We walked over to get a few groceries. Pretty expensive! The prices were similar to Canada, except we had to add on 30% for the exchange rate. Yikes.
On the way back, we noticed a laundromat in the building right next door to where we had been parked the last two days. No idea why we hadn't noticed it before, but Ruth went over and got a load of laundry done while I was changing the plug wire.
Speaking of which, the plug wires showed up right after lunch, exactly like Summit Racing said they would. I know I paid extra for the next day delivery, but it's still impressive that they made it happen.
Sherman's fancy new spark plug wires.
We wanted to get some driving done, so rather than change all of the spark plug wires, I decided to just change the one that I knew was bad. I also changed the ignition coil wire because it was easy.
My plan was (is?) to change the rest of them along the way when we've got some better weather.
Sherman fired up perfectly, and we headed south on highway 101.
After about 8 miles (13 kms), we pulled into a state park and paid the $5 USD ($6.60 CAD) fee to use their dump station and fresh water fill.
When I started him back up, there was a hiccup! He misfired again, and then stalled.
Obviously, there is more to the problem.
But, he fired up again and we continued south, with the occasional misfire along the way. It's very intermittent, but appears worse when he's warmed up.
Stopped at an overlook.
We stopped at the overlook pictured above, and when we were coming to stop, he simply died as if I had shut off the key. I tried starting him again a few times, and I honestly thought we were going to be stuck. Then I tried again, and he ran fine... certainly well enough to get us to the Kalaloch Lodge where he promptly died again as we got to their parking lot.
We went for a walk on the beach while I contemplated what to do about this.
On the way to Kalaloch Lodge.
The beach.
Sea birds.
Looking north.
These huge logs have washed down from the mountains during spring runoff.
You can tell which way the wind normally blows!
The sun came out for a little while.
Looking south, you can see the cabins that are part of the lodge.
You can also see Sherman parked past the first two cabins on the left.
Where Kalaloch Creek comes down to the ocean.
We walked about 2 miles to a forest service road where I had read there was a possibility of boondocking. Sure enough, it looks fine, so we go back to get Sherman. Now, he has sat and cooled off for almost two hours and he fires up and runs pretty good, although not perfectly.
Sherman, parked for the night at GPS 47.614426, -124.364372
Doing some research this morning, I now think the problem is the ignition control module. Yes, that one plug wire needed to be changed anyhow, but there is obviously something else that is the problem. And, it's been intermittent and gets worse when the engine is warm. This all points to the ignition control module going bad.
Hopefully he will get us to the nearest auto parts store heading south, which is in Aberdeen about 75 miles (120 kms) away.
Wish us luck! (Edit: We made it to Aberdeen!)
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Nice looking ladies leather bag/backpack on deal of the day today!
And in Canada...
Aren't the coil and the ignition control module two different things?
ReplyDeleteI agree that the problem when warm points to the coil.
Yes, of course. I'm going to change them both as well as the pick up coil (stator).
DeleteKevin,
ReplyDeleteI had a Chevrolet pickup with a 350 V8 that would intermittently stall just as you explained. After chasing the problem for more than a year, it turned out to be a failing fuel pump. Finally, I was towing my trailer and it stalled just like the ignition was turned off. Had to be towed to garage and they replaced the fuel pump and all was well. Prior to fuel pump replacement, I had plugs, wires and distributor replaced. But it was the fuel pump! So you may want to consider that issue? Best of luck and I truly enjoy your travels and blog!! Thank you, CarlGeo
Thank you Carl, we are definitely considering that as we are starting to exhaust some of our other options.
DeleteFinally, I can sign in to comment again!! It showed wrong password but it was the same one I always used. Interesting scenery where you are traveling. Fingers crossed that you get Sherman fixed soon!
ReplyDeleteSo glad that you are able to comment again Connie and Barry. Google/Blogger are sometimes messed up. :-(
DeleteWe hope Sherman is fixed up soon too!
Beautiful Scenery but it does sound like the Coil with the intermittent miss but the Stalling could be the Fuel Pump like Carl said. All of the above add up cost wise.
ReplyDeleteBe Safe and Enjoy figuring out the problem.
It's about time.
We changed the coil and we are still having problems. It is possible, it may well be the fuel pump, although Kevin said it just doesn't seem to make sense because it only seems to happen when the engine is warm. We will get it sorted out eventually.
DeleteBeautiful coastline pics! I know you'll have Sherman running well again in the next day or two.
