Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Recommended work on GMC that has been in storage for 5 years
| [GMCnet] Recommended work on GMC that has been in storage for 5 years [message #172804] |
Sun, 10 June 2012 13:41  |
Nigel Hall
Messages: 4
Registered: June 2012
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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Hi Folks,
I joined the list last week and have been doing my homework before actually buying a GMC motorhome. I've found a good candidate coach but it hasn't been on the road for at least 5 years, although it has been started and run every six months or so.
I believe the coach was well maintained before being garaged, but after sitting for so long, I'm sure it will need some attention before taking it back out on the road.
Assuming the coach was in good working order before being stored, what work would be recommended before driving it 400 or so miles? I live about 50 miles from Applied GMC in Freemont, CA, so I can take it there for a thorough check up, but I need to get it home safely first.
Thanks for your help,
Nigel
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| Re: [GMCnet] Recommended work on GMC that has been in storage for 5 years [message #172814 is a reply to message #172804] |
Sun, 10 June 2012 14:11  |
Mr ERFisher
Messages: 7117
Registered: August 2005
Karma: 2
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here are some tips for
"waking a sleeping Giant"
http://gmcmotorhome.info/buygmc.html#waking
gene
On Sun, Jun 10, 2012 at 11:41 AM, Nigel Hall <nigel@appweavers.com> wrote:
>
>
> Hi Folks,
>
> I joined the list last week and have been doing my homework before
> actually buying a GMC motorhome. I've found a good candidate coach but it
> hasn't been on the road for at least 5 years, although it has been started
> and run every six months or so.
>
> I believe the coach was well maintained before being garaged, but after
> sitting for so long, I'm sure it will need some attention before taking it
> back out on the road.
>
> Assuming the coach was in good working order before being stored, what
> work would be recommended before driving it 400 or so miles? I live about
> 50 miles from Applied GMC in Freemont, CA, so I can take it there for a
> thorough check up, but I need to get it home safely first.
>
> Thanks for your help,
>
> Nigel
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
--
Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
http://gmcmotorhome.info/
Alternator Protection Cable
http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
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| Re: [GMCnet] Recommended work on GMC that has been in storage for 5 years [message #172839 is a reply to message #172804] |
Sun, 10 June 2012 19:16 |
 |
ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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Nigel,
What good luck that you live here in Northern California. I went through this exercise 3 years ago when I bought a coach in Ohio.
My rule is (not original) Safety First - Brakes. It may have been overkill but I had Tom Hampton replace my steel lines with his excellent stainless lines. All rubber hoses were replaced along with wheel cylinders. My master cylinder was okay but he serviced the front and rear brakes throughout.
Now you can stop.
Wheel bearings. Here it’s a good thing you are near Jim as the front bearings are a specialty. They can service the bearings where other shops probably could not. This is a good time to check the ball joints and bushings.
Tires. Even if they look good, mine did, they may be old. Mine were very old. This is a big conundrum for me. I didn’t know if we would love the coach, or if I should be cautious with the $$ so I bought new Firestone 16.5” tires instead of buying new wheels and tires. In retrospect it was a mistake, though it was the right decision at the time.
Now you can roll.
Fuel Lines. All rubber fuel lines on a coach sitting for 5 years will almost certainly need to be replaced. Don’t forget the Onan. I would also install a large canister type fuel filter and carry 6 filters with me to change on the road for the fist 1,500 miles.
APC cable for the Alternator available from Jim or directly from Gene.
Exhaust - inspect it closely and repair or replace as needed.
Belts - Inspect the belts for any fraying and if you need to replace them - pay attention to the proper belts as some parts stores will sell belts that are too thin. I’d install the double pulley on the alternator (cause I like mine).
Radiator hoses - it’s tough to see the condition of these from the outside but if you feel up to it replace them.
Now you can run.
The air bags might make themselves important but they might have a lot of life left in them. You don’t say what year your coach is, but if it has points I’d install an electronic ignition. If there is any way you can register the coach as a ’75 or older then you are able to replace the carburetor and distributor with more modern electronic units. The windshield wipers are hydraulic and powered by the power steering pump. Ken Henderson make a great electric wiper kit, though Northern Californian’s don’t often need such things. Len Novak and Eric Gibbons make a really cool feel-good fix for the dash lights that is one of my favorite projects.
