BajaNomad

Help needed ASAP with a tow El Rosario to San Ysidro or San Diego

cocomo - 11-22-2015 at 11:04 AM

I need help! I recently bought a Geo Tracker in San Diego as a dinghy for my RV and was bringing it down when the oil pump failed I got stranded in middle of the Baja 1000 in El Rosario. The seller is willing to take the car back and rescind the purchase (which he is not required to do) but I need to get it back to San Diego or San Ysidro. It's a lightweight standard transmission. It's on the highway at the mechanic shop around the bend from Mama Espinoza. Tow bar attached and ready to go. If you are willing, let's talk price. Please U2U me. Thanks!
Eileen

Tow service needed from El Rosario to San Ysidro/San Diego

cocomo - 11-22-2015 at 11:07 AM

I need help! I recently bought a Geo Tracker in San Diego as a dinghy for my RV and was bringing it down when the oil pump failed I got stranded in middle of the Baja 1000 in El Rosario. The seller is willing to take the car back and rescind the purchase (which he is not required to do) but I need to get it back to San Diego or San Ysidro. It's a lightweight standard transmission. It's on the highway at the mechanic shop around the bend from Mama Espinoza. Tow bar attached and ready to go. What's the best way to get this done economically? Is there a service or do I get a friend? Please U2U me. Thanks!
Eileen

carlosg - 11-22-2015 at 11:16 AM

Hi coco, here's the guy to call:

Eduardo from Eddie's Towing in Tijuana
mobile: 011-52-1-664-319-5851 (if calling from US)
email: eddiestowingtj@hotmail.com

I'm sure he can tow your vehicle into the US because he has the necesary licenses to do it, and he'll come pick you up wherever you are in Baja, he has a couple of tow trucks available for what ever you needs might be...:light:

[Edited on 11-22-2015 by carlosg]

woody with a view - 11-22-2015 at 11:16 AM

try this number for a tow fron SQ to TJ:446-161-630088
from TJ thru border: 526-646-840103

not sure if they are still valid but you have nothing to lose. good luck!

cocomo - 11-22-2015 at 11:19 AM

Thanks! I'll try calling.

El Rosario to USA?

John M - 11-22-2015 at 01:51 PM

I'd talk to Antonio at Baja Cactus Motel - right next door to Mama Espinosa's - between Mama's and the gasoline station.

He's arranged help for quite a number of Nomads in the past.

John M

cocomo - 11-22-2015 at 03:08 PM

Thanks for that tip as well. I stayed at the Cactus and they're not monitoring phone calls, I'll try.

rts551 - 11-22-2015 at 03:29 PM

Check with Ron Hoff over on Talkbaja (facebook). Baja gringo here. Lives in San Quintin.

rts551 - 11-22-2015 at 05:25 PM

Ron says these guys will do it. San Quintin.
Gruas Salcedo - (616)165-2280, (616)177-5337

cocomo - 11-22-2015 at 06:30 PM

Thanks for checking. Another great resource! I love it!

woody with a view - 11-22-2015 at 06:37 PM

please let us know how it works out, and any valid numbers for the future.

cocomo - 11-22-2015 at 07:28 PM

someone should take the resources from this site and create a list....just sayin' Rich information aqui!

BajaBlanca - 11-22-2015 at 08:35 PM

so sorry to hear of your misfortune. I looked and looked for a geo tracker! I love the way they adapt to Baja.

AKgringo - 11-22-2015 at 08:53 PM

Geo tracker, Chevy tracker......Suzuki's with an alias!

BajaCactus - 11-23-2015 at 12:07 PM

Eileen,

Due to the heavy winds last week we were without phone service at BajaCactus for a few days but the service is up again... Sorry about that.

If you have not resolved your problem let me know and I will be more than happy to help out.

Antonio Muņoz
BajaCactus

motoged - 11-23-2015 at 12:10 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca  
so sorry to hear of your misfortune. I looked and looked for a geo tracker! I love the way they adapt to Baja.


OP said, " I recently bought a Geo Tracker in San Diego as a dinghy for my RV and was bringing it down when the oil pump failed I got stranded in middle of the Baja 1000 in El Rosario"

Not sure that is adaptive....more like maladaptive :lol:

cocomo - 11-23-2015 at 06:14 PM

Thanks everyone for your help and humor! I am still looking for help. Eileen

Hook - 11-23-2015 at 06:41 PM

Might be easier and cheaper to go up and get the oil pump and have it replaced where you are. I mean, if it's failure didnt screw up anything, a Geo Tracker is still a very desirable car to have.

Or post on Nomads for someone to bring one down with them (and any necessary gaskets/parts/etc.). There are lots of people coming south these days. Just about everyone on Hwy 1 has to go through El Rosario.

Towing is EXPENSIVE, no matter what side of the border you are on.

cocomo - 11-23-2015 at 07:38 PM

By the way, Baja Cactus is answering calls.

Towing

bajaguy - 11-23-2015 at 07:44 PM

You may want to check the owners manual for instructions on towing your Tracker. My 2000 tracker has specific procedures for flat towing.

cocomo - 11-23-2015 at 07:49 PM

It just says to put everything in neutral. I have 3 manuals in that rig.

mtgoat666 - 11-23-2015 at 08:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by soulpatch  
How hard can it be to get an oil pump in SQ?

There are more than a junkyards that someone would, for the right price, look around for you and there seems to be an Autozone in every decent sized city in Mexico.
They usually can next day stuff.

Are you in El Rosario still or are you elsewhere?

Sounds to me like you have been given every option other than free.



