[ChiefM]

Took the motorhome to the RV repair place and dropped it off. Said it should be about 3 weeks. Seems strange to not have it in the yard after so many years.

 

[SpyShops NY]

Yesterday I took off from working on the motorhome. At work I have been working on F450 super duty's with engine skipping issues so I needed a break. The coach has a repair appointment next Saturday so if I can't figure it out, I'll let them finish it.

Booked a camping spot in Pidgeon Forge last night for a long weekend in April. We decided to go and try somewhere new. Our daughter says she loves it there more than the beach so we are going to go check it out. Going to take her and husband to the Dolly Paton stampede dinner show.

I found something I have not replaced on the Caddy, I know it is hard to believe. The rear glass struts are totally inoperative. I never open just the glass, going to order some replacements.

You will like pidgeon forge but I recommend going during the Fourth of July weekend. You can do the helicopter tour of the smoky mountains, rent atv, classic car museums, great rivers and dolly world. I think it would be better to go during the summer. April might be still too cold and you might not enjoy. I been there several times.

 

[ChiefM]

My son is out for spring break for a week then. Our daughter loves it up there and has always wanted to go to Dollys Dixie Stampede. Every time her and her husband and her in-laws go up there they find a reason of why they can't take her. So we were just going to go for a long weekend and take her to that since she helps her mother with her little brother, etc. She has decided she wants to go to the Titanic museum instead.

The idea was more of a laid back and chilled out long weekend and doing a little something with our son and daughter instead of doing all the visitor stuff. We are doing the week long vacation at the beach during the summer.

 

[petethepug]

That’s how we roll as of the last ten years. We’ll jump in the truck, sometimes with the English & French bulldogs and literally let the road unwind us.

Those trips hit the reset button and looking forward to another.


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[ChiefM]

We start out going for a leisure trip and then I fill everyday with going or doing something. I have to learn to just go and relax and not do something all the time. I bought one of those fire place logs, we can sit out and light the log and just relax. The Titanic museum on Saturday but other than that nothing else planned but to just go with the wind.

Here is the setup I have if it gets a little cool, I love my electric fireplace. I had thought of taking the TV out and putting the insert in it's place. Makes it even more tempting since I have the 50 inch in there now.

 

[ChiefM]

I was going to run the wires for the tow lights today on the Mini but the wife insisted I worked on our driveway. It was getting a few pretty big pot holes. Picked up some quick dry concrete and filled in a few of the holes.

The transmission is starting to act funny in the white caddy. I bought a filter and fluid today in town while I was getting concrete. I hope the filter and fluid fixes it but I think it’s on borrowed time. The fluid was changed 3 years ago. It’s a little brown but not burnt smelling.

 

[ChiefM]

I ran the tow light wires today on the Mini, I just have to install the quick connector and then bolt the bumper cover back on. The 5 gallon bucket of rear axle oil was delivered today.
I forgot to stop by and pick up the trans filter for the Escalade, I'll do that tomorrow. Since when does Advance not have a GM transmission filter? Crazy.

 

[petethepug]

I smell vacation!


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[ChiefM]

I’m doing my best to get us there, the light harness is installed and I made a plate for the lights to sit on and be seen thru the rear glass. All self contained and I didn’t cut into any of the factory wiring harness.

I stopped by Advance to get my transmission filter. She said it has not arrived yet. I said I ordered it Sunday morning and they guy said it would be here yesterday. At this point I was raising my voice, she said we don’t get deliveries on Monday. At this point the manager came from the back and asked the clerk what was going on. She said I was misled by the clerk that my filter would have been delivered yesterday. She again said we don’t get deliveries on Monday. At this point I was pissed, I said we have already come to that conclusion but you fail to realize it’s Tuesday after 3 pm. She said it won’t be here till tomorrow.

I said why in the world would you not stock a common GM transmission filter used on thousands of vehicles? I said if I knew it was going to take this long I could have ordered it thru Amazon and gotten it quicker and paid less.

 

[rodnok01]

Seldom do I get parts that are actually in stock at local parts stores for many years now.
They didn't have gm egr gasket last time I needed one, had to be ordered. 20 minute drive each way, it was an expensive egr gasket with gas added in so 95% of the time I order from online sellers. If i have to drive and wait anyway I'll sit in my chair and save time and money.

