| Best Ever Return on Investment [message #230647] |
Thu, 21 November 2013 09:32  |
Bob S.
Messages: 143
Registered: October 2012
Location: Rapid City, SD
Karma: 2
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Earlier this year I called Jim Bounds for the first time after buying a GMC. After speaking with him for a while, he suggested that I join the Co-op. I took him up on it and paid the membership fee. Until yesterday, I had only used the service twice for very minor issues.
A little over a month ago my generator started acting up and since I travel a lot with my job, I haven't had a chance to look at it. We are now planning a trip from western South Dakota to Central Iowa for Thanksgiving and, of course, the weather turns cold. So I decided to take it to a local Onan shop to get it looked at. The problem began when the genset started stalling while driving, it would restart and run fine when sitting still.
Then another problem popped up that the starter drive would not stay engaged long enough to get it started.
Well the "technician" looked at it and then called me and said.
"I can see sparks coming from the back of the generator when it cranks over, but I can't get to it see what it is. My boss says the generator will have to be removed and diagnosed which could cost about $1000.00."
My first reaction was to call 911 for the pain in my chest. Then I thought, "no, call Jim B." Jim answered his phone immediately and after hearing my tale of woe, he gave me a couple of suggestions to have the repairman try. It was lunch time so I spent my lunch hour at the shop showing the mechanic what Jim had told me. He tried what Jim suggested and sure enough, there were sparks shooting out the back. He explained "See I can't get to that area and that is why it needs to come out."
I thought "Ok lets see how good Jim B. is." and so I called him again. He answered immediately again and I explained what we had.
He said you should be able to get at it, pull the drawer all the way out. I said "it wont come out any further." He replied "pull harder". I gave it a mighty tug and, by golly, the drawer pulled out further and gave us a lot more access.
Immediately (and I mean immediately) the tech found a loose ground at the back of the genset. He tightened it up and stated that was probably the cause of my stalling while driving issue. The starter would still not stay engaged long enough to start the engine. I had to get back to work and as I turned to leave the tech said "Oh there's a starter relay, I think I just found your problem." He replaced the part and everything is working fine.
The point to this rambling tale is the Jim Bounds really IS that good. Who would have thought that my $40.00 investment would save me over $700.00 the first time I really had an issue. I wish my 401K had a return anywhere close to that.
Jim Bounds I want to publicly thank you for your help. You saved me lots of money, an ambulance ride and possibly an uncomfortable explanation to an unhappy budget director(wife).
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, Bob Schilling
Bob and Pam Schilling
Rapid City, SD
"78 Royale
|
|
|
|
| Re: Best Ever Return on Investment [message #230653 is a reply to message #230647] |
Thu, 21 November 2013 10:10  |
Otterwan
Messages: 946
Registered: July 2013
Location: Lynnwood (north of Seattl...
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
It would seem to me that any technician that couldn't locate a bad ground by following the sparks should be avoided. If you could pull the Onan out at all, a simple telescopic inspection mirror should have revealed the issue.
Not dismissing Jim's help, just shouldn't have been required in this situation.
1977 Birchaven, Lynnwood WA - "We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us."
|
|
|
|
| Re: Best Ever Return on Investment [message #230659 is a reply to message #230647] |
Thu, 21 November 2013 10:31 |
Bob S.
Messages: 143
Registered: October 2012
Location: Rapid City, SD
Karma: 2
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I agree, I won't be using this shop again. The technician working on the problem was very helpful, but I think his boss only has eyes for dollar signs. The tech mentioned that they were a heavy equipment company and his boss didn't like to work on RV's. I thought to myself that it would have been nice to know that before I took the GMC out there. I won't be a PITA for them the next time I need help. I'll find someone that appreciates my business.
Bob and Pam Schilling
Rapid City, SD
"78 Royale
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Best Ever Return on Investment [message #230670 is a reply to message #230653] |
Thu, 21 November 2013 11:26 |
scott cowden
Messages: 170
Registered: February 2004
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
Actually, your note did come across as being rather dismissive, even if that wasn't your intention.
Someone goes out of their way to give a pat on the back to one of our staunch supporters and this should not be simply dismissed as being, 'not required.'
Regardless of the issue, the help was provided without question and resolved the problem quickly and efficiently to the benefit of the individual who wrote the note.
Having the expert resources at hand that we do in messing about with these 40 year old rolling museum pieces should not be underestimated.
Having owned quite a few orphan-type vehicles over the years I can say without much fear of contradiction that the GMC community at large, and very much including the vendors, is the most helpful and complete that I've ever seen.
Let's focus on supporting and building.
Just my two cents worth. [maybe I can't use this phrase any more since Canada discontinued the penny earlier this year?] Oh well, old horse, old phrases....
Scott
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> From: dao@oarsllc.com
> Date: Thu, 21 Nov 2013 10:10:12 -0600
> Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Best Ever Return on Investment
>
>
>
> It would seem to me that any technician that couldn't locate a bad ground by following the sparks should be avoided. If you could pull the Onan out at all, a simple telescopic inspection mirror should have revealed the issue.
>
> Not dismissing Jim's help, just shouldn't have been required in this situation.
> --
> 1976 Royale "Twinkie II", 1978 Palm Beach with front end fire. Lynnwood WA
>
> “Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way when you criticize them, you are a mile away from them and you have their shoes.”
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
|
|
|
|
| Re: Best Ever Return on Investment [message #230672 is a reply to message #230647] |
Thu, 21 November 2013 11:30 |
rcjordan
Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
Karma: 1
|
Senior Member |
|
|
I've been on a lot of recoveries. I've begged for exotic fuel pump diaphragms on the side of the road. I've jumpered house batteries to run the engine & lights long enough to get the rv to a truck stop. I've bumped a fan belt on the pulley using a jack handle because that was all I had to work with.
My wife has not.
That's why I signed up with JimB.
Now stay off the phone, Bob, I'm trying to get Jim to finish the Royale, heh!
SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
|
|
|
|
| Re: Best Ever Return on Investment [message #230679 is a reply to message #230647] |
Thu, 21 November 2013 12:17 |
Bob S.
Messages: 143
Registered: October 2012
Location: Rapid City, SD
Karma: 2
|
Senior Member |
|
|
RC, I've been following the progress on your coach on Jim's website. It's looking real good. I will instruct my coach not to break again until yours is done, so there shouldn't be any further interruptions.
Bob and Pam Schilling
Rapid City, SD
"78 Royale
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Re: [GMCnet] Best Ever Return on Investment [message #230701 is a reply to message #230670] |
Thu, 21 November 2013 16:22 |
Otterwan
Messages: 946
Registered: July 2013
Location: Lynnwood (north of Seattl...
Karma: 0
|
Senior Member |
|
|
| scott cowden wrote on Thu, 21 November 2013 09:26 |
Actually, your note did come across as being rather dismissive, even if that wasn't your intention.
|
Scott, that's why I added the comment. All I meant was that you shouldn't have to call a mechanic when you are out of gas and at a gas station talking to the stations attendant. In other words it wasn't a GMC problem, wasn't even a generator problem, just a very basic common sense problem.
No offense intended, and I hope none taken.
1977 Birchaven, Lynnwood WA - "We may not be able to stop all evil in the world, but I know that how we treat one another is entirely up to us."
|
|
|
|
GMCforum
Search
Help
Register
Login
Home
