Tuesday, May 23, 2006: 5:30AM - MsTioga talks to her reader/friends. Dear Reader/friends, When I go to a mechanic, I always ask for a recommendation from a local resident. Sometimes I have been very fortunate and find a really great mechanic. Sometimes I have not been so fortunate, and have received poor service. And every so often, I have gone to a dishonest mechanic.
As an optimistic RV, I have to trust that the mechanic that works on me will be capable and do a really good job.
This morning I will be going to Jubal, a mechanic here in the Town of Roosevelt, Utah. Jubal was recommended by a diesel mechanic here in town. I have two repair problems that are urgent that Jubal will be working on. One is a leak in my engine cooling system which just started yesterday morning. The other is a leak in my power steering system which showed up within the last few weeks.
I also have nine preventive maintenance items that need attention. Everything from inspecting and repacking my front wheel bearings to replacing my fuel filter.
10AM - MsTioga reports on her repairs. Hi Everybody! Well my power steering leak turned out to be only a loose fitting into the steering gear box. Clarence the mechanic tightened that up with no problem.
However, the engine coolant leak is a lot bigger job to repair. It appears that the gasket between the timing chain housing and the engine block is leaking. In order to replace this gasket, the following parts need to be removed:
Timing chain housing.
Water pump.
Radiator.
Since all of these same parts would need to be pulled in order to replace the timing chain, it is probably a good idea to replace the timing chain at this time. Also, the water pump that was replaced only last October does not look to be in good condition and will be replaced as well.
Jubal who is the owner of the shop, estimates that all of the above parts will be pulled out this afternoon, and tomorrow this job will be completed. All of the replacement parts have been ordered and will be delivered tomorrow morning.
Jubal will have me pushed out into the parking lot for the nite. I will be able to let you know what happened during this afternoon as soon as I am back in the parking lot again, OK?
Jubal’s Automotive in Roosevelt, Utah.
5PM - MsTioga is in good hands. Hi Everybody! This is MsTioga with a report on what happened this afternoon.
I am soooooo very happy, because the mechanics at Jubal's are treating really good. This afternoon, Doyle the mechanic who is doing my repair work removed my radiator, water pump, fly wheel and a bunch of other stuff too.
It turns out that only one of the bolts that held the water pump to the timing chain housing was tight. The other bolts were all loose! Very loose. I feel lucky that my engine coolant did not drain out when I was in the middle of some wild place. Wow!
Below is a pic of Doyle removing my water pump. The other pic is (from the right) Jubal, Doyle and Clarence.
The Jubal Guys.
8PM - The latest on the Vertglas experiment. This afternoon I applied Vertglas on the rest of MsTioga's cabover. I have to admit to you that the cabover is now absolutely gorgeous.
I have found a website whose authors claim to have done a test of three brands of acrylic finishes. Apparently, Vertglas is an acyllic. Here is a link to that website:
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TiogaRV Team Mission
To share the vagabonding life with our fellow RVers like yourself. We hope that you will try to boondock and dry camp.
We have found great joy in camping away from the RV Campground. We would like you to try our camping life style yourself.
Sharing with you our Daily Adventure is our way of encouraging you to try to camp as we do.
