that pump test done I went ahead and changed out the carburetor but the angle sensitivity is still present. Now back from a few days on the road (deliberately parking down hill) I will reproduce the “uphill issue” and pull the gas line to absolutely confirm the pump is pumping when the problem is happening. Anyone ever experience this angle sensitivity even when your gas tank is full and the gen oil level is correct?

It depends on what the shop means by repack/reseal wheel bearings.

For the common definition (remove bearings,? clean and re-grease, reinstall), the estimates are WAY too high.

If their definition includes replacing the brakes (new rotors/drums, new pads/shoes) and entirely new bearings, bearing races, and seals, then maybe their
estimates are more reasonable.

if you are at all handy and have common automotive hand tools, this is the sort of job you can do yourself.

The valve adjustement estimate seems more reasonable. There's a lot of stuff that has to be removed to get at the valve covers, so that takes time.

The estimates for other work are common practice. The don't know the history of the vehicle, so some suggested work is based upon
recommended maintenance intervals or "this is about the age/mileage these parts fail"

Other reasons for the high estimate for the bearings (and other work) could include:

1) They are estimating the "worst case scenario" where the bearings have failed and spewed grease all over the brakes, requiring all the
work I described above. The actual bill if it's a simple remove-regrease-reinstall? may be lower.

2) They actually don't want to work on your Toyhome, so they're trying to scare you off (or make bank if they have to work on it)

3) They've taken a financial hit elsewhere in the business and are trying to cover the losses by raising prices on other customers.
This is a common retail practice. For example, your local supermarket doesn't sell $6 frozen pizzas at two for $5 because their
costs went down. Someone somewhere is paying a higher price for something to make up the difference.

If you cannot find someone to do the wheel bearing repack at a more reasonable cost, I suggest neglecting it. Repacking bearings
is good maintenance practice, but it is NOT absolutely essential. The failure mode is the bearing grease gets old/dirty/sticky,
which causes the bearings to start wearing away. As the bearings wear, they will make more and more noise giving you
PLENTY of warning that they are going bad. If that happens and you need to replace a worn bearing, it will cost you about
what you were quoted to "repack" them.? Unless you ignore them while they are howling like mad, this is not something that's
going to strand you somewhere.

Good luck,

Buzz L.
Phoenix, AZ
Former '86 Dolphin, '89 HiLux, and '96 Tacoma owner

yep? they don't get gear lube. they're sealed from it.? packing them is basically the same as fronts except removing them involves removing the axle. a little more work, and one more seal
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rz

When I was pumping gas for a living back in the late 1960's, I repacked my share of front wheel bearings for customers, and yeah, it shouldn't take more than a couple of hours max I would think.

The rear, I don't know.? I never did rear wheel bearing repacks.? In those days everything was rear wheel drive and if I recall correctly (been a LONG time) the rear wheels got plenty of lubrication from the differential oil.

So, on the (rear wheel drive) toyhouse, do the rear wheel bearings need to be separately repacked?? How much more is involved in doing those than the front?

still? it doesn't take 4.4 hours to pack front wheel brngs
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rz

Yeah, I underquoted their shop rate... it's actually $165 an hour.

i would not trust them. at 135 /hour? thats 5 hours to pack front brngs.? ridiculous
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rz

They didn't say, but I think their shop rate is something like $135 an hour (that could be wrong.... seems high).

I asked them specifically for an estimate for the valve adjustment and wheel repacks and if you would like a morning laugh, here was their reply (names deleted to protect the guilty):

?= = = = = = = =

• With a vehicle of this age, there is a good possibility we run into some incidentals and (the mechanic) has a few "while we are there, its probably a good idea to replace theses as well" items.
• ?
• (the mechanic) didn’t recall seeing a timing belt sticker affixed in the engine bay and he noted a significant smell of coolant coming from the engine bay. With that being said he is recommending Timing belt, water pump, cam seals, 2 idler pulleys, belt tensioner pulley, tensioner spring, and the thermostat. You are looking at roughly $800.00 in parts and $990.00 in labor.
• ?
• There is possibility of the Radiator and both hoses needing to be done as well. You would be at $412.50 in labor plus parts.
• ?
• For the valve clearance inspection, valve adjustment, and the valve cover gasket replacement, you would be looking at $66.74 in parts and $990.00 in labor.
• ?
• For the repack of the wheel bearings and all new seals you would be looking at $730.00 for the front and $895.00 for the rears.
• ?
• With the vehicle of this age there will more than likely be incidentals whether it be items that brake or things we find while we are in there. (the mechanic) will be as careful as possible but just wanted to be clear that additional parts and labor may arise.

