Attempted to remove EGR valve, but still couldn’t get it to budge. Will require a specialized removal tool, which I promptly ordered on eBay. Checked oil before starting: It was just a hair past ADD, which is about 2 quarts low. Picked up 2 quarts of 15W40 to keep on hand. Checked coolant reservoir: Was…
Author: Michael Kurt
Pembroke Pines, FL Day 5
11/13/21 Truck started with NOCO Brakes weak & grindy until a few full stops Drove 17 miles to a diesel repair shop that said they had the correct software to talk to my truck Bit of loose sounding rattle when coasting/decelerating on rough city streets Some binding when turning wheel when parking Left the keys…
Pembroke Pines, FL Day 4
Battery @ 9.9V, dropped quickly when tried to start without NOCO No coolant loss, but 2/8” layer of darker liquid on top Not able to definitively call it oil, but that’s about all it could be. Could be hard/cracked o-rings in engine oil or transmission oil cooler Washed outside of cab windows Power steering fluid…
Pembroke Pines, FL Day 3
My contact with the city, who used to be a mechanic, said EGR is related to exhaust emissions and the valve is a frequent source of problems. Often get stuck due to thermal cycling or sitting for long periods. People often remove them to improve mileage, performance, engine life EGR Valve sensor contacts were slightly…
Pembroke Pines, FL Day 2
Fixed driver side mirror upper support arm Re-attached rear camera screen Screwed down center console Cleaned inside cab windows, mirrors and dash Re-attached driver side A pillar cover Lubed all door catches and locks Added 3/4 gal distilled water to coolant reservoir; cleared low coolant warning Found nest of leaves, plastic bags between turbo and…
Pembroke Pines, FL Day 1
Flew GR > Detroit > Fort Lauderdale. Met with contact at city who took me over to the surplus yard where the truck was stored. Had been studying photos of this thing for months, but first impression was just how big it was. Other than cobwebs, interior was fairly clean. Exterior had a years worth…
Shit Gets Bananas, B-A-N-A-N-A-S
PART II At this point in the tale, I’ve taken possession of the truck and been in Florida for a week working on it in the blazing sun and insane humidity. Despite having studied pictures of the truck for months up until this point, I will say that it was intimidating to see in person…
How Not To Buy A Decommissioned Ambulance
A cautionary tale on things to avoid or at least be prepared to deal with. PART I I first saw the truck I would ultimately buy listed on Brindlee Mountain Fire Apparatus at FireTruckMall.com in June 2021. Besides being a class 6, medium duty truck, what initially caught my eye was the layout and the…