*Update* trouble on I-5

Topic: *Update* trouble on I-5 (Read 2893 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #25 – October 27, 2015, 06:17:32 pm

You and your wife have my deepest sympathies. Won't bore anyone with stories....all I can say is I truly hope the road ahead is better ! Chaterham will make a great towed !

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #26 – October 27, 2015, 06:26:04 pm

Quote from: mike leary – October 27, 2015, 05:06:56 pm

Hey! Lighten up, these things will end and no one is laughing at you, we've been there and could be there right now.

I know no one is laughing at me Mike. I have had a great many phone calls and texts and replies in the forum from concerned members. Not one of them save for caflashbob made mention of how much they have spent over the course of their ownership compared to my experience this weekend. Thus inferring that I should just shut up about it.

I'm normally good natured and always try to see the humor in everything. BUT I have a very short fuse & become a bit intolerant when a person comes along and tells me while I'm dealing with this situation that the money I have had to spend is "no big deal" because they have spent so much more than I have, all while driving his coach to the shop voluntarily for a fix or upgrade. Not under duress hung off the back of a tow rig on a rainy Saturday night. That is the very definition of a patronizing/condescending remark. And I'll not stand by silently.

On another note. The shop sent an email saying that the coach "should" be done by the 29th. Depends on how much of an issue it is to remove the broken exhaust manifold bolt.

All this will pass and we will write about our coach trip from hell in our journal along side an old entry relating to a TT trip from hell involving a US military MWR rental trailer in the black hills of SD.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #27 – October 27, 2015, 07:00:05 pm

Quote from: bigdog – October 27, 2015, 06:26:04 pm

All this will pass and we will write about our coach trip from hell in our journal

I used to keep a journal, now I log the weather.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #28 – October 27, 2015, 07:43:47 pm

Quote from: bigdog – October 27, 2015, 06:26:04 pm

I have had a great many phone calls and texts and replies in the forum from concerned members. Not one of them save for caflashbob made mention of how much they have spent over the course of their ownership compared to my experience this weekend. Thus inferring that I should just shut up about it.

Please (and this goes for everyone) - if you receive a response that you feel is inappropriate/snarky/unhelpful, if you hover over More on that post, there is a "Report Post". The moderators want to keep the forum helpful and useful, so letting them know who has been "less than helpful", especially with a technical topic, helps them be more effective in addressing problem posts (and users).

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #29 – October 27, 2015, 08:06:52 pm

sorry it did not go well so far. And to be angry at my comments I apologize.

Will remember. Wish you good future luck on your similar to our coach.

Most if not all of my CB's spent since purchase were proactive. Reactive is not my way after 30 years of being in the high line Rv management biz.

My local expert guru/friends have been invaluable as one is a systems and electronic expert and the other was my FORETRAVELS dealers top mechanic.

Plus I studied every detail in every high line brand i sold.

Not an excuse for my insensitivity.

I hope your DW sees the good over the long run in the coach.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #30 – October 27, 2015, 08:20:08 pm

BigDog,
Sounds like the coach sat around without exercise for too long. Once the "kinks" are worked out with frequent use. You'll be just fine. Too bad this is not happening under your control while at home and ready to spend the time diagnosing and working out the kinks.

Hope all goes well and you get home safe and sound. Pamper the coach and it will serve you well.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #31 – October 27, 2015, 08:38:01 pm

Quote from: mkc – October 27, 2015, 07:43:47 pm

Please (and this goes for everyone) - if you receive a response that you feel is inappropriate/snarky/unhelpful, if you hover over More on that post, there is a "Report Post". The moderators want to keep the forum helpful and useful, so letting them know who has been "less than helpful", especially with a technical topic, helps them be more effective in addressing problem posts (and users).

Well because for me. I believe in first answering a person in a calm manner and allowing things to be worked out amongst our selves. Then if it escalates further we can call in the Ninja kill squad. Not at the first hint of a squabble. This was just a minor thing between caflashbob and I, No need for Ninja's at this point in time. Nothing to see here, please move along.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #32 – October 27, 2015, 08:47:50 pm

Quote from: bigdog – October 27, 2015, 08:38:01 pm

... call in the Ninja kill squad...

