Saturday, September 29th - Problems with Coach

We packed up and headed west on US-98, the coast highway. We have about 800 miles to our next destination, San Antonio, Texas. We are meeting cousin, Janet and husband Bob, in San Antonio on Wednesday.

Just about 4 miles after we left the campground, the coach odometer flipped over 40,000 miles. And, as if right on cue, we began to have problems with the coach idling at stoplights. The engine died twice, blocking one lane of traffic. After restarting the engine, I found a safe parking lot to stop and think this thing thru.

We are NEARLY due for our periodic oil change, lube, fuel filter changes, etc. I HAD planned to have it done around Baton Rouge, enroute to San Antonio. This low RPM engine stuttering seems like it could be either bad diesel fuel OR a dirty fuel filter.

I called Coach-Net, with whom we have a towing contract. They said that our contract covers towing to the nearest maintenance facility (east to Panama City, Florida in our case). HOWEVER, if the problem turns out to be MAINTENANCE related, such as a bad fuel filter, the towing cost is on us. Towing this 32,000# coach the 60 miles would cost hundreds of $'s. In fact, the problem COULD be the fuel filter.

I felt like that if I could keep up the RPM's, I could make it 100 miles to Spanish Fort, Alabama where I could get service first thing Monday morning.

So, I drained a little fuel out of the fuel/water separator, disconnected the Jeep, and MA & I drove VERY carefully thru seashore traffic to Navarre, Florida where I turned inland and to I-10. After a stop for lunch, we had minimal trouble (only at one stop sign) and are now camped near the Caterpillar service center in Spanish Fort. We will get up at 6:30 Monday morning to get the service performed.