Stranded in Grand Junction, CO

[ArtStream]

I'm stranded at the Walmart in Grand Junction, CO, are there any members in the area?

Will look for a repair shop in the morning, sounds like a valve spring.

7.3L TD ford

Michael

[TBRich]

Good Luck, Michael...I'm sure someone in the Grand Junction, CO area will chime in before long...

Good vibes your way...TB

[DesertStream]

Western Slope Auto is the Ford dealership in Grand Junction. I do not have personal experiance with the service department, but I have traded with them and they are good folks.

Their phone number is 970-243-0843. They are located on the west side of Grand Junction near I-70 and 6&50 Highway (Bus. 70). The address is 2264 Hwy 6 and 50.

I wish you well.

[DesertStream]

Michael,

If you are at the Wal-Mart near Sams Club, the Western Slope Auto is about 4 miles west on Hwy. 6 & 50.

Virgil

[loudruff]

Sorry to hear that your Ford is giving you troubles. Wish we were closer. I know a pretty good mechanic! LOL
Good luck with your repairs. Keep us posted.
Lou

[doorgunner]

MJ.

You could be stuck in Lodi! lol

Have you switched to Old Spice yet?

good luck wish you were closer, I'll always help a forum member in need, indeed.

DG

[wkerfoot]

Originally Posted by doorgunner

MJ.

You could be stuck in Lodi! lol

...

DG

Ah yes, a classic CCR song.

Bill

[doorgunner]

Also where I reside!! but we got grapes!! and the pickin has begun!

[roy sedgwick]

If you would like possible other choices, I have a very close friend that works at a auto dealership in Grand Junction,he has been in the buis in col. for the last 20 years. would be happy to ring him up for ideas if you wish.
Good luck , Roy

[ArtStream]

Thanks for all the reply's folks!

Roy, sure I'll take another option, call me at
(917) 806-0566

Michael

[ArtStream]

OK, the "Autonomic Mice Maker" has been disconnected, for now.

Overnighted at WallyWorld ( did you know that a train runs right on the other side of the parking lot fence)
Never the less, I slept the sleep of the dead.

At sun-up, I pulled the doghouse to get a better look at the valve cover only to discover that the noise had gone. Followed the advice from DesertStream (Thank you both) I placed a few calls to trailer parks in the area for pricing.




Called Western Slope Ford this morning, explained the noise, and they, along with every other repair shop I spoke with, told me how backlogged they were with diesel work, but said I could bring it in, at which time they would have a mechanic look at it to advise me if I could continue on my journey.

Now that the noise was gone, I felt comfortable driving the 4 miles to the dealership, and finding a trailer park in the area if need be.

By the time I arrived at Ford, the noise was back, and I was grateful, the sound, just like a pop corn maker.

I talked to the service guy amidst the stream of cars and pickup trucks checking in, all their owners looking as worried as me, waiting for the greasy gods of internal combustion to utter the dreaded " sorry Mr. Blue," followed by the (C) word.

Rod, the service checkin guy, paged the service manager, Charlie.

As I waited, Rod informed me, squinting at the computer monitor, the only opening for diesel repair was NEXT FRIDAY, had a man out you see, explained Rod.

This was about the time frame I had heard from all the shops I had called the day before.

Waited, with frequent profiling least Rod forget me, for the service manager to get back from somewhere else.

An hour latter, Charlie the service manager, knocked on the side of my trailer.

Exchanged pleasantries, fired the engine up, praying the noise would still be there, and was glad that it was.

See I explained, sounds like a pop corn maker. I studied Charlie's face as he peered into the engine compartment for signs of alarm or acknowledgement.
Vacuum pump!
Vacuum pump, I repeated?

Yup, if it fails you loose your brakes, said Charlie.

Number one, I was relived the problem was pinpointed.
Number two, it was not internal like I had figured.

Were booked solid "down a diesel mechanic" said Charlie.
And even if we weren’t, don't think we have one in stock.

Well getting one would be my first priority, even if just to have with me, I said.
"Hansons truck repair might have one, they work on International engines," said Charlie.

Yea, I called them last evening, there booked till Wednesday.

How long would it take for you to order one, I asked?

Least Saturday, replied Charlie.

"Let's check with the parts department".

As we passed my trailer, Charlie said, "Going to BRC?"
Stunned, I said yes, what makes you ask?

You see, I have 2 small stencils of the MAN by my trailer door, much like the old WWII bombers had, but seldom does anyone comment on them.