 

[ChiefM]

I hopefully I get the trans filter today and see if that fixes the crazy shifting with the caddy, I'm almost positive it's on last leg. If it is toast then I'll replace it after our RV trip to Pidgeon Forge.

I ordered a set of new tail lights for the Cabrio this morning. I have tried buffing them out and they are just worn out and one has big cracks in the clear plastic cover. I have a convertible top cleaning and sealing kit coming too. Not sure when I can seal the top as the pollen is unbelievably thick right now, everything is covered in a nice yellow/green coating.

 

[ChiefM]

Advance still didn’t have my transmission filter, I got a refund and autozone across the street did and cheaper. Next one is coming from Amazon.

 

[petethepug]

I feel your pain. All this could occur anywhere but there’s a troubling pattern with the hired help. All it takes is a little empathy and acknowledgment when things go wrong (from the store). Unfortunately the current employees don’t want to be there and just there for a paycheck.

The problem lies if and when you try to escalate their broken promise up the chain. The next person who’s there to help is just as dried up inside and unwilling to offer any options or compromises to fix the transaction.


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[ChiefM]

Changed the trans filter and the fluid, It was dark and some sparkles but didn't smell burnt. It is shifting OK but I'm going to change the fluid 2 more times and the filter again and hopefully that will help it out. Still prepared to change the transmission if it comes to that but after our trip.

 

[ChiefM]

Here is a Pete Euro car update.
Here is the front of the car with the wiring adapter and the tow plates installed. I ordered a new emblem, still need to polish the headlights too.

Here is the base and the lights I made to go in the Mini for when I am towing. I had to go with lights that had a separate blinker as that's the way the motorhome has them. The wiring comes from the front to the back and then 2 quick disconnects that hook to the lights. 2 quick disconnects and pull the assembly out, too easy.

Here they are sitting on the package shelf. I have some Velcro coming to keep them tight against the headrests and not smack the glass. I have new taillights coming to replace the ones on the Mini, they are worse in person, very yellow and faded. A front end alignment and a good detail and she will be ready to go.

 

[petethepug]

Well done with the big light set up. I hope you got the new tail lamps with the Union Jack flag embossed in the lens on each side.


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[ChiefM]

I went back with OEM ones; I have not seen any of the union jack tail lights that I really like.

 

[ChiefM]

New presents arrived today!

After

So much better!!
I called the RV place and they should start on it on Monday. Hopefully it only takes them a week since I supplied a majority of the parts.

 

[petethepug]

The old ones definitely had a little sandblasting action going on. Do you drive the car backwards on dirt or dusty roads?

Both my wife’s tail light assembly failed two weeks ago on her Beetle. Both brake light bulbs burnt out within a month of each other. When pulling the assembly out of the fenders the lenses literally came off in my hands. I had to clear tape them back on to the fenders.

Both were aftermarket junk. Locally they’re $3h ea. Fortunately online the OEM were $250 a set for $30 shipping from IL. My daughter got her license so I’ve got to keep it repaired to a higher standard to avoid break downs.

My Indi tech buddy grabbed a trans from a customer wrecked, identical 07 Beetle Vert last year w/ only 64k mi on it. It’s a rare, straight swap into our 07 that needs no coding from VW tech tools. The trans in there is toast after 140k w/o a fluid change. VW & Mini use the same CVT type trans but VW says theirs has “lifetime fluid” LOL.


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[ChiefM]

Mini/BMW CVT transmissions say lifetime fluid,the 6 speed also says it too. I stay away from the CVT,s mainly because I wanted to flat tow them behind the motorhome but I like a manual better anyway in that type of car. The R50 has become the daily driver and the Cabrio is a back up/ toad.

I got the taillights for $300 including shipping. Took me about an hour to get them changed out. It seems like all Mini taillights have the fading/ yellowing of the clear part. Sanding and polishing didn’t really change anything. Did a quick polish of the headlights but will do a more detailed polishing when it quits raining.

I’m going to look into replacing the transmission on the caddy when we get back from our trip to the mountains. It works but I don’t trust it.