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris, it really is pretty along here too bad we aren't able to enjoy as much of it as we would like. Firstly because of Sherman's problems and secondly because of all the rain we are having.
DeleteSounds to me like you figured it out. Usually these things are process of elimination.
ReplyDeleteNope, not yet. We thought maybe we had, so we are still working on it! :-(
Deletebetter to have it here where there auto parts stores then way down in Mexico....
ReplyDeleteSurprisingly enough, they have lots of parts stores down there as well and some pretty good mechanics and nice cheap prices! The only problem would be getting the right parts.
DeleteI always panic when things go wrong on the road for some reason. I would never panic at home and I have to remind myself that the road is now home. That way I settle down and start thinking about solving the problem instead of panicking and taking the easy but expensive route which is the repair shop. You certainly have that all figured out, and I wish you luck with your trouble shooting. The quitting points to fuel pump but the misfire doesn't so I am of no help to you. lol
ReplyDeleteIt does no good to get upset about things you can't change, it is better to just learn to deal with it, with a smile and try to find the good things that can make you feel better. Such as, at least we aren't working behind a desk in a little cubicle, we are out and about traveling and exploring. Even when you have a house, things go bad and need to be replaced. It can be frustrating but it could be so much worse. :-)
DeleteBe very careful in that area on the back roads. They may still be harvesting in that area, and you do not want to bump into the growers. The locals will suggest you stay out of the back country right now.
ReplyDeleteWe always try to be careful but we aren't going to let fear dictate our lives either. we have been at this for a while now, and have a pretty good grasp on things. :-)
DeleteThat is a beautiful area!
ReplyDeleteYes, it is! Hopefully the weather will clear up and Sherman's problem can be fixed so that we can get out there and enjoy more of it. :-)
DeleteO.K...What is an ignition control mod??....My "Lucy" is similar to Sherman..I may need to know this....
ReplyDeleteI had the same issue you did with the sparker wires....Whew, that was the cause to missing climbing Blewett Pass towards Seattle, years ago..
Wishing you the best!
Upriverdavid
In Sherman's case, the ignition control module sits under the distributor cap.
DeleteGood luck with eliminating the cause of the problem.Hope you get it resolved soon.
ReplyDeleteThank you George, we are sure it will get sorted out soon enough.
DeleteThe logs on the beach ususally are a result of a broken log boom and they get washed ashore during storms. My ex did a lot of salvage for the owners. Hope Sherman gets sorted.
ReplyDeleteIt's possible but I don't think so. There are information boards around that mention that the logs/trees come down the creek during the spring and heavy rainfalls from the mountains where logging is going on. The trees/logs are all at the mouth of the river and all to one side of the beach, not the other so they must come down the mountain and then the ocean currents move them to the one side of the creek. If it were a broken log boom then by rights the logs should be all along beach on both sides of the creek. Plus many of these logs have their roots intact, whereas it if was a logs from a log boom there would be cut, I would think.
DeleteWe hope that Sherman gets sorted out soon too.
We have LOTS logs & interesting things like bales of marijuana come down the Mississippi River where it meets the Gulf of Mexico! (almost 70 miles S New Orleans) As kids we'd name big logs king's or queen's seat, bc shaped trunks! Had weak fuel pump on 1 of my boats, do almost same thing...another time dirty fuel. Good luck! Changing fuel pump & filter in my van NOW...got it jacked up - removed/cleaned gas tank. Just finished changing fuel pump, 3 filters & carb in generator. Next, big motorhome....got good bit water in fuel ;(
ReplyDeleteI think anytime that you live near the ocean you would find some very interesting things getting washed up on shore. That is part of the fun of walking along the beach and coastline.
DeleteIf what Kevin did yesterday doesn't help, then we will head to a mechanic and talk to him about the fuel pump and also get him to change out the fuel filter that Kevin just bought. Our fingers are crossed that it won't have to come down to that.
Thoughts from Bernd: he had it once with a plastic gas pump. The plunger expanded when the engine got warm. Good luck!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Angi, if what Kevin did yesterday doesn't work then I think the fuel pump may be the next item to look at but we will find a mechanic first before doing that.
DeletePictures as usual were beautiful. We had similar weather when we did that route in 2016.... nice to see the same scenery unchanged. Good luck in sorting out Sherman’s hiccups and hope you get it resolved soon.
ReplyDeleteNice to see that nothing much has changed since you were here. I wish we had better weather but we can't change it so we will just make the best of it.
DeleteHopefully we will have Sherman's issues fixed up soon. We don't like it when he isn't feeling well. :-(