Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » [GMCnet] Alaska trip - final report at 8700 miles
| [GMCnet] Alaska trip - final report at 8700 miles [message #303476] |
Tue, 12 July 2016 16:24  |
glwgmc
Messages: 1014
Registered: June 2004
Karma: 10
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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
============
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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| Re: [GMCnet] Alaska trip - final report at 8700 miles [message #303496 is a reply to message #303476] |
Tue, 12 July 2016 21:43  |
Scott Nutter
Messages: 782
Registered: January 2015
Location: Houston/San Diego
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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Yep...... I would like to say "welcome to the world nowadays", but I just can't say that to a fellow GMC'er.
But unless you do it your self, it won't be done right.
Kids nowadays are not the same as the kids we used to be. Fact....
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, Dave Lenzi super duty mid axle disc brakes, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi. Alex Ferrera installed MSD Atomic EFI
Houston, Texas
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| Re: [GMCnet] Alaska trip - final report at 8700 miles [message #303497 is a reply to message #303476] |
Tue, 12 July 2016 22:25 |
Carl S.
Messages: 4186
Registered: January 2009
Location: Tucson, AZ.
Karma: 13
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Senior Member |
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I figured getting service on the road might be an issue. I guess you have to watch them like a hawk. Knowing you, I didn't figure you would stretch the oil change through the whole trip. I wonder if that would be a problem with today's oils and the type of service you put on it on that type of trip (long running periods and frequent, all day driving). I tend to let mine go over from time to time, for instance, if I have, say 2200 miles on the oil, and I have a 1500 mile trip planned, I'll let it slide until I get home. My mechanic friend would change his before he left.
A lot of the newer cars have what seems like ridiculously long oil change intervals, so evidently today's oil will stand up to it. I'm still an advocate for the 3,000 mile (give or take) oil change. Oil and filters are a lot less expensive than engines and transmissions.
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, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
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| Re: [GMCnet] Alaska trip - final report at 8700 miles [message #303499 is a reply to message #303476] |
Tue, 12 July 2016 23:30 |
 |
USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Jerry,
It's EVERYWHERE!!! The big "I"
INCOMPETENCE!!!!
Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Gerald Work
Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2016 7:25 AM
To: GMC Motor Home Post
Subject: [GMCnet] Alaska trip - final report at 8700 miles
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
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Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] Alaska trip - final report at 8700 miles [message #303506 is a reply to message #303499] |
Wed, 13 July 2016 08:44 |
Keith V
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Wow terrible!
When I first bought my Corvette, it's a '69 I brought it in to get the fluids changed.
When they started on the diff, I heard the tech ask for a metric socket....
Uhh nope, nope nope. I got out of the car ( they sure didn't like that ) crouched down and told the tech, this is a '69 GM, there are no metric fasteners on it. He was a good boy and used an open ended wrench.
>
> Jerry,
>
> It's EVERYWHERE!!! The big "I"
>
> INCOMPETENCE!!!!
>
> Regards,
> Rob M.
> USAussie - Downunder
> AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
> USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces@list.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Gerald Work
> Sent: Wednesday, July 13, 2016 7:25 AM
> To: GMC Motor Home Post
> Subject: [GMCnet] Alaska trip - final report at 8700 miles
>
> 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
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
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| Re: [GMCnet] Alaska trip - final report at 8700 miles [message #303520 is a reply to message #303506] |
Wed, 13 July 2016 12:30 |
JimGunther
Messages: 228
Registered: March 2007
Location: West Haven, CT
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Truth is, most of these "retail" outfits do about as much training as a KFC (that's Kentucky Fried Chicken for us old guys). It's all "pre-cook book" stuff without ANY context.
BTW: The "Manager" may not know much more than the "tech" - He may have been "managing" a KFC last month.
It's the price we pay for the price oriented - made by the cheapest vendor - world we've created.
Jim Gunther
www.LotusV6.com
now former owner - ;(
73 GMC-II 2600
by Explorer
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| Re: [GMCnet] Alaska trip - final report at 8700 miles [message #303548 is a reply to message #303476] |
Wed, 13 July 2016 19:31 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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Senior Member |
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We've still got a local (six stores around N Ga) parts house with ol gray headed poots behind the counter and in the machine shop. My carb guy passed recently though. He was retired, ran the office for his kids who have a transmission shop locally, he got his start wrenching for the Sosebees of NASCAR notoriety. The quick change outfits are samesame the chain auto parts. If you know what you want they can get it, but they're clueless if it ain't in the computer. Most of the oil change outfits can survive without repeat business so they've no vested interest in doing it right. I buy standard stuff off Advance because they're the closest and have a fairly good order service if it isn't in stock - always there the next day. One supervisor always asks first, and then calls the new hires over to see how to do a military discount. There are always a couple of newbies.This guy's predecessor now works for Publix (supermarket).
--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: [GMCnet] Alaska trip - final report at 8700 miles [message #303583 is a reply to message #303556] |
Thu, 14 July 2016 10:05 |
Rob
Messages: 651
Registered: November 2013
Location: Victoria, BC
Karma: 3
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Senior Member |
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Which 'Merican dictionary would you send?!? They seem to vary a fair bit by region...
Rob
Victoria, BC
76 Royale - Rear Twins/Dry Bath
On 2016-07-13, at 8:21 PM, Ken Burton wrote:
> I have often thought about sending a few dictionaries to Canada so maybe some of them could learn how to spell. Then I realized that it was
> hopeless.
>
> TIC
> --
> Ken Burton - N9KB
> 76 Palm Beach
> Hebron, Indiana
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Rob -
Victoria, BC -
76 Royale - Rear Twins/Dry Bath
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