Now I’m just rambling. Come to a rally and meet some other GMC’ers. I’m full of talk as I’ve never been free to go to a rally except the EXCEPTIONAL Treasure Island Fleet Week rally.
Get it good enough to go and go! Live with it for a while and you’ll soon learn what must be changed and what works just fine.
Finally - Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!
Larry Davick
The Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, CA
On Jun 10, 2012, at 11:41 AM, Nigel Hall wrote:
>
>
> Hi Folks,
>
> I joined the list last week and have been doing my homework before actually buying a GMC motorhome. I've found a good candidate coach but it hasn't been on the road for at least 5 years, although it has been started and run every six months or so.
>
> I believe the coach was well maintained before being garaged, but after sitting for so long, I'm sure it will need some attention before taking it back out on the road.
>
> Assuming the coach was in good working order before being stored, what work would be recommended before driving it 400 or so miles? I live about 50 miles from Applied GMC in Freemont, CA, so I can take it there for a thorough check up, but I need to get it home safely first.
>
> Thanks for your help,
>
> Nigel
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Larry Davick
A Mystery Machine
1976(ish) Palm Beach
Fremont, Ca
Howell EFI + EBL + Electronic Dizzy
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| Re: [GMCnet] Recommended work on GMC that has been in storage [message #172849 is a reply to message #172804] |
Sun, 10 June 2012 19:56 |
Nigel Hall
Messages: 4
Registered: June 2012
Karma: 0
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Junior Member |
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Thanks Gene. Got my evening's reading sorted :)
Nigel
> here are some tips for
> "waking a sleeping Giant"
> http://gmcmotorhome.info/buygmc.html#waking
>
> gene
>
>
>
> On Sun, Jun 10, 2012 at 11:41 AM, Nigel Hall <nigel@appweavers.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Hi Folks,
>>
>> I joined the list last week and have been doing my homework before
>> actually buying a GMC motorhome. I've found a good candidate coach but it
>> hasn't been on the road for at least 5 years, although it has been started
>> and run every six months or so.
>>
>> I believe the coach was well maintained before being garaged, but after
>> sitting for so long, I'm sure it will need some attention before taking it
>> back out on the road.
>>
>> Assuming the coach was in good working order before being stored, what
>> work would be recommended before driving it 400 or so miles? I live about
>> 50 miles from Applied GMC in Freemont, CA, so I can take it there for a
>> thorough check up, but I need to get it home safely first.
>>
>> Thanks for your help,
>>
>> Nigel
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
> ?Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
> -------
> http://gmcmotorhome.info/
> Alternator Protection Cable
> http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Recommended work on GMC that has been in storage for 5years [message #172861 is a reply to message #172839] |
Sun, 10 June 2012 21:21 |
 |
USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Larry,
Good on Yah, Mate!
Or as they say in your neck of the woods "Totally excellent, Dude!"
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Larry Davick
Nigel,
What good luck that you live here in Northern California. I went through
this exercise 3 years ago when I bought a coach in Ohio.
My rule is (not original) Safety First - Brakes. It may have been overkill
but I had Tom Hampton replace my steel lines with his excellent stainless
lines. All rubber hoses were replaced along with wheel cylinders. My
master cylinder was okay but he serviced the front and rear brakes
throughout.
Now you can stop.
Wheel bearings. Here it’s a good thing you are near Jim as the front
bearings are a specialty. They can service the bearings where other shops
probably could not. This is a good time to check the ball joints and
bushings.
Tires. Even if they look good, mine did, they may be old. Mine were very
old. This is a big conundrum for me. I didn’t know if we would love the
coach, or if I should be cautious with the $$ so I bought new Firestone
16.5” tires instead of buying new wheels and tires. In retrospect it was a
mistake, though it was the right decision at the time.
Now you can roll.
Fuel Lines. All rubber fuel lines on a coach sitting for 5 years will
almost certainly need to be replaced. Don’t forget the Onan. I would also
install a large canister type fuel filter and carry 6 filters with me to
change on the road for the fist 1,500 miles.
