Food Rescue Truck Repairs: Update

Last week we shared through social media that our 2016 International 4300 had to be driven back to Ward International the same day we had picked it up. On Friday, we had the truck towed directly to RTS Allison Transmission in Mobile. All the work involved diagnosing the TCM (transmission computer) led us to conclude there might be something wrong with the transmission itself. Sadly, this was confirmed by RTS Allison when they dropped the pan on the transmission and found metallic grit and debris in the pan and fluid. I have been hesitant to share any additional sad news about our trucks, since so many of you have contributed generously. I want you to know that your donations have made a huge impact on these setbacks. I really want to share something positive.

Here’s the good news. Over $12k in funds were raised within the past month and have been fully matched by our private benefactor. DH received a wire yesterday for $20k, which will cover our outstanding balance on previous repairs and the cost to replace the transmission on the International.

Our trucks should be fully operational and back in action by the end of next week. In the meantime, we are relying on our smaller back-up truck and have been lent a refrigerated box truck from Feeding the Gulf Coast. We are truly fortunate for their ongoing support for Destin Harvest.

I want to give a special thank you to everyone who supported us during this costly hurdle. If you were considering making a contribution for our truck repairs, please don’t let our positive news stop you. DH’s operation is still very much in need of ongoing support and ownership from the community. Every individual contribution made under $15k will be matched.

Sincere Gratitude,

Chris Leavenworth
Executive Director

Below is a timeline and breakdown of every expense we have had on the 2017 Freightliner M2, the 2016 International 4300, and refrigerator units since April of this year.

2017 Freightliner M2: Total Repair Costs: $8,236.76

June 19th: DOT Inspection: $320.25
June 27th: Replace A/C Compressor: $976.22 (necessary repair since the drive belt runs on it)
July 29th to August 1st: Replace warped manifold gasket $2,458.32
Exhaust was blowing into the cab whenever the truck’s DPF went into regen. This repair required mechanic to remove bolts from the turbocharger to the manifold, which revealed serious damage to the fins on the turbines of turbocharger. When mechanic put everything back together, the check engine light came on and the computer indicated bad turbocharger and actuator.
August 5th to August 22nd: Replace turbocharger and actuator: $4,481.97 (after warranty coverage)

2016 International 4300: Total Repair Costs $15,748.38

May 1st: Replaced EGR Cooler: $1,983.30
EGR cooler, a component that cools exhaust before entering DPF, cracked and leaking coolant. Diesel trucks with over 200k miles run into this quite commonly. Next part needing replacement will likely be EGR valve since it has so much soot build up.
May 1st: PM (oil change, fuel filter, CV filter, oil, water seperator) : $813.03
July 18th: Truck Diagnostic after CK Engine light comes on: $126
Computer indicates EGR valve is too clogged up to close. Need to replace EGR Valve.
July 23rd: Replaced EGR Valve: $1,376.29
July 28th: Truck breaks down in Defuniak. $685.89
Service Call. Coded for shorted output speed sensor. Mechanic clears out code and drives behind driver back to Fort Walton. Replaces output speed sensor on transmission the following day but the computer keeps indicating there is an issue with the sensor. We conclude it is likely an issue with the TCM (transmission computer) or a broke wire coming from the harness to output sensor. Need to get truck to an Allison Transmission tech.
August 3rd – August 13th: TCM / Output Speed Sensor Diagnostic: $2,205.26
Drive truck in limp mode to Ward International to have Allison tech run new overlay wire to output speed sensor, but does not resolve the error. They hook up a test computer to rule out the TCM not being the culprit. Speed sensor from TCM to ECM are swapped to rule out the new sensor is not the issue. The tech finds a piece of metal stuck to sensor’s magnet. He removes the metal and put’s the sensor back in and the error goes away. They test drive the truck 18 miles and tell us the problem is resolved and to pick up the truck. On the drive back the check engine light comes back on and slips back into limp mode. The truck is brought immediately back to Ward International.
August 3rd: While at dealership we replaced driver’s seat that was falling apart: $658.61
August 16th: Truck is towed to Allison Transmission RTS in Mobile: $1,000
Advised not to drive it, in case there is an internal issue with transmission.
August 26th: Truck needs new transmission: $6,900
Allison techs remove pan on transmission to reveal metallic grit in fluid and flakes of metal on pan. Outcome of rebuilding transmission is a crap shoot and will be expensive to even explore.