The stencils, only 2 he said?

I'll have 3 if I can get there?
Have you been, I asked?

No, but my brother has been to every one since it was on the beach, said Charlie.

Entering the parts department, Charlie broke off to check with the parts guy, and I kept my fingers crossed.

As the parts guy leaned into the computer monitor, again I searched for any signs of discovery on his face, if only to know the outcome a fraction of a second before it was announced.

His face was like a high stakes poker players, so it was a surprise when he announced, "Yup, got two"

"Really", said Charley.
It's my lucky day, I replied!

And it really was.

Charley said, "Let's see, tell you what, if you pull around back and drop your trailer, I'll work on your truck and have you out by latter today, how's that"

Oh, man, I'd be most appreciative!

Your brother, is he going the Burning Man this year?

"Yes", said Charlie.

Will you talk to him before he leaves?

"Yes" said Charlie.

Here, here are a few postcards from Burnstream Court, I stuck my hand into the trailer door and felt for the pile of postcards I have there, that's where I'll be staying, it's a theme camp.

Tell your brother he must stop, no, I insist he stop by.

Charlie looked at the cards and chuckled, "I'll tell him"

I'll talk to the service guy, you can drop your trailer back there, and he pointed to a spot behind the building.

Bring your truck around front and I'll start on it as soon as the engine cools down.

All I kept thinking was how things happen for a reason.

Presently, I sit in my trailer behind the Ford dealership, generator humming, eating a sandwich and drinking a cold beer, and as I lean back in my rocker chair and clasp my hands behind my head, it occurs to me that all things are right in my little world again.

The journey is the destination.

Michael



PS, thank you all for your support and good vibs!

[Ken J]

Grand Junction is a great place - the whole town is like that, generally folks will bend over backwards to help you out.

Ken J.

[loudruff]

..is WHEWWWWWWWWW!!!! Good going!!! I think you need to make sure you tip Charlie a cold one every now and then...if he drinks! And tip him something else if you have it!!! I hope the repairs work and that you are checking the brakes and everything before you leave there. Sounds like your cup of good Karma runneth over!!!!
Keep us posted!
Lou and Larry

[ArtStream]

Hi Lou and Larry!

I've got to tell you guys, as soon as I heard the noise I wished I was back at "Lou and Larry's Park & Repair stop"

Miss you guys!

Michael

[TBRich]

Hey Michael...

Looks like things have worked out well...congrats! So glad is was something that could be dealt with quickly and you won't be stalled for too long.

I like your philosophy that "The journey is the destination." It's interesting how often that turns out to be the case...if we let it.

Best...TB

[loudruff]

So now we are wondering if you are back on the road, or still parked behind the repair shop?? We hope you found a good safe place to camp either there or a campground. Stay safe! Hope to hear of your further adventures! Hopefully, they will be of the less stressful variety!

[mojo]

Consider yourself lucky. The problem could have waited until you were ready to to leave the playa. And then try getting parts!

[ArtStream]

Originally Posted by loudruff

So now we are wondering if you are back on the road, or still parked behind the repair shop?? We hope you found a good safe place to camp either there or a campground. Stay safe! Hope to hear of your further adventures! Hopefully, they will be of the less stressful variety!

I'm in a little campground south of Moab Colorado, just imagine!

[ArtStream]

Originally Posted by mojo

Consider yourself lucky. The problem could have waited until you were ready to to leave the playa. And then try getting parts!

Leaving BRC in 2004, the new ford transmission with less than 500 miles on it craped out a few miles from Pyramid Lake.

First had to have Indians tow it just outside of their territory, than a wrecked towed it into Ford of Reno. The trailer was towed to the campground by Pyramid Lake, Took a week to repair.

Luck, U bet

[DesertStream]

Michael,

Glad it all worked out well for you. Our family took a wrong road once into the mountains on a very steep and winding road. Before we found a place to turn around I lost the serpentine belt and a pulley on a Ford F350 PS. I got it pulled over in one of the only wide places in the road. Of course there was no cell service, but I noticed a house across the road. The kind lady at the house said that her husband was a mechanic at a nearby shop. It turns out the owner of the business came out and towed me in and had the parts waiting for us when arrived. We were back on the road in 3 hours, when I originally was thinking that we would be there for a couple of days.

Breakdowns are no fun, but they do make for good campfire stories. Safe travels to you.