Mercer

Next time you go look at Volvo's... Look to see how much room is in the engine compartment to actually do things yourself.

I'd try it... But I am booked on freight that I have to move on time.... So I'll pay a professional to get it done.

 

You know, I don't want to be the harbinger of doom here...But If you don't understand something as simple as that about the truck you might want to wait a while and learn a little more about it before buying one.

Seriously.

 

As far as room in concerned - i know it is a pain to get to the front - since the hood opens from the back to the front. I could be wrong, but, to change to clutch might actually take the shop 2 hours or so. Like I've mentioned before, if you're booked tight and can't squeeze in few extra hours go ahead and let them do it.

 

my old Pete 379 I was able to stand in the engine compartment between the fan & the radiator.

This truck.... I can't even get my finger to fit in between the fan & radiator.

 

clutch fan has gotten me confused - since the proper, understanding terminology, is something along the lines of thermal cooling clutch fan. Semi's and 4 wheelers are identical in a lot of ways. I just never heard of an actual clutch fan and wanted to make sure that I was on the same page. - Grand-pa/old timer. : lol

 

I know what you mean. That was the one of the draw-backs I had/have about the volvo. But then again, they are somewhat designed by the european company: fit as much as possible in the smallest compartment. I know. I think the vnl 880 is somewhat better, by the looks of it, but the price is higher too and so is the weight.

 

I know....That was my point.

The scenario that I have in my mind is one that I've seen repeated on guys that don't have a good working knowledge of their equipment many times over the years and it goes something like...

New O/O: I have a funny noise coming from the engine.

Crooked shop: Hmmmmm....Any idea what it might be?

New O/O: No....

Crooked shop: OK then, I'll check it out for you...

New O/O: Thanks!

Crooked shop: We don't allow drivers in the work area but you can wait in our "driver lounge" down the hall.

New O/O: Thanks!

Later on the guy is presented with a bill for $3,000 for a broken (insert part here) and told that he's lucky that he brought it in.
A guy that knew something about his equipment would probably have repaired it himself for $300 and a couple of hours of his own time.

It sounds ridiculous but I've seen guys "take it in the shorts" this way too many times to count!

 

Now that you've put it that way. The semi does sound diff. vs the 4wheeler. Some sounds that were not there before could have manifested themselves and could sound differently then the 4 wheeler tdi woud have. I'll be the 1st to say that I'm not an expert, by any means or terms, when it comes to the semi engines. I never had any problems when I was the company driver, for the acception of one incident when the driver cut me off with the port trailer and took off my driver's side mirror. if I didn't brake, he would have taken out the whole front end.

But, I learn quick, specially if the money comes out of my pocket. Being A.S.E. certified helps too - well, I was certified before the economy took a dump and then rolled even further doooooown the hill. I work on everything that I have, bike, f150, 3.0 toyota, tdi, 3.2 tls, 3.3 H6 subaru and few others... for the acception of the automatic transmissions.

So, I might be one of the ones that will pull in and ask about that "funny" sound, I, also, would want to know where it is coming from and why, if I can't figure it out on my own.

All in all, the person might know a lot of things but, once in a while, the stupidest thing will get him and if he/she is smart enought - will learn from it. - enough of my soap opera.

 

Just waiting for Monday to get here. Parked at my destination in Colorado. They would unload me today but no one to sign paperwork until Monday.

 

well actually the term clutch fan would lead a new guy to think it was a clutch on the fan, however if it were stated as a "fan clutch" it would then be easier to grasp. as in reality it is a "fan clutch" and not a "clutch fan".

but also depending on the type clutch it may be possible to lock it together with a bolt to make it run all the time.