| The second part of the story - long [message #370736] |
Sat, 29 October 2022 15:09  |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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Senior Member |
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The second part of the of the story:
We were going to a day long outdoor event some 90 miles distant. I elected that we take the coach both as support for us and as sort of proving run in advance of the planned excursion to Lebanon.
The coach ran great on the way there. The day was great too. It was late afternoon and we were on the way home. Mary noticed that the Digipanel said the battery voltage was less than it should be. This was, at the time a minor annoyance as I have had alternator trouble (another long story and not for now). We stopped on the shoulder of an exit ramp and I went out front with my meter and yes that battery was low. So as soon as I was back aboard, I started the APU and hit the boost switch. As soon as Mary tried to return to the highway she said that there was no power steering. About then, the Digipanels engine temp went RED as she was trying to get on the shoulder, coolant got spit on the windshield and then coolant steam all over.
I knew that was bad enough to call for help. I put a call in to AAA. After enough time, I opened the engine hatch and saw the all the grooves of the water pump sheave were empty. I was sort of waiting for things to cool enough to get close to the engine, I saw that all the belts were still there. That makes for a bad time.
Now we get to where AAA was a negative help. It was an hour later (we have been sitting inches from 70MPH traffic) that Mary called AAA back to be told that they had nobody that could help us. But if we get a tow, they would reimburse us. Mary had a good idea and call some police people to ask for a hint who might tow us. I was otherwise occupied, when a pleasant office showed up at the door. He said he knew who could and would help us and we gave the word to bring him on.
The tow showed up and it took the guy a while to figure out how the very heavy erector set made a wheel lift. He did and while he was doing that, I turned the ignition on to raise the rear to preempt the possibility of damage. At the right front wheel, there was gas leaking onto the ground. I did not know the cause but it was leaking at the above mentioned fuel line. I shut things off and it stopped. That was not a problem for right now.
When we were at the house’s north drive, the driver would not believe me, so he left the coach in the outer end of the north drive and it would be a day until we could use my little tractor to dray the coach backwards to the parking area so it would not be in the way.
She back together and I have checked the head bolts and all are still at tension. (In an over heat, the head casting can expand and both crush the head gasket and stretch the head bolts. If you suspect this has happened, re-tensioning the head bolt may prevent further damage.) I have replaced the thermostat because I have known them to be damaged buy an over heat. I only lost about a gallon and an half of coolant. She fired right up and sounds nice.
Now I have to get ready to put Chaumière away for the winter.
Matt
Matt & Mary Colie - Chaumière -'73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan with OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Near DTW - Twixt A2 and Detroit
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| Re: The second part of the story - long [message #370741 is a reply to message #370736] |
Sun, 30 October 2022 21:55  |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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Matt,
You had mentioned that when we visited in Belleville last month on our way to PA. I guess I dodged a bullet on the way home a few days ago when my AC Compressor decided to call it quits and spit it's belt off, which took the next belt with it. I run a double alternator pulley, so there was still one belt driving the water pump, the alternator, and the PS pump. I smelled the burning belt and heard the thump when it let go, and kept a close eye on the gauges. There was no change.
That evening, at the rest area we were spending the night at near Fredericksburg, Texas, I crawled under to see what was going on. The third belt (the one closest to the engine) was still there, but not in great condition. After a short conversation with my mechanic buddy in Tucson, I decided to pick up a new pair of belts in F-burg so I would have them if I needed them (I had a spare of unknown age, but didn't really trust it).
Long story short, I carefully watched the amp gauge the rest of the way home, crossing my fingers and praying that the belt would hold up for the remainder of the trip (approx 600 miles). It did. I know it was risky, but I was too tired at the end of the day, the next two days (or maybe too lazy) to change it.
No other collateral damage, thank goodness. Dodged a bullet.
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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