Thursday, October 22, 2015

Replacing My Old Parts!!

You know how it is when you get older ... your parts wear out and need to be replaced.  Like this old rusty car in the Arizona dessert, some of my engine parts need to be repaired.  When that little check engine light comes on, you better get yourself to the nearest hospital for a checkup.
It seems my controllers are all out of whack, not allowing enough fuel to my engine.  It's been running pretty rough for the last year.  Since I'm always running ten degrees hotter than everyone else, the doctor thought the gizzy controlling THAT feature may need some adjustment too.  Gosh it sucks to get old!!!

By now you probably all know I'm talking about my 2005 Chevy Silverado truck, right??  Actually I could probably use a tuneup too, but yesterday, it was my truck that was feeling under the weather.  It hasn't been serviced in a year, mostly because I'm always gone.  Last time it was a hefty $1500 which included a front bearing assembly ... kind of like a knee replacement.

This time the check engine light resulted in a glow plug code.  Ladies, have you seen that Cold Engine Start switch on your RV or truck?  Diesel engines don't have spark plugs like gas engines ... they rely on compression to ignite the fuel.  When the air is cold, that won't occur, so this little glow plug lights up and provides the heat for combustion to happen.  That's about the extent of my diesel engine knowledge!!  I really wish my dad had included me when it came to overhauling equipment.  I could save myself a LOT of money.  At any rate, that little glow plug module quit working to the tune of $371.

The next problem, running really rough, turns out to be the fuel pressure regulator.  If the engine isn't getting enough fuel, it runs terrible and will eventually leave me stranded somewhere.  Okay, I admit I cheated.  I called Dan Chance about this one!!  The BAD news is that all this will cost me another $1500, once you throw in an oil change and a fuel filter.
With only 97,000 miles on her, she's only a third of the way through her life.  I actually checked on the prices of new ones and almost had a heart attack.  That definitely would have put ME in the hospital.  $65K for your run-of-the-mill Chevy truck (this one cost me $40K).  I suppose since I don't have horses I probably don't need a truck, but it will come in pretty handy when I pack that 28 foot horse trailer for my move!!!

Sell it you say?  Not a chance.  I'm a truck girl from waaaaay back.  I love my Jeep for towing behind the rig, but for freeway driving, it's not my choice.  I'd much rather feel the safety of my BIG CHEVY TRUCK!!!!!



10 comments:

  1. You had me going there for a moment. Sorry the overhaul is so expensive, but I'm glad it's the truck and not you!

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  2. It's sound like the investment is the repairs will be worth it.

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    1. It will Jan, I just have to get over the shock first!!

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  4. Boy did you just send my blood pressure up to the top for $371 for one glow plug OK if you find a ford dealership a GM dealership a Chevy dealership or Dodge dealership run fast the other way they are not your friends now with that said done for less than $100 you can get all eight of those glow plugs yes less than 100 bucks what you need to find is a company called 4 x 4 it is a franchise throughout the United States they are not the cheapest but they will give you a better idea of what replacing one or two of those glow plugs it would cost usually number seven and number eight of the bad culprits meaning they have a tendency to break it is a know defect on Chevys diesels
    The other problem with your temperature more likely has to do with the EMC for that engine there again another known problem
    If you find a company that is close to you that does high performance diesel's
    If you can't find a high performance diesel shop email me I'll talk to my guy he most guys in the network. ( I would need the city)
    Yes Gertrude there are rednecks in California
    what you would want to do be to call them pick there brain and see if there's a solution to it both of your problems
    Now the other thing is look at the dollar cost you spent $40,000 for a truck at the end of 40,000 miles that truck cost you a dollar a mile you put 50,000 miles on it so your cost over average is $.50 a mile even if you put in another 3 or even $6000 you still are coming out ahead of the Dollar cost game the only drawback is your Chevy is not a four-door per se it is still a very desirable truck
    as a girl once said if you want to find out if there's life after death touch my truck




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    1. Thank you Ed ... I appreciate your help! I agonized over who to take it to, but even though I am in an Ag area, there are no diesel mechanics who are worth their salt. On the other hand, in 10 years I have only had two repairs, so I guess I can't complain too much!!

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  5. You hang on to that truck. We have a 2005 also, crew cab though, just turned over 100,000. If we go to a dealership for any reason, salesmen come running trying to talk us into trading it in. No way! My husband was a fleet mechanic for the big energy company in CA(you know who I am talking about) and for 35 years worked on all 3 major vehicle manufacturers trucks, and when anyone asks why he drives a Chevy, he will say that's exactly why! Too much work on the other two!

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    1. Wow!! That's sure good to know!! I bought this truck as my "last" one, hoping it would go 300,000 miles. Hopefully it will make the trip!!

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  6. I just love seeing another truck girl out there! It is definitely a stereotype that trucks are just for boys. I know what you mean about having a heart attack over the prices of new trucks. I am trying to keep mine going for at least two more years. I have always been a big fan of big Chevy trucks.

    Donald Corral @ Hansen & Adkins Auto Transport

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