O.M.G

There is still one last part to replace and Renzzo had ordered the part on Wednesday after the initial test drive failure, some sort of a transmission solenoid ordered before a specialized scan of the computer codes confirmed that was what we needed to get the van running properly.  It was shipped overnight from Lima and we stopped by to pick it up.  

GANNET2 moves under her own power now but only in third gear (or reverse) so we drove slowly across town to see a man about a code scanner. 

Renzo told me he likes working on transmissions because they are a mixture of electronics mechanics and hydraulics. Engines are boring by comparison he said. It’s not obvious until you have to tear them apart but modern automatic transmissions are controlled not by you the driver but by a computer. And when the computer detects a problem it shuts down to protect the transmission. We are stuck in “limp mode” which is third gear and which I drove too hard and caused the transmission to overheat. But the computer hasn’t detected the new transmission so this guy is going to spank it back into line by removing the computer codes that block proper functioning of the gearbox: 

The code in the computer is permanent and requires a RAM dealer to clear it. My modest little scanner can read these codes but can’t clear the permanent ones of course. Nor could his, at first. 

However he knew the trick and after taking down the passenger dashboard he found the secret box installed by RAM to store the permanent  codes. Excuse the Rusty hairs, they get everywhere. 

So he cleared the code -yay!- and discovered another problem. The little sensor was reporting a solenoid failure, a part not so far replaced. 

Renzzo said “No problem” and after I paid $50 for the diagnosis we drove over to the delivery company to pick up the sensor Renzzo had already ordered. Brilliant.

Back at the shop we discovered one more problem after Fran went into the transmission oil pan to replace it. The parts warehouse in Lima confessed it had overnighted the wrong part. Argh! So the proper one is being overnighted again to Arequipa with arrival hopefully today. 

Nothing is simple. Hopefully today the correct solenoid will be installed, the permanent code will be cleared and the transmission will be done. 

Meanwhile they have somehow disconnected the second alternator so with all the driving we got no electricity into the house batteries. Grr. So after all week living in the mechanic’s shop I feel filthy as do my clothes. The toilet is close to full and the batteries are close to empty. 

Layne is scheduled to arrive at 9am today after an overnight flight from hell. She has a room reserved at the hotel that has the camping where we park and a dental appointment in the afternoon. I guess I will stick with GANNET2 and make a triumphant return in the afternoon? Nothing is easy. 

Above Rusty in the passenger position, below resting. 

Not Done Yet

I am feeling rather underwhelmed at the moment by the installation of the transmission. Oh it’s in all right, but they forgot to seal the transmission fluid pan. 

So we went for a drive unaware we were dripping brand new expensive fluid as we went. As I expected the transmission isn’t shifting because the computer is stuck in the failure code that we had when it broke, and my modest scanner isn’t equipped to clear it. 

So Renzo called a friend with an electronics shop who said come by and he’d have a go at clearing the code. However first we had to sort out the leak so back to the shop we went. The problem was obvious but this meant we have to wait overnight for the gasket material to set before the pan can be sealed. Give me strength! So at three o’clock we were done. No test drive, no proof the transmission will or will not work. 

Layne  comes back Friday morning so we have a back up plan to rent a room at the hotel where the campground is in case I’m not back there by tonight. I am so angry there has been so much time wasted, angry mostly at myself. I should have offered a bonus if he finished the job last week. That might have worked. 

At this point we have no idea what the next move is but first let’s see if we can get the transmission back. Then we’ll decide our direction of travel based on our confidence level in the repair. 

Slowly Slowly

I think it’s safe to say I am more stressed than I would care to admit. The cold that I have been nurturing may be one sign but it is finally dissipating, leaving me with a sore throat and a sore rib cage from so much heart felt coughing. Then there was the Rusty incident.

The three mechanics have adopted him as their mascot rubbing his ears as they walk by. He in turn sits around minding his own business while trying to keep one eye open on me. Thus it was we were both sitting outside the shop, away from the dust and the incessant radio “Mega Mix” blaring from the three foot tall speaker. Three kids came up the hill, possibly 15 years old, walking toward the sports field just past the shop. I was sitting at the end of the wall on the left where the movable white fence is behind the white pick up, below. 

