Thinking about calling it quits

[grand_wag_85]

Well, the 401 Waggy made the trip down to Vegas with flying colors and made it almost to Arizona before she died. I stopped for gas in Mesquite as it was cheap and when I went to go start her up all I got was nothing at all. Jumped timing...I swear these things talk to each other when one runs and you park it near one that doesn't they get ideas, maybe the Jeep needs attention:confused:

Got towed back to town, had 2 different mechanics look her over and both agreed that she jumped timing. I was told it would be ready in three days so I caught a flight home. I get a call this morning that the engine is shot. They're claiming that the compression is only at 60PSI per cyl and timing is dead on. If that was the case wouldn't it have run like poo? I checked the compression in October and it averaged 120PSI per cyl. The mechanic is telling me to junk her but I have this gut feeling that the cam gear is torn up. It just doesn't make sense how a perfectly good running engine can detonate itself while parked and not running, cause you hear about it every day.

I don't believe the mechanic is being too honest as he claimed that the cap, rotor, wires and plugs looked to be 5-10 years old. They were all changed over in September and have barely 3K miles on them.

Anyone know any good, honest mechanics in Vegas? Dunno what I'm gonna do yet, I'm half tempted to get her going to ride out the winter and invest in a Cannondale. If this doesn't work out I'll be willing to sell her real cheap to a Vegas area FSJ'er, just don't need the headache.

Oh yeah, Happy New Year!

[tazzerzz]

I been there as well broke down in Mesquite that is, All I needed was a radiator cap and could not find one anywhere.
I would not believe these guy's as the chances of the compression being 60 in all holes and all you did was gas it up
That's **** near impossible, your probably right about the timing, try to get a car carrier and tow the thing home before i would leave it there, as they are probably going to hit you for storage as well
Atleast get it towed up the Hill to St George as there are quite a few shops up there and there not so money hungry, There are also 4x4 shops in St George as well
good luck, don't give up

[Gambler68]

Don't you let another CO 401 end up in AZ!!!

Sucks to hear about it bro :(

[fulsizjeep]

Don't give up before the miracle happens Sean. :cool:
If it really jumped time, the compression would be all off anyways...
Can you get a second opinion?

[tazzerzz]

Nothing wrong with AZ.
If the truck is in Mesquite Nev that's right at the AZ border, But the hill there is steep big time going north, Only In AZ for a few miles as it turns into Utah, first town from Mesquite up that freeway is st. George Utah,
Up by Zion

Don't you let another CO 401 end up in AZ!!!

Sucks to hear about it bro :(

[grand_wag_85]

Don't give up before the miracle happens Sean. :cool:
If it really jumped time, the compression would be all off anyways...
Can you get a second opinion?
Not really. The mechanic told me that he wasn't even going to waste his time on it regardless of what I paid him. He said he only did the test on 3 cyls before he called it quits.

The Wag is at a shop near the corner of Rancho and W. Cheyenne, so definately out of Mesquite.

[fulsizjeep]

pooh... What is recovery worth to you?

[grand_wag_85]

pooh... What is recovery worth to you?
I can do $500, more after I get paid. I was thinking about renting a Uhaul...lol

[fulsizjeep]

ouch.
Not sure I could make the round trip for that with a 401 and a trailer. :confused:

[grand_wag_85]

ouch.
Not sure I could make the round trip for that with a 401 and a trailer. :confused:
S'alright. I only burned $90 from GJ to LV. I'll figure something out, thanks for the offer tho:thumbsup:

[bigun]

Shawn where is it exactly?

[rustywagoneers_com]

The mechanic wants to buy a 401 cheap.

This must not happen.

[dlowrance]

If it really jumped time, the compression would be all off anyways...

Exactly!! And any mechanic worth a tinker's d@mn would know that...so he's either an idiot or a crook...probably the latter. He sees a guy a long way from home with a busted rig...next thing he'll do is offer to take it off your hands for the repair bill...

[bigun]

PMed you call me

[janie]

Sean, get your rig out of there.

[Murphy]

Exactly!! And any mechanic worth a tinker's d@mn would know that...so he's either an idiot or a crook...probably the latter. He sees a guy a long way from home with a busted rig...next thing he'll do is offer to take it off your hands for the repair bill...
x1000
Get it outta there. Even @ 60psi/cylinder it will still run. It prolly jumped time or something in the ignition system. He's lying through his teeth to get a cheap 401.

