| [GMCnet] Alaska trip - final report at 8700 miles [message #303476] |
Tue, 12 July 2016 16:24  |
glwgmc
Messages: 1014
Registered: June 2004
Karma:
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Senior Member |
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Hi Carl,
We changed oil just before we left home and once in the Yukon Territory. There we used a franchise oil change joint and had to practically stand on the guys to get it done correctly. It was as though if the vehicle was not listed in their computer it did not exist. Their computer did not go back to 1976 so they could not find an Olds Toro with 455. The Royale is a 78 but with a 455. The oil filter seemed to really throw them for a loop. After they dumped the old oil, they somehow could not cross the NAPA filter I always use on both coaches and could only come up with some dinky off brand little thing that looked like it would hold at least a teaspoon full of oil. I said no to that one so the manager got involved, scrounged around and found a larger one with the same mount thread and gasket diameter as my original NAPA filter. That did not leak so I let it stay there.
They knew nothing about the oils in their auto dispensers other than the brand and weight. I looked around their place and found some Rotella in 5 liter bottles that I had them put in. They first said they could not do that as it was a diesel oil. I showed them on the bottle where it said it could be used for both gas and diesel engines. They finally agreed. In both coaches I run 6 quarts with a filter change and find that is the correct amount for my set up with the external coolers. I know all the controversy over whether 5 or 6 quarts, but I have found 6 quarts works for me. Neither engine burns any oil so the level on the stick rarely moves even in high mileage situations. As they started to pour oil in I asked them if they were measuring quarts or liters. They were about to dump in 6 liters which would be too much. They gave me a blank look but did finally get a clean jug with quart markings to do the measuring and did wind up putting in the correct amount. I asked them to add coolant to the over flow bottle to bring the level up to where i wanted it. They grabbed the windshield washer fluid bottle and started to pour that in! Nope, get a 50/50 mix of antifreeze and water. Blank look. The manager guy came over and grabbed a dispenser line marked coolant and did what I asked. It is a wonder how they survive even the first law suit. Such a much different experience than I have with my local oil change joint in rural southern Oregon. There, they know the coaches, know what is required, know all the lube points including the bogie grease fittings and the hard to reach steering gear spline and lower U joint fittings, etc. Fast, easy and efficient. Always done right.
Just before I drove off the pit in the Yukon Territory oil change place I asked the guy to recheck to make sure the drain plug was tight. He said he was sure it was. I asked him to recheck anyway just to placate an old guy. He gruffly put his wrench on the drain plug only to find it was just hand tight………..So, when away from home, watch the people doing things like oil changes very carefully!
Jerry
Jerry Work
The Dovetail Joint
Fine furniture designed and hand crafted in the 1907 former Masonic Temple building in historic Kerby, OR
glwork@mac.com
http://jerrywork.com
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Message: 4
Date: Tue, 12 Jul 2016 11:50:04 -0600
From: Carl Stouffer
To: gmclist@list.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Alaska trip - final report at 8700 miles
Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Nice report Jerry. Thanks. It gives me hope and encouragement for when we someday tackle that trip. One question; how did you handle oil changes
and servicing?
--
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
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Jerry & Sharon Work
78 Royale
Kerby, OR
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