One of them threw a stone that landed between Rusty and me accompanied by laughter. He picked a bad day to bully a defenseless dog. What I should have done was make some denigrating remark about his aim and bad manners but I confronted him to his shock. Latin Americans when embarrassed giggle and I know that but when he giggled I just got madder. I  think I needed some stress relief and I got it by yelling at that entitled prick.

It was wrong and it was stupid but some days the dam just bursts. The five minute yelling match which I so wanted to end in fists - that’s how stupidly stressed I was- did have two positive side effects. I got some stress relief defending my dog who had no idea what was going on and suddenly work began to get the mad gringo out of the shop. 

I was I will admit pretty pissed off as I had towed the vehicle in 24 hours previously and not a wrench had been raised. Suddenly all three were working on the RAM. and they worked until past dark. 

I have high hopes I may start the engine soon, perhaps even by lunch time. I think it’s obvious there is no more room for delay. No one is quite sure now who may be the object of my hitherto deeply hidden dark side. 

Do not do this yourselves. Losing your temper is not good especially when you are abroad. But don’t let the bastards bully a defenseless dog either. There is already too much cruelty in the world. 

Work Begins

It was a long day, not least because my head cold is ferocious and my cough is deep and chesty. 

I was ready at 8am but of the tow truck there was no sign. He showed up around 12:30, I paid the bill for the campground and we took off across Arequipa. 

He was not my favorite tow truck driver and I’ve met a few now, but his problem was his phone and his constant hustling for business annoyed me  as he couldn’t focus on this job and indeed it took three tries to load GANNET2. He drove across town one handed working out another job as we went. 

In 20 minutes we arrived at the transmission shop and unloaded the giant van into the traffic lane. I set up a triangle to warn cars coming round the corner but I was being about as eccentric as I am when I pick up after Rusty. 

There was not a huge amount of room as the truck unloaded GANNET2 far from the edge of the lane. No damage done though. 

I paid 220 Soles ($61) for the tow and then Renzo came out in a pick up truck and we attached the winch line from the front of GANNET2 to the back of the Mitsubishi. 

Up the courtyard we went and into his repair yard. Then we had to push the last 40 feet into the repair bay. Someone made a comment suggesting we hire some people off the street to help and I was ready to do that. 

As it was an oil rep made a delivery and another customer rolled up so with Renzo, his sidekick and me we made five and in GANNET2 went. The installation should begin Tuesday and I hope I’m only have to didn’t ind night in the yard among the dusty cars waiting for service. 

It’s slightly up by the front which makes living aboard slightly awkward but at least this not being the States I don’t have to get a hotel. 

And Rusty has found his spot. I emptied the toilet and the trash before we left the campground. The batteries were fully charged and I have a bottle of water to filter if we need it. 

We are set, hoping GANNET2 runs as normal after all this. And I get over my cold. 

At The Shop

The Brazilians left yesterday morning and there I was thinking only Team Lost leaves first thing in the morning. Most people don’t bother and get on the road half way through the day. I took this picture at 6:45 after bloody Rusty decided he needed some very fresh air and they were about gone on their way to Lake Titicaca, starting their early day by backing into the street, brave souls. 

I really have tried to tamp down my stress but I think I burst the banks yesterday and started to come down with a cold. My favorite locally overflowing dumpster, and there are several in Arequipa:

I’ve started snuffling and taking Tylenol hoping I’ll be alert to take a test drive after the new transmission is installed. Meanwhile I walk Rusty in the morning and blow my nose as we go. 

The car dealership has a gardener it appears. I am proud of Perumotors and you should be too. Wait a minute I think that’s the church getting ready of a Sunday morning. 

Perumotors are down the street past the American laundry. 

There we are. I knew there was a car dealer down the street. Aside from Mitsubishi and some Chinese brand Perumotors sell trucks and they are priced in US dollars. 

You can’t just walk outside if you’re Rusty, you also need to check out the premises. 

