OK
it's May 19
More
info on getting back on the road.
A
glitch or two but all woking out for the good.
Posted this on
RV.net forum...
I have a 03 Chevy
Duramax and just replaced the fuel filter (getting ready to head for summer
travels) and the next day after about 40 miles it went into limp mode with
engine light on. Have enough power to drive but when I try to hit the foot
feed it almost stalls for lack of diesel fuel. Got it to me local repair
guy late on Friday and he took a engine code reading and it said low fuel
pressure. Going to take it back to him on Monday.
Now my question
why with a NEW filter this would happen?
We have replace
these several times in the past without a problem. You learn when pulling
a big 5er in the mountains and you go into limp mode to make sure your
filter is good and you have a spare.
But now with a new
filter it happens.
I bought a WIX filter
33960XE at $59.99 at O'Reilly auto parts so not a low end filter by any
means.
Any ideas?
Next... After
a few replies... I posted.
OK I've been doing
some reading thanks to you guys getting ready for the truck to go in the
shop in the AM. One problem the shop does not normally work on Duramax
diesels.
Ok I asked my friend
who did the filter change if the old O-Ring came off with the old filter.
Yes it did. He hand screwed it on and then gave it a 1/4 turn more. he
has changed several in the past on this truck the same way.
Will talk to the
tech about WIF sensor for cracks and nylon bleeder screw for wear.
We on our way to
Tucson when the problem started the day after the filter was changed. Also
it was hot down here in AZ (100 deg) Friday when this happened (about 40
miles into the drive) and the trans was reading about 200 deg so need to
pay attention to a possible collapsing rubber fuel line. Forbid trouble
with injectors as for the last couple of years we have been getting slight
blue smoke at idle at times. Not effecting mileage.
NOW talking
to my friend he sez the guts of the NEW WIX filter rattled when he shook
it. Is there anything that should be loose inside a new filter like that?
If not I hoping it will turn out to be a bad new filter.
NEXT
OK got in the truck
to take it to the mechanic and it stalled and died 1/8 mile and then I
had a hard time even getting enough power to get it 3 miles to the mechanic.
Slowed to 5 mph going up slight hills. Still getting P0087 code and I called
loves truck stop and they were kind enough to check back in their credit
cared records for my fuel purchase and confirmed I bought gas diesel. So
now the local mechanic is only going to replace the filter and we will
see if that helps.
Next question if
it comes down to needing new injectors how hard is it to change them. Not
that I'm going to do it but for the Chevy dealer. I see online at Injector
Wharehouse they are $200 plus core of $100. I called Chevy parts and they
want $350 and $100 core.
Found this... guess
this is not a DIY
The LB7 injector
job is pretty significant. The injectors are buried below two layers of
valve covers, each with a gasket that is both expensive and generally not
saveable. Each injector also has a return washer that must be replaced.
All of the FICM seals and water seals must also be replaced when performing
this
job. Gaskets and seals alone can be as much as $400! Add 8 injectors at
$359 each (dealer price) and this job is pricey.
NEXT
Happy News...
The local mechanic
called.... the new fuel filter did the trick. Power all back and I got
it and drove it hard. Just like new. Took the fuel filter to O'Reilly Auto
Parts and they were happy to refund my money.
The local mechanic
said he didn't see much smoke at idle and not to worry about at this time.
And since no fuel in the oil (from bad injectors) looks I'm good to go
for awhile. Heading out on summer travels, but will check out new injectors
this fall. I talked to Desert Diesel in Tucson and he was very friendly
and if I want new injectors he has a deal that he changes everything fuel
lines CP3 pump and all related parts (non off market injectors, the real
deal) so it is all new so now problems later for total of $4500.
Checking around
that seems like a very good deal. He came highly recommended by my mechanic
in Benson, AZ who doesn't work on internals of Duramax trucks.
Tuesday
May. 6
Getting
ready to head out for our summer and fall travels.
We have been at
our winter vacation property long enough (got back in late February) and
we are now in May getting house itch. Terry is all better from his
bout with an abscessed appendicitis. And we are both mostly done with Dr.
appointments for this spring (and even have had our teeth cleaned for $260
each all paid by Ins.) I went to see a Nephrology Dr. (I'll wait while
you look that up in Google) He took extra time with me answering all my
questions and much more. What a great guy. I was worried as my kidney numbers
have been not the best but have stayed the same for the last three years.
He said not to worry I should be fine for another 20 years. Need to watch
which meds I take. Went over what I am taking now and how they react
on my kindnys. I am much more informed about all this now. I don't have
to see him till we get back late this year on ealy next year. How great
is that.
On May 1 got signed
up with a new Medigap Plan F and Part D drugs. My former employer moved
its retirees away from their post 65 company plans to medicap and part
D exchanges which they wil pay all or most of the costs. Most big companies
are moving in this direction. When you take a look at it, it's much better
than what they were offering in the past.
Old Plan...
I paid in 2013 $126 a month and they paid 80/20 beyond Medicare A nad B
with co-pays for Dr. visits etc and for drugs. Still had $147 medicare
B and about $1200 for a hospital visit.
New plan...
Now they pay $214 a month toward my Meidigap plan F and Part D drug plan.
So I get plan F 100% coverage and much lower drug part D drug costs. Will
save us hundreds a month.
