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(166.137.126.91) | Allright, again very late with an update after all the helpful replies, but here goes.
Since the last update we further winterized the RV (although were not able to locate the elusive temperature sender) and spent some time in the cold up north and after that went down towards Scottsdale, where we were welcomed by Joyce and Lou. We spent more than a week here, which was amazing. We were able to do so much work on #4, amongst other things the timing, carburator settings, new break hoses, new valve covers, fixing the PCV system, new spark plugs, new directional air intake, several new gaskets, radiator flush and so much more. #4 now runs about 30F cooler and handles so much better. Lou is incredibly knowledgeable and has a complete shop with everything you can think of you would need to fix up any FMC, and he and Joyce were amazing hosts, we had a great time, also when we were not working on #4, thanks again Lou!
After Scottsdale we went to Big Bend, but not before we had a leaking wheel cilinder repaired in Tucson, and lost most of our engine power on a steep upgrade, which was quite the experience. We were able to just make it to the top in first gear with over 3500 rpm, barely doing 15 mph. We then spent the weekend in Alomogordo (this happened on a Friday), waiting for the repair shops to open, dreading that we had a slipping transmission. On Monday, it turned out it was simply a broken spark plug wire (could have checked this myself, but did not think of it): 80 bucks and a few hours later and we were on the road again. After that, we haven't had any problems worth mentioning anymore, and have visited Big Bend, crossed Texas and are now in New Orleans. The east coast starts shining at the horizon and #4 is still purring along.
The only thing that has been getting worse the past hundred miles is that the engine takes more time to start. It used to start instantaneously, now it cranks a few seconds before it starts. We never had any real problems, ie it always starts, but as it seems to be getting progressively worse, I just want to fix it before it gets too bad. Haven't had much time to look into it yet as we all have been down with the flu the past days, but will start looking into things in the coming days while we are here, if anyone has any pointers they would be greatly appreciated.
As the east coast draws nearer, we unfortunately also have to say goodbye to #4 somewhere in the next month and a half. We are therefore advertising it at different places and compiled a brochure with information, if anyone is interested you can send an email to fmc4forsale@gmail.com, it does not matter what is in the email or if it is empty, you will automatically get an reply with a link to the brochure.
Finally, we currently have six new Michelin tires under our rig that we were able to locate when we started our trip. Lou pointed out that it would be helpful to share the place where we found these tires. we got ours through Superior Automotive in Morgan Hill, he still has the tire vendor who sells these tires on file, and if you call him, Steve, and ask him for these tires, he can get them for you.
Besides here, I have found them online at arsenal.mx and at llantas.com.mx .
Thanks again for everything,
Ben and Anja
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Proud new owners of #4, with some questions