The lady wants to pay $700 for a tow instead of $200 to replace the oil pump, from what I gather reading this thread. Yes, it makes no sense, but truth is often stranger than fiction,....

AKgringo - 11-23-2015 at 08:06 PM

Quote: Originally posted by soulpatch  
How hard can it be to get an oil pump in SQ?





Bad advice in my opinion. An oil pump is not a plug and play item, it is going to require a teardown and thorough inspection to find out why it failed, and what else was damaged from lack of oil.

The seller has already agreed to reverse the transaction, if the vehicle is returned to San Diego. Sounds like a good idea to me!

mtgoat666 - 11-23-2015 at 08:07 PM

Quote: Originally posted by soulpatch  
I missed something, I guess.
Are you still with the car or are you elsewhere.
If you are in El Rosario can't you just hop a bus to SQ and get the part?
What about all the tow service numbers you have been given.... most tow truck operators can usually tow a disabled vehicle.


Why hop a bus to get a part? Most any mechanic will get the part and do the work,... Turn key service, with a smile!

mtgoat666 - 11-23-2015 at 08:55 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo  
Quote: Originally posted by soulpatch  
How hard can it be to get an oil pump in SQ?





Bad advice in my opinion. An oil pump is not a plug and play item, it is going to require a teardown and thorough inspection to find out why it failed, and what else was damaged from lack of oil.

The seller has already agreed to reverse the transaction, if the vehicle is returned to San Diego.


The OP only needs to get the car 200 miles up the road, so she only needs engine to go 201 miles :light:

cocomo - 11-24-2015 at 08:49 AM

I'm not with the car any more. I had to come home. I was so lucky there were so many people on the road and I got a ride immediately. I was lucky to get a room in town. The seller was going to tow the car back to the US and can't get a tourist card on an expired passport.

The engine has SEIZED, so it's not just an oil pump I need. 3 of the valves are moving, the rest are stuck. We think the oil pump started it and the engine gave up and then tore the timing belt. The head came off and there's burnt oil on it, the oil light never came on. We didn't remove the rest. I checked all fluids in San Vicente when I got gas and everything was fine, maybe needed 1/2 a quart of oil. Temperature was fine, no leaks, nothing loose.

The options are to (1) reverse the transaction or (2) allow the seller to put a used working engine in there and do the clutch plate, pressure plate, throwout bearing, pressure regulator, exhaust manifold, ball bearings. What say you? What is my best choice here?

TMW - 11-24-2015 at 09:10 AM

It was said that some of the towing services can bring the car into the US, so the seller does not need to get a tourist card.

woody with a view - 11-24-2015 at 09:15 AM

how much $ do you have into it already? if you like the car and the seller is willing to go WAY ABOVE AND BEYOND then it sounds like a screaming deal to have a rebuilt/used engine and other parts dropped in.

no one can decide except you.

chuckie - 11-24-2015 at 09:29 AM

Give it back...could be torn down for months..If he'll take it back...good deal

cocomo - 11-25-2015 at 07:52 AM

I put new brakes on it and had a pre-purchase inspection for a total of $400 US. Then there's airfare to San Diego and lodging. I figure about 3 weeks to get the engine replaced and tested. I'm not in a big hurry, I'm in MEXICO! And I have to go back up in January anyway so maybe I'll just try to drive it down again then.

Antonio from Baja Cactus is helping me get the car back to San Ysidro. He is truly a godsend!!! I regret that I didn't meet him in person when I stayed at the Cactus this trip. I'll stop on the next trip to meet him. What a good man!

Be warned if you need a mechanic in El Rosario: The mechanic emptied my gas can after I left and before the car was moved. He also charged 3200 pesos for the tow and another 500 pesos to look at the car once it got there. I have never heard of that but I didn't want to argue. This is after I fronted him 600 pesos for gas to get the car. I guess he figured out he's not getting work from me and he's charging for extra stuff and stole my gasoline after I left. It's Abraham at Hnos Meza Taller Mecanico on the left after the bend if you're heading south. Avoid him if you can. I thought about calling him to tell him he's being unfair but he probably knows that already.

BajaCactus - 11-27-2015 at 05:16 PM

Eileen,

Your Tracker is on its way back to the US. It left BajaCactus today (Friday) around 2pm.

Antonio Muņoz
BajaCactus

BajaCactus - 11-28-2015 at 05:31 PM

Eileen,

Your vehicle has been delivered to your contact in the US.

Mission accomplished!!!... :bounce:

Antonio Muņoz
BajaCactus

rts551 - 11-28-2015 at 07:17 PM

Excellent Antonio...and thanks for keeping the OP up to date!

cocomo - 11-29-2015 at 08:32 AM

Antonio,
You and your staff are truly a god send! Thank you so much for your assistance and your reliability. This has never happened to me before and I am so grateful for people like you who make "my Baja" so safe and improve my experiences here and beyond. Car seller and I are pleased to make the donation to Desert Hawks Fire and Rescue in El Rosario in your name.

When I tell people in the US I live in Mexico, or that I travel here, they always look incredulous and ask me "Is it safe?!?!?!". I ALWAYS tell them how people are a true community and help each other out. How there is always a friendly face and a solution to whatever the problem is. That is "my Baja", and I'm sticking to it. I've brought friends to Baja and let them experience it for themselves. There are more on the way this winter!

A friendly helpful community that is everywhere, except sometimes on BajaNomad where the old goats are grumpy. :)

Thanks also to all you Nomads for your input and advice, and for putting me in touch with Antonio. This is a good ending to a long story and I'll be picking up the rebuilt car soon in San Diego, and hopefully there is no "chapter 2" to this story.