fan clutch

Why all the discussion? Take it to Peterbilt and let them fix it for free. It is a warranty item. Everything on a new Pete is warranty. Thats why you pay the big bucks.

 

You've been to a few lately yourself. And that's not an insult, it's just the way it is.

Seriously, there's only so many things you can know in life. You can't be expected to do it all. And even if you could, there's the matter of tools and jacks/cranes and space etc. Plus at the end of the day I don't really WANT to do it, and don't know many who do.

On your back, sweaty, greasy, rapping your knuckles into jagged metal to break a bolt, bleeding out... sheer hell. If your maintenance fund is 4cpm, then mine is 6. I can live with that!

 

1. I don't think that's a valid analogy.

2. If you can play like Eddie, why are you driving a truck?

I think there are basically 3 elements to being an owner-operator-

1. Being able to operate a truck effectively, which means be safe, get good fuel mileage and don't tear stuff up.

2. Being able to manage the business aspects of the enterprise. Knowing how to budget, properly calculate and manage your expenses and deal with all of the insurance, regulatory and tax matters and everything else involved. This includes sales and/or finding loads if you're not leased.

3. Knowing how to maintain your equipment. If you can't or don't want to do it yourself, you still need to know enough to deal with whoever you are going to pay to do it for you. You need to know enough to be certain that you are not paying to have things fixed that are not broken, and that you are not being over charged for getting what is broken fixed. You need to know enough to make intelligent, cost effective decisions about when to replace/repair various components, about whether you should try to limp it in or call road service. And much, much more.

My opinion is that if you don't have at least 2 out of the 3 skill sets, you are going to fail in the business, and just muck things up for the people that do have them in the process.

I should probably add some sort of capital/financial requirements to the above list or at least stipulate that you need all 3 to succeed without any money behind you. (Go Medicine Man!)

 

Id rather be wrenching on the truck for sure don't matter if you're greasy at least your saving some money and not taking it to some ###### that doesn't know what he's doing. We know a mechanic he does almost everything in our front yard. We have never been to a shop only the company shop and some road service for a diesel line that broke and maybe a few tires. Point is at one point rob you have to learn all of this.Find a good place to buy your parts cheap don't go to the steelership unless you really need it. I learn alot when im wrenching with my dad and i like doing it. Im helping out and when i get to go i can relax knowing that i help so we can make some money.

 

Opinion noted, and a good list that can't go wrong.

Better yet to put the right person on each job like every corporation in existence. Specialization is a cornerstone of world success. Well, that and clearly defined property rights.

I don't view the mechanical side any differently than the accounting and taxes side. There is no shame in hiring out. A sales staff for sales, a marketing team for marketing, R and D, Q and A, HR, Legal, the list never ends. No one knows it all, nor do they need to. Take this self limitation away and you can surprise yourself.

 

i only had blue in a shop once for a wheel seal on the road. and if I had a jack it wouldnt have been in for that. I didnt mean you will never be in a shop

 

Oh rob those tools jacks etc come in time we've only been o/o for a year but both tool boxes are full.

 

I still have my one blue adjustable lol. I had to borrow a second one to change a glad hand out. Thought I was hot ####!

 

Yeah I know where you're coming from. Just, I'd rather respect what you can do than to be told I'm a failure for not also knowing. It will always be a little more expensive for me but I'd prefer to have someone who does this stuff all day everyday do it than what I could learn in the time I'm willing. Competency is really important, there's a lot at stake safety-wise.

 

The fan clutch should have a wire going to it, trace that wire to the sensor that is screwed into the water manifold. The sensor will have 2 posts on top of it with wires attached to them, If that sensor is bad the fan will stay engaged all the time. To check it simply take a screwdriver and short it out,[touch both posts with screwdriver at same time]if the sensor is bad the fan will disengage.

I have replaced that sensor in my truck twice. Around 45 bucks.