[thomastenn]

dont know how far u gotta tow it to but you can buy a aaa gold membership and get 100 miles towing free then the rest at discounted rate

[billyrb]

Anyone know any good, honest (ANYTHING) mechanics in Vegas?


BWAAAHAHAHAHA, YEAH RIGHT! I'd find it hard to believe that any service-related company out there would be honest & upfront. Would like to be wrong, but the times I've been out there it seemed that every TD&H was out to take someone.

Sorry for the jumped timing, but honestly that motor is probably still in great shape. They probably just saw and out-of-towner and figured they could make some bucks. If it chewed the gear, you can get a bronze gear and install it on the end of the dizzy, and assuming the cam gear isn't shot, you might be able to get it back running and limp it home......worst case, plan on a cam swap when you get home.

[Jeepstress]

Sounds like there is enough interest to caravan-hop it home - just like moving rescue dogs cross country! Everyone pulls a 100 mile run, meets the next FSJ and passes off. In no time we can have the 401 safe and sound back here at the jeep stables...... er..... I mean Sean's place. :o

[Dmntxn77]

The mechanic wants to buy a 401 cheap.

This must not happen.

Thats EXACTLY what I am thinking...

He figures that he has you by the short & curlies since you live so far away...

[jeepjerry]

Ever seen national lampoons Vacation? Get that truck out of there!!!! Get it in a safe place.

[starlifter]

x1000
Get it outta there. Even @ 60psi/cylinder it will still run. It prolly jumped time or something in the ignition system. He's lying through his teeth to get a cheap 401.

X1000 again.
If it jumped timing enough valves which should be closed mayl be slightly open and the same for those which should be open. It only takes a very small amout to prevent a cylinder from performing to it's max capibility.

Even at 60 PSI it will run enough to load on a trailer!

[tazzerzz]

Sean just go get the thing, You can rent one of those car carrier trailer things that the front wheels drive up on from u-haul for not that much
Just don't tell them what you are towing when you pick the carrier up. think it was around 150.00 one way
I rented one of these a couple years back and towed a 72 chevy one ton dually with a heavy flatbed on it from Phoenix to Ventura ,Ca think about 500-600 miles
Just go slow and you will be good, just tie it down tight and check it often, weight probably about the same as a fjs
Good luck
Lou

[jsinajeep]

Don't you let another CO 401 end up in AZ!!!

Sucks to hear about it bro :(

I heard that.
Sean you need help getting it down here.:D
I am sure there will be enough people to help you get it home.

[bigun]

Ok I heard from Sean this morning the reason he isn't answering us is his computer was left in Nevada because they wouldn't let him on the puddle jumper to get home with it, he was on the library computer yesterday.
The up shot is we will be going down on Friday with a trailer and pick up his beast, If I don't go back to work by then. If he had called me yesterday we could have done it today!

[fulsizjeep]

This here is a purdy good example of FSJ support between local members. :thumbsup: ROAD TRIP! :drivin:

[bigun]

This here is a purdy good example of FSJ support between local members. :thumbsup: ROAD TRIP! :drivin:
Thanks to you for getting a hold of him and letting him know I was trying to get a hold of him! Also good to hear from you this morning and of your adventures of late :noevil::alc:

[Gambler68]

Good to see it gettin done. Wish I could see the shifty mechanics face when Bigun shows up :D

[bigun]

When I was talking to him this morning he said this is a guy his Grand Parents use? Probably the guy figures that Sean can't pay for it or knows nothing about any engine that is not made by GMC. Besides 'What you about Willis" I'm a nice guy!!

[maccj5]

if we can get it to kingman az i can get it going for you for not much money i build mostly 401's myself and have 11 of them stashed away here---if its a amc part, especially for a 401 i'll bet iv'e got it

[rustywagoneers_com]

Updates?

[bigun]

As far as I know we are still on to get a U-haul trailer and go down and pick it up this Friday it is about a 7 hour drive from Grand Junction as long as the weather cooperates.