APC cable for the Alternator available from Jim or directly from Gene.
Exhaust - inspect it closely and repair or replace as needed.
Belts - Inspect the belts for any fraying and if you need to replace them -
pay attention to the proper belts as some parts stores will sell belts that
are too thin. I’d install the double pulley on the alternator (cause I like
mine).
Radiator hoses - it’s tough to see the condition of these from the outside
but if you feel up to it replace them.
Now you can run.
The air bags might make themselves important but they might have a lot of
life left in them. You don’t say what year your coach is, but if it has
points I’d install an electronic ignition. If there is any way you can
register the coach as a ’75 or older then you are able to replace the
carburetor and distributor with more modern electronic units. The
windshield wipers are hydraulic and powered by the power steering pump. Ken
Henderson make a great electric wiper kit, though Northern Californian’s
don’t often need such things. Len Novak and Eric Gibbons make a really cool
feel-good fix for the dash lights that is one of my favorite projects.
Now I’m just rambling. Come to a rally and meet some other GMC’ers. I’m
full of talk as I’ve never been free to go to a rally except the EXCEPTIONAL
Treasure Island Fleet Week rally.
Get it good enough to go and go! Live with it for a while and you’ll soon
learn what must be changed and what works just fine.
Finally - Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!
Larry
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] Recommended work on GMC that has been in storage [message #173045 is a reply to message #172804] |
Tue, 12 June 2012 01:13 |
Nigel Hall
Messages: 4
Registered: June 2012
Karma: 0
|
Junior Member |
|
|
Hi GMCers,
Going to try this again. Gene gave me a link to "waking a sleeping giant" but that's not quite what I was looking for. The coach I'm interested in starts, but has been garaged for the past 5 or 6 years. I'm wondering what basics should be taken care of before taking it on the road and driving 400 or so miles.
Any helps appreciated,
Nigel
> here are some tips for
> "waking a sleeping Giant"
> http://gmcmotorhome.info/buygmc.html#waking
>
> gene
>
>
>
> On Sun, Jun 10, 2012 at 11:41 AM, Nigel Hall <nigel@appweavers.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> Hi Folks,
>>
>> I joined the list last week and have been doing my homework before
>> actually buying a GMC motorhome. I've found a good candidate coach but it
>> hasn't been on the road for at least 5 years, although it has been started
>> and run every six months or so.
>>
>> I believe the coach was well maintained before being garaged, but after
>> sitting for so long, I'm sure it will need some attention before taking it
>> back out on the road.
>>
>> Assuming the coach was in good working order before being stored, what
>> work would be recommended before driving it 400 or so miles? I live about
>> 50 miles from Applied GMC in Freemont, CA, so I can take it there for a
>> thorough check up, but I need to get it home safely first.
>>
>> Thanks for your help,
>>
>> Nigel
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>
>
>
>
> --
> Gene Fisher -- 74-23,77PB/ore/ca
> ?Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
> -------
> http://gmcmotorhome.info/
> Alternator Protection Cable
> http://gmcmotorhome.info/APC.html
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Recommended work on GMC that has been in storage [message #173047 is a reply to message #173045] |
Tue, 12 June 2012 02:04 |
 |
mike miller
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
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| Nigel Hall wrote on Mon, 11 June 2012 23:13 |
... Going to try this again. Gene gave me a link to "waking a sleeping giant" but that's not quite what I was looking for. The coach I'm interested in starts, but has been garaged for the past 5 or 6 years. I'm wondering what basics should be taken care of before taking it on the road and driving 400 or so miles.
|
So, you are asking for advice on a coach recovery! (The first trip home.) Being stored inside, it shouldn't be to bad.
-- Look at the tires, tires that have not been used dry out faster than ones that are "rolled around" now and then. Look for the date code and the condition of the tires themselves. Some say to replace any tire over 6 years old. I say consider replacing older tires, but look at the condition even if the tires are not that old. I've seen four year old tires that I would NOT drive on but I have ten year old tires that I use regularly. Tires that have been stored inside, out of the sun and ozone, should be better than "outside" ones.
