Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Ugh, will it always be this way??
| Ugh, will it always be this way?? [message #259671] |
Thu, 21 August 2014 20:27  |
thorndike
Messages: 406
Registered: January 2011
Location: Conifer, Colorado
Karma: 0
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As many of you know, I've been trying to get our coach ready to go for the Tidewater Crabs rally this weekend. I've been in and out of the coach fixing wires, upgrading and sterilizing the water system, etc. Things were going fairly well until...
I was supposed to receive my new shock absorbers yesterday morning so I could install them yesterday and today if needed. I really want to get them installed as the ride seems very hard and I feel small knocks in the steering wheel that I hope is the fact that some of the installed shocks are loose in their mounts. Well, FedEx dropped them off at the wrong house and I didn't get them until yesterday evening. Ok, so I needed to do them today instead. I had a shift at the museum that went far longer than usual and I didn't get home until 3:30. Well, I thought, I will start now and get at least a couple of them done, until the heavens let loose that is. Damn, ok, I will install my backup camera instead. It is humid outside, so I thought I would start the generator to get the A/C running. The generator ran for about 35 seconds until it just petered out and would not start again. I assume it is a fuel pump as I don't have an extra to install. I have about six hours tomorrow to get the shocks installed at least.
Ugh, will it always be this way?
Robert Peesel
1976 Royale 26'
Side Dry Bath
Conifer, Colorado
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| Re: Ugh, will it always be this way?? [message #259674 is a reply to message #259673] |
Thu, 21 August 2014 20:37  |
thorndike
Messages: 406
Registered: January 2011
Location: Conifer, Colorado
Karma: 0
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I hope Eric will be there. He dropped by my house last week and gave me a few pointers already. As to the camera, I hooked that up despite the humidity and dripping with sweat all over everything.
Bob
Robert Peesel
1976 Royale 26'
Side Dry Bath
Conifer, Colorado
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| Re: Ugh, will it always be this way?? [message #259695 is a reply to message #259671] |
Thu, 21 August 2014 22:43 |
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Matt Colie
Messages: 8547
Registered: March 2007
Location: S.E. Michigan
Karma: 7
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thorndike wrote on Thu, 21 August 2014 21:27As many of you know, I've been trying to get our coach ready to go for the Tidewater Crabs rally this weekend. I've been in and out of the coach fixing wires, upgrading and sterilizing the water system, etc. Things were going fairly well until...
I was supposed to receive my new shock absorbers yesterday morning so I could install them yesterday and today if needed. I really want to get them installed as the ride seems very hard and I feel small knocks in the steering wheel that I hope is the fact that some of the installed shocks are loose in their mounts. Well, FedEx dropped them off at the wrong house and I didn't get them until yesterday evening. Ok, so I needed to do them today instead. I had a shift at the museum that went far longer than usual and I didn't get home until 3:30. Well, I thought, I will start now and get at least a couple of them done, until the heavens let loose that is. Damn, ok, I will install my backup camera instead. It is humid outside, so I thought I would start the generator to get the A/C running. The generator ran for about 35 seconds until it just petered out and would not start again. I assume it is a fuel pump as I don't have an extra to install. I have about six hours tomorrow to get the shocks installed at least.
Ugh, will it always be this way?
Bob,
Short answer: NO
After a while, you will get all the wrinkles hammered flat and then it will just be a matter of the odd repair and regular maintenance, like greasing the bogies, changing the engine oil and greasing the front and greasing the bogies.
Did I mention greasing the bogies??
And in between, you will get to do neat things like use the coach and do some fun projects that you have on that now endless list. And then do a complete lube service including greasing everything.
Grease - the 8$ a tube Valvoline SynPro is still cheaper than anything that might be damaged by a lack of grease.
Oh, and there is a Lincoln grease gun that is a pistol grip with a flexible snout - so you can hold it on with one hand and pump it with the other. They are ~45$ but they work and none of the CCV did when I tried.
Always, Remember to do the complete inspection before departure.
The Onan is probably dead of a bad rubber fuel line to the tank. The pumps can fail too, but they can be disassembled and repaired or cleaned.
Oh, by the way, we all remember being where you are today.
(BTDT - Didn't buy the picture, but the T-shirt wore out years ago.)
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: Ugh, will it always be this way?? [message #259716 is a reply to message #259690] |
Fri, 22 August 2014 02:46 |
Ken Burton
Messages: 10030
Registered: January 2004
Location: Hebron, Indiana
Karma: 10
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sitzwaffen wrote on Thu, 21 August 2014 22:14Bob,
Did you check the oil level in the generator?
