Chassis Ground Wires and Gen spark arestor

Jimmyd · 08-04-2018, 05:07 PM

Today I was trying to do a few service items under our 2016 Greyhawk 29MV. While under there I noticed some wires hanging low so I investigated. They were ground wires attached to the chassis. Looking closer some wires seemed to be hanging out from the lug a little. I’ll attach a few pictures. Not sure if I can loosen the lugs and re connect without causing another issue?
Next I tried to remove the spark arestor plug from the generator and it was rusted in. When we bought the coach two months ago the dealer said the previous owner only had 25 hours on the generator and they had to rebuild the carburetor for lack of use. I sprayed WD40 on the rusted area but it won’t budge. I’m afraid if I put too much pressure on the nut I may break the welds. Photo attached. Any wrench or others suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Jimmyd

jimp · 08-04-2018, 05:44 PM

You could try some penatrating oil on the arrestor, and let it soak, re-apply and let it soak. On the ground wires, if everything works as it should, they could be ground wires for options you don't have.

ALJO · 08-04-2018, 06:00 PM

Clean the ground neutral wires and re-install with die-electric grease or copper grease.
Poor ground is one of the most common electrical problem with RV's etc.

jasum · 08-04-2018, 06:04 PM

Whoever does the battery cable crimping at Jayco should be shot...............

Jimmyd · 08-04-2018, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimp

You could try some penatrating oil on the arrestor, and let it soak, re-apply and let it soak. On the ground wires, if everything works as it should, they could be ground wires for options you don't have.

Thanks jimp, my pictures for some reason are upside down. On the ground wires the large one I believe is the battery ground. Not sure why they hang them below the frame. Seems like they could easily get ripped off.
I’m going to soak the spark arrestor again and see if I can get loose.

Jimmyd · 08-04-2018, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALJO

Clean the ground neutral wires and re-install with die-electric grease or copper grease.
Poor ground is one of the most common electrical problem with RV's etc.

Thanks Aljo, I use die-electric grease on everything. Great stuff!

Jimmyd · 08-04-2018, 06:45 PM

[QUOTE=jasum;673244]Whoever does the battery cable crimping at Jayco should be shot...............[/QUOTE

Jasum, I have to agree. Half the battery ground isn’t in the crimp. I may get our local repair shop to slide under there and redo all the ground wires. They also had it against the emergency brake cable. I moved it away and ty strapped it for now.

cabinetmaker · 08-04-2018, 09:30 PM

Jimmy...you could get that exhaust hot and try to remove the plug. I know we have used heat from torches to loosen stubborn nuts and bolts.

Not sure I would use a torch under my motorhome but you might try running the generator for a bit and then loosening.

Rustynuts · 08-04-2018, 09:50 PM

One trick that usually works is run the generator or heat fitting with torch, the put a candle or crayon up to the threads. The wax will melt and flow into the threads as it cools. I have gotten many a broken bolt or stud out using this method.

The grounds on Jayco are a joke, one trip the genny wasn’t charging the batteries, tore the coach apart testing everything and it came down to 3 #8 wires in lugs like that and 3 lugs were held by 1 #8 screw and the head had popped off. Patched it for the rest of the trip and fixed it right when we got home. Put a Blue Sea buss bar and put all new heat shrink connectors on the wires and then attached to the buss bar.

Jimmyd · 08-05-2018, 03:40 AM

Cabinetmaker, I thought about the heating of the fitting and may need to give that a try. We used that years ago on large steel nuts.
Thanks for the info.

Jimmyd · 08-05-2018, 03:50 AM

rustynuts, never heard of the crayon or candle trick before. Not sure how that would work with the arrestor plug being upside down. My biggest problem is probably my age and not being able to lay under the coach for long. Our driveway is all stone.

May get one of the young mechanics in town to tackle it.
I like your solution for the ground wires. Very neet looking and so much better than the Jayco bird nest.
Need to put that one on my repair list. Safe travels, Jimmyd

RVermont · 08-05-2018, 09:57 AM

Another trick is to actually try to tighten the nut first then reverse. Sometimes this loosens the bond and you can then unbolt it.

Jimmyd · 08-05-2018, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RVermont

Another trick is to actually try to tighten the nut first then reverse. Sometimes this loosens the bond and you can then unbolt it.

RVermont, that’s worth a try. It’s never been out apparently and the coach is three years old and it only has 53 hours on the generator. I just put 30 hours on it in the last 7 weeks.
Thanks for the suggestions. Jimmyd

Jimmyd · 08-07-2018, 11:14 AM

Can anyone tell me what type of wrench to use to remove the spark arrestor plug? It’s never been out and a regular wrench will booger it up because it’s set up in a well of the generator. I’m having a heck of a time with this plug. I don’t want to destroy it trying to remove it.
Suggestions needed.

Thanks, Jimmyd

chfraser01 · 08-07-2018, 03:07 PM

I just saw this video a couple of weeks ago and the guy said it was a 11/16" socket on a long extension.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxqkHAAH818

See if this matches up with your unit.

Jimmyd · 08-07-2018, 05:27 PM

Chfraser, the video I believe is for a larger generator. I should have been more specific. We have a Greyhawk with a 4000w has generator.
The wrench I’m looking for is the wrench that would remove the arrestor plug. The plug is a Square brass plug and is 7/16” The problem I’m having is it is set up under the generator and a normal wrench is on an angle and I can’t find a 7/16” Square socket to fit it.
Still looking. Thanks for the video.

che57vy · 08-07-2018, 06:03 PM

Years ago had a big nut rusted on a tractor old timer told me to take and heat nut with torch and take Gulf Parfin wax and melt into threads it worked

Jimmyd · 08-07-2018, 06:37 PM

Che57vy, your the second person to mention the wax. The plug in the picture is set under the generator and I’m having a problem finding a square wrench to get up in there and break it loose. The manual says to remove it every 50 hours and blow out the carbon. What is everyone else doing? It shouldn’t be this tuff.

MontanaBBQ · 08-07-2018, 06:48 PM

Nice job cleaning up the grounds, Rustynuts!

Jimmyd · 08-08-2018, 10:45 AM

Thank you Cabinetmaker, rustynuts and Che57vy.
I started the generator, let the exhaust get hot and placed an unlit candle on the threads. It immediately melted and dripped everywhere. Let the generator cool down for two hours and wah lah. I can’t believe that the wax flows upward but it did and it worked great. Used an adjustable wrench to get it loose and then a normal 7/16” wrench to replace it.
I’m so glad I asked the question on this forum. You guys are the BEST.
Safe travels, Jimmyd

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