Stranded in Concordia, MO - 50 miles east of KC

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R

RufusTheDufus

10 Year 15 Year
Joined
Jan 9, 2008
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Location
Moronville, ME
I think I've got a blown head gasket in my HJ45 Troopy. I'm on my way from Maine to Colorado at the moment. I made it to Concordia, MO when I decided it was time to call it quits. The engine is forcing too much coolant out the radiator now, about a gallon every 10 to 15 miles.

Can anyone recommend a good mechanic or diesel shop in the vicinity? I'm not to far from Kansas City and could most likely limp there or get towed.

I'm pretty sure it's the head gasket. I just did the job myself last week. It held great for 2000 miles but apparently the turbo is too much for this engine.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
i either need you to call the tlca 1800 # or give me your tlca # and I can look you phone# up in the database. we have a club meeting today and I can probaby get you a ride to that as well.
check pm for #'s
 
? Might have local guy with a gasket as well.. not positive
 
I follow your thread, and live in KC, (although sick today).... I thought you had an extra head Gasket you packed to take along???

I am on the west side of town, if you can limp over here, I can warm up and clear out the garage for you to work in.
 
I installed my spare this past Sunday. I have another one waiting for me at a relative's house in La Jolla, CA. I thought I'd at least make it that far :( So I can get my spare from her or just order another one from SOR if they have one.
 
Gotcha. I am sure that Erik is tracking down parts for you. You do not know how lucky you are to have broken down a few miles from his abode.

Unfortunately, my trailer is snowed in, so I can't come give you a ride to KC.

With the annual meeting on the East side of town today, there are some information resources available.

The diesel shop I use is up in St. Joe, MO about an hour north of KC, so that does not help you much.
 
As of now I think we got it covered. more details later.. Thanks to mr rech for the Text this morning to get this ball roling
 
actually been there done that! Had to rebuild a hub in a parking lot on a beach just outside his house once.
 
boys are working on a plan for acquiring right now. stay tuned to TAC TV for updates.
 
JObe will have one. he will hook you up with tools, I just spoke to him. Butler is the one that should have gotten ahold of you by now. Sounds like you will be wrenching at ERic BUtlers house and borrowing tools from ERic JObe. I'm digging up pinion seals for Jobe now.
 
Hope your meeting went well today. I ended up making it all the way to Limon, CO today.

After a little diagnostic work in the morning I figured out that if I adjusted the wastegate actuator rod to prevent the turbo from building more than 2psi of boost I wouldn't lose any coolant out the overflow. (At 6psi I'd loose 1 gallon in 20 miles.) The turbo is a big restriction when not generating boost so I had to keep a close eye on the exhaust temps the whole way. It was a long day of doing 55ish in 4th gear but at least we're that much closer to my wife's family in Crested Butte,CO instead of waiting in a hotel room for 4 days hoping some parts will arrive.

I'm really amazed at the response I received from this post on Mud. I wish I could have stuck around for the meeting and met some of you folks. Many thanks to the three Erics. My wife was really impressed that all it took was one post on Mud and we had people offering their heated garages, tools and help to a couple of strangers from Maine. I owe you all a beer. I'll be back trough your way on my return from Baja. I would like to stop in a meet some of you if you're all available.

Thanks again.

Mark
 
post up on your return trip and we can make it happen.
 
I haven't forgotten about you guys.

Do you do any Cruiser events where there are raffle items? I'd like to kick in a gift certificate to Cruiser Outfitters or Tom Woods (or something along those lines) as a raffle item if that's a possibility. I'm attending our Yankee Toys Fall Gathering this weekend and it got me to thinking that I'd like to do something nice for the TAC club. I do genuinely appreciate the way that you were willing to help a total stranger.
 
Last time we spoke you were in the slow lane hoping your head gasket would hold. I'm sure your trip was quite adventurous.
You don't owe us anything, but if you feel the urge, we would welcome your offer to donate to our next raffle.
 
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