The Stagecoach has finally had it's first real problem that wasn't operator error or easily and cheaply fixed.

I normally bring the Stagecoach out every three weeks to stretch its legs. Today I planned to bring it by the house and then head up Monument Hill to the top of the pass and back. I didn't get very far, it died about a mile from storage. There are a couple of stories that came out of this, one concerning the mechanical problem I'll put up here for comment, the other concerning Emergency Road Service via Good Sam Club that I'll post undeer General Discussions.

The first mechanic showed up and quickly admitted he was not familiar with the 3208TA Cat (If it ain't a Cat, it must be a Dog!). He finally decided it must be the fuel pump and, since it is mounted on top of the fuel tank, the tank would have to be dropped for replacement. It was at this point I thought the noon Stage was being held up being the owner of the Stagecoach, I had several concerns:

1. Was it really the fuel pump or were they going to replace that only to tell me, "it wasn't the fuel pump, lets try the..." I've had that pulled on me once, certainly not twice.

2. I didn't quite see the professionalism I expected, starting with the service truck that showed up - unmarked and in poor condition. If they don't spend any money on their vehicles for normal upkeep or even advertising on the doors, do they buy the right tools to do the job and hire qualified people? How about needed training? I wasn't getting any positive reinforcement. Now they're wanting to tow it to their yard and do the work on Monday. Another concern, their business is heavy haul, not working on a Barth with a Cat pusher. I had put in an "Emergency Roadside Assistance" call to Bill N.Y. for advice and thank-you Bill for calling me back.

3. What else was going to come up once they had my Stagecoach in their possession?

I ended up telling them no offense but NO, it had to go somewhere else. This is still ongoing, even at this late hour. This all began at noon today and, 11 1/2 hours later, the tow truck is just now getting the okay to drop it at the service center that was FINALLY agreed to with ERS from the Good Sam Club. It's late so I'll have to go into that tomorrow. I didn't see the service call for the two mechanics that showed up but they were with the coach for almost four hours. The tow bill came to $787.50 so I imagine the total was over $1000 and the work hasn't even begun yet. I am expecting the repair to be quite a bit less but, if this isn't an excellent example of why we should have emergency road service, i don't know what is.

acess to the fuel tank i have acess thru the inside of coach!!!!!!! above the tank have a hatch!well running the 3208 in my coach would like to know ur problem other than sams sounds like its not for emergencys!

found this on wanderlodge forum: A-2) The fuel system can be switched on by removing the solenoid and pulling up on the "fuel on" lever should the solenoid fail. It will have to be shut down by pushing on the same lever. Have this repaired by your local Caterpillar dealer

They found a wire had broken off inside the solenoid. I'm having the solenoid and both fuel filters replaced.