LEAKOIL Forum

Thanks Ken. I'm sure I'll take you up on that. Probably after Kelleys, unelss things get bad!

I'd like you drive it first and see what you think of it overall. I'm still trying to learn all these unique split bus 'sounds and feels'.

Ok, rooke mistakes abound

So I was a little concerned running this thing around with what looked like an original starter/solenoid with a "screw on" terminal. Talk about old school! I noticed every now and then I woud get a "click" and then nothing. Afer resetting the key and trying again, she would roar to life. It wasn't the ground strap issue, or wiring since Kyle replaced all of it, so I figured it had to be the starter/solenoid on its way out. I don't know about you, but there's nothing worse than sitting in a field after a campout and getting nothing in the 'am' when you turn the key to leave.

Since I had a couple of extra starters, (and a few more who knows where), I figured I better get to work. I pulled the old one and grabbed what looked like a good one and got it mounted in a little under an hour. Not bad for me. Well I should have paid attention to the old disconnected choke cable line that broke a couple weeks ago. WW is out of stock on the replacement cable, so I left the original up there to see where it goes when I get the replacement. When you're a rookie, you don't always know the details of what you're supposed to be watching for. I was cranking down on the upper starter bolt while a set of vice grips kept the nut in the engine compartment in place. I could tell I wasn't getting it right. I finally figured I "got it", but I shoud have looked more clearly. I got everything hooked back up and went to start it and nothing.

I checked the battery and at rest it was 6.30 volts, so it couldn't be that. I figured the starter was bad so I pulled it out. Well you know what's coming.I realized I got the disconected cable trapped somehow in the starter housing up top and cranked the bolt so hard I cracked the starter housing and never got the starter all the way in to engage.

Don't repeat my rookie mistake. Be sure everything is flush and tight before assuming it's in. A little more patience on my part and I would have had no trouble.

I went back under and pulled that starter and put another one in. Got everything connected properly and she starts fine now.

Here are the autopsy photos...

Six Volt wrote: I don't know about you, but there's nothing worse than sitting in a field after a campout and getting nothing in the 'am' when you turn the key to leave.

I don't know Sean......I remember a LEAKOIL guy having to push start his bus for three years before he fixed it

Captkirk wrote:

Six Volt wrote: I don't know about you, but there's nothing worse than sitting in a field after a campout and getting nothing in the 'am' when you turn the key to leave.

I don't know Sean......I remember a LEAKOIL guy having to push start his bus for three years before he fixed it

Anybody I know?

You say "Push Start" like it was a Bad thing? "Whatever it takes", man.
GET to where you are going first. Worry about getting BACK, on Sunday. It all gets done.

Six Volt wrote:

Captkirk wrote:

Six Volt wrote: I don't know about you, but there's nothing worse than sitting in a field after a campout and getting nothing in the 'am' when you turn the key to leave.

I don't know Sean......I remember a LEAKOIL guy having to push start his bus for three years before he fixed it

Anybody I know?

Been there done that!! I have no shame as long as she gets me home.

Have you put your tent mounts on yet??? If not why?? What about a real westy rack??? We want to know!!! The bus is looking good... Can't wait to see it in person.

After I graduate and have a garage, forget a house, learning to weld/fabricate like this is on the top of my list of priorities.

Remember, once you learn to weld and have the equipment, you will suddenly have friends you never knew you had. Just ask Sean.

The last two posts sum up what two years of the CKWA/KWHA have been all about. I've been a rank amatuer. I knew nothing, but was willing to try and learn. I've learned along the way, you should too!

If this thread, and the earlier thread on the old site, have any value, it should be to encourage newbies, (like me), to try and restore a bus. Jump in and go for it! That's why I did it.

PS, If you really need welding help, I have a Clarke 110V w/gas. You'll have to grind my welds, but I'll be there for you! If you want clean perfect welds call Kirk!

Six Volt wrote:PS, If you really need welding help, I have a Clarke 110V w/gas. You'll have to grind my welds, but I'll be there for you! If you want clean perfect welds call Josh!

I fixed it for you Sean.