Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » GMCer broke down in Birmingham (not me but Jim Croc)
| GMCer broke down in Birmingham [message #318081] |
Sat, 27 May 2017 20:06  |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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Senior Member |
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Got a black list call from a GMCer from Chicago whose name is Jim Croc. A bit hard to understand but as best as I can tell, they started having brake problems and he hears a hissing sound down by his feet. I told him two hours ago to lift the hood and check to make sure the vacuum hose is plugged into the booster. He also said the motor was running rough. If so, I told him to start the coach, check the reading on his vacuum gauge, and see if he can determine where the hissing sound is coming from. He called back an hour later and had not yet done that. I told him to go do that and call me back. It's been an hour and a half and is now dark.
He told me he was "IN" Birmingham and I asked him if he had gone through Birmingham yet and he did not know...nor did he know where he was other than off I65 in a parking lot. There are places off I65 near Bham where you don't want to be.
On the second call he told me that Jeff Sirum had done some work but didn't elaborate on what. He also said he had needed to add brake fluid to his relatively new master cylinder so I told him to check the fluid. That's been over an hour ago.
Given what he's said, I suspect a big vacuum leak, possibly in the booster. He does not know if he has an auxiliary vacuum pump or vacuum tank. Other options are an empty MC and that means a pretty significant leak somewhere down the line.
He did mention he is towing a Tracker so he at least has a way to get somewhere safe. I'm concerned but can't help if he doesn't talk to me. He's at least two hours from me and I have commitments tomorrow and won't be able to help.
If someone knows Jim and wants to call him, give me a call at two56-six79-fourfour88 and I'll give you his phone number.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: GMCer broke down in Birmingham [message #318084 is a reply to message #318081] |
Sat, 27 May 2017 21:57  |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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Senior Member |
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Jeremy Knezek called me and offered to help but we needed a location. Jim Croc finally called and said the hissing was coming from the booster. I told him we needed to know where he was. Jeremy was going to drive over and see things first hand. Jim said he didn't know but there was an Exotic Wings across the street and he was at a Shell station. I asked if he could walk to the Shell station and ask the street number and exit off I65. He said he would and call me back. I was thinking while waiting for him to call back (8:45) and googled "Exotic Wings" and got the map, found the Shell station across the street and called. I asked the guy who answered if there was an older fellow in an older motorhome in his parking lot. He said yes and I got his address and exit. I then asked if the guy had asked him for their address. He said yes but he had gone back to the motorhome. I've had no calls from Jim and my calls to him go to VM so I don't know if his phone is dead or if he's gone to bed.
In the meantime, Jeremy and I have been talking. Jeremy offered to drive 25 minutes to do a face to face but not unless he knew the guy was expecting him. I don't blame him. Jeremy has to be away tomorrow and I asked if he would leave a message for Mark Creel who is the only guy in Bham who MIGHT have a booster and know how to install it.
Jeremy called back and said that his call to Jim also went to VM but that to his surprise Mark Creel answered his shop phone at 9:30 on a Saturday night. Mark said he had some boosters and would call Jim in the morning and make arrangements to get him going. Hopefully all this will work out and Jim can get back on the road to Chicago. Apparently, he has had 6 back surgeries, is out of medication, and has a doctors appointment he needs to get back for.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: [GMCnet] GMCer broke down in Birmingham [message #318085 is a reply to message #318084] |
Sat, 27 May 2017 22:16 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Kerry,
Sounds like you're making some progress if Creel's going to contact him.
Thanks for the Good Samaritan / Black Lister help for another GMCer!
Ken H.
On Sat, May 27, 2017 at 10:57 PM, Kerry Pinkerton
wrote:
> Jeremy Knezek called me and offered to help but we needed a location. Jim
> Croc finally called and said the hissing was coming from the booster. I
> told him we needed to know where he was. Jeremy was going to drive over
> and see things first hand. Jim said he didn't know but there was an Exotic
> Wings across the street and he was at a Shell station. I asked if he
> could walk to the Shell station and ask the street number and exit off
> I65. He
> said he would and call me back. I was thinking while waiting for him to
> call back (8:45) and googled "Exotic Wings" and got the map, found the Shell
> station across the street and called. I asked the guy who answered if
> there was an older fellow in an older motorhome in his parking lot. He said
> yes and I got his address and exit. I then asked if the guy had asked him
> for their address. He said yes but he had gone back to the motorhome.
> I've had no calls from Jim and my calls to him go to VM so I don't know if
> his phone is dead or if he's gone to bed.
