Four Extra Days in Cuyutlan--AIR SYSTEM AGAIN!

Wed 17^th Feb, ready to depart, start the rig. . . . NO AIR! OMG!

Art called Carlos to enquire about a heavy duty mechanic, he called a friend in Tecoman who apparently knows the city very well.

Art and Carl left for Tecoman in the Jeep picked up the friend and set off across the city to the mechanic. The friend told Art where to park then we had to walk around the corner and down the street to the shop. When asked why we didn't park in front of the shop the friend said that if the mechanic saw the Jeep he would charge too much! He was going to see the motorhome anyway!

We explained the problem, the mechanic said had no time to go. Art not impressed with the shop anyway—no sign of diesel or heavy duty equipment, just several old cars and small trucks and bits and pieces of same.

Across town again to a second shop, marginally better, though there was a HUGE engine, at least 6 feet long from something or other in a corner of the shop. They couldn't help, though gave us directions to the third place “diesel mechanico”, again, halfway across the city.

Here things looked better. Big trucks, trailers and buses. Even a service truck in the yard. The owner went to get his son who spoke to Art about the problem, including the recent air history, and agreed to go and check the rig. Carlos gave him directions and we went to take Carlos's friend home, back across town again. We got back to the rig in time to catch the mechanic standing behind the rig with Gillian, phoning us!

Close examination showed that the air dryer was full of water and was obviously not doing what it should. The Mechanico, Julio (I think his name was) removed it, found the identification numbers and said that it should be available in Tecoman or Colima. He asked for a 2,000 peso deposit for the part, which Art was happy to pay, and off he went.

Later that day Carlos dropped by. The mechanic had called him, for some reason he couldn't get through on Art's phone. Art called him back. Not available there, ship from Guadaraja, two or three days. ARRRGGGHHH.

Cash problem. How much might be needed? ATM in town only works on Mexican banks. Thursday we drove into Tecoman to an HSBC branch. Did we mention that Art has'nt seen his HSBC Debut card since Zihuatanejo so of course we had to use Gillian's. Hope we got enough! Art does have a card on another bank but we don't like the ATM fees it charges.

So much for being in Puerto Vallarta Friday to meet her friends flying in on Saturday. Gillian would have to take the Jeep up herself. We hoped that the RV Park in PV would let her park the Jeep there until Art arrived. We decided to call our good and longtime friends Melchor and Marta (spanishschoolvallarta.com) just to let them know the situation. A few hours later Melchor called back to ask where Gillian was staying Friday night in PV. We said that she hadn't made arrangements yet but there were a several nice hotels near the RV park that would be convenient. They invited Gillian to stay with them and that a neighbour across the street was away and she could leave the Jeep in their fenced and gated yard. Perfect!

Friday morning about 9 O'clock Gillian set off for PV in the Jeep, promising to keep in touch by phone. She called from San Patricio de Melaque where she had stopped for fuel and a few hours later at a rest stop. She also let Art know the exact toll for the motorhome and warned him of the various sets of topes and construction areas and detours. She called later that day, having arrived at our friends home.

Friday afternoon Carlos and the mechanic show up—part not available—discontinued! Several replacements were available but none an exact match, but he was sure some would fit. He (the mechanic) would have to drive to Colima with the old part to make sure that he got the right one. He would leave early Saturday morning and should be back here at the rig about 2:00 PM.

Saturday afternoon, well before the promised 2:00PM Julio appeared along with his young son, and new part in hand was soon under the rig. The original part in the large one with the orange canister. The replacement is the much smaller one.

 Eventually we had air pressure building but it still wasn't right. The low air alarm went off at 30 psi and pressure stopped building at about 65. More poking about and the new culprit seemed to be the governor. Fortunately, this was easily available in Tecoman. He said he would be back “horita”. Literally, a little hour, used to mean anything from “almost immediately” to “in a while”.

A couple of hours later Julio returned this time accompanied by three youngsters, one or two of which were nephews. The governor was installed and Art started the rig again. The pressure began to build but very slowly. Art was told to shut down. He could hear air hissing. Julio shyly admitted he had forgotten to tighten one connection. This time the air came up nicely, but not quite high enough. Several more adjustments to the governor and it looked about right to Art. Then we filled the suspension air bags and ran through several more tests, all of which came out just fine. Total cost, parts and labour and all the trips to and fro, 7900.00 pesos, $625.00 Canadian

By now it was time to take Tia around for a little exercise. Art noticed the mechanics truck parked at the end of the street near the RV park. He probably had taken the kids to the beach and perhaps treated t them to dinner at one of the many small beach restaurants with some of tip Art had given him.

Then it was time to pack up if he was to leave at a reasonable time in the morning. There were just a couple of chairs to put away and the water, sewer and electrical connections. Art packed up everything except the electrical cable which could be done while the air pressure was coming up. (Spoiler Alert: It did!)

Once Tia was fed and Art had had a shower he pondered about what to do about dinner. Not a tough decision. Lap top into the back pack and a couple of blocks up the street to Hotel Fenix for internet, beer and dinner. The internet was useless so he passed the time watching a very one sided soccer game on the big screen over the bar.

A bit of TV back in the rig while nursing a wee dram, then stow the satellite dish, take Tia out for her last walk around then a reasonably early night. Tomorrow, Puerto Vallarta.