Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Maiden Voyage of the Road Machine
| Maiden Voyage of the Road Machine [message #93128] |
Sat, 24 July 2010 19:40  |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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After 7 long years, I finally took the Road Machine on an overnight camping trip. Nothing special, just a trip to the rocket range. Total miles, including a few stops along the way 160.
Problems: one very strange and unexpected one. At one of the stops, The coach wouldn't start. quick inspection showed the starter solenoid wire basically broke at the crimp lug. I have been driving the coach to and from the office about once a week and a bit on weekends just to shake out any things such as this. Of course, it didn't happen until my son and I were on a trip only an hour after SHE said "Call me if you break down!" New GMC Rule: Nobody is allowed to say that anymore!
Ran the Onan and both roof airs all day (105* day) and the microwave for lunch. All went well on that front.
No Fuel consumption. Tank wasn't full when we left.
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: [GMCnet] Maiden Voyage of the Road Machine [message #93132 is a reply to message #93128] |
Sat, 24 July 2010 20:16  |
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ljdavick
Messages: 3548
Registered: March 2007
Location: Fremont, CA
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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Excellent news! Congratulations.
Larry Davick
On Jul 24, 2010, at 5:40 PM, Chris Choffat <cchoffataz@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> After 7 long years, I finally took the Road Machine on an overnight camping trip. Nothing special, just a trip to the rocket range. Total miles, including a few stops along the way 160.
>
> Problems: one very strange and unexpected one. At one of the stops, The coach wouldn't start. quick inspection showed the starter solenoid wire basically broke at the crimp lug. I have been driving the coach to and from the office about once a week and a bit on weekends just to shake out any things such as this. Of course, it didn't happen until my son and I were on a trip only an hour after SHE said "Call me if you break down!" New GMC Rule: Nobody is allowed to say that anymore!
>
> Ran the Onan and both roof airs all day (105* day) and the microwave for lunch. All went well on that front.
>
> No Fuel consumption. Tank wasn't full when we left.
> --
> -Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
> 77 Ex-Kingsley 455, Power Drive, 3:21 FD, Quadra bag. The Engineer's Motorhome
> Scottsdale, AZ
>
> Photosite: Chrisc "It has Begun"
> _______________________________________________
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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] Maiden Voyage of the Road Machine [message #93134 is a reply to message #93132] |
Sat, 24 July 2010 20:23 |
Ron
Messages: 250
Registered: February 2004
Location: Conifer, Colorado
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Chri$..
Great to hear you got the old girl on the road..
I am sure those kinds of kinks will work themselves out..
Hope you enjoy it as much as we have ours..
Ron
now a P.O.
Conifer, CO
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| Re: Maiden Voyage of the Road Machine [message #93288 is a reply to message #93128] |
Mon, 26 July 2010 12:13 |
Luvn737s
Messages: 1106
Registered: June 2007
Karma: 2
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Senior Member |
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160 miles? What'd that take you, about an hour and a half?! I've seen that sucker move out! The tail lights are bright enough, you just don't get a chance to see them for very long.
Congrats! How did you like the Q-bag?
Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
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| Re: Maiden Voyage of the Road Machine [message #93317 is a reply to message #93288] |
Mon, 26 July 2010 15:05 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Q-bag was fine, but now that I actually have a compressor that will go above 80 psi, it shuts off before the left side is up to the height I want it. There is something funny with the leveler arm on that side, I have to figure out what's going on. I think the tank is getting to full pressure, but the leveler is blocking the flow as it thinks it is at the right level. it is not mechanically connected to the bogie just now.
I think it tracks better, even with the crappy tires, but it does ride a bit harder, I think. I plan to take advantage of the 40% off shipping from Jim and order my wheels this week.
The 160 miles was about 80 out and 80 back, making a few stops along the way to do other things. We were at Hobby Lobby on the west side when the starter wire broke off... It was a bit cooler in Rainbow valley after the sun went down. we actually slept with the windows open and the fans instead of the genny and the ac's.
Once my new tires are installed, we're gonna make a run for the Grand Canyon and see how she takes the hills.
I may be burning coolant, not sure. I keep adding to the bottle, and it doesn't seem to be leaking out anywhere. Maybe a head gasket. early start-up in the morning is a bit white smoke. Could also be crud in the radidator as it didn't seem to take as much as it should have when I refilled it after the water pump install.
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: Maiden Voyage of the Road Machine [message #93320 is a reply to message #93317] |
Mon, 26 July 2010 15:21 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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| Chr$ wrote on Mon, 26 July 2010 14:05 |
Q-bag was fine, but now that I actually have a compressor that will go above 80 psi, it shuts off before the left side is up to the height I want it. There is something funny with the leveler arm on that side, I have to figure out what's going on. I think the tank is getting to full pressure, but the leveler is blocking the flow as it thinks it is at the right level. it is not mechanically connected to the bogie just now.
I think it tracks better, even with the crappy tires, but it does ride a bit harder, I think. I plan to take advantage of the 40% off shipping from Jim and order my wheels this week.
The 160 miles was about 80 out and 80 back, making a few stops along the way to do other things. We were at Hobby Lobby on the west side when the starter wire broke off... It was a bit cooler in Rainbow valley after the sun went down. we actually slept with the windows open and the fans instead of the genny and the ac's.