[SCJ10]

Bigun,
Be warry of using U-haul for anything. I moved from FL to SC a few years back and I reserved a trailer from U-haul. Went to pick it up and surprise no trailer available. I asked them if they could find the closest one available and all they could tell me is to drive to each dealer to see if they had one. Later found out there is a website created by many angree U-Haul customers with similar issues.

[Gambler68]

Bigun,
Be warry of using U-haul for anything. I moved from FL to SC a few years back and I reserved a trailer from U-haul. Went to pick it up and surprise no trailer available. I asked them if they could find the closest one available and all they could tell me is to drive to each dealer to see if they had one. Later found out there is a website created by many angree U-Haul customers with similar issues.


Drop the shafts and chain'er home!! Sean can steer and pump the brakes and make vrrooom vrroom noises:D

Just teasin, have a safe trip and best of luck.

[FSJ Guy]

Drop the shafts and chain'er home!! Sean can steer and pump the brakes and make vrrooom vrroom noises:D

Just teasin, have a safe trip and best of luck.

That made me LOL, esp. because I can imagine Sean doing that!

[duncanstives]

I almost would... LOL

I towed a bronco with no breaks once by the sway bar with my ZJ 12 miles on public roads with a tow strap. My buddy sat in the bronco and steered... We kept it from ramming the ZJ with an intricate stratagy of speeding up on downhill sections and running every stop sign. It still hit the back bumper a few times.

Good times. :D

Anyway... Good luck getting it home.. I would spend more than it was worth just to get it out of the hands of some slime ball but thats just me.

[rustywagoneers_com]

You can run the chain through a length of pipe to keep the distance between the rigs.

But, don't ask me how I know.

[Casey]

You can run the chain through a length of pipe to keep the distance between the rigs.

But, don't ask me how I know.
:lol:

It works! ;)

[bigun]

You can run the chain through a length of pipe to keep the distance between the rigs.

But, don't ask me how I know.
For years dad and I chain towed everything well dad towed and I was the guy in the back. Then he bought this 1936 Chevy, chickens had been using it as a roost, we had to use the guys hose and an T-shirt to clean off the windows and the seat so I could sit and see out. We hooked up to the ever faithful 68 Chrysler wagon and left out. As we came up to the first stop sign I made several discovery's, 1. the brakes didn't work neither of them and 2. the grinding sound I was hearing was caused by the enclosed drive shaft that had been disconnected at some time I discovered this as I stuck the 3 on a tree gearshift into low in an attempt to stop before I hit the wagon. To say the least the old man wasn't to happy when I fetched up to a sudden stop on the back bumper. After he calmed down I explained to him what had happened that I hadn't forgotten how to be towed although the smell and the dust being kicked up by the vibrating drive shaft did make it hard to concentrate. Well we got it home with dad having to let the chevy ease into the back bumper to stop on a 30 mile trip home. We immediately assembled the rig Dave was talking about a chain ran through in our case an old drive shaft. I had the chance to ask dad before he died why we never bought a trailer as it would have made things so much easier he said it was because he always wanted a pole truck. Oh the chevy set in the barn for a while, we never did anything to it somebody offered more money the dad had in it and it was gone, to tell you the truth i was glad I wasn't looking forward to cleaning it out!!

[ColeTrickle]

Hey Charlie, whats the latest on this? Been followng the story and it looks like it just fizzled out:banghead:

[bigun]

As far as I know we are picking up a trailer on Friday and going down to pick it up.

[ColeTrickle]

Cool, musta missed that. I'm glad to see good folks are still around!:thumbsup:

[bigun]

Oh this is going to be fun, I just talked to Sean he has to be back to work on Saturday morning. Well that is what Thermos bottles of coffee, satellite radio, and cigars are for!!

[Jeepstress]

Oh this is going to be fun, I just talked to Sean he has to be back to work on Saturday morning. Well that is what Thermos bottles of coffee, satellite radio, and cigars are for!!