Jerry
Formerly from Manassas (30 years)
And the gasoline level in the main tank. The Onan will NOT take gas off of the bottom of the tank. The pickup for the Onan is much higher in the main (rear) tank.
Ken Burton - N9KB
76 Palm Beach
Hebron, Indiana
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| Re: Ugh, will it always be this way?? [message #259723 is a reply to message #259671] |
Fri, 22 August 2014 06:28 |
thorndike
Messages: 406
Registered: January 2011
Location: Conifer, Colorado
Karma: 0
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In answer to your questions:
I replaced the fuel lines to the Onan two weeks ago. They were old and cracked. Once I did that, the Onan fired right up.
I changed the oil and filters at the same time.
I have full main and aux gas tanks.
Oh well, off to do the shocks as I have to leave in six hours.
Bob
Robert Peesel
1976 Royale 26'
Side Dry Bath
Conifer, Colorado
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| Re: [GMCnet] Ugh, will it always be this way?? [message #259726 is a reply to message #259719] |
Fri, 22 August 2014 06:37 |
Jim at the Co-op
Messages: 291
Registered: May 2014
Location: Orlando Florida
Karma: 2
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Welcome to my world... A GMC is not complicated but it is involved. It
has every system you have in your house except grass-- Bedroom, bathroom,
kitchen, living room, septic tank and it goes on-- everything in your house
is in there. It has a power plant then it has every system in your car---
and most all the parts are old and usually close to their lifes end. Toss
all that into a box, hurl it down the highway all day at an 8.1 Richter
scale vibration and then we get upset when a part fails------ That's what
will happen until you get "on top" of the wear, update and maintenance
curves. Oh yea, and we want to do it all ourselves because as I said, this
is not rocket science--- there's just a pile of it to do all at the same
time.
This is the reality of what we are all out there doing. There are many
ways to the end goal but all of them will have to include money or time in
various amounts. If you say you are doing this for fun--- something to
keep you in the backyard and your mind engaged that's fine but if that's
why you have this there's no need to further increase your blood pressure
every time something goes wrong-- you set yourself up for that so relax,
the coach will drive you in relative comfort all the way to the crash site!
How many weekends do you have left in life and what is that time worth to
you? That is the question, your time has probably a greater value than
when you would hang out all night with a case of tallboys hammering on some
turd. The fewer there are, the more they are worth, you have worked hard
and retired so now use that valuable time to do something-- your wife would
agree with me. Take that nestegg you have destroyed your body compiling
and use it to make your last 1/3 of your life better. Don't "do it all
yourself" have someone who does what you are trying to learn about, who
does it well, fast and at a reasonable price follow your dreams for you and
help you make that machine you have always wanted fast enough so you can
use it?
I have a customer that came in with a coach, had some mechanicals done ten
found out he has cancer. He came to me and said finish this thing now--
time is very valuable now and I still want to experience a GMC motorhome
and I want it like I want it and brother time is of the essence! We are
doing that, we are building his coach the way he wants and we are doing it
right now. The cost will not be stupid but it will cost-- time is money
and it's has a value. If you say you can't afford to do this, when you are
"done" which they never are but when you finally have the coach useable,
comfortable and nice looking add the time -- put a dollar value on it
because actually THAT IS the most valuable part of the whole project, add
the cost of the parts-- you will find that number small compared to the
cost of the time you used. If you are looking for the most cost effective
way to have a GMC for you to do what you want you will find having it built
up with the help of others will cost you less and give you more joy.
Now this concept jumps over years of discovery you will have as you grow
with your GMC Motorhome and it may be difficult for some to rationalize but
I will tell you in the end you will come to this realization. Do what you
can do well, do what you want to do and have others do the rest-- you will
save money, trust me on this...
If you wanna enjoy the exquisite nuances of stress and it's many forms--
work on one of these things! There will always be something to do-- Hey
but don't we love it all? I've heard in the military if you aren't
bitchin, you're not happy. Please get your happy face on without impacting
others around you....
As I said in the beginning, welcome to my world...
Jim Bounds
---------------------------
On Fri, Aug 22, 2014 at 4:24 AM, Peer Oliver Schmidt GMC <
posde@theinternet.de> wrote:
> Do you have more than 25% of fuel in your tanks?
>
> --
> Best regards
>
> Peer Oliver Schmidt
> PGP Key ID: 0x83E1C2EA
>
> '76a Eleganza II, VA
>
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| Re: [GMCnet] Ugh, will it always be this way?? [message #259732 is a reply to message #259717] |
Fri, 22 August 2014 07:43 |
werewilfs
Messages: 329
Registered: July 2012
Location: Rappahannock County, VA
Karma: 0
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Eric will be here today.
