Break down and fix!

[pwhittle]

Today. We were heading from Atlanta to St Petersburg, cruising down I-75 at around 70mph when my Check Gauges light came on. First time in the 4 years we have owned this 1994 Monaco Signature.

Engine and transmission temp were higher than normal, but not crazy so we proceeded a mile to an exit and pulled off where it was much safer than on the interstate itself.

The back was covered in transmission fluid, and when I started the engine, the fan just blew the leaking fluid everywhere. I checked the hydraulic tank for the steering/fan and there was no oil on the dipstick.

I called CoachNet and spoke to the customer service agent who took my details and said a tech would call me back as none were available.

A few minutes later, an old pickup with a bunch of semi tires and a compressor on the back pulled over and said they were diesel techs and did I want them to help me. We took a look and they crawled under and found the hole in one of the two small hoses running from (I think) the fan controller to the top of the radiator.

They said they could get a replacement hose made and get it fixed. I asked for a price estimate and it was $85 per hour for 2 hours, plus parts. I gave them the go ahead and they proceeded to take the faulty hose off. I asked them to replace both of them as they are both likely over 20 years old.

I got their phone number and noted their registration number before they left, but it was later that I saw that they had left their tools on the ground near where they were working, so I was sure they were coming back.

Then the CoachNet tech called back, and I told him I was OK and had someone working on fixing it.

I started to clean up some of the mess using degreaser and a hose with hot water. Before I was done, they were back with the replacement hoses and a case of Dextron transmission fluid. They had got the guy to come back and open up to get them made.

They then proceeded to fit the hoses, refill the fluid reservoir, then started the engine and waited for the fan to start up so they could check the level. They had to crack one of the lines to get rid of a air bubble, but then it worked great.

I had to follow them to an ATM to get the rest of the cash as we weren't carrying much.

All in all, it was a great way to recover from a breakdown, and we were mobile again less than two hours after breaking down.

Paul

[MusicRocks]

Great story and happy ending! Did they have a company name or number to call should others need help?

[JohnBoyToo]

^^^ agree !
never have enough good techs around

Mine's from a long time ago in Fort Stockton, Texas...
on our way to the grand Canyon, etc.. for our first big vacation in our new to us Class C, stopped at an rv park just northeast of there and after a beautiful night the rv wouldn't start in the morning ! (Dang 318 DODGE gas engine )

long b4 internet on cell phones, so borrowed a phone book and called a local mechanic... he came out and looked and said we'd have to tow it to the shop.

So packed up and all 4 of us rode in the big truck there.
After a bit he discovers the distributor has spun and was broken, would take 3 days since it was Saturday to get a new one... BUT, if we wanted a good used one, he would take it off his personal van and put it on...

We agreed and he did all the work and we never had an issue the rest of the trip and ownership...

Total charge for pretty long tow, 3 hours work, parts, etc... ???? $125 !!!!

I gave him a $50 tip, and wrote to the local paper when we got back !!

[Coma]

Good news!

[Bucky1320]

I enjoyed the read and the happy ending!

[jacwjames]

Glad it worked out for you!

I guess you really can't judge a book by its cover. I had worked in underground mines in East TN. Usually the best mechanics we had were the ones who came off the farm. Usually had good common sense and not afraid to get dirty >>> and honest as the day is long. I still use one of these guys to work my auto's and usually pay him more then he asks.

[nodine]

Originally Posted by pwhittle

Today. We were heading from Atlanta to St Petersburg, cruising down I-75 at around 70mph when my Check Gauges light came on. First time in the 4 years we have owned this 1994 Monaco Signature.

Engine and transmission temp were higher than normal, but not crazy so we proceeded a mile to an exit and pulled off where it was much safer than on the interstate itself.

The back was covered in transmission fluid, and when I started the engine, the fan just blew the leaking fluid everywhere. I checked the hydraulic tank for the steering/fan and there was no oil on the dipstick.

I called CoachNet and spoke to the customer service agent who took my details and said a tech would call me back as none were available.

A few minutes later, an old pickup with a bunch of semi tires and a compressor on the back pulled over and said they were diesel techs and did I want them to help me. We took a look and they crawled under and found the hole in one of the two small hoses running from (I think) the fan controller to the top of the radiator.

They said they could get a replacement hose made and get it fixed. I asked for a price estimate and it was $85 per hour for 2 hours, plus parts. I gave them the go ahead and they proceeded to take the faulty hose off. I asked them to replace both of them as they are both likely over 20 years old.

I got their phone number and noted their registration number before they left, but it was later that I saw that they had left their tools on the ground near where they were working, so I was sure they were coming back.

Then the CoachNet tech called back, and I told him I was OK and had someone working on fixing it.

I started to clean up some of the mess using degreaser and a hose with hot water. Before I was done, they were back with the replacement hoses and a case of Dextron transmission fluid. They had got the guy to come back and open up to get them made.

They then proceeded to fit the hoses, refill the fluid reservoir, then started the engine and waited for the fan to start up so they could check the level. They had to crack one of the lines to get rid of a air bubble, but then it worked great.

I had to follow them to an ATM to get the rest of the cash as we weren't carrying much.

All in all, it was a great way to recover from a breakdown, and we were mobile again less than two hours after breaking down.

Paul

Wow Paul, that is better than having Van riding in the storage compartment with all his tools!

Bob

[JustCruising]

This is America at its best!!

Frank and Jeannie
2007 Monaco Cayman

[pwhittle]

We were near Unadilla, GA, just south of Perry. Stan's phone number is (229) 520-7164.

The idea of Van traveling in the basement made me laugh.

Paul