?= = = = = = = = = =

Total for all was just south of $5000.? For the valves and wheel repacks, $2681.74.

The timing belt, water pump and radiator hoses were done less than 25,000 miles ago so I'm not considering them.

I can get my regular mechanic to do it for considerably less but he's too busy right now to fit me in.? So, I'm asking around.

how many hours did they say
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rz

开云体育

Seems high

I just got a quote of $2681.74 to do the 60K-mile valve adjustment and wheel bearing repacks on the toyhouse V6.? Seems kind of excessive... what do you all think?

All things made of rubber eventually deteriorate.

The rubber air suspenion bags on ToyHomes have the advantage of NOT being exposed to very high temperatures, heat cycling,
or corrosive chemicals. Being under the chassis, their exposure to UV radiation is also minimized. Deterioration from ozone
depends where the vehicle spends most of its time. If it's parked in an area with significant photochemical smog, the rubber
will degrade sooner than areas with better air quality.

(Side note: The U-2 spy plane had problems with hydraulic fluid leaks when it was first developed. Lockheed engineers figured
out the terrible smog in Burbank, CA (Where it was built) was attacking the rubber seals in the hydrualic system. They had to
replace the natural rubber seals with silicone rubber seals to fix the problem).

The good news is rubber tends to deteriorate gradually, so a sudden blowout of the airbags is unlikely. Even if one does, you
can still drive the vehicle. You should get it replaced as soon as you can, but a bag failure is unlikely to cause damage which
would leave the vehicle stranded.

Buzz L.
Phoenix, AZ
Former '86 Dolphin, '89 HiLux, and '96 Tacoma owner

Vintage Toyota SandTana Motor Home
3999.00 obo
if interested please email?
Nate at diamondheartofdharma@...
or call 570 78zero 69five one
see below for description.?

Runs Strong
New PA inspection thru June 2024
The Famous 22r Engine (google this engine)
18-23 +MPG great on gas?
New Clutch
New alternator?
New Regulator?
New Battery?
New Rear Tires and Bearings
New Fuel Filter
New spark plugs and Cables
New drive Belt?
New Rotor and Distributor cap
New Parking Brake?
Hard Wood Floors within
Sink
Toilet
Fridge
Stove?
18Gallon Water Tank
12 gallon GreyWater tank?
5Gallon Propane tank?
All original Cabinets and drawers?
Lots of storage space?
Pop up top?
Queen Bed folds up to kitchen table with booths
A couple things that I would like to mention that can use a little attention.?

the undercarriage is rusty but can be protected with a coat of rust oleum.
the pop up top nylon material has a couple rips that can easily be sewed.?

Thanks, Doug.? I have replaced and retightened the valve stem inserts.? I haven't troubleshot it further but it's not critical.

My question is more general in nature... do these airbags come with a useful life?? Mine are probably 32 years old and definitely at least 23 years old,,, is there a point beyond which the bags should be considered on borowed time?

Just curious how you're carrying the Champion 2500W generator with the Onan still in place.? Or did you remove the Onan and put the Champion there?

the hose off the top of the spec plac.? remove the hose clamp, the other end where it goes into the air filter housing is the same as a wiring grommet. just wiggle it out
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rz

RZ Where is the crankcase breather? ?And how do I assess a “blockage”? Easily done visually?

The 2800 generator with its brand new carburetor and fuel filter ran perfectly for perhaps three accumulated hours but now it’s back to its maddening intermittent behavior once again. Everything has been changed out and checked. I’ll try substituting an external fuel source but I’m at my wits end with this. Too many hours. Too many disappointments while camping, like right now. Just use a totally reliable portable generator instead. Giant mobile paperweight.?