Update On My Status In Reno....

[Howard O. Truitt]

Andy,
I have been bitten before. I took my coach to a shop in Albany Ga. for a repair
I did not want to do. I expected a 200.00 to 250.00 dollar bill. I got socked
with a 950.00 dollar bill. They showed parts of 650.00 and labor of 300.00.
After the fact I checked the cost of the parts 145.00 dollars and if I had
really tried I couild have handled the replacement. Needless to say I have never
darkened there door again.
I wish the best of luck to you.
Howard Truitt, Camilla, Ga., 86 PT40


----- Original Message -----
From: Andy Coleman
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, September 13, 2007 12:43 PM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Update On My Status In Reno....


Hello Howard,

Thank you for the e-mail.

There are 3 certified cat shops in Reno and surrounding Sparks. I
contacted all 3. One refused to work on a bus as old as mine. One
was not familiar with buses, but would give it a try... The third one
worked on RVs and Bluebird School Buses all the time. I went with the
third.

I hope they did not pull the motor from my FC to pad my bill. I don't
think they have much experience with Wanderlodges, of course. The
mechanic also explained that he was having trouble removing rusted
exhaust bolts to get to the head. Another reason - says he - to
remove the engine.

They seem reputable. I hope I don't wind up in the aligators a _ _!

Andy

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Howard O. Truitt"
wrote:
>
> The best reason I can think of for pulling the engine is to build
labor charges.
> I know hind sight is 20/20 but pulling engines and guarantees are
questions that should be asked up front. Making sure that the shop is
Cat or Detroit certified is another question I would have. Making
quick decisions can cost. I would have the coach pulled to a safe
storage area and take time to make calls, consult the forum, check for
certified shops, negoiate labor rates. In most cases you will be down
several days a couple more days down could save a lot of headaches and
money. I am reminded of the old saying " when you are in the swamp and
up to your a** in alligators it is hard to remember the reason you are
there is to drain the swamp."
> JMHO.
> Howard T., Sowega, 86 PT40
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Scott Forman
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 2:01 PM
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Update On My Status In Reno....
>
>
> I dropped a valve in my 82 FC a couple years back, the head was
> removed, the engine wasn't.
>
> Scott Forman
> 86 PT38
> Memphis
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "davidkerryedwards"
> wrote:
> >
> > Andy:
> > That news is better than a problem with a block. Others have given
> good advice. I'm just
> > curious as to why the engine had to be removed. I was under the
> impression that with the
> > doghouse removed, the heads could have been pulled with the engine
> in place. Anyone
> > have experience with this that can elaborate on why the engine
> needs to come out for
> > head gasket replacement?
> >
> > Kerry
> > 82 Fc 35
> > Denver
> >
> > --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Andy Coleman"
> wrote:
> > >
> > > Hello Fellow Wanderlodgers:
> > >
> > > Luckily for me, I brought along a free round trip plane ticket
> when I
> > > departed for my first cross country road trip in my 83' FC-35.
> > >
> > > I flew home to NJ a few days ago.
> > >
> > > My Wanderlodge is still in the Sierra Freightliner (certified by
> > > Caterpillar) shop in Reno, Nevada. I just heard from the
> mechanic who
> > > told me, to my relief, that my 3208 engine failure was due to a
> blown
> > > head gasket. Unfortunately, they had to pull the engine
> completely
> > > out of the bus to remove the heads and determine the problem.
> > >
> > > The labor has already cost me over $3,000.
> > >
> > > They are going to call me back tomorrow with estimates on how
> much a
> > > new head gasket will cost. The mechanic recommended that I
> consider
> > > replacing the gasket on the other side of the engine as well, now
> that
> > > the entire motor is sitting on a stand.
> > >
> > > Do you folks recommend I replace the other gasket? Are there any
> > > other jobs I should have them do while the engine is out?
> > >
> > > Special thanks to everyone who responded to my panic e-mails a few
> > > weeks ago when the bus first broke down. I do appreciate all the
> > > advice and well wishes you sent me.
> > >
> > > I'll be flying back to Reno once the bus is fixed to resume the
> long
> > > ride home to NJ.
> > >
> > > Thanks again! I'll keep you all updated.
> > >
> > > Andy Coleman
> > > 83' FC-35
> > > Spring Lake Hts., NJ
> > >
> >
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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>
>
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9/8/2007 1:24 PM
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>
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>






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