where_the_heffalump_roams 917 AF

[where_the_heffalump_roams]

Smoke is blue/white at start up/idle and low speed throttle. Improves over 60C but is still there.
Got in contact with the shop that rebuilt the fuel pump. They are thinking it is either a compression issue or timing was set up wrong. The shop that installed the fuel pump reported good/equal compression across the cylinders and the last oil analysis was fine. But given the quality of work, I'm going to ask a mechanic to check compression and timing while I'm in Europe.

 

[Darwin]

Have you considered moving to a different platform?

 

[where_the_heffalump_roams]

Have you considered moving to a different platform?

I 100% have.But I'm committed to this rig. As much as I post about mechanical obstacles, it also delivers in many other ways. To me, it's home.
I've left the Heffalump in CA with a mobile mechanic that has worked on it a couple of times. He is no MB truck expert. But he is honest and will do what he can while I''m away. Also been chatting with the guys at Sure Marine in Seattle. We may gut the current Webasto system in favor of a new unit and also adding a kick board heater to improve winter heating.

Currently in E. Ukraine to support a NGO with medivacs. Looking forward to updates and seeing what can be accomplished while away.

 

[where_the_heffalump_roams]

Just came back to the USA and the saga continues.
2 months was spent assisting with medivacs in E. Ukraine. Regardless of how anyone feels about politics. It's very humbling to meet/know people who are fighting for their independence and freedom. Everyday people who were simple civilians prior to the war.
Arrived back in California 2 days ago. There is still some smoke, but greatly improved. Mechanic suspects oil getting through somewhere. Ordered a new webasto system including a hydronic heater, wiring harness, and will be adding a kick board heater with a small fan, and an improved thermostat but it never shipped so I'll pick it up in Seattle. My thought process is to start with a new system that I install and will be better equipped to understand and repair.
Picked up the heffalump and drove 25 miles to pick up my dog Tobi. And... Unfortunately the parking brake is now seized. Tapping the drum with a 4lb hammer did not release it. I can't even move the adjuster wheels. A mechanic is going to come out today to see if he can help. It's on it's 2nd brake canister since I've owned it and the last one was installed this summer. Shoes and drums are also new. Parking brake lever has been changed 3x since I've owned it. I do have a spare wedge actuator on hand that can be swapped in as needed. I also have a brake regulator still that the last mechanic did not install. (attaching pics). For whatever reason, I've been unable to locate this on the truck. In my mind, worse case scenario is that he cages that brake and I get this up to Washington State where I can park it longer and do another deeper drive into system repairs.

The thought of shipping it an expert in Europe is becoming more appealing... Defiantly would not take this to Ukraine though! Hahahaha!
I'd also consider an expert, "one stop shop" in the Americas. I have not experienced quality work/communication with MB trucks experts in California, Colorado, or BC Canada.

 

[where_the_heffalump_roams]

Spent a day on the side of the road tracking airlines.
Found the above part, it's in the front cab, between the foot pedals and outside grill.
The parking lever is functioning. confirmed that no air is getting to the right rear brake canister. Disconnected a line at the valve that mounts to rear diff, there is no air getting there. But when air is passed through that section, the brake releases. So at least we were able to confirm the wedge actuator isn't seized. Still trying to track down where the failure is. Suspect a valve that is located on the left frame rail behind the rear axel has been the culprit this entire time. But I didn't have the right sized tools to release the lines for inspection. So the right brake canister was caged to get me off the road. Hoping to buy the tools today to check that valve. Picking up the new heater system this week and hoping to dive deeper once I get this rig parked a safe place.


I wasn't actualy interested in exploring Europe before. But recent events and all these hiccups might be pushing me there. For repairs and exploration.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

I suppose worse case scenario would be to bypass that valve, and run a temp system, line, and hand valve.

Thanks for posting, and stay frosty on the next rotation.

 

[where_the_heffalump_roams]

I suppose worse case scenario would be to bypass that valve, and run a temp system, line, and hand valve. Thanks for posting, and stay frosty on the next rotation.

Just noticed this reply didn't go through....
we actually considered a bypass valve to release the parking brake but I want also just fix it the right way. Spent quite a bit of time trying to track down the failure point and whomsi has been a big help. I'm not confident I've figured it out but I did order a new parking brake lever and relay valve just in case. Fucken import duties these days were nearly the cost of the items!

I did replace the old Webasto system. That gave me the opportunity to again, clean up the wiring and remove a TON of unused wires. This really helps with diagnostics. The new heat system is in and working. It seems to be a bit more quiet and more efficient. A new thermostat was use and it's a lot more simpler. Still need to install a kick board heater, basically just need to wire it up and tap into the existing coolant lines.
Also replaced the headlight that was damaged while with MB truck expert in Canada. This weekend, I'm cleaning up more wiring and rodent damage that was happened at that shop.