Be careful out there Charlie. Those all-nighters can be rough! Don't let Sean anywhere near your transfer case. ;):D

[bigun]

Be careful out there Charlie. Those all-nighters can be rough! Don't let Sean anywhere near your transfer case. ;):D
It should be OK since it is a 208 not a quadra trac. It depends upon the weather if it looks bad and we won't go

[HOOT]

I say we put an electric collar on the boy so he will quit this FSJ Behavior. Keep him within 200 miles of home. Everytime he gets 2 states away He does bad things to Jeeps..;)

[Wart Hawg]

Watch the traffic down here, things on I-15 suck with all the people (as I heard on the news this morning) can afford $45,000 dollar cars, $200 dollar Iphones but they can't afford a $20 bluetooth. THere's also a ton of construction so a lot of I-15 in the north part of town is two lanes in both directions.

[ironroad29]

hand free devices don't make talking on a cell any less dangerous, Its not the fact of holding a phone that makes it bad ,its your mind being engaged in the coversation that takes you mind off driving, I can drive holding a cup of coffee and keep my brain engaged in the task of driving.

[tazzerzz]

Try riding as a passenger with your boss when he's answering his email on his phone going 80 down the freeway, that's mega fun
You think this idiot would learn after getting in a three car pile up a couple years ago and a ticket for causing the wreck, I was in that one too:eek:

[bigun]

Tony Thanks for the warning hopefully with 3 eyes watching we can get in and out with out any trouble.

[grand_wag_85]

Thanks for all the responses and laughs guys! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy to know ya'll care. One more reason why this site ROCKS!:thumbsup:

Talked to Charlie last night and we will be leaving out first thing Friday morning with a Uhaul trailer.

So is this shock collar thing GPS activated?

[shimniok]

So didja rescue it yet? :) I think a new timing chain and you'll be set. It's a 401? I can't see a 401 giving up the ghost like that. I think timing jumping = compression readings way off which is why it won't fire. Bet o' luck and drive safely!!!!!

[bigun]

As far as I know we are picking up a trailer on Friday and going down to pick it up.

So didja rescue it yet? :) I think a new timing chain and you'll be set. It's a 401? I can't see a 401 giving up the ghost like that. I think timing jumping = compression readings way off which is why it won't fire. Bet o' luck and drive safely!!!!!
Nope I pick Sean before 7:00 Friday morning so we can gas up before picking up the trailer when U-haul opens at 7:15 lord willing and the creek don't rise we'll be heading out of town by 7:30, as I am a believer in O'Saugnessy's Compendium on Murphy, "That Murphy was a D@mned optimist" I figure we'll be lucky to get out by 8:00. Map quest says it is a 7 hr drive which put us in some where around 15:00 depending upon traffic and weather. I have already said this is important enough to dare bad weather. Figure at least an hr to load so if we are lucky we can be headed back out at 16:00, which means we won't be back before 1 or 2 in the morning.

[bigun]

Well I've been up since around 4:30 looks like we got a lite dusting of snow here. According to the radar it looks like it is clearing to the west of us. Cdot says the roads could be icy in spots, Utah is only reporting one area that could be dicey from Cove Fort to Fremont Junction as of 3:30 this morning had snow with some icy spots. I-15 south looks to be dry for the most part, so I'll finish getting dressed go pick up Sean and the trailer, and head out Hopefully if all goes according to plan we'll be back around 2PM Saturday morning

[fulsizjeep]

Safe Travels Guys! :thumbsup: :drivin:

[bigun]

Safe Travels Guys! :thumbsup: :drivin:
LOL I figured you would be up. Thanks

[jaber]

You can run the chain through a length of pipe to keep the distance between the rigs.

But, don't ask me how I know.

I have the same setup, but I use 2- 3' lengths with 1 hook each. Each end of the pipe has a hole drilled through it and a grade 8 bolt through the pipe and chain. It makes it easier to adjust the chain for tightness and adds more control, less slop. I use it when I'm without a copilot to move things around the yard all the time.

Good luck and safe travels.

Thanks for all the responses and laughs guys! It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy to know ya'll care. One more reason why this site ROCKS!:thumbsup:

X-1000, Its the only site I frequent!!!

[janie]

Charlie,

I've already said my prayers to the FSJeep Gods to keep ya'all safe. Sean, I'm guessing you'll be getting an electric shock collar for your next birthday.:D ;) :p

Ya'll be careful.

[COLOFIREMAN]

Sounds like I'm a little late but I can come at a drop of the hat if you two need another rig and trailer to get the rescue rig home if needed.