If we can get going he may miss this place. I feel like we’re putting down roots but I think that’s an illusion. 

The Germans in the Russian UAZ van are still here. Can you believe this fine piece of machinery is newer than GANNET2 ?

I think someone wants something. 

Possibly he wants a nap. 

It Is Done

The transmission is rebuilt and ready to install. Renzzo is organizing a tow truck to come by Monday morning to pick up GANNET2 to take us to the shop where a pick up with a tow rope will haul us into his yard. Rusty and I will live aboard there until the installation is complete. 

There is a slight up hill from the street where we have to unload because the entrance off the street has a low arch over the entrance to the courtyard. In here we take a sharp right past the black car into his shop so this should be interesting going uphill taking a sharp right with no transmission. 

GANNET2 won’t fit under here on top of a tow truck so we unload in the street and figure how to move five tons of van without an engine:

I went over there on Saturday as I had been panicking myself by reading about how you need new bolts to install the transmission and I had visions of the gearbox falling out of the van as we drive merrily along. 

Naturally my panic was over nothing as Renzzo bought original equipment replacement parts from Mopar which includes brand new bolts…However Layne and I have made ourselves a promise to keep control of any process involving GANNET2 whether it’s when we get stuck or if something breaks, so I was determined to make sure we take no chances if I can help it. I think Renzzo is amused by my fussing. 

Then there were the Brazilians. They came in a couple of days ago and blocked me in front with their huge motorhome. 

They were parked exactly where the tow truck will park to load GANNET2, but happily they moved yesterday to a spot with a stronger WiFi signal in the campground. Rusty wasn’t impressed by their maneuvering. 

Brazil has a vibrant RV building industry and in summer half the country takes off exploring especially across Patagonia where the cold is a break from their tropical climate. Brazilians are like Americans in that they come from a huge self contained country and feel no need to learn any other languages. Portuguese is extremely difficult to understand and they make no concessions; they just shout louder if you don’t understand and no it’s nothing like Spanish or Italian when spoken rapidly. 

I’m hoping we will be roadworthy sometime Tuesday when Rusty and I will be able to test our home on the road. If all is well, that is if we get good shifting and no engine overheating, I will be ready for Layne to return from California Friday morning. Our plan is to go on a long test drive after she gets back and take a couple of days to drive the mountains to Cusco where my new passport is waiting for me at the Consulate. 

After that we are probably not going directly to Brazil. I read the comment where someone said the road across the Amazon looks iffy and I agree. I fear we may have problems taking an untested transmission first on hundreds of miles on dirt through the Amazon and where there isn’t much help.  Then we’d take  thousands more miles to and from the Guyanas which is our ultimate goal in the north. With an occasional city of dubious size every three or five hundred miles it could mean massive tow bills…and a lot of stress while driving alone in the jungle. 

So our revised plan, the sensible one if you can believe that, is to approach Brazil from the south which would give us a long run first across  civilized parts with lots of facilities to get to the country of Uruguay which borders Brazil on the Atlantic coast. Distances are vast:

We have to drive south to Santiago to get to an all weather safe crossing point through the Andes. It’s been snowing heavily over the northern passes this winter. Paso de Jama (15,900 feet) with strong winds three days ago:

June 21st in the northern hemisphere is the longest day which always seemed too early in the year to me, but down here it is the shortest day and the official start of winter which might sound confusing. That means we need to pick a lower pass across the mountains and Paso Libertador near Santiago goes through a tunnel and is kept snow free for heavy truck traffic.  

In Uruguay we want to spend some money to improve and modernize our electrical system at a German run RV shop outside Montevideo. The idea is to install a low profile 12 volt air conditioner to replace our 110 volt system that eats electricity and also to install a proper cabin heater for our return to southern latitudes and finally to put some new solar panels on the roof charging new batteries to replace our elderly first generation lithium ones. They were state of the art in 2020 but they have been well used and don’t hold a full charge anymore. 

That’s the plan but first we need to be sure the transmission is good and that we didn’t damage the engine when it briefly overheated. Then we will be ready for the winter roads and I can’t wait to get moving again. Fingers crossed.