Today might totally suck!

[Giorgio]

My machine (ThermalWave 5m 7800 hours) just started having intermittent shutdown issues. Yuk!

So, I did the only thing I could think of and descaled it after work last night.

Wish me luck because these problems are sometimes a nightmare to troubleshoot. I'll be carrying a spare ECU with me today just in case.

it's probably getting about time for me to pull the trigger on a new TM.

 

[Mikey P]

My machine (ThermalWave 5m 7800 hours) just started having intermittent shutdown issues. Yuk!

So, I did the only thing I could think of and descaled it after work last night.

Wish me luck because these problems are sometimes a nightmare to troubleshoot. I'll be carrying a spare ECU with me today just in case.

it's probably getting about time for me to pull the trigger on a new TM.

You sound long overdue actually..

What would you replace it with?

 

[Giorgio]

That's a good question homie.

I was thinking the 370. But, I'm so hardcore I might have to pull the trigger on the 570 for the heat.

On the other hand, I am entering my twilight years and when I finally "Ozzy" I'm thinking about having my remains welded inside the waste tank of a judson instead of purchasing a casket. That way, I get to spend eternity with a truckmount.

If you were to pull the trigger on a new TM, what would it be?

 

[Mikey P]

That's a good question homie.

I was thinking the 370. But, I'm so hardcore I might have to pull the trigger on the 570 for the heat.

On the other hand, I am entering my twilight years and when I finally "Ozzy" I'm thinking about having my remains welded inside the waste tank of a judson instead of purchasing a casket. That way, I get to spend eternity with a truckmount.

If you were to pull the trigger on a new TM, what would it be?

I would create a checklist to determine where to spend my hard-earned dollars

My criteria would be as follows.

Leaves plenty of room on the side of the van for additional equipment and shelving

Heat exchanger

Easy enough to work on myself, but nearby support would be mandatory.

Built by a company that has shown to be passionate and here for the long run...

 

[hogjowl]

Normally, I put my shelves an equipment inside the van.

 

[Mikey P]

Normally, I put my shelves an equipment inside the van.

And you wonder why the Waffle House waitresses don't ask you to clean their carpet...

 

[hogjowl]

Actually, YOU brought it up

 

[Mikey P]

Actually, YOU brought it up

must you always be so cantankerous?

 

[hogjowl]

Now tell me, do you really not know the answer to that question?

 

[Mikey P]

Now tell me, do you really not know the answer to that question?

There is no manufacturer that fits all of those currently.

 

[Giorgio]

I should have posted this in the Hardware room. Anyhow, yesterday was big. We did one house consisting of 1350 sf carpet, 5 sofa's, 14 chairs, and 4 large area rugs.

The machine ran flawlessly for several hours while doing the upholstery in Idle mode. But, when we cranked up the RPM's to single speed it would intermittently stop running for no reason. No blink codes, no stuttering, no warnings. Just instantly off like someone turned off the ignition.

Afterwards, I took it to the mechanic who quickly identified that the heat exchanger heli-coil was full of air instead of anti-freeze. So, he burped the air out of the system. He thinks that solved the problem.

Hope he's right! We'll find out today.

 

[Mikey P]

 

[Giorgio]

Thanks!

Just put it on the calendar.

Btw, I've always liked Steam Action. Never owned one but I knew a local cleaner who did, and it was an absolute beast of a machine! it could run, a ridiculous, 6 wand's.

Vapor cooled blower? Are you kidding? WTF?

 

[Kenny Hayes]

Should be like Matt and have a Thermal Wave he's put 2 yrs in as a backup! Problem solved. Or Damon that's got the Bean

 

[BIG WOOD]

I should have posted this in the Hardware room. Anyhow, yesterday was big. We did one house consisting of 1350 sf carpet, 5 sofa's, 14 chairs, and 4 large area rugs.

The machine ran flawlessly for several hours while doing the upholstery in Idle mode. But, when we cranked up the RPM's to single speed it would intermittently stop running for no reason. No blink codes, no stuttering, no warnings. Just instantly off like someone turned off the ignition.

Afterwards, I took it to the mechanic who quickly identified that the heat exchanger heli-coil was full of air instead of anti-freeze. So, he burped the air out of the system. He thinks that solved the problem.

Hope he's right! We'll find out today.

Confirmed. Air in the coolant heat exchanger does cause the engine to overheat for some weird reason. I experienced that with my everest that has the same heat exchanger as yours

 

[Giorgio]

Thermostat, replaced. Heli-coil, burped. Spark plugs, shiny and clean. I even unplugged every sensor I could think of including the high pressure, low pressure, oil pressure, and high-temp. Dumped a whole bottle of injector cleaner in the tank and gave the fuel pump a thumbs-up.

And still Intermittent shutdowns.

So, I slapped in a new Zenith ECU that had been sitting on the shelf and boom! Problem solved. Machine seems to be running smooth at the moment.

Thanks!

 

[hogjowl]

Glad we could help

 

[Kenny Hayes]

That's what Mikey's Board is for Now you got a bunch of old coots standing back watching like monkeys in the zoo, or the old men on the muppets giving advice.

 

[Giorgio]

I was wrong. The ECU didn't fix it.

Couldn't even finish the job because it shut down every two minutes. Had to use the bonnet method to finish cleaning the carpets.

Here's a quick shutdown video from yesterday:


View: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wYKjKHH8lSy_Rcsblb7ALwd99UhCLu_1/view?usp=drive_link


Here's pic of my reaction. lol


View: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KORHsT9kE-41tIlkgORPx5IILhULsB8g/view?usp=drive_link


btw, I dropped the rig off with the mechanic and he's going to tear into it this weekend for me. In the mean time, I'm looking to purchase another rig.

 

[MarkieMark]

That's why 3 vans is the best number. I might change my mind and think 4 by the end of the year .

 

[scotty747]

My friends thermal wave is doing the same thing. I looked it over but couldn't figure out why it was shutting off. Keep us posted.

 

[Giorgio]

Yesterday was a total failure!

The high pressure fuel pump wasn't pumping and died on the operating table. And, there's a loud buzzing sound coming from the throttle body area.

I own two thermalwave's and after 22 years they're booth good for nothing except boat anchor's.

I need a new truckmount fast!!!

Anyone got a used Vortex for sale?

 

[hogjowl]

Yesterday was a total failure!

The high pressure fuel pump wasn't pumping and died on the operating table. And, there's a loud buzzing sound coming from the throttle body area.

I own two thermalwave's and after 22 years they're booth good for nothing except boat anchor's.

I need a new truckmount fast!!!

Anyone got a used Vortex for sale?

I’ve been needing two new TMs for two years now, but $1000-$1200 a month payment just isn’t practical for me.

 

[Bryce C]

I am hoping I can establish consistent enough business by next year to finance a brand new van and tm. I think I'll get a new Hydramaster CDS 4.8 since I am already familiar with its operation and it is such a time tested machine. With 2 of the same truckmounts I imagine I can house a lot of replacement parts and get very familiar with the maintenance and repairs. I'd use the brand new one as my main machine and keep the one I have now as young as I can to be an effective backup for many years.

I read a lot of threads on different forums and facebook groups and a small majority of folks said again and again the Hydramaster CDS is one of the simplest to repair and maintain, and most reliable machines out there. And really cost effective for what it does too. Do some folks here find that to be true of the CDS machines?

 

[hogjowl]

Both mine are Cleanco’s and I’ve found them to be reliable workhorses. Any “trouble” I’ve had has mainly been with the GMC vans. However, everything I’ve encountered (with the exception of one wiring problem and a transmission )I’ve been able to fix myself.