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remcolent · 07-11-2008, 09:40 AM

I bought a Tow Vehichle for the AS a chevy C30
I had it shipped to Baltimore for transport to the netherlands.
Now it is not loaded on board because it did not start.
The battery is brand new so likely starter motor is gone.
I need a mechanic to take a look at it @ the port.
The only other option for me is to fly to the USA and fix it myself.
I hope that a member in Baltimore can help me with this problem.
Remco r van Lent

**Janet H** · 07-11-2008, 10:12 AM

Any chance you belong to AAA?

Would it be possible to have a towing/repair company take a look at it?
How about a place that services/repairs commercial trucks? I've seen these kinds of places doing roadside repairs.

remcolent · 07-11-2008, 10:18 AM

No AAA
Problem is that I'm in the Netherlands and the truck is in Baltimore USA.

Remco

HowieE · 07-11-2008, 02:14 PM

My first guess is if it made it to Md. someone just left a light on and killed the battery.

Hopefully someone in the Baltimore area will step up and take a look.

hampstead38 · 07-11-2008, 02:31 PM

I live in Maryland, north of Baltimore. I'm a "shadetree" mechanic, not a professional mechanic. If this is a situation where we're talking about jump starting, I could run down to the port (with ample directions) with a set of cables and my good luck charm. If the problem is more complex (like dropping in a new starter), I could make some inquiries locallly and see if I could find a mechanic willing to go down and take a look at the truck. How much time do you have to get this problem fixed? Is is possible to have the vehicle towed onto the ship or must it be able to move under its own power?

Ken

remcolent · 07-11-2008, 04:28 PM

ken
vehicle must run on its own power.
When it was brought to the port by the trukking compagny it would not start .
driver had to tap starter moter and he did put in a new battery.
most likely the starter motor is gone And there seems to be a current leak that drains the batery.
This could either be from the startermotor or from the alternator.
so to be sure it should be best to disconect the terminals on the alternator.
Battery is brand new no need for new one.
new starter motor is not hard to put in Its a C30 chevy with a 454.
thanks
remco

hampstead38 · 07-11-2008, 10:00 PM

Remco,

I just sent a PM with my number. It's getting close to midnight here but I trust we'll talk tomorrow.

If tapping on the starter made a difference, my initial suspicion would be a loose and/or bad cable rather than a failed starter. As for replacing starters, the last one I did was on my '52 Chevy truck. There's a little difference between the straight 6 216 and the big block 454... having room to work comes immediately to mind. Of course, the real problem is that we're a couple of guys talking about an engine that neither you nor I have seen in person. If it's not the starter, it could be any number of things. If the simple "check the connections and jump start" approach doesn't work, your best bet is to have a professional mechanic to the diagnosis.

The port is in the Dundalk area. I'll pull a list of auto mechanics/service garages nearby and email them to you so you can call them directly... that is if my lucky charm doesn't work. You have a PM with the details on my contact information.

Oh, by the way, let me know what the hard deadline is for getting the C30 onboard. If it's tomorrow, I'm going to put on the Mission Impossible soundtrack. That was my attempt at humor, Remco. I'm going to get some sleep and we'll work on this dilemma tomorrow.

Ken

hampstead38 · 07-12-2008, 06:15 AM

For those of you following our little drama, Remco and I are exchanging information. Oh, and in a truly odd twist, Remco bought the truck via Ebay from a seller in Libby, Montana---my hometown. What are the odds of that, I wonder. Cross your fingers, folks, and let's hope this long distance truck problem has a happy ending.

richinny · 07-12-2008, 07:31 AM

tapping the starter often indicates worn starter motor brushes. if it gets started and a drain cannot be found, the battery should be disconnected for shipping. often lights are left on when checking for a dead battery and not noticed, especially in the daytime.

AirstreamGypsy · 07-12-2008, 07:53 AM

Hampstead38,

How truly AirForums of you! It constantly amazes me how wonderful people can be. Good luck with your mission, I'll be blaring the Mission Impossible theme song for you.

hampstead38 · 07-12-2008, 10:12 AM

Well, thanks, but before anyone gets too excited, let's see if I make things better rather than worse.

Here's a little update. The port is closed today so I'll have to wait for the coming week to head down. I called my folks in Libby. My father knows the seller and he thinks he remembers the truck, a red 1979 Chevy C30 "dually." (Like I said, Libby is a small town). As fate would have it, my father had a brown Chevy crew cab of about the same vintage that I managed to tear the door off. We were loading hay, my brother jumped out and left the passenger door open while I was backing into a hay barn.

It's a mistake a person only makes once.

Back to the seller, the guy has taken and sold scrap metal for my father. Of course, being a small town, he knows the "scoop" on everyone. I'm not going to tell tales out of school, but based on what I heard, I have my fingers crossed for Remco that the truck is what he expected and that the starting problem is not major. I expect that between the purchase, hauling it to Baltimore and putting it on a ship to the Netherlands, he has some money in the TV already.