Let me know 719-221-3150

[bigun]

Short note. No problems on trip, Sean's Grand parents are great folks.we got back around 4 AM it took us till 5 to get the waggy unloaded Bloody thing is dang near impossible to move with only two people . I got the trailer back to U-haul by 7Am, Now I am going to take a nap, being up 27 hrs straight seems to bother me for some reason! I am afraid I am getting old since I seem to remember a time in my life when I could sty up for 48 hrs with out sleep. TTL

[fulsizjeep]

WOOT! Another successful 401 FSJ recovery back to COLORADO! :thumbsup:

Glad it went well and you guys are safe. :)

[JeepBountyHunter]

Get your sleep...sheesh 27 hours...But congrat's on getting that thing back.

WOOT! Another successful 401 FSJ recovery back to COLORADO! :thumbsup:

Glad it went well and you guys are safe. :)

[Gambler68]

grats!

[scantar]

:thumbsup: !


No...Double :thumbsup: !

[COLOFIREMAN]

Great Job!!!!:thumbsup:

[The PIG Smith]

Glad it went well and you guys are safe. :)
X2

[chr1s]

:thumbsup:
This place always has some cool stories!

Bigun, :thumbsup::thumbsup: man.

[Eugene 1]

I love Happy endings!:)

[bigun]

Well I grabbed a 4 hour nap, I was laying in the bun debating whether get up after the first snooze or the last when Sean called by the time I got out of the bunk he had left a message 'saying I guess your still a sleep" I thought if I had of been I wouldn't be now!! Like I said trip went great, the tailer pulled good. The place where the waggy was has a really neat set up for pushing cars it consisted of 2 wheels 2 12 volt batteries and a motor with a chain dive. We had to get a run at the trailer with 3 of us pushing to get it up on the trailer once there we were able to use the come along to get it the last couple of feet. Sean's grand dad met us at the shop and helped us load, we then went to their house to pick up the stuff Sean had left and to eat dinner with them. Nice folks every onc in awhile Grand pa's Irish accent comes through, his stories of growing up in Ireland during WW2 were interesting since Ireland is one of the few places I would ever cosider going to in Europe. While we were replacing a head light on the Dodge at a guy came over and told me his boss had 11 FSJs for sale, I got the bosses name and number and will be following up. I'll post details later if he will ok it. The rest of the trip was just long stopping for gas, coffee, restroom. Why do they leave the pot of coffee on for hours when it is less then half full? We had some blowing snow for a bit which was a little interesting since I was running about 80 down hill when we hit it !! It took us almost an hour to get the waggy off the trailer and moved over to the curb in 18* degree weather! We finally took a high lift put it agains the front diff and the trailer and jacked it over the strap hold down then the waggy rolled right off getting it to the curb was someting else since the power steering wasn't powering. I sent Sean in to get some rest since he had to go to work, I then hit a resteraunt for some breakfast and more coffee. I sat out in front of the U-haul till they opened at 7: dropped the trailer and came home. Got on here to let everybody know we were back, crawled in the bunk and died for 4 hours.

[Gambler68]

Excellent! Flint and I have had some epic roadtrips, that sounds right about on par. I noticed no mentioning of vehicle failure throughout it..one of the perks of rescuing an FSJ versus driving one :D :thumbsup:

[grand_wag_85]

Excellent! Flint and I have had some epic roadtrips, that sounds right about on par. I noticed no mentioning of vehicle failure throughout it..one of the perks of rescuing an FSJ versus driving one :D :thumbsup:

Well, Charlie did do all of the driving.;) I can't thank you enough man:thumbsup:

It was kinda cool to watch the Waggy in the mirror on the pass just west of Green River. There was a full moon and clear skies the whole trip which made for some great views.

After work I started to tear the Jeep apart and realized I left my breaker bar, hi lift handle and camera transfer cable at Grandpa's. I'm thinking sometime Monday I'll have the timing cover unzipped. Assuming it's the timing chain or gears I want to go with a double roller timing set. I see a bunch on the market, Edelbrock, Cloyes, Comp Cams...Which one do ya'll recommend? Also will be throwing in a new oil pump, water pump, cam and dizzy gears. Anything else I should look at/tweak/fix/mod/not touch in there while I got it opened up?