Terry is not 65
so he now has a CDHP (Consumer Driven Health Plan) where we pay $151 a
month. They (the company pays the first $1000 of the medical and drug costs)
then we pay 100% of the next $500 and after that it is 80/20 split of the
next $500 and after that 100% paid coverage. Both medical and drugs. We
think that's a great plan. Enough of our Health Ins issues.
I am on Medicare
so the ACA does not apply to me and Terry is covered under my former employer.
Much has been written
in the forums about getting insurance when using SD as your domicle through
the Affordable Care Act site. It's a big issue for retirees and potential
fulltime RVers if not yet 65.
If you are in this
case and want more info on all this do visit this site below.
Kyle can answer
your questions about the ACA and Medicare medigap plans.
A wealth of information
on Health Ins. for RVers. Much more than just requesting a quote.
If you are an on Medicare
or not yet on it: Read his extensive Things to Consider section on recommendations
for RVers.
Now on with the
adventure....
Been doing research
on where we want to travel for about the next 8 months now that I feel
better as I came down with the Gout last week in my left big tow. Never
had it before so thought it was just my bunion acting up but the
FNP-C (nurse practitioner) at the Dr. office said that's GOUT and I bet
it hurts.
Sent this email
to a friend...
Pay
attention.... This sucks....
I
thought my bunion had flared up but it was not to be..
I
was able to get in today to the Dr. office after calling in at AM...
got a 11 AM appointment.
Now
the NEWS... It's Gout not Bunion issues.
Left
big toe..... Damn it hurts.
Go
ahead and laugh.... This hurts more than anything.
The
only good thing is it's not a inflamed bunion so no cutting off the big
toe.
But
me thinks right now I would go for that and not reattach it.
Researching
in Google what this is and how to stop it.
Caused
by high uric acid...
Foods
high in purines should be avoided. These include: meats such as kidney,
liver, veal, turkey and venison; seafood, especially anchovies, herring,
mackerel, sardines, fish roe, and shellfish such as mussels and scallops;
asparagus, kidney beans, lima beans, lentils and spinach; and also yeast
extract, such as Marmite and Quorn. So what's left in life to eat.
Also beer is a no no.
Found
eating Charries and Pineapple will help to reduce uric acid which
causes this.
Now
going to go through more blood tests to recheck everything as all this
was just done a month or so ago.
Today
was prescribed Colcrys .6mg Take two now and one in an hour and then 3
a day. Again went to Walmart and road their go chart hot rod off
to the pharmacy to get the latest script filled since it hurts SO BAD to
walk on my foot. They only had 9 pills out of 30 so have to go back
on Saturday to get more. Another chance to hot rod around the aisles. I'm
starting to get good at this and am forming a bond with other scooter users.
We sort of line up in que at the pharmacy window. And if it will be awhile
for the scrips to be filled we take a spin around the store. Haven't used
the get out of the way HORN yet.
BTW
my foot is killing me...
When
are these meds going to kick in?
Having
a Black Russisn to take away the pain.
Just today went back
to the store and didn't need the cart... felt more empathy for the ones
running around on them.
Short term plans....
Getting on the road
at the end of May as Terry is flying back to Iowa to visit his family.
His parents are still alive (His mom is having her 89th year old birthday
and he will he will be there for that). (BTW his parents are doing great)
and he wants of course to spend time with them while he can. I encourage
this as I lost my parents many years ago. His folks are still living without
issues on their farm and drive each Sunday 50 miles to the local Indian
Casino for fun and games. His brother farms the land after his USDA
SCS job during the week and lives with them on the farm and is there for
them.
The homestead...
It is a Century Farm which means it has been in the family for over 100
yers.
I on the other hand
have no family (both parents died several years ago) back there that I
want to see and do not want to brave the spring storms ever again. I have
been there and done that and no more. It is cost effective just to haveTerry
fly instead of us pulling the 5er back to Iowa. We used to go back for
Dr. appointments and such but we now have Drs. in AZ as we are here more
than up there in Iowa for just a week or two anymore. And easier for follow-ups
if needed at our winter vacation location.
Now our longer
term travel plans...
We are going up
through Utah to Wyoming to the Green River around Pinedale, WY. Will boondock
90% of the time. Then on to the Yellwstone river outof West Yellowstone.
Then the Madison river around Ennis, Montana then north to the Missouri
river below Great Falls and then the Blakfoot river down to Missoula and
next on the Lochsa river on Hwy 12 below Missoula toward Lawiston, MT.
Next to Washington to viset friends in Roslyn, WA. Then OR, and down to
NV spending time on lake Meade adn hitting the sights and sound (since
Terry wants to) then heading back to the southwest for the winter. May
spend a week in laughlin, NV at the Riverside Casino as they have a special
for 1 week for $100 for returning customers.
But mostly we as
in Terry loves to fly fish and to just get away from it all. Saying we
are "A Big Rig Looking For A Tent Experience".
This week got oil
changed ($65) (we love Jiffy Lube) in the truck and today two new tires
($844) for the 5th wheel. Was happy Discount Tire in Seira Vista, AZ had
them in stock as they are hard to come by.

These are G rated for 90 to 110 lbs of
pressure. 14 ply
Later $85 for air
and fuel filter.
In June will be
posting travel posts on this blog. We will post our location on RVillage
and www.datastormusers.com
for a more exact location.
If you see where
we are at and if you are close do email so we can get together.
Have
question or comment email rbunge@hitchitch.com |
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