Broke down 90 miles north of Idaho Falls.

[Maggie Flinn]

I finally got towed into Idaho Falls last night. AAA was all messed up. I got to the only mechanic I could find open but they couldn’t do much. They don’t think it is the fuel pump. They are talking about it being the timing. I am cold and scared but safe. Day 3 of just a miserable situation. No mechanics open until tomorrow. Just the way it is. I keep trying to stay grateful that I’m not along side the interstate. I had just bought this rig and left myself a bit short but if I can just make it to Ehrenberg I think things will be okay. I can save money by not moving anywhere or doing anything for the next 6 months.


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[QinReno]

 I am cold and scared but safe.  

Safe is good. Weekends are always a PITN to get anything fixed. Tomorrow is a new week. 

10-day weather forecast for Idaho Falls indicates cold, but no snow. The map however shows snow in the mountains all around, and down into Colorado. Maybe get a motel room for a couple of days.
- https://weather.com/weather/tenday/l/USID0120:1:US

When you get going again, just keep heading straight south on I-15 until it's sunny and warm, .

 

[WanderingRose]

Deep breaths, Maggie Flinn.

Stay focused, take care of yourself and good luck in getting this resolved.

 

[Maggie Flinn]

I keep breaking into tears. I know it’s not hopeless but I feel helpless and hopeless. I was panicking 2 days ago but felt much better getting to the rest stop. Pretty glad right now that I didn’t win that Dometic cfx28 fridge I bid $444. for on EBay. It was in Salt Lake City and was going to pick it up to save on shipping. Hopefully that will get me back in the road.


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[WanderingRose]

You’re experiencing a crisis, Maggie, broken down and not knowing what it’s going to take to get your rig running again.

Okay to cry and fall apart a bit, but that’s not a place to stay as you need to pull yourself through this and out the other side.

Consider this a test of your strength and endurance, and one that you will pass.

Help will be available in the morning, and hopefully things will look a little brighter this time tomorrow.

 

[QinReno]

Maggie, the most common issue with the older carbureted vehicles is the contact points in the distributor and the spark plugs. Then after that the spark plug wires. Then the PCV, positive crankcase ventilation valve. So when he said timing, it might just be needing new points and plugs, and distributor timing adjustment. All pretty minor.

They'll check the engine timing with a timing light, a dwell meter, and also do a compression check of the cylinders. Standard checks for older vehicles.

Can you describe how it was driving at the end when you were going into the rest stop? Sounding rough, jerking, no pickup when you hit the gas pedal, whatever? Back firing, smoke coming out the back?

 

[Maggie Flinn]

They ended up putting a new distributor cap and adjusted the timing. $450. I gather that the Holley carburetor is too much for the engine. It makes sense. I believe while going up an incline in overdrive it was flooding the engine. Not their words but mine. I don’t know if this is normal or a newer transmission where 3 is drive and D is overdrive. Going 60 or higher I was told to put it in overdrive. Well, it really lags while in overdrive. I drove 500 miles today in the 3 position drive and it goes fairly smooth. Putting it in overdrive at any speed it seems to chug and lag. I did have to down shift while going up large hills where the semi’s are also doing the same. I am very nervous doing this but it seems necessary. Gas mileage sucks big time. Between the mechanic and gas I am well over $1000. I don’t believe it is running any better but the way I am driving it is getting better. And yes, I believe replacing the carburetor with the regular one and not the Holley will make a world of difference. Now that I am near broke from buying the rig, tax, title, gas and mechanic I will be stuck in Arizona until spring for sure. Hopefully I can get the new carburetor before driving back to Washington.


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[Riverman]

Chevy Distributor cap on eBay... $15

 

[QinReno]

Yeah $450, oof. New distributor cap and timing is about a 10-minute job. The previous guy thought he was hopping it up with Holley carburetor. I can't really say about it, but imagine Holley means larger fuel jets and more pickup, but at the expense of mileage. Probably overkill.

If things are set up correctly, then you put it in overdrive at highway speeds as long as you're on the "flats", but overdrive never has the power for hills. You always have to downshift as soon as the engine starts to lug. You're probably also loaded down with extra weight, so it will lug down sooner. 

Good thing is, despite everything else, you are back on the road without anything MAJOR having to been fixed. You can figure just about anything major will cost $2000-3000 anymore. Auto repair places charge $150/hour anymore. Royal PITA.

So, just take it easy and get down to Arizona. Once you meet up with people down there, there will be old timers who can help check things out and won't charge you. People are generally very helpful on things like this. Good luck, and don't push it too hard.

 

[Maggie Flinn]

Thank you so much. I met a few kind souls last year but am mainly a loner. I’m going to the van build to help do solar and hopefully get someone to mount my panels for me. I have a hard time asking for help face to face. It’s easy online but it’s harder asking someone to put themselves out in person. Lol


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[QinReno]

Don't worry Maggie, men get bored silly sitting around in the desert drinking beer and looking at coyotes all winter long. They'll be happy to show off how much they know and be helpful.

 

[WanderingRose]

So glad you are back on the road, Maggie Flinn!

 

[travelaround]

Great to hear you're on the road. I get ripped off by mechanics ... really annoying, but then I'm happy to be able to drive again. The last time - the mechanic tried to convince me I needed my engine rebuilt for 3000 dollars. I told him no, to just replace the starter. Got ripped off on that too. There's nothing wrong with that engine. Can't wait to write my review of his business on Yelp and Google Maps. Waiting until I move out of the neighborhood, for that.

 

[QinReno]

The one thing that should always be done when buying an older vehicle is a compression check of the cylinders, via the spark plug holes. Actually, it would be possible for a couple of people to do a valve or cylinder job in a day or so, even out in the desert.

The other thing an older vehicle might need are new shocks. Easy enough to install.

 

[Headache]

Damn Maggie that sucks! I'm glad your rolling again. Now you have a high top! Much more room than the mini van. I'll see you down there somewhere. Hope the rest of your ride is without issue.

 

[5ilver5urfer]

Maggie, I am at the van build near the driveway entrance to the main camp in a toyhauler (on the road) in front of Van that is for Sale. I will be going to the BBQ at 4. My Internet does not work in camp. Come by and say hi. - Susan

 

[Maggie Flinn]

Headache, I hope to see you in Ehrenberg. Take care. [emoji3590]


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