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Old 04-20-2017, 04:16 PM   #1
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Airstream mechanic needed in or around the Nashville area for a 1975 Argosy motorhome

Can anyone recommend an airstream mechanic in or around the Nashville area?

Rumor has it, one of the best mechanics specializing in airstreams is somewhere around Nashville; we're trying to figure out who that is and where they're located??

Recommendations for a good/ honest airstream mechanic would be greatly appreciated.
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Old 04-20-2017, 05:09 PM   #2
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Are you broke down in the Nashville area? Unfortunately I don't know anyone in the area but if you can post the nature of the problem there are a lot of knowledgeable people on Airforums who might be able to give some guidance as to how to proceed.

Brad
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Old 04-20-2017, 07:10 PM   #3
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No we aren't really broken down. We had to leave the motorhome in Nashville. We attempted to drive it from ft Lauderdale to Denver but we kept smelling fuel, it was so strong that we couldn't proceed! We did have a mechanic in Chattanooga drop the gas tank and supposedly fix a fuel leak. But when we got back on the road the gas smell was just as bad, if not worse. By this time we made our way to Nashville we were both so ill from the gas fumes we decided to just fly home and get it repaired there or have it shipped to Denver; which you can imagine would not be cheap. Would rather have it fixed and back on the road home.
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Old 04-20-2017, 07:53 PM   #4
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1989 34.5' Airstream 345
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Welcome to airforums blogworthy.

There are some very capable classic Moho owners here that will be happy to guide you in your effort to get this sorted out.

The fuel system in your coach is pure Chevy. Nothing exotic or RV specific.
Any good truck mechanic should be comfortable dealing with that part of the rig.

Driving with gas fumes is no fun and potentially risky. But if the first place that worked on it, got the tank squared away, the rest of the system is pretty easy to reach and work on.

Have you pulled the dog house off and looked around the engine with it running.
The old carb can be the source of leaks. There are quite a few joints in the fuel line in its route back to the tank. And a filter toward the front of the coach.

Just in front of the tank you will find the fuel pump and a few more connections to check. The fuel line runs along the curb side frame on the driveshaft facing side of that frame section on its way to the engine.

My 345 had bad fumes when it came to me. The seams of the tank had a few trails of weeps running down the sides of the tank that were noticeable with the tank in place. As dark streaks on the side of the tank.

If you do some looking around you may be able to locate the issue and help to direct anyone trying to do the fix for you.
An opened up big cardboard box makes a nice portable ground cover to make Sliding around under the coach a bit more comfortable, take a good flashlight under there to have a good look around.

It's a shame to have your trip derailed by what could be an easy to fix problem
Once it is located.

Try to find a good truck repair shop, they are more plentiful and usually more reliable than lots of the RV places.

Do keep us post of developments and any questions that come up as you get this sorted.

All the best in getting back on the road.

Cheers Richard
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Old 04-20-2017, 09:23 PM   #5
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Thanks so much for your guidance Richard! We did learn what the dog house is this week so that's a start. Lol.
We are learning so much everyday from reading the various forums. Some very generous fellow airstream owners. Thanks to all for sharing your experience, knowledge and lessons learned.
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Old 04-20-2017, 10:07 PM   #6
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Thanks so much for your guidance Richard! We did learn what the dog house is this week so that's a start. Lol.
We are learning so much everyday from reading the various forums. Some very generous fellow airstream owners. Thanks to all for sharing your experience, knowledge and lessons learned.
Good you stopped... there are regular posts here about folks burning up their Airstreams... hope you get fixed. There are a few places fuel can get loose... please get it fixed! All the best..
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Old 04-21-2017, 01:02 PM   #7
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If not in the carb area there are some rubber hoses in and out of the fuel pump. It's on the engine, passenger side in front, down below the exhaust manifold. Should be easy to spot a fuel leak. Could it be running rich and you are smelling exhaust? When I picked up my '75' I had to put new foam seals on the dog house door.
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Old 04-21-2017, 01:49 PM   #8
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I do not know firsthand, but have been told that these guys are good. Might be worth a call.

Mr. RV Service
107 N Russell St
Portland, Tennessee
(615) 504-0641

Good luck.
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Old 04-21-2017, 03:16 PM   #9
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As others have implied, what you have is a 1975 Chevy P30 chassis....its pretty much all Chevy components on the chassis. So you don't need an RV mechanic to help you out here, a good Chevy truck (or truck mechanic in general) will be your best choice by far than trying to track down a good RV shop. Ask around in the area where the rig is parked and you'll get plenty of recommendations. Personally I would stay away from RV shops for mechanical work on your rig. In fact, when asking folks in the area for recommendations on a good truck shop, I would refer to your rig as a 1975 Chevy P30, mentioning "Airstream" or "RV" off the bat can scare off some folks......once they realize that they are working on a P30 chassis it removes any mystery imagined about it being and Airstream. Ive been in your shoes and had good luck by proceeding in that fashion. You really shouldn't have much problem finding a competent mechanic in the area to get you back on the road. Hang in there and try not to stress too much, that is a common chassis with a common Chevy motor with readily available parts.

Remember... when talking to the shop just to tell them that you've got a potential fuel leak on a Chevy P30 with a 454 motor, they should be able to fix you right up..

Mike.
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Old 04-22-2017, 01:06 PM   #10
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Many thanks to all that replied.
We found plenty of people/ shops that "could" work on it but kept running into them not wanting to work on something over 20 yrs old.
Although, after much effort, we finally found someone to take a look at her this coming Monday. Fingers crossed it's something minor.
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Old 04-22-2017, 02:27 PM   #11
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When it gets to Denver be in touch! We've got an '81 Motorhome too.
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Old 04-23-2017, 05:32 AM   #12
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Quote:
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Fingers crossed it's something minor.
I have found in my some what limited time working on these old beasts is that even a relatively "minor" task of bleeding brakes can be a nightmare, and take far longer than expected; so don't be surprised if the shop comes back at you for what you'd perceive is a "minor" fix, but with a huge labour bill.

Just getting at "minor" things can be a right hassle.

Cheers
Tony

PS If they have the fuel system apart anywhere, now would be a great time to replace all rubber fuel lines close to the engine with Ethanol friendly modern ones. We have lost a few with engine fires lately.
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Old 04-23-2017, 12:39 PM   #13
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When it gets to Denver be in touch! We've got an '81 Motorhome too.


Certainly will! Interested in referrals for trusted mechanics in or around the Denver area as well. Please do let us know who you use and recommend.

Thx so much!
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Old 05-03-2017, 11:53 AM   #14
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Ahoy Blogworthy,
Are you still in Tenn, or have you managed to get your fuel leak sorted and continue your trip west.

Please let us know what you found to be your issue and how things are going now.

Cheers Richard
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Old 05-16-2017, 04:58 PM   #15
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Ahoy Blogworthy,

Are you still in Tenn, or have you managed to get your fuel leak sorted and continue your trip west.



Please let us know what you found to be your issue and how things are going now.



Cheers Richard


Hi Richard- we were finally able to get it sorted out! We also had a leak in the transmission and a leak in an oil line. The doghouse was not sealed properly either, so the fumes were awful. We got them all leaks fixed (fingers crossed) and the doghouse sealed and latched down properly as well.
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