Break down on I-10 (fan pump failure)

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Break down on I-10 (fan pump failure)

January 16, 2015, 09:02:15 pm

. Got a taste of a breakdown at mile marker 37 , on I-10 in (Arizona) . Engine got hot , had a tuff time getting back in the right lane as traffic was very fast and heavy . Couldn't get off the road very far about 5 feet past the white stripe . Dash shows nothing , blank . Go back to check . See a coolant trail leading up to the coach . The coolant tank was completely full . The oil in tank that runs the steering system was full . Turned the key , went back to engine start button , started engine , no fan ------darn-----. Called James T. he said right off it is the pump motor on the passenger side of the transmission that runs the fan. Only had a few miles to go to get to Brenda to our camp ground . James said wait there till the engine cools , then drive slowly with the dash heater on full . Did that , got to the CG ,got parked , hooked up.----Amen twice . Called Foretravel , spoke to Mike , the parts MGR. , he had already been talking to James and had the parts boxed up ready to ship . ----WOW -- didn't expect all that so fast . He was waiting for me to call with an address . The parts should get here next week about Thursday . Don't know how they could have been any better . Have decided they do not pay James enough . Brad Metzger

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #1 – January 16, 2015, 09:33:27 pm

Bummer!!! No overnight delivery??

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #2 – January 16, 2015, 09:49:48 pm

What a great bunch of guys at FOT. Good luck with the repair.

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #3 – January 16, 2015, 10:05:41 pm

Brad,

If you have to stay till next week for parts you need to at least go out for dinner Saturday. Here is one of the best steak houses around Cattleman's Steakhouse, visit a legendary Texas Steakhouse If you are on the east side of El Paso it is well worth the drive. Hope you get back on the road soon.

Pamela & Mike

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #4 – January 16, 2015, 10:29:44 pm

Quote from: Green99 – January 16, 2015, 09:49:48 pm

What a great bunch of guys at FOT. Good luck with the repair.

quite a different tone from much of the "Realm" thread.

very encouraging -- maybe even for those of us with much more modest coaches

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #5 – January 16, 2015, 10:39:19 pm

Just talked to Brad and told him when we arrive at Q Sunday we will all see what can be done to get the truck and ATV off his coach and driven to Q thereby removing a lot of weight from coach. maybe he then can in a couple of spurts drive the coach to Q and when part arrives go pick it up and install at Q. Will talk to all at Q when we arrive and figure something out for them.
JohnH

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #6 – January 16, 2015, 10:49:55 pm

Quote from: John Haygarth – January 16, 2015, 10:39:19 pm

Just talked to Brad and told him when we arrive at Q Sunday we will all see what can be done to get the truck and ATV off his coach and driven to Q thereby removing a lot of weight from coach. maybe he then can in a couple of spurts drive the coach to Q and when part arrives go pick it up and install at Q.

You guys rock!

OK, now round up some folks to help Bill C. and Jo get their toad fixed and make it to Q

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #7 – January 16, 2015, 10:57:14 pm

I missed that post of Bill's trouble. What is it under and were is he?
JohnH

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #8 – January 16, 2015, 10:59:57 pm

Quote from: John Haygarth – January 16, 2015, 10:57:14 pm

I missed that post of Bill's trouble. What is it under and were is he?

Just west of Van Horn, TX. Toad lost a wheel and brake assembly "Q" sign In/Out page

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #9 – January 16, 2015, 11:14:17 pm

Brads email to me said they are at Black Rock RV park at mile marker 31 on 60 just before I10 in site 005, NOT at mm39 on I 10 as in posting. About 17 miles east of Q. I will go see them on our way Sunday and figure out what needs to be done and accessability of part on coach. talk once we get to Q and let you all know.
JohnH

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #10 – January 17, 2015, 12:01:51 am

Got to mention --we will be here a full month . My goal once the parts arrive is to hire a mechanic to change out the parts here at the camp ground . If all else fails , will have the coach towed to Quartzsite where this can be done . Now , the twist to this mess , ----my toad is a F-250 4by4 diesel truck . Jim Dunivan drove it to push the coach to the camp ground still hooked up with the tow bar . Sure like that old ford truck . Brad Metzger

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #11 – January 17, 2015, 07:13:06 am

Brad,

I misread where you were at. Thought you were just down the road from Bill C close to El Paso. Looks like you have a plan of attack as soon as the parts arrive.

