BajaNomad - Need Diesel Mechanic

Need Diesel Mechanic

DianaT - 1-4-2010 at 08:35 PM

Trying to get to Baja with son----need a good diesel mechanic in the South Bay or close area in San Diego. His truck is a 1997 Dodge 2500 diesel----12 value Cummins Engine. He thinks it may be the injector pump.

Any suggestions? We are wanting to leave and need that mechanic.

Since we do not have a diesel, we do not know of any good diesel mechanic and he is from Montana

Thanks
Diane

[Edited on 1-5-2010 by DianaT]

woody with a view - 1-5-2010 at 07:13 AM

as a last resort (not in so. bay), in pt. loma call my longtime friend/mechanic, Doug at SD Bus & Auto. 619.208.6715

tell him woody sent 'cha!

Pompano - 1-5-2010 at 07:28 AM

Diane, I had a good experience with this business between Riverside and San Diego. Worked on my Dodge Cummins. Although mine is a little newer, these guys do know thier diesels and have years of experience. Good diagnostic equipment.

You could call and inquire. 760 535-4850

Good Luck.

rts551 - 1-5-2010 at 08:29 AM

Diane. send a note to Whistler. he will know of one

DianaT - 1-5-2010 at 08:30 AM

Thanks to both of you---we were hoping to find something closer because he cannot drive far with the way it is acting.

But, these may be possibilities--they may know others closer by and I really appreciate the help.

Will let you know what is happening----packed and ready to go, just like when our fuel pump went---better here than in the middle of the desert somewhere.

Diane

[Edited on 1-5-2010 by DianaT]

DianaT - 1-5-2010 at 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
Diane. send a note to Whistler. he will know of one

Does he check in here often or do you have another contact for him?

Thanks

desertcpl - 1-5-2010 at 08:56 AM

here is your best bet

San Diego Dodge
2829 National City Blvd
National City,ca

619-474-4777

Pompano - 1-5-2010 at 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by desertcpl
here is your best bet

San Diego Dodge
2829 National City Blvd
National City,ca

619-474-4777

desertcpl, I just called that number and it has been disconnected.

Cannot find another number for that business.

rts551 - 1-5-2010 at 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT

Quote:

Originally posted by rts551
Diane. send a note to Whistler. he will know of one

Does he check in here often or do you have another contact for him?

Thanks

I'll email. and you can u2u him.

larryC - 1-5-2010 at 09:21 AM

If it is the pump, and of course you need to have it checked, then take the whole pump to Advance diesel on main st just south of the Coronado bridge. They serviced my pumps for years and never let me down.

DianaT - 1-5-2010 at 09:30 AM

Thanks for more ideas.

Some of the dealerships in National City have closed---have not tried San Diego Dodge yet, but they may be one that closed up.

Gees, I hope we get this fixed quickly!

Pompano - 1-5-2010 at 09:45 AM

Diane, I am also calling around San Diego county for mechanics for my Dodge diesel pickup, but mine is a transmission concern. I'll ask them all for a good diesel-mechanic recommendation and pass the info along here.

DianaT - 1-5-2010 at 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano
Diane, I am also calling around San Diego county for mechanics for my Dodge diesel pickup, but mine is a transmission concern. I'll ask them all for a good diesel-mechanic recommendation and pass the info along here.

Thanks Roger,
He just had the transmission replaced, but it was in Spokane on the way down here! Good luck and appreciate any and all suggestions.

Diane

[Edited on 1-5-2010 by DianaT]

tripledigitken - 1-5-2010 at 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT

Quote:

Thanks Roger,
He just had the transmission replaced, but it was in Spokane on the way down here! Good luck and appreciate any and all suggestions.

Diane

Diane,

I am trying to get a recommendation for a mobile diesel mechanic from our company shop foreman.

Roger,

I have used Valley Transmission in El Cajon for my Ford Powerstroke.

Valley Transmission
Frank: 619/447-4353

Ken

DianaT - 1-5-2010 at 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tripledigitken

Diane,

I am trying to get a recommendation for a mobile diesel mechanic from our company shop foreman.

Ken

Ken, that would be great. He found one out in El Cajon, but he is booked for weeks.

Thanks

Diane

desertcpl - 1-5-2010 at 09:55 AM

try this

McCune Chryler jeep DODge
national city
619-474-1557

Baja12valve - 1-5-2010 at 10:10 AM

I am not trying to doubt you, but what is wrong with the pump? The P7100 is generally a very strong, reliable pump that can last for years and years. Is your problem something another mechanic discovered or is it something you think is wrong? If you are coming West before heading South, there is a good mechanic in Fresno and Palmdale, California. Be sure of your