>
> In the meantime, Jeremy and I have been talking. Jeremy offered to drive
> 25 minutes to do a face to face but not unless he knew the guy was expecting
> him. I don't blame him. Jeremy has to be away tomorrow and I asked if he
> would leave a message for Mark Creel who is the only guy in Bham who MIGHT
> have a booster and know how to install it.
>
> Jeremy called back and said that his call to Jim also went to VM but that
> to his surprise Mark Creel answered his shop phone at 9:30 on a Saturday
> night. Mark said he had some boosters and would call Jim in the morning
> and make arrangements to get him going. Hopefully all this will work out
> and
> Jim can get back on the road to Chicago. Apparently, he has had 6 back
> surgeries, is out of medication, and has a doctors appointment he needs to
> get
> back for.
> --
> Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
>
> 77 Eleganza II, 403CI, Manny Brakes, 1 ton, tranny, lots of aluminum
> goodies.
>
> http://www.bdub.net/pinkerton/
>
> '03 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
>
> _______________________________________________
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>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: GMCer broke down in Birmingham [message #318091 is a reply to message #318081] |
Sun, 28 May 2017 07:51 |
SpookyEng
Messages: 208
Registered: June 2016
Location: Navarre, FL
Karma: -5
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Senior Member |
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Hopefully he can get fixed and back on the road. Kudo's for your efforts in helping him out, The black list is an awesome resource.
JD Lisenby- USAF Ret
1978 Royale-455
MacDash, Manny Tranny, FI-tech, 3.70 etc etc
Navarre, FL
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| Re: GMCer broke down in Birmingham [message #318093 is a reply to message #318081] |
Sun, 28 May 2017 09:53 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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Senior Member |
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Called at 9am. Went to VM and left a message that Mark Creel will call his this morning. Jeremy asked Mark to go to his location if all else fails. Its now almost 10 and no word.
Note to others. If you are working with someone on a problem, STAY IN TOUCH. This is REALLY frustrating.
Note to self. Making long trips through unfamiliar territory in a 40 year old vehicle that you do not know much about may not be the best idea on a three day weekend.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: GMCer broke down in Birmingham [message #318094 is a reply to message #318093] |
Sun, 28 May 2017 11:06 |
lqqkatjon
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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I found trying to rescue a gmc once that a sunday is also not the best day, but sometimes you have no choice.
Good job sticking with this and hopefully he gets going ok. I can't image what it was like before cell phones and internet, trying to criss cross the country, much less in a gmc. Probably fewer places to worry anout your safetly in breaking down and more people able and willing to help in person back before cell phones. i am guessing this guy is not too technically savvy and making a cell call is a chore. but that is still great he is out traveling.
Hope to hear a good end to the tale.
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: GMCer broke down in Birmingham [message #318095 is a reply to message #318094] |
Sun, 28 May 2017 12:49 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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Senior Member |
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He called me about 11:30. He had his ringer turned off and did not know why he had not called me back last night with his location. I talked him through turning on his ringer and had him hang up. Then I called him back and VERIFIED that he heard the ringer. He said he did.
I recapped that Mark Creel was going to call him today and work with him to get back on the road and probably had already tried to call him. He was to call Mark's business phone as soon as I hung up and leave a message for Mark if Mark did not answer and to wait for Mark to contact him. I also told him that Jeremy would call him either later tonight or tomorrow.
I'm glad he is OK and hope this works out soon.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: [GMCnet] GMCer broke down in Birmingham [message #318097 is a reply to message #318085] |
Sun, 28 May 2017 13:08 |
Sandra Price
Messages: 709
Registered: May 2006
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Kerry, you and Jeremy have gone beyond what most would do. Thanks for
persisting. Sounds like he needs help on several fronts.
Sandra
On May 28, 2017 1:02 PM, "Mike Kelley" wrote:
Great follow thru Kerry! Thanks for caring!
Mike/The Corvair a holic
Sent from my iPhone
> On May 28, 2017, at 12:49 PM, Kerry Pinkerton
wrote:
>
> He called me about 11:30. He had his ringer turned off and did not know
why he had not called me back last night with his location. I talked him
> through turning on his ringer and had him hang up. Then I called him
back and VERIFIED that he heard the ringer. He said he did.
>
> I recapped that Mark Creel was going to call him today and work with him
to get back on the road and probably had already tried to call him. He was
> to call Mark's business phone as soon as I hung up and leave a message
for Mark if Mark did not answer and to wait for Mark to contact him. I also
> told him that Jeremy would call him either later tonight or tomorrow.
>
> I'm glad he is OK and hope this works out soon.
> --
> Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
>
> 77 Eleganza II, 403CI, Manny Brakes, 1 ton, tranny, lots of aluminum
goodies.
