Detroit Diesel mechanic in or near Montgomery, AL?

thejumpsuitman · February 15, 2011, 05:55:39 AM

Well this is certainly not the kind of post I wanted to make here after our new bus purchase. Maiden voyage, 750 miles into the trip. , everything is going perfectly... All is well until suddenly and completely without warning, sparks and smoke start coming out of the right tailpipe. Engine starts to misfire and run rough. (8v71)

I called Clifford (luvrbus) who has been counseling me through this purchase and he said it sounded like the classic signs of a dropped injector.

Another busnut friend came with me on the trip and said not to worry about roadside coverage until I get home because we could just use his, but he just called the company and the service is not as good as he thought it was... Uh oh.

I don't want to pay the difference for a tow all the way home. (400+ miles) I would rather put that money toward the repair. So I was wondering if anybody knows of anybody who could work on this here in Montgomery, AL or close by.

Thanks,
Marc

brando4905 · February 15, 2011, 06:08:45 AM

Marc,

These guys might be able to help, http://www.gulfdieselservice.com/home.html

Looks like they specialize in DDs and also have parts on hand.

Also there is a WW Williams in Montgomery http://www.wwwilliams.com/

Hope this helps a little, good luck.

Brandon

rv_safetyman · February 15, 2011, 08:39:14 AM

Marc, if it wasn't for bad luck, you would not have any luck at all

Changing an injector or two sounds pretty simple. However, that mandates setting the injector height (not a big deal if you have the proper gauge). What is a big deal is that the rack must also be run and that should be done by a knowledgeable, experienced, two stroke mechanic. They are getting harder to find.

Next, not all diesel shops will work on a bus. Pretty hard to get to the areas of the bus that need attention.

Making a quick decision on the road may or may not result in a good outcome. This is not the time to jump into a "local" solution ****UNTIL**** you know for sure that the shop you choose knows what they are doing.

Sometimes it is best to get the bus to a "neutral" location (home?) and then take a lot of time to find the right person to do the job.

I can only hope that you will get a reply from someone in the area that has direct experience with a shop that knows what they are doing.

Jim

luvrbus · February 15, 2011, 08:55:44 AM

He has it in a good shop they jumped right on it and with no tow insurance he did what I would do spend the money for repair not on a tow. Bet he will have Coachnet before the sun goes down today LOL

good luck

thejumpsuitman · February 15, 2011, 08:57:29 AM

Well I am thankful to have such an awesome support system not only online through you guys, but I am also blessed that this happened here in Montgomery where I have some friends that are like family. We are staying with them and through their network, have sent us to the same place Brandon found. W. Williams. The bus is already there and we will know something by the end of the day.

Marc

John316 · February 15, 2011, 10:31:13 AM

Marc,

I am wondering...Is this the wonderlodge? Or did you buy a new bus, that you didn't tell us about

?

Either way, I hope you get it fixed, and figured out soon.

Inquiring minds want to know.

God bless,

John

thejumpsuitman · February 15, 2011, 10:47:14 AM

Quote from: John316 on February 15, 2011, 10:31:13 AM
Marc,

I am wondering...Is this the wonderlodge? Or did you buy a new bus, that you didn't tell us about ?

Either way, I hope you get it fixed, and figured out soon.

Inquiring minds want to know.

God bless,

John

We did get a new bus... 1979/1997 Eagle 05. The seller did not want me to divulge any details of our transaction on any boards until we were all done. I honored his request, so that's why I didn't post anything about it until now.

It is a great coach, just a real surprise to everybody involved that this happened.

Marc

thejumpsuitman · February 15, 2011, 10:52:33 AM

I suppose the potential silver lining would be that they can have a look at a couple other things while they have it... The starter stopped engaging from the dash. Don't know if it is a starter solenoid or some kind of Neutral safety? It has an electronic transmission shifter. Also, the high idle does not work. Please pray that the repair is not that bad.

The good news is that I actually have unrelated business I needed to attend to in Birmingham anyway, so I can drive there today and take care of that while they are working on the bus. God is good!

Marc

Highway Yacht · February 15, 2011, 01:08:58 PM

Marc.. Congratz on your new bus. Sounds like you have everything under control. Make sure you post us some pictures after you get her home.

Jimmy

thejumpsuitman · February 15, 2011, 01:30:54 PM

Quote from: Highway Yacht on February 15, 2011, 01:08:58 PM
Marc.. Congratz on your new bus. Sounds like you have everything under control. Make sure you post us some pictures after you get her home.

Jimmy

Thanks Jimmy,

You'll have to come by and see it when we get it home.

Marc

luvrbus · February 15, 2011, 01:52:47 PM

Marc, when you get home call me and I will tell you how to adjust the Stone/Bennett for neutral starting I forgot that bus had a Stone/Bennett shifter hope it has a neutral shutdown

good luck

John316 · February 15, 2011, 06:16:42 PM

Quote from: thejumpsuitman on February 15, 2011, 10:47:14 AM
We did get a new bus... 1979/1997 Eagle 05. The seller did not want me to divulge any details of our transaction on any boards until we were all done. I honored his request, so that's why I didn't post anything about it until now.

It is a great coach, just a real surprise to everybody involved that this happened.

Marc

Marc,

That is awesome! Finally got your bus. Welcome to the world of the REAL spenders.

Don't worry, we will forgive you for not telling us. IF, you post pictures, lots of information on it, a full writeup on how you found it, and if we know who the seller was.

So far it sounds like an incredible coach.

I pray that you get fixed for very little $$$

God bless,

John

thejumpsuitman · February 15, 2011, 08:02:57 PM

Okay, now that the deal is done, here is a picture of our "new" Eagle...

chart1 · February 15, 2011, 08:36:22 PM

Let us know the outcome of the engine

RJ · February 15, 2011, 09:20:24 PM

Marc -

Nice looking Eagle, congratulations.

See, it pays to be patient!

Anxiously awaiting engine problem update. . .