Bottom line: Tires are cheaper than the fiberglass work to repair the damage from a blown tire.
-- A coach that has not been used will be more likely to have fuel issues. Filters might be a good thing to install before using. Until you have installed GOOD -NEW- fuel lines, ALWAYS be outside the coach watching for leaks when filling the fuel tanks. (Do not forget back by the generator.) I would NOT try and fill it all the way anyway.
-- I would take a IR temp gun and shoot the hubs (bearings), brakes and tires ... looking for anything that is abnormal. I would do this after a short test drive and after 20 miles. repeat quite a few times over the trip home.
-- Be sure and take a few common tools, a credit card or three and the Black List.
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo'
http://m000035.blogspot.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Recommended work on GMC that has been in storage [message #173049 is a reply to message #173047] |
Tue, 12 June 2012 03:00 |
mickeysss
Messages: 1476
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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start it with the lid off the motor and look for fuel leaks from mice they like to eat rubber fuel lines and I have seen gas spurt out 3 feet high from this
once when i left a van for a while in a field that i thought was great for such cheap storage. Always try and park next to a cat.
then while running look under frame for fuel leaks from rodents in the back on the way to the engine. Then look for nests in the fan blower and
heater, any where around the batteries. Vermin are really a big problem if it sets somewhere they can get to it. feed wild cats under your gmc.
best regards, mouse
On Jun 12, 2012, at 12:04 AM, Mike Miller wrote:
>
>
> Nigel Hall wrote on Mon, 11 June 2012 23:13
>> ... Going to try this again. Gene gave me a link to "waking a sleeping giant" but that's not quite what I was looking for. The coach I'm interested in starts, but has been garaged for the past 5 or 6 years. I'm wondering what basics should be taken care of before taking it on the road and driving 400 or so miles.
>
>
> So, you are asking for advice on a coach recovery! (The first trip home.) Being stored inside, it shouldn't be to bad.
>
> -- Look at the tires, tires that have not been used dry out faster than ones that are "rolled around" now and then. Look for the date code and the condition of the tires themselves. Some say to replace any tire over 6 years old. I say consider replacing older tires, but look at the condition even if the tires are not that old. I've seen four year old tires that I would NOT drive on but I have ten year old tires that I use regularly. Tires that have been stored inside, out of the sun and ozone, should be better than "outside" ones.
>
> Bottom line: Tires are cheaper than the fiberglass work to repair the damage from a blown tire.
>
> -- A coach that has not been used will be more likely to have fuel issues. Filters might be a good thing to install before using. Until you have installed GOOD -NEW- fuel lines, ALWAYS be outside the coach watching for leaks when filling the fuel tanks. (Do not forget back by the generator.) I would NOT try and fill it all the way anyway.
>
> -- I would take a IR temp gun and shoot the hubs (bearings), brakes and tires ... looking for anything that is abnormal. I would do this after a short test drive and after 20 miles. repeat quite a few times over the trip home.
>
> -- Be sure and take a few common tools, a credit card or three and the Black List.
>
> --
> Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
> (#1)'73 26' exPainted D. -- (#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
> http://m000035.blogspot.com
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
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| Re: [GMCnet] Recommended work on GMC that has been in storage [message #173050 is a reply to message #173045] |
Tue, 12 June 2012 04:01 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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Senior Member |
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Nigel,
It is hard to cover everything that might or might not go wrong. I would go over it looking for suspect things. Rubber things like tires, hoses belts, and battery cables should be looked at. Fluids like trans, oil, and gas should be looked at. Look for major fluid leaks. I think I would install an additional new fuel filter in the rubber fuel line just before the mechanical pump. They are cheap $10 or $15. Also look at, or better yet, replace the fuel filter in the carb ($3 to $4).
Then I would take it for a drive and see what it feels like. Immediately on shut down after 20 miles or so I would check the tire temps and the bearing temps. You can do this with your hand. I'd also check the radiator level, oil, and trans levels again. I would pay particular attention to the quality of the fluids. (What do you see on the stick?) Do not forget to also look at the brake fluid in the reservoir for quantity and quality. You can get carried away replacing things on an unknown coach. So check things out, replace anything you suspectm and go for it.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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