>
> http://www.bdub.net/pinkerton/
>
> '03 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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| Re: GMCer broke down in Birmingham [message #318101 is a reply to message #318081] |
Sun, 28 May 2017 14:42 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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My standard for fixing transmitters when the manager or program director is the only person onsite, "If you will be my eyes and my ears and my hands I can fix this." They must assume nothing, report neverything, and take no undirected action.
==johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: GMCer broke down in Birmingham [message #318105 is a reply to message #318081] |
Sun, 28 May 2017 17:36 |
jknezek
Messages: 1057
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Jim called me last night some time after 11 p.m. I gave him Mark's number and told him to call Mark in the morning. I spoke with him this afternoon. He had not heard from Mark but didn't know how to check his voice mail or previous calls. I did call Mark's shop again but it went to voicemail. I will be back in Birmingham late tonight but will try to check in with him and Mark tomorrow. It is just very hard to help him right now because he doesn't communicate easily.
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
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| Re: GMCer broke down in Birmingham [message #318111 is a reply to message #318105] |
Sun, 28 May 2017 19:41 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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Senior Member |
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I called Jim about 5:30 and he'd not heard from Mark. I told him that I expected Mark had tried to call this morning when his phone was disabled and we'd just have to wait. I called Jeremy to update him and found out that Jim had called him last night. In my two long conversations with Jim today, he did not tell me he had spoken to Jeremy.....
Jim did say that he had checked his master cylinder and added fluid but he did not know if it was dry or not because he can't see into it. I had him press the brake pedal with the motor OFF and he has a high firm pedal and the hiss only happens when the brake is pushed. I told Jim to keep his phone charged, ringer on, and with him at all times and we would not be able to help him if we could not get in contact with him. I'm sure he thinks I'm a redneck jerk.
Jeremy just called to say that he had just heard from Mark. Mark had tried to call a few times this morning and the phone went straight to VM and he moved on to other things. Shortly after I spoke with Jim this evening Mark contacted him and they spoke for about 1/2 hour. Mark and Jim are going to try and get the coach to Mark's shop in Bessemer in the morning and Mark will fix it. He, and I, believe there are multiple problems. Obviously the booster is an issue but losing brake fluid is a problem. The coach was worked on at two of the FL shops but it's unclear to me who did what, when, or at all.
At this point, Jim is in contact with a professional mechanic and I'm going to back out and let them handle it. Hopefully Mark can fix it quickly and Jim can get back in time for his Friday doctors appointment. I guess if all else fails, he can leave his coach and drive home in his toad.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: [GMCnet] GMCer broke down in Birmingham [message #318113 is a reply to message #318111] |
Sun, 28 May 2017 20:46 |
Ken Henderson
Messages: 8726
Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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Congratulations, and thanks, Kerry.
Ken H.
On Sun, May 28, 2017 at 8:41 PM, Kerry Pinkerton
wrote:
> ...
>
>
> At this point, Jim is in contact with a professional mechanic and I'm
> going to back out and let them handle it. Hopefully Mark can fix it
> quickly and
> Jim can get back in time for his Friday doctors appointment. I guess if
> all else fails, he can leave his coach and drive home in his toad.
> --
>
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Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
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| Re: GMCer broke down in Birmingham [message #318135 is a reply to message #318081] |
Mon, 29 May 2017 11:06 |
jknezek
Messages: 1057
Registered: December 2007
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Just a quick update. Mark was out looking for Jim Croc this a.m. Unfortunately due to Mr. Crock still not knowing where he was, he sent Mark 20 miles in the wrong direction. Mark called me for help and I gave him the location Kerry had discovered Saturday night. Hopefully he is still there.
Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
[Updated on: Mon, 29 May 2017 11:07] Report message to a moderator |
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| Re: [GMCnet] GMCer broke down in Birmingham [message #318151 is a reply to message #318148] |
Mon, 29 May 2017 13:40 |
Mike Kelley
Messages: 467
Registered: February 2017
Karma: -2
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Senior Member |
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Amen Kerry:
The frustration level is WAY over the top on this one. But thank you guys for hanging in there and assisting a fellow GMCer!
You guys and your attitudes are what make this group so very unique and enjoyable!
Happy Memorial Day
Mike/The Corvair a holic
Sent from my iPhone
> On May 29, 2017, at 1:17 PM, Kerry Pinkerton wrote:
>
> Good lord, I need a drink. Hopefully Mark will hang with it.
> --
> Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
>
> 77 Eleganza II, 403CI, Manny Brakes, 1 ton, tranny, lots of aluminum goodies.
>
> http://www.bdub.net/pinkerton/
>
> '03 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
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