Maybe you are refering to moderators on some other forum???

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #33 – October 27, 2015, 09:10:36 pm

Quote from: Caflashbob – October 27, 2015, 08:06:52 pm

sorry it did not go well so far. And to be angry at my comments I apologize.

Will remember. Wish you good future luck on your similar to our coach.

Most if not all of my CB's spent since purchase were proactive. Reactive is not my way after 30 years of being in the high line Rv management biz.

My local expert guru/friends have been invaluable as one is a systems and electronic expert and the other was my FORETRAVELS dealers top mechanic.

Plus I studied every detail in every high line brand i sold.

Not an excuse for my insensitivity.

I hope your DW sees the good over the long run in the coach.

Fair enough, Apology accepted.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #34 – October 27, 2015, 09:12:19 pm

Quote from: Mark Benko – October 27, 2015, 08:47:50 pm

Maybe you are refering to moderators on some other forum???

No, just moderators in general.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #35 – October 27, 2015, 09:29:30 pm

Quote from: Peter & Beth – October 27, 2015, 08:20:08 pm

BigDog,
Sounds like the coach sat around without exercise for too long. Once the "kinks" are worked out with frequent use. You'll be just fine. Too bad this is not happening under your control while at home and ready to spend the time diagnosing and working out the kinks.

Hope all goes well and you get home safe and sound. Pamper the coach and it will serve you well.

You would be correct. Two years and the coach was used maybe twice for an hour or two on Vancouver Island and down the block to go into winter storage at Wayne's coach house while Wayne races the Canadian Geese. But it was always plugged into shore power.

Yep! All this was not happening on my schedule. That is the crux of the problem. The coach did it's best cliff notes version of Mutiny on the Bounty.

When my wife got home from work tonight, She asked how difficult would it be to sell it. That's what I'm up against. And of course when she reads the forum and nearly 100% of the folks always make mention of the large amounts of coach bucks spent. Even in the well meaning responses to our issue. She then just shakes her head and groans. I'm trying my best to stay off the forum when she is home.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #36 – October 27, 2015, 09:39:41 pm

Regards to the aqua hot, maybe good news. If you were driving, then the coolant in the aqua hot would have been at least partly warmed up and the diesel would have to run for only a short time to get to cut off temp. and the green light would remain on. If you were not getting heat out of the registers, may a stuck check valve which can in most times be unstuck by a gentle tap with a hammer handle. so probably not a problem with it. good luck with the other repairs

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #37 – October 27, 2015, 09:50:52 pm

Quote from: red tractor – October 27, 2015, 09:39:41 pm

the diesel would have to run for only a short time to get to cut off temp. and the green light would remain on. If you were not getting heat out of the registers, may a stuck check valve which can in most times be unstuck by a gentle tap with a hammer handle.

Ron makes a good point (and we have some excellent AquaHot technical folks on the forum - Roger Berke and Rudy). If the vents were blowing, but just cold, it could be as simple as a stuck zone valve.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #38 – October 27, 2015, 11:05:47 pm

If both users do not have a smile on their face about a motorhome then this can be difficult.

We here seem to be brain dead. The price of our portable freedom machines which takes us in relative luxury is simply the price you pay to have your cake and eat it too.

I used to mention to the dr and lawyers wife's that there was no room service on a Rv and no one was going to fluff your napkin and put it in your lap.

Have to be into nature. Some are into cities and shopping and restaurants.

If the financial and possible inconveniences are a top issue then the commitment might be weak or the budget is being strained.

Not a fun first voyage. I feel for the posters as we REALLY enjoy our similar old unicoach.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #39 – October 29, 2015, 02:11:20 pm

Quote from: Pamela & Mike – October 27, 2015, 08:16:12 am

bigdog

FYI you may want to tell the shop you want the dead keypad as it can be rebuilt and would give you a spare. This fellow in the Dallas,TX area can fix it if it is fixable, give him a call. Transmission Instruments

Not to sound like a moocher but even if you don't want to have your old one rebuilt there may be another member that would be interested in having it repaired.

