Clovis Horizon Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Hey folks, My wife and I are teachers and have been planning a trip out West during our summer vacation. We have been looking for a Toyota chassis RV for about a year but got serious about our search in the past 4 months. This forum has been a valuable resource for me to read while we look to make an informed decisions (thanks everyone!!) After seeing many rigs that weren't up to our meager but firm expectations we finally pulled the trigger on the 93 Itasca. I will post pics and of course need some advice. Here are the immediate goals within the next month. -Tune up (the plugs look like they are impossible to reach, any advice?) -find the new water leak (looks like it could be the water pump, its a minor leak with no drips, just water in the engine bay) -clean and polish the outside (what is the best process for bringing fiberglass back to life?) -fix some odds and ends (sewer drain leak, outdoor shower hose, other stuff I find along the way) You can see the condition of the stripes and fiberglass, needs some serious help. I also have a picture of the water in the engine bay if anyone has any ideas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riverman77 Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Dear Clovis, Welcome to our little forum. You will find nearly all of your questions answered here. The search engine is a very useful tool to answer a lot of previously asked questions. I have only two quick answers for you right now. On your plumbing leaks, you might discover that simply snuggling up some of your fittings might fix the leaks. But, don't over tighten! Some of those old fittings are old plastic and could cause you further grief if you break and have to replace them. If your water pump needs replacing, it is usually quite simple. Remove, take the old one into an RV store, get the same one, then reinstall it. On your fiberglass, any auto part store carries a special fiberglass wax. It removes all of the oxidation - just like waxing a car, but made especially for fiberglass. Sorry, I can't help with a spark tip. I'm sure that other members most certainly 'chime in' with some tips for you. Good luck to you. We look forward to more questions and photos of your progress! ~Riverman77 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 It's his engine water pump that he's talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fred heath Posted March 9, 2014 Share Posted March 9, 2014 Welcome to our forum. The water leak could be something as simple as a bad hose. I'm not sure what engine you have but most water pumps have a factory weep hole that allows water to leak out when the pump starts to go bad. You may also hear a low grinding noise at idle. Grab a flashlite, start the engine and allow it to reach operating temperature. Being careful of moving parts check all hoses and the area around the pump. Remember your water system is under pressure. You may only be able to find the leak with the engine running. This is just general troubleshooting. Other members may have more specific advice on where to look. fred Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riverman77 Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 Dear Clovis, Sorry, I was in a bit of a hurry this morning. I re-read your questions and photos tonight. I've seen those V-6's before, and they are real tight to get in there and work on water pumps or the spark plugs. Fortunately (for me), I have an '88 Dolphin with the 4 cylinder. Like Fred said, you probably have a water pump just starting to go out - (if you don't happen to get lucky and find a loose hose or something). Be patient, another member may soon reply to your post with some better tips for you on your engine related questions. As far as your fiberglass question, I took a look at your photos tonight. That is some pretty bad checking and cracking on the striping. For a rig that age (my '88 Dolphin included), it is fairly common. The trim striping has taken its toll from sunshine, age and lack of waxing. I don't believe any type of fiberglass wax will help at this point (as I previously suggested). The fiberglass wax will certainly nourish the rest of your coach body. Either you live with it and enjoy your rig as it is or have a paint shop repaint the striping. I hope that my clarification helps. P.S. You had better move your rig out of the Fire Lane, before you get a ticket! ~Riverman77 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5Toyota Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 the down side of the six is that the water pump is inside the timing cover run by the timing belt. so a little harder to check. and way bigger job to change. WHEN replacing water pump always replace timing belt and idler pulleys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clovis Horizon Posted March 11, 2014 Author Share Posted March 11, 2014 Thanks for all the info everyone. I am planning on taking a look at everything this week and next and starting to tackle all the issues. The rig has 67k miles so if I do need to do the water pump, I will do the timing belt as well. I used to have a 74 Landcruiser and could change just about any part with no problem, I am a little intimidated looking into the engine bay of the v6. Do y'all take your rigs to a regular mechanic or a RV specialist or what? I live in Mckinney, TX if anyone has any recommendations. I have looked into some restriping kits just for looks but will have to see how much time I have to work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek up North Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 FYI, the timing belt change and valve clearance check/adjust are scheduled maintenance at 60k miles. I wouldn't waste your time looking for an RV place to work on your Toyota. Instead look for a Toyota specialist whose shop can handle the size of your RV (door size and lift capacity). 1993 Factory Service Manual:- http://personal.utulsa.edu/~nathan-buchanan/93fsm/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berinda Collins Posted July 23, 2014 Share Posted July 23, 2014 Good day to allI have a 1990 Itasca Sprint Toyota motorhome it has been sitting out in the weather in California for about 8 yrs. and the taillights are decaying bad the housing around the lights would like to know were can we get new ones and where can we get brakes for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanAatTheCape Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 before you assume leak is from the water pump I would look around really good. I had a small leak - turned out to be the block of metal where the upper radiator hose attaches to the engine block = easy fix. If you do have to go into the water pump do the timing belt too. The belt is cheap but there is some labor involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanAatTheCape Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 if you google on zep floor wax to restore RVs you should find some interesting stuff. I cleaned mine with diluted bleach in soapy water - brushed it on - let it sit about 10 minutes & washed it off - 3 times with rv soap from walmart. Then I waxed it twice with automotive wax. Three times on the overhead front - makes getting bugs off a lot easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanAatTheCape Posted July 26, 2014 Share Posted July 26, 2014 PS - I did not do the zep floor wax thing - very curious how those things will turn out years from now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 Hi. I too am a new owner of a 1993 Spirit. I fell in love with her. She has some problems but basically in great shape. I too have questions about the exterior paint. The clear coat is starting to peel. I dont know if I can just have it clear coated? Do you know if I can increase wheel size so I can get more rubber on the road? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AKPirate Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 Thats a good looking rig! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 Yes she sure is. I sent my son a pux and he said she looked like a Dingy, so I christened he Lil Dingy🤗🤙⚓🚐 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WME Posted September 28, 2021 Share Posted September 28, 2021 Unless your will to spend $$$$ your stuck with the size tires you have. They work just fine and there are tens of thousand using them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Posted September 29, 2021 Share Posted September 29, 2021 Thank you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Posted September 29, 2021 Share Posted September 29, 2021 1 minute ago, Lauren said: Thank you. BTW, I like the paint job on yours. I was trying to figure out how to paint it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john*thomas Posted September 29, 2021 Share Posted September 29, 2021 If you have 185/14 you can go to 195/14. It's not a huge difference but as noted, that's about as large as you'll get without more expensive changes. You can re-clearcoat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lauren Posted September 29, 2021 Share Posted September 29, 2021 Thank you. I'm new to motorhoming so this is an adventure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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