Sent from my Windows Phone
________________________________
From: Robert Peesel
Sent: 8/21/2014 21:37
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Ugh, will it always be this way??
I hope Eric will be there. He dropped by my house last week and gave me a few pointers already. As to the camera, I hooked that up despite the
humidity and dripping with sweat all over everything.
Bob
--
Robert Peesel
1976 Royale 26'
Side Dry Bath
Sterling, Va
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Jared & Stefanie Kohl
Rappahannock County, VA
1973 Painted Desert "Onslow"
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| Re: Ugh, will it always be this way?? [message #259742 is a reply to message #259671] |
Fri, 22 August 2014 08:51 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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from someone that bought a run down coach 4 years ago, almost to the day... It does get a little better, however you have to sometimes figure out what is important, so you can enjoy your trip, and what is not so important, so you are not up 24 hours fixing something the night before a trip.
it does seem to get better the more you use your coach. and fix key items.
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now.
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
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| Re: [GMCnet] Ugh, will it always be this way?? [message #259744 is a reply to message #259726] |
Fri, 22 August 2014 09:15 |
midlf
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
Karma: 1
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Jim at the Co-op wrote on Fri, 22 August 2014 06:37Welcome to my world... A GMC is not complicated but it is involved.
As I said in the beginning, welcome to my world...
snip snip snip
Jim Bounds
JimB - That was the essence of these machines and our interaction with them. I didn't know you had a doctorate in philosophy but you certiantly are there, even without the degree. <no grin, I'm being serious>
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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| Re: Ugh, will it always be this way?? [message #259763 is a reply to message #259671] |
Fri, 22 August 2014 12:28 |
George Beckman
Messages: 1085
Registered: October 2008
Location: Colfax, CA
Karma: 11
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thorndike wrote on Thu, 21 August 2014 18:27As many of you know, I've been trying to get our coach ready to go for the Tidewater Crabs rally this weekend. I've been in and out of the coach fixing wires, upgrading and sterilizing the water system, etc. Things were going fairly well until...
I have about six hours tomorrow to get the shocks installed at least.
Ugh, will it always be this way?
It will get better. Reminds me of shocks on our current coach. For unknown reasons I ordered rears from JimK and fronts from BrandX. Probably thought I would save 2 cents. Anyway, JimK sent the rears instantly and I put them on. The others others were not delivered until evening of the day before a three week trip. I found myself, out in the dark, putting the fronts on. And by the time I paid postage and all sorts of nonsense, I could have gotten them from JimK for a few dollars cheaper. Lesson learned.
Our first coach... we were leaving California for Vermont... 5 weeks. I had a meeting and then we were leaving in the evening. Would you believe I somehow left something on and the engine battery was dead. That coach tended to have the 50 amp circuit breaker pop from too much charging if batteries were low and headlights were on. (Never did figure what was up with that setup.) I hooked up some alligator clips, plugged the coach in, went to the meeting, came home and left. Had a wonderful trip!
Enjoy your trip.
'74 Eleganza, SE, Howell + EBL
Best Wishes,
George
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| Re: [GMCnet] Ugh, will it always be this way?? [message #259765 is a reply to message #259726] |
Fri, 22 August 2014 13:02 |
A Hamilto
Messages: 4508
Registered: April 2011
Karma: 39
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Jim at the Co-op wrote on Fri, 22 August 2014 06:37...If you say you are doing this for fun--- something to keep you in the backyard and your mind engaged that's fine but if that's why you have this there's no need to further increase your blood pressure every time something goes wrong-- you set yourself up for that so relax, the coach will drive you in relative comfort all the way to the crash site!
How many weekends do you have left in life and what is that time worth to you? ... have someone who does what you are trying to learn about, who does it well, fast and at a reasonable price follow your dreams for you and help you make that machine you have always wanted fast enough so you can use it?
...If you say you can't afford to do this, when you are "done" which they never are but when you finally have the coach useable,
comfortable and nice looking add the time -- put a dollar value on it because actually THAT IS the most valuable part of the whole project, add the cost of the parts-- you will find that number small compared to the cost of the time you used. If you are looking for the most cost effective way to have a GMC for you to do what you want you will find having it built up with the help of others will cost you less and give you more joy.
...in the end you will come to this realization. Do what you can do well, do what you want to do and have others do the rest-- you will
save money, trust me on this...
