Those Gauges Mean What They Say

Back when I was driving out of Virginia and driving into Tennessee the Amp gauge was pegging over to 16. It worried me but what could I do. It was after dark and I was nearing the KOA where I had a site for the night. I don’t talk diesel. I just drive one. Way back when I bought it, I listed the gauge settings on my note pad on the dash.

Normal Oil Pressure 35 - 70 Do NOT operate below 5 psi

Normal Water Temp 190 - 215 Do NOT operate over 230

Normal Transmission Temp 142 - 200 Do NOT operate over 250

Normal Voltage 12.5 - 14 Check below 12v or over 15

Normal RPM 700 - 2340 Never over 2900

After Dennis installed the new alternator he asked his mechanic who had done the initial reading on the gauge to check the faulty alternator if he had checked the batteries? He answered, “It was too hot to touch. I was afraid to get near it.” The over charging alternator had cooked the batteries.

Coming into Kissimmee I looked down at the gauges. The oil gauge needle usually slightly less than 50 seemed to bounce below 15 when I was stopped at a red light. It got over 30 when I accelerated from the stop.

The diesel had spanked me for not listening. So I called my sister’s husband, Jim. He had been friends with diesels since he was knee high to a grasshopper. Later on my trip he and Faith would describe how he had been driving a tractor when he was four. His dad would get him up on his knees on the seat where he could steer the wheel. Those old tractors had a throttle. You pull out on the knob to accelerate and push in to retard. His dad would be in the back casting out the feed.

Jim said don’t go far without getting an oil change. When oil breaks down the diminished viscosity doesn’t maintain the proper pressure. He consulted his son-in-law, Ron, who owns and runs Diesel Dawg Repair in Colorado. Ron is a diesel doctor. He takes them apart and puts them together. Last summer he had to do major surgery on two Cats.

Bwana Charles had shown me where Camping World was on the road out of town. I left the RV park before 7:30 and was parked in the service lane at Camping World waiting for the door to open at 8:00.

When I heard the door click. I walked in. A surprised supervisor was very responsive. I described my issue and quoted the diesel friend and the diesel doctor. He walked me over to the service counter. He and Niki discussed squeezing me in. It might take until noon getting parts. The filter is not likely in stock.

Niki was pleasant, thorough and efficient. She should be nominated for ambassador to the camping world from Camping World.

Just before noon Richard brought my RV out to the service lane. Richard and I had never met. He was a graduate of Central High School in Providence and was a student there in 1996 when I retired. He was going back up to Newport in a few weeks to see his daughters. I was on my way to Port Charlotte.

Some expressions are not words. For example, ‘Ahh hemmm’. Which someone might utter when a speakers says something and the listener is indicating a “wait now” interruption. Then there’s a more certain inhaling, deep inhaling then gradual letting out the air. ‘Iiisssee’ followed by ‘uuuuuhh’. It’s a more emphatic ‘wait now’, just short of exasperation. Diesels say something similar when they clear their throat having to slow down.

When you are out on the highway and all vehicles have to slow down. Slow down pretty quickly. Car drivers hit the brakes. Passengers stiffen their feet because their body wants to go forward. Diesels go Urururur ahahhhh. That’s the engine brake.

Driving the interstates from Kissimmee to Port Charlotte was smooth and pleasant. I pulled into Myakka River Motorcoach Resort shortly after 3:00 PM. I had submitted pictures of my 20 year old 2001 Riata Sonoma and it “passed” inspection of the manager.

As soon as I was connected I called Nick. The plan was for he and Donna to come ad get me to spend the evening. Nick said we can pick you up from there and bring you back if that is what you want to do. You are welcome to come and stay here. Bring you computer and camera and whatever you need. I was in Florida going to visit a retired couple. I gathered my devices and some clothes and grooming tools, bottles, tubes and a bag with some vitamins. They were giving me time to take a shower then meet them at the gate.

I left home, walked along this side walk, looked back and snapped a picture of my approved ‘motorcoach’ among the others.

In the distance: approved motorcoach

 

I approached three women chatting on the sidewalk each with a glass. One was a dainty stemed glass. One was more like a mug with a more husky stem. The third was a snifter. None of the glasses were full. None were empty.

With my most pleasant voice I asked, “Is this the Myakka cocktail hour?” There was cheerful laughter and a response, “It’s five o’clock somewhere.” As I turned and continued, I lifted my iPhone.

It was 5:12 right here.