Pamela & Mike

Thanks for the tip. I saw on the site you linked to that the selector repair is a very reasonable $385.

The shop has set aside the shift selector. It's small and weighs nothing so no reason to not have it hanging around the coach.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #40 – October 29, 2015, 03:12:53 pm

Quote from: bigdog – October 27, 2015, 09:29:30 pm

When my wife got home from work tonight, She asked how difficult would it be to sell it. That's what I'm up against. And of course when she reads the forum and nearly 100% of the folks always make mention of the large amounts of coach bucks spent. Even in the well meaning responses to our issue. She then just shakes her head and groans. I'm trying my best to stay off the forum when she is home.

I ran into a lot of problems after purchasing my FT at a repo auction. I expected some, but nowhere near as many as occured. In the heat of the moment, I was frustrated and overwhelmed, but after making the repairs and getting everything up and running, I looked back at the 5-6 coach bucks spent right after the purchase price spent and the traveling to get it and realize I still got into an RV that is much nicer than almost anything on the market for the price of a small travel trailer, basically. Even a brand new $90,000 class C or A at the lower end of the price scale would be smaller, less comfortable, less usable, and more than likely still have a ton of warranty issues requiring repairs.

Getting stranded on your first trip sucks, but it happens, even with brand new RVs! The only difference is you are starting with something a lot nicer!

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #41 – October 29, 2015, 04:29:39 pm

Oh Oh! More drama. Warped exhaust manifold.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #42 – October 29, 2015, 04:32:44 pm

Is there any reason youre fixing all this exhaust stuff in the heat of the moment, vs getting it drivable, home, and finding an affordable solution? Was there a massive exhaust leak before? sounds like they are going after stuff?

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #43 – October 29, 2015, 05:03:56 pm

Quote from: car54 – October 29, 2015, 04:32:44 pm

Is there any reason youre fixing all this exhaust stuff in the heat of the moment, vs getting it drivable, home, and finding an affordable solution? Was there a massive exhaust leak before? sounds like they are going after stuff?

Are they going after stuff? Well that could be. Yet an exhaust leak is nothing to ignore. At first it was just a broken exhaust bolt that they found while doing the oil change. My thoughts are how the heck did it depart from being flat. (over heating is the usual cause) And did the warping cause the bolt to break? Not sure though how an exhaust manifold would be any cheaper here in Podunk Walla Walla.

Now there is the labor cost to R&R the manifold twice that I need to consider. If I'm already into it for three hours or so, would a used and possibly suspect manifold be so much cheaper that it would make up for the three or so extra hours already accrued? I'm waiting for an email from them quoting the cost of the manifold.

In the mean time. Has anyone bought a used 1998 Cummins M11 exhaust manifold for comparison?

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #44 – October 29, 2015, 05:27:21 pm

Jerry,
Not unusual for a manifold to warp once a stud breaks,(studs can break for many reasons) but before that bunch take you for a meal ticket for the rest of the month why not get it machined and resurfaced to remove the warping. That is also normal unless the warp is large, and that the manifold is not cracked. Then it has to be welded and resurfaced afterwards.
just a thought.
Brian.

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #45 – October 29, 2015, 05:39:07 pm

I agree, I would take a resurfaced manifold over a new one. Once the warping has occured, flatten it out, reinstall properly and it should hold good, in my experience better than starting with a brand new one, and I am an expert at stress testing cummins manifolds. (the pic below is a C8.3)

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #46 – October 29, 2015, 05:54:35 pm

Nothing wrong with a seasoned manifold. Have it surfaced and off you go. As good as, or better than new.
Raymond

Re: Update trouble on I-5

Reply #47 – October 29, 2015, 06:18:32 pm

I find my self between a rock & a hard place. I found a site that sells the three piece manifold for $312. the cost from this dealer is $888. Problem is that the manifold has already been taken off, The turbo removed. The flat rate for the M11 manifold R&R and removing the broken bolt is 8 hours, Which I'm already in for on this job. So looks like I'm toast on this one. $5,000 so far.

Anyone want to buy a Caterham super 7?

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