Once my new tires are installed, we're gonna make a run for the Grand Canyon and see how she takes the hills.
I may be burning coolant, not sure. I keep adding to the bottle, and it doesn't seem to be leaking out anywhere. Maybe a head gasket. early start-up in the morning is a bit white smoke. Could also be crud in the radidator as it didn't seem to take as much as it should have when I refilled it after the water pump install.
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Chris--that white smoke on start up sounds suspicious for sure. However, getting that cooling system full via the overflow bottle takes time and usually only happens on significant cooling and heating cycles. I've also had to replace my radiator cap since it didn't allow coolant to get sucked up from the bottle. Hopefully that's all it is. If worse comes to worse, you may want to throw a "dog turd" in the radiator. If it's aminor leak, those things can be very effective.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: Maiden Voyage of the Road Machine [message #93337 is a reply to message #93320] |
Mon, 26 July 2010 16:55 |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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Cap is new. sucks the coolant in just fine, just doesn't put it back like it used to when shut down. white smoke could also be condensation burning off since it is monsoon right now... Hoping so, anyway.
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: [GMCnet] Maiden Voyage of the Road Machine [message #93340 is a reply to message #93128] |
Mon, 26 July 2010 17:22 |
Eddie Pettit
Messages: 71
Registered: May 2009
Karma: 0
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Congrats on a mostly uneventful trip!
Eddie Pettit
73 GMC "The Jolly Roger"
Midlothian VA
> -----Original Message-----
> From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
> [mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Chris Choffat
> Sent: Saturday, July 24, 2010 8:40 PM
> To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
> Subject: [GMCnet] Maiden Voyage of the Road Machine
>
>
>
>
> After 7 long years, I finally took the Road Machine on an
> overnight camping trip. Nothing special, just a trip to the
> rocket range. Total miles, including a few stops along the way 160.
>
> Problems: one very strange and unexpected one. At one of the
> stops, The coach wouldn't start. quick inspection showed the
> starter solenoid wire basically broke at the crimp lug. I
> have been driving the coach to and from the office about once
> a week and a bit on weekends just to shake out any things
> such as this. Of course, it didn't happen until my son and I
> were on a trip only an hour after SHE said "Call me if you
> break down!" New GMC Rule: Nobody is allowed to say that anymore!
>
> Ran the Onan and both roof airs all day (105* day) and the
> microwave for lunch. All went well on that front.
>
> No Fuel consumption. Tank wasn't full when we left.
> --
> -Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
> 77 Ex-Kingsley 455, Power Drive, 3:21 FD, Quadra bag. The
> Engineer's Motorhome
> Scottsdale, AZ
>
> Photosite: Chrisc "It has Begun"
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> List Information and Subscription Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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| Re: Maiden Voyage of the Road Machine [message #93342 is a reply to message #93128] |
Mon, 26 July 2010 17:46 |
fred v
Messages: 999
Registered: April 2006
Location: pensacola, fl.
Karma: 0
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| Chr$ wrote on Sat, 24 July 2010 19:40 |
After 7 long years, I finally took the Road Machine on an overnight camping trip. Nothing special, just a trip to the rocket range. Total miles, including a few stops along the way 160.
Problems: one very strange and unexpected one. At one of the stops, The coach wouldn't start. quick inspection showed the starter solenoid wire basically broke at the crimp lug. I have been driving the coach to and from the office about once a week and a bit on weekends just to shake out any things such as this. Of course, it didn't happen until my son and I were on a trip only an hour after SHE said "Call me if you break down!" New GMC Rule: Nobody is allowed to say that anymore!
Ran the Onan and both roof airs all day (105* day) and the microwave for lunch. All went well on that front.
No Fuel consumption. Tank wasn't full when we left.
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no fuel consumption!!?? that's fantastic! i usually burn a bunch. LOL
Fred V
'77 Royale RB 455
P'cola, Fl
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| Re: Maiden Voyage of the Road Machine [message #93368 is a reply to message #93337] |
Mon, 26 July 2010 19:38 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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| Chr$ wrote on Mon, 26 July 2010 15:55 |
Cap is new. sucks the coolant in just fine, just doesn't put it back like it used to when shut down. white smoke could also be condensation burning off since it is monsoon right now... Hoping so, anyway.
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Unfortunately I don't think so Chris. I have been out to my GMC almost every day for the last week and it never blows white smoke in Chnadler.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: [GMCnet] Maiden Voyage of the Road Machine [message #93377 is a reply to message #93368] |
Mon, 26 July 2010 20:22 |
George Zhookoff
Messages: 398
Registered: December 2004
Location: Snellville, GA
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Chr$,
Take a quick oil sample and send it to Blackstone. They'll tell you if
the antifreeze is making it to the oil.
George Zhookoff
78 EL II
Atlanta
Chr$ wrote on Mon, 26 July 2010 15:55
> Cap is new. sucks the coolant in just fine, just doesn't put it back
like it used to when shut down. white smoke could also be condensation
burning off since it is monsoon right now... Hoping so, anyway.
Unfortunately I don't think so Chris. I have been out to my GMC almost
every day for the last week and it never blows white smoke in Chnadler.
--
Bob de Kruyff
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