This will be a busy winter. I'm trying to stay mostly in the PNW and BC for snowboarding. But I have at last 1 work block in California, 1 trip to Japan, and trying to get back to Ukraine after. I'm currently at my friend's house in the country side and the surrounding farmland sort of reminds me of Ukraine. But... It's so incredibly quiet here. Out there, you get used to the constant sound of missiles/artillery out there in addition to near constant drone activity.

 

[where_the_heffalump_roams]

Unfortunately, the heffalump woes continue. I had really hoped to be deep in the PanAm a long time ago. But there has just been too many unexpected mechanical and electrical obstacles in the heffalump. I've probably spent close to the purchase price in parts and repairs since owning it and I am pretty committed to it at this point.

3 weeks were spent going through the habitat electrical system with a friend of mine who is an electrical magnetic engineer. We continued to find a lot of really questionable work that has been done in the past. We were able to remove a lot of that. But his advice was to do a big tear down and start a lot of it from scratch.

Recently, I had a u joint failure and a drive shaft shop was able to weld in some repairs to the flanges and slipped in a slightly smaller joint using spacers.

Now, I'm dealing with an air in the power steering system and there appears to be a lot of play in the power steering box. It had worked it self loose and the mount bolts were tightened down. But even still, there is lot of movement between that and the frame...There is lot of aeration in the reservoir and the source has not been tracked down by myself and others. A part of me wonders if there was damage along with the front bumper/headlight that occurred while it was in a shop in Canada. But at this point, who really knows.

I've not had great luck with the N. American side of MB truck shops. I may need to bite the bullet and send this to Europe for top to bottom repairs. Both mechanically and also in the habitat.

I suspect this will take a long time and will be quite costly. But this truck has been limping along since I've owned it. It needs more love than I can provide. That means sacrificing my goals or at least delaying travels through the PanAm. I need to consider sending this to a single place that can take care of both the mechanical side, and the habitat side of things. It needs to be gone through from top to bottom and made nearly turn key and rode worthy.

I've reached just reached out to Atkinson Vos.
I'd appreciate any other recommendations.

 

[whomisi]

You could consider shipping to Europe, then shipping back to Argentina or Colombia etc. Then it's just one extra shipping journey, and you can work your way South to North and arrive back "home" at the end of the journey.

Keep your chin up, it'll all be worth it.

 

[where_the_heffalump_roams]

Lol, thanks man. It's been a roller coaster with this thing and I'm in one of those frustrating moments. As you know, I've pretty much failed at tracking down why I'm getting bubbles in the reservoir. Sounds like an easy task
But now I'm also wondering if something has cracked and letting air in at a place where it just hasn't revealed itself, like a widening crack from all the play. Meeting up with a fabricator tomorrow to have him look at the Power steering box flex. I'm wondering if the mount holes have widened out over time. Just kills my plans. I'm supposed to be decompressing and snowboarding between shifts after spending time in a war zone. But I'm chasing air bubbles, shady wiring, and swapping out drive shafts in the rain. hahahahaha!

I'm actually been considering a work role in Europe and have a pending interview. This was initiated before this came up. I'd like to not have the headache and expense of dealing with the heffalump while considering this role. But maybe it will work out and give me a chance to tour Europe instead? Honesty was not on my bucket list and I'd prefer exploring the PanAm. But that is sometimes just how life goes.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

South to North is actually a great plan for the Pan Am, The only "bad" part, is the rest may seem not up to par with Patagonia as your start.

 

[where_the_heffalump_roams]

Spent some time day trying to figure out where the air in the PS is coming from. Put in some oil based dye and bought a cheap pressure system that either didn't work very well or there was quite a bit of operator error... Kind of embarrassing that I can't figure it out. But this evening I may have seen some oil coming from the larger hose that comes off of the reservoir. Tomorrow in the day light, I'll see if I can replace it with some generic stock hose and that changes anything or not.

-Also, thanks to @DiploStrat I was able to get in touch with Atkinson Vos as I'm considering sending the truck over to Europe.
-I'd still like to consider other shops as well. I do have family in Belgium and that would make things easier for me.
-I'd also consider shipping to a shop in North, Central, and S. America for the same services.

Shipping to Europe would be a tough choice and eat up a LOT of my funds. But, I suspect parts are more common and if someone was to go through it, repairs would be much smother vs finding a problem here, and trying to source parts via internet. And at this point in ownership, I've spent more on repairs vs travels. I'm at a point where I feel like I'm doing the same ******** one and one and not getting anywhere. And as one person stated "you are feeling the results of a decade or so of amateur repairs-you need some pro help".

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The list of needed repairs is long and I suspect someone more knowledgeable would find a lot more.