Adventures on way to Choo Choo

[plyonsMC9]

On the way down I-65 down to Choo Choo, we were pulled over by a nice couple.  They let us know that our front a/c cover was literally flapping.   Pulled into town, stopped by Auto Zone and borrowed their ladder.  Up on the roof, Undid the last two screws & pulled off what was left of the A/C shroud.  Yeah Auto Zone!!  This will be replaced at camping world.   

Back on I65.  Blam!!    Rear inside dual blows out.    Literally Blows out..    Call Good Sam Roadside services.  They were excellent.  Truck out w/in an hour.   But - they only come out if you have a spare to give them to put on.  They don't bring a new tire.  So, very glad we did have a working spare.,  This has been discussed on the board before.   However, I then found out that at some point someone gave us the wrong rim for the spare.    So tire repair man had to swap out the tires.   Grrrrr.  Spare rim used to fit.     Now holes don't line up.   ??  Next on list, time to buy new rim.

Back on the road.   The movie is playing - then for some reason it stops.    Nothing electrical working.  Notice no 120 v output on guages.    Cool off generator.  Still no output.  Also, main breakers blown.  Reset breakers.   Generator engine starts, & runs easily.   but 0 a/c power output.   Mystery still remains. 


Arrived a few hours late around 10:30 PM.  But it was great to see Mike waiting there & all those buses.    Looking forward to great rally!  So good to finally be here.  :-D

Kind Regards,
Phil

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Phil,

I suppose it wouldn't be an adventure without a few unexpected set backs!

Glad you are there safe.. Now, I'm sure there just might be a few folks there

that may help you with your electrical gremlins!

Enjoy
Nick-

[JackConrad]

Phil,
   That is why we call them adventures instead of trips! LOL  Hope ya'll have a great rally and a less exciting return trip.  Jack

[Oonrahnjay]

Phil,  That is why we call them adventures instead of trips! LOL  Hope ya'll have a great rally and a less exciting return trip.  Jack 

    Yes, at my age, adventure is good but it's best with a little less excitement.

[bobofthenorth]

When we're in the middle of one of those "adventures" Marilyn often reminds me that someday this too will make a great story.

[plyonsMC9]

Thanks for the encouragement folks.  We did make it safely.  Now if we could get the spare replaced.  Generator fixed.  a/c cover replaced.  :-D 

And yes, it seems there may be a few experts around this place. 

Kind Regards, Phil

[Homegrowndiesel]

Glad to hear you made it there. This really gives me a reminder, i need a spare rim and decent spare tire combo for our 92 MCI 102. If anybody has a lead on one around Delaware I would appreciate a heads up.
.

[RnMAdventures]

Wow Phil it was an adventure  Glad you guys made it safely.

[Dreamscape]

Sounds like a normal adventure in a bus to me! 

Glad you made it to your first bus rally. Now go have some more fun!

We are in Tucson, AZ in almost 100° heat. Uugh! Looks like your weather is great for the rally. Looking forward to a write up in BCM!

Paul

[Busted Knuckle]

Phil & Bill stop by my shop & I'll give ya a spare that will fit an MCI!
Most likely won't be a great tire. But it'll get ya off the road to where you can get the blow out replaced.

Phil if I were you I'd ask Mike to check with Mr. Bowen to see if he's got any laying around from some of the buses they have scrapped.
  BK 

[plyonsMC9]

We made it safely to Gendale, KY.  Now we are living the high life - overnighting at the Petro.  whoo Hoo!  We surely do know how to live it up!!!

 

Thanks for offer of spare Knuckle!!  But we're too far gone now - didn't get back up on the board in time to see your offer.  :-(

We had another mishap w/ generator.  This time fuel pump went out!!!  BUT took expert diagnosis from many great bus folk at the rally to determine the problem.  That's why bus friends are awesome friends. - if someone is in need or has a question - others don't hesitate to jump in.  We had so many @ the rally who jumped in to help us - Bob, Byron, William, + others - now I'm afraid I'm going to leave someone out!  at one point, had 8 guys helping!  Should have had a picture of that.  Then Sean, Teknomadia & others offered there expertise.   

Thanks again to such a great response to a fellow bus family in need!!!  And yes Bob, family learned that you can make a side of the road repair w/o spending hundreds of $$ 

What had happened was that as we were leaving & I would put on the brakes, the generator would cut out.  Worked fine at a standing idle.   Through diagnosis as mentioned above found fuel pump had died.        /sigh..

Also Bob found generator was receiving almost NO air in its sealed off compartment, and what air it was getting was hot off the manifold.  What a mess!  I got the feeling that with enough time he'd have it doing donuts!!

Thanks again friends - the help was deeply appreciated by the Lyons family.!!!

Kind Regards, Phil

[plyonsMC9]

And not to mention Mike working tirelessly with Mr. Bowen to arrange for a spare tire for us on the trip back.  (And then we didn't get to pick up since we were working on the generator issues)

If I've forgotten anyone - please forgive me. 

Each and everyone was/is appreciated!  I really enjoyed learning from you.   So much I know now that I didn't know before.

Also I was exposed first-hand tothe art of bus heckling.   Usually I just get to hear stuff via the board.  Nice and funny for a while between Prevost & Eagles.  Until the guns started airming at MCI.  For example - Why is the Lyons Moose bus parked so close to the entrance?  A: 'cause they weren't sure an MCI would make it all the way to the parking places in back...  HA!  Hmmm.  (Thanks Bob G).      I'll come up with some snappy comebacks once I've finished fixing all this stuff.   

Kind Regards, Phil