I'll keep posting updates as our story continues.

Ike T · 07-12-2008, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hampstead38

It's a mistake a person only makes once.

I have to ask.. are you referring to you or your brother?

This is a mighty fine thing you are doing.

Boom Sounds · 07-12-2008, 11:54 AM

The exact same thing happened to me shipping out of Galveston to Zeebruge last month. Sometimes, this is a scam by the port staff who subsequently offer to find a "local mechanic" to sort out the problem. They offered me a mechanic, but luckily I had a Good Sam policy and when the mechanic when down to the port it started first time. If you really do have a flat, it is more likely to be something left on or a short rather than an alternator short. Sounds like Hampstead38 is your best bet but if you both get stuck you could take out an AAA policy from his address and call them out. You also need to consider the landing and how it will be treated if it comes off the boat with a flat. Are you picking up in Zeebruge or Rotterdam? Onward travel may be an issue so check your terms and conditions.

Good luck - I am watching with interest and wish you all good luck.

ROBERT CROSS · 07-12-2008, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hampstead38

Well, thanks, but before anyone gets too excited, let's see if I make things better rather than worse.

Here's a little update. The port is closed today so I'll have to wait for the coming week to head down. I called my folks in Libby. My father knows the seller and he thinks he remembers the truck, a red 1979 Chevy C30 "dually." (Like I said, Libby is a small town). As fate would have it, my father had a brown Chevy crew cab of about the same vintage that I managed to tear the door off. We were loading hay, my brother jumped out and left the passenger door open while I was backing into a hay barn.

It's a mistake a person only makes once.

Back to the seller, the guy has taken and sold scrap metal for my father. Of course, being a small town, he knows the "scoop" on everyone. I'm not going to tell tales out of school, but based on what I heard, I have my fingers crossed for Remco that the truck is what he expected and that the starting problem is not major. I expect that between the purchase, hauling it to Baltimore and putting it on a ship to the Netherlands, he has some money in the TV already.

I'll keep posting updates as our story continues.

It's a small world after all....Airstream at least.

38..you-da man.

This is exactly why we all spend so much time here

Really hope all works out well.

hampstead38 · 07-12-2008, 10:20 PM

I exercised my shadtree mechanic muscles today by swapping out the old steel differential cover on my Titan for a new finned aluminum cover from PML that will add a quart of gear fluid capacity. Of course, I'll upgrade to the Mobil 1 synthetic gear oil. My knuckles are officially pre-skinned.

I don't know anything about the folks who run the Port in Baltimore. Based on my conversation with my father, I think Remco's "new" Chevy is probably held together with duct tape and baling wire. Fortunately, it sounds like Remco is a much better mechanic than me so if we can get this beast over the "pond," I'm sure he'll have it running like a top before long.

As I recall, the father determined that tearing the door off was "operator error." As the driver, I was held fully responsible. In Montana, "fully responsible" usually means getting the knocked in the dust a few times. Of course, my brother could have hurt himself laughing. I don't remember.

All in all, folks, it's a "karma" thing. In a few years, my wife and I plan to take some early retirement. Our goal: 49 states, 12 months, one (vintage) trailer. I imagine somewhere along the line, I'll need help and maybe some kind soul will take pity on me. Well, even if they don't, it would be nice if they didn't laugh at me like my charming little brother.

hampstead38 · 07-14-2008, 11:16 AM

Update:

Remco is using a company called HTI USA of New Jersey to handle the shipping. I called at 10 a.m. to speak with Vanessa (who is handling Remco's issue). I was told Vanessa is not in the office, "call back later." I called at 12:15 p.m., no one answers the phone. I called at 1:15 p.m. After about eight or nine rings, someone answers the phone. I ask for Vanessa. There's a pause for about half a minute and a person picks up. "Vanessa can't take your call right now, call back in a few minutes."

I don't want to seem like a "crabby appleton" here, but maybe the folks at HTI might want to think about the technology of "taking a message."

The Port is only open from 8 to 11:45 and 1 to 3:30 Monday through Friday. An appointment is required. That is, of course, if one can get an appointment.

I'm not planning on shipping anything overseas any time soon, but as of this moment, I would not be enthusiastic about using HTI as the shipping firm.

hampstead38 · 07-14-2008, 12:38 PM

I called at at 2:30 p.m. Vanessa is now out of the office. While it took a bit of time, I finally convinced the person answering the phone (who did not pick up until the 8th ring) that she should leave a message with my name and number so Vanessa can call me. Call it a hunch, but I'm guessing I won't get a return call today.

remcolent · 07-14-2008, 01:32 PM

Indeed the service of ATI USA Inc has gone bad really bad.
A couple of day's ago I called and was asked to hold the line.
I was on hold for 45 minutes.
For me it will most likely the last time I used this compagny.
Remco

hampstead38 · 07-14-2008, 02:47 PM

It's pushing 5 p.m. and Vanessa did not call. Of course, since I wanted to make an appointment to visit the Port tomorrow, this probably sets everything back a day.