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Topic: RV Repair or Mobile Mechanic  (Read 1393 times) previous topic - next topic
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RV Repair or Mobile Mechanic
Hi , ALL!
Planning a road trip.  Orange County CA to Salem OR.   Anybody know any RV repair shops or mobile mechanics between here and there?   Close to highway 5?   Just trying to prepare for anything 😬.  Ok appreciate any recommendations if anybody knows anybody with in that area ?  Mema
1992 26.5' MidBath
Re: R V REPAIR OR MOBIL mechanic
Reply #1 –
Are you starting out with a road worthy rig?
2013 31' Silver Twin Bed
Semi-retired 6/21....
Re: R V REPAIR OR MOBIL mechanic
Reply #2 –
Hi,  well it is only 33 years old.  And took to mechanic to go through the normal stuff.  But I know stuff happens even in new cars. Took it to Weiser Idaho  last year.  Did really good. But in Vegas, returning home. the fuel pump went out.  That was a nightmare dealing with the mechanic that fixed it.  So, just trying to find some honest guys in case anything does go bad ?
1992 26.5' MidBath
Re: R V REPAIR OR MOBIL mechanic
Reply #4 –
It might be a good idea if we had a list here on LDO of dependable shops by area that members could contribute to based on their experience.  We had a failing fuel pump in west Texas a couple years ago. We drove and called through out a few towns stopping in shops and asking around to get it replaced.  Fortunately we were directed to a shop a town away that said they could handle it and they had a good reputation.  We were lucky that we knew what was wrong and that it did not fail completely before we got to the shop.  Except for that incident we have been fortunate enough that our 98~MB has not had serous issues or stranded us.  If you were on the road somewhere and had some trouble it would be nice to have a directory or list of member recommended shops.  We also plan on some of our trips to have some work done on our LD that we do not do ourselves.  For example we have thought about the Blown Sparkplugs coil replacement for the next time we are in the San Diego area since the recommended shop is there.  We live on an island in the PNW which is ferry service only and costs $85 to get on and off so you have to make a plan.

         Karen~Liam
           98 ~ MB
              NinA
1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags
Re: R V REPAIR OR MOBIL mechanic
Reply #6 –
To be clear Liam, the repair on the Ford heads involves a 'helicoil' a replacement for the soft aluminum threads in the head casting.  The transformer coils that provide the spark, and are attached to the non cylinder end of the  sparkplug, don't necessarily need replacing. If a plug blows out, it might damage that 'coil-over' essentially just a transformer, an electrical part. But that damage would be caused by the actual spark plug, exiting the intake manifold.  Electrical coil, not the same as a helical thread repair part.   RonB    (edited for more clarity over the word 'coil'  )
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: R V REPAIR OR MOBIL mechanic
Reply #7 –
My understanding is that blownoutsparkplugs originally are a couple shops in the SD area that drill out and install new 8 threaded helicoiles for the V-10 that prevents the possible blowing out of a spark plug in the older V-10 due to it only having a 4 threaded SP hole.  We have been re-torquing to the new Tourque speck issued by Ford for our plugs at about every 15K miles to help with the possible spark plug issue.  Is there better information or way?

      Karen~Liam
        98 ~ MB
          NinA
1998 ~ MB  WanderDaze
previously a 1984 Winnebago itaska- The Road Warrior, before that several VW Buses and before that a 1965 Chrysler Convertible Newport or our 1969 Chrysler La Barron with an ice box and a couple sleeping bags
Re: R V REPAIR OR MOBIL mechanic
Reply #8 –

The Blow Sparkplug brothers have two locations, one in San Diego and the other in Santa Ynez, California.

The procedure involves drilling out the old spark plug threads, tapping new threads that will hold the insert that is glued in with Red Loctite.
I have installed three of these inserts in various LDs; it is something a savvy home mechanic could do. The needed tools included an air compressor, a pro-grade (powerful) pneumatic 3/8' ratchet, and a shop vac. The air ratchet does the work of drilling and tapping the new threads for the threaded inserts. A 7mm socket is needed for removing the coil's bolt.
The coils are usually not replaced except where a plug has blown out, destroying the coil's mounting bracket. I do suggest carrying a spare coil or two. Coil failure is the most common cause of spark misfires in the V10s.

Here is the kit I used, showing the inserts, along with the specialized tooling needed. Two additional inserts would need ordering for a total of 10 cylinders.
Amazon.com

And no, I don't work on LDs anymore except ours.

Larry

As an Amazon Associate Lazy Daze Owners' Group earns from qualifying purchases.
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
Re: R V REPAIR OR MOBIL mechanic
Reply #9 –
I've found garages that work on school buses and large trucks seem to be comfortable working on a LD as the Ford E450 chassis is used for ambulances, shuttle buses and other mid-sized trucks. These shops usually are in somewhat out of the way spots.

George & Jo Ann
2017 MB

Leaving Thursday for our move from NH to NC and looking for a new mechanic when we get there :)
George & Jo Ann
2017 MB