Pamela

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #12 – January 17, 2015, 07:58:29 am

Wow what an experience. Hope the engine fared ok.

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #13 – January 17, 2015, 11:01:41 am

What a great response by everyone. I wish I could be there to help also. I love this forum even when we disagree.

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #14 – January 19, 2015, 07:21:20 pm

I have been under this coach a bunch here lately , and getting to know it too darn well from there . Now , removing that hydraulic pump is something I don't see as getting done without loosing most or all of ones religion . It is at the front of the transmission very close to the engine with so little room to do anything with your hands much less using a wrench . There is a wire plug connector on top that snaps on and has to be released . Problem is there is two things on that have to be released at the same time but------there is only enough room to get one finger into position at a time . Must bee some small device to do that ? This pump is cast iron . My guess is it is heavy , maybe 65 pounds or so . Now holding the new pump up there and aligning the bolts will be one interesting maneuver that I want to see . Now , got to find someone that can do it . This just might be the hardest part of this whole ordeal .

Brad Metzger

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #15 – January 19, 2015, 09:06:04 pm

Brad, I hate those d.. little fingers that you have to release to get the plug loose.
Try using a small screwdriver pushed into one of the fingers to release it and then maybe you can release the other one with your finger.
Good luck.
Gary B

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #16 – January 19, 2015, 10:03:51 pm

I hear you Gary , That electric connector sits on top of the electric control dome feeling kind of thing . Now this thing is on top of the pump . If only I could see it maybe I could figure something to solve it . Can not get my hand to it , only a finger . Maybe it has to be unbolted and lowered down some to get it . Can not see it getting done any other way . This pump is heavy , so when the last bolt is out it hast to be held there long enough for some one else to unplug it . I can easily see torn out wires from who knows where . Sure don't need that on top of all this mess . Brad Metzger

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #17 – January 19, 2015, 10:20:28 pm

I use a mirror and a light to see stuff or put your cell phone up with the flash and get a peek at what you are facing.

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #18 – January 19, 2015, 11:49:38 pm

Brad, Another thought, that cable must lead to another control, solenoid, pressure switch etc, is it possible you can trace that wire and find that there is a connector on the other end you can reach ?
Or... Best case is that new pump comes with harness attached ..... You can dream anyway.
Gary B

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #19 – January 20, 2015, 10:45:30 am

Maybe like an old VW, drop the engine & transmission to work on it ?
Sorry, no help, but you have my sympathy, the old hands just don't work as well any longer.

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #20 – January 21, 2015, 04:27:54 am

Buy a cheap borescope at harborfreight, amazon, etc.

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #21 – January 21, 2015, 08:16:45 am

These last few days , I have been talking to the local people about diesel mechanics and where and who would they call to get this done . One thing that comes out quickly is " stay away from that bunch at Quartzsite" usually followed up with they will scam you or a bunch of crooks etc etc . After all this , I am pointed to Salome and Tony Garcia . I go there , meet his resident mechanic ---"Greasy" and he looks the part . He states that they do this stuff all the time . Says Tony is out on a call but will call and set it up . Nothing yet , but feels good to know something is in the works that can produce results . I'll call him when the new pump arrives from Foretravel .

Brad Metzger

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #22 – January 22, 2015, 10:23:28 pm

Much to my surprise , the pump boxes arrived . Yep , two of them . Heavy as the dickens . Both in a tight wooden box . Now all that's left is to get that mechanic here and do it . The feeling of having your coach sitting there and knowing it can't be driven is a bit much for me . Not used to having anything in this situation . I like to keep my stuff up and running and ready to go . This Mechanic better have small hands , be strong and be smart , otherwise I might be here till July . Brad Metzger

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #23 – January 23, 2015, 12:09:44 pm

Now that I have what better be the right parts , I notified the Mechanic that say's they (he) will be here tomorrow about noon to do the job . He said it might take most of the day to do it . Still see no way to do that without a cutting torch to remove all the stuff that is in the way . He said we have done a few of these pumps and it is tight but we can and will do it . All this is music to my ears. By the end of the day tomorrow we'll know for sure . Brad Metzger

Re: Break down on I-10

Reply #24 – January 23, 2015, 12:43:54 pm

Brad I just happened to talk with James. I mentioned that you got the pump and he said don't forget to tell him that if you remove the tag tire your access will be much easier. I thought I would relay that message.

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