Archived Stranded in Barstow CA - need help

[Gunny]

My husband is in Barstow CA with a broke truck. I'm entering this for him. - 2001 3500 4wd -

He's traveling and 500 miles from home broke down.

Truck died instantly while running - turns over fine, will NOT start. Was down to 1/4 tank, refueled (positive it was diesel) and drove about one mile then it died. ANY and ALL HELP APPRECIATED. I'll relay ideas or you call Gunny at 408 234-8310.

 

[illflem]

Sounds like he may have gotten a bad tank of fuel if it happened just a mile down the road. Will have to drain the tank and change the filter. If this is the case and he's close enough to the station where he purchased the fuel he might be able to prove it and they may reimburse him for his costs.

 

[Mingoglia]

Have you checked out the travel companion under the 'tdr member exclusives'? Perhaps under here you can locate someone in that area that has the ability to help. If you're not familiar with this area, it is a area that is broken down to states and has phone numbers, locations, and technical ability of volunteers that are willing to help and the distance they're willing to travel to offer help.



Mike

 

[JWhitcomb]

I talked to Gunny and he got the truck to a Dodge dealer. If it is the inj. pump they don't have one in stock. He says he gets no water in fuel light and the lift pump runs. HVAC, if you are back home could you give him a call, he is a Ram Runner. Sure sound like bad fuel but who knows... Jim

 

[Maximus]

Did Gunny get his truck back on the road?



I work about 30 miles from Barstow. Would be willing to assist if needed.

 

[DRR-24V]

Truck Is At The Dealers

I was an Innocent passenger with Gunny. We were towed to the Dealer in Bakersfield. Will post what was wrong when we know for sure. Thanks for the calls Guys.

 

[Gunny]

Well guy's this is a sad tale. It looks like that fuel I pumped into my truck that I was so damn sure was diesel was in fact Texaco's finest unleaded. Know you have to know that at this time this little trip that me and my best friend ( well at any rate he used to be my best friend) had turned into a trip from hell. So much had gone wrong before the truck broke down that this was almost the last straw. When I think back on this it was one year to the day, that I bought this truck while on vacation with my wife in Rapid City SD. My then 12 valve dually had the trans ( auto) give up the ghost on a 7% grade in Rapid City. We where stuck 2,500 miles from home. The dealer in Rapid City, Down Town Dodge where the best folks in the world to deal with, and I bought this new 24 valve 3500 4X4 to get us home. This has been the best truck I have ever owned, with never a hitch, nothing always the best. I love the 6 speed and it will pull anything I can put behind it. And now it looks like this problem was not the trucks fault but mine. But at the time we fueled up I had not had any sleep in almost 30 hours and I really thought this was diesel fuel. If I had to testify in court I would still say that it was diesel, however I guess there is some reason that there seems to be 27 gals of unleaded gas in my tank. :--)



I will say this, there is no way that I will ever leave my house on Fathers Day weekend ever again. There seems to be some evil force at work here. And on that day I am homebound. If I ever do venture out on Fathers Day ever again I'm going to drive a Chevy or a Ford or an Edsel or something wierd.



Thanks for all of those that answered this request for help. The dealer in Bakersfield says the truck will be ready by the end of the day TODAY. This is a great bunch, if you ever need help and you are in this area give them a shout --- HADDAD DODGE.

Thanks Again Gunny

 

[DRR-24V]

Fun With Gunny !!

When two guys can go through the weekend we had together and not turn into Raving Drunks, that says something for friendship. Gunny is still #1 in my book. I learned never to say "What Else Can Happen". That phrase has been removed from my vocabulary forever. We still got home safe, so no harm, no foul. Gunny neglected to mention his Rental vehicle also broke down while going home from Bakersfield.

 

[illflem]

It happens. Sorry to add insult to injury but there have been very bad reports about Haddad Dodge's work. I recall one TDR member reporting his truck looking different when he went to pick it up after recall work that was delayed several days. The truck had been wrecked and Haddad tried to cover it up with shoddy body work and a paint job, they weren't even going to tell him that lot boy crashed the truck. Watch out for these guys.

Their rating is here, it's sad http://dodgeram.org/buying_info/survey_dealer/CA/Haddad.htm

 

[turboduck]

For a tdr new-be what does 27 gal of gas do ? x-out inj. pump



This is somthing I might do cant tell you how many times I



stoped for fuel and got back on road going the wrong way



and didn't realize it for 30 miles or so. Bad things happen



when your tired.

 

[Extreme1]

Unleaded

I won't injure anything, it just doesn't work in a diesel. Diesel doesn't work in a gasser either, but it won't hurt anything...

 

[illflem]

I beg to differ. Saw a diesel Mercedes just a couple of months ago with major gasoline damage. Gas in a diesel usually ruins the injection pump from lack of lube. It all depends on the percentage of the wrong type of fuel, lower percent will allow the engine to run longer and cause more damage. You are better off to have 100% gas. Gassers will run with up to 75% diesel, just smoke with damage only to the catalytic converter.

 

[Gunny]

Well guy's this little ordeal seems to be over. Got the truck back yesterday and all is fine. This turned out to be an expensive mistake on my part. After everything was said and done, counting tow bill's, rental cars, hotel rooms and all the bill came to about $1400. 00. Thats a hell of a hit for 27 gals of gas. Well like my old top Saergent used to say " Live and learn and die a damn fool".



On another note, Illflem, you chimed in with your comments about Haddad Dodge. I did in fact read the comments about this dealership and it worried me a little. I don't know why you felt the need to Flame these guy's, when I was broke down and had no choice at that time. I needed a dealer any dealer, some times it's better to keep your mouth shut. It's easy to slam someone when they are not able to respond, I wonder what Haddad Dodge would have to say in there defense if they even knew these things where being said about them. My experiance with Haddad Dodge was a good one. They treated me right, did a great job at a reasonable price, and helped me get back on the road fast. I was put on the top of there waiting list, ahead of those that where there before me. They did this because I was traveling and stranded. They went out of there way to help. I personally think that this is a good group of folks and I would not hesatate to go back there for service.



And the last comment I have on this. After I picked up the truck I still had about 400 miles to go to get home, the first time I stopped to get fuel I was nervous as a cat. I pumped half a gallon of fuel on the ground, felt it tasted it and smelled it. If I had some way to do an test of the damn stuff I would have. The next mile I was waiting for the Dodge to quite again. I will always fuel up with caution. and will probably worry about the fuel for some time to come. Gunny

 

[illflem]

Gunny, I wasn't trying to flame Haddad, just to warn you about others' bad experences so you could maybe notice anything funny when you picked up your truck. Sorry you took it otherwise. Glad it worked for you.

 

[turboduck]

Bad fual is always on my mind . I try to make it a point to



fual at hi-Volume truck stops and if you pull in the big rig island



most are diesel only and pump super fast

 

[Joe G.]

Gunny,



I always use the big nozzle if it's available. No gas in those so far.