If you wanna enjoy the exquisite nuances of stress and it's many forms -- work on one of these things! There will always be something to do ... To summarize: Doing your own work is a waste of your time and results in a dangerous vehicle.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Ugh, will it always be this way?? [message #259767 is a reply to message #259765] |
Fri, 22 August 2014 13:22 |
midlf
Messages: 2212
Registered: July 2007
Location: SE Wisc. (Palmyra)
Karma: 1
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A Hamilto wrote on Fri, 22 August 2014 13:02To summarize: Doing your own work is a waste of your time and results in a dangerous vehicle.
I didn't get that from Jim's comments. I got that you have a choice. If you enjoy working on them then gopherit. Or you can get it done faster but it will cost you some coin.
I did not take the term "crash site" as meaning doing your own work is dangerous. It is only dangerous if you take short cuts or don't know what you are doing.
Steve Southworth
1974 Glacier TZE064V100150 (for workin on)
1975 Transmode TZE365V100394 (parts & spares)
Palmyra WI
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| Re: [GMCnet] Ugh, will it always be this way?? [message #259775 is a reply to message #259769] |
Fri, 22 August 2014 14:34 |
Jim at the Co-op
Messages: 291
Registered: May 2014
Location: Orlando Florida
Karma: 2
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Well, as I usually do, I quote interesting people, Ron White talking to the
guy next to him on the plane having engine problems-- the guy asked, "How
far do you think the plane will take us?" The reply was "all the way to
the crash site-and we'll be getting there first!"
Dangerous is as dangerous does, another famous comment. If you rig things
or do something without hard evidence that what you are doing will work,
you will first, have to deal with the discovery of the "unexpected results"
and until you prove the mod is viable you cannot call it so. You are a lab
rat and you are living the test!
I mean absolutely no disrespect to you guys wanting to "do it myself", hey
how do you think I got into this! But I will tell you after it's all said
and done-- having to learn how to do things then do it enough times to get
good at it you will spend more time which ia money and probably less parts
than having to screw it up then learn more and do it again-- will cost you
less to have it done. You know you don't want the first one...
I support you guys, you don't actually do that much business with me but
see that's OK. When you get frustrated enough to yell out "Help me Mr.
Wizard I'm falling" then with a "Drizzle, Draqqle , Druzzle, Drom-- time
for this one to come home... I am certainly always interested in new ideas
but before you figure your new idea is the cat's butt, throw it out there
and see if there is any discovery that can save you time going down a
different path. You may find others have already been there.
BTW, next week we'll be pulling back out the rubberized exterior project.
If you wanna watch, stay tuned.
Jim Bounds
----------------------------
On Fri, Aug 22, 2014 at 2:26 PM, A. wrote:
> midlf wrote on Fri, 22 August 2014 13:22
>> ...I did not take the term "crash site" as meaning doing your own work
> is dangerous. ...
> What do YOU think it meant?
>
> --
> '73 23' Sequoia For Sale
> '73 23' CanyonLands For Sale
> Upper Alabama
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| Re: [GMCnet] Ugh, will it always be this way?? [message #259777 is a reply to message #259769] |
Fri, 22 August 2014 14:44 |
Joe Weir
Messages: 769
Registered: February 2013
Location: Columbia, SC
Karma: 7
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Paraphrase:
Quote:
...If you say you are doing this for fun--- something to keep you in the backyard and your mind engaged, that's fine. But if that's why you have this, there's no need to further increase your blood pressure every time something goes wrong-- you set yourself up for that. So relax, the coach will drive you in relative comfort all the way to the crash site!
I haven't spoken much to Jim, but the few times I have he has cautioned that you don't do simple repairs on parts, you restore systems.
I think there is the tendency for the backyard mechanic to think in terms of individual parts: "I just need some shocks", "Just need new pads" , or "change the oil and fluids".
In my case, the "new pads" turned into MC, Booster, combo valve, flexible and hard lines. I am so grateful I found the leaking hard line before I ventured out on the road. Had I not decided to drop the tanks and replace all the fuel lines, instead of just the leaking hose, I might have found the brake problem at the crash site.
So, I do not take Jim's comment as a knock on backyard mechanics, as much as an admonition not to do just enough to get it running because you like to tinker.
And perhaps a plug for the value of having someone who knows what they are doing handle the stuff you may not be completely comfortable with. If I lived anywhere near Orlando, I would not have spent so much time on my back in the driveway under dodgy jacks and listening to the call of the double breasted skeptic sing "isn't it fixed yet?"
I have a mean set of tools, but most of my maitenance on the BMWs goes to my mechanic.
76 Birchaven - "Wicked Mistress" - New engine, trans, alum radiator, brakes, Sully airbags, fuel lines, seats, adult beverage center... those Coachmen guys were really thinking about us second hand owners by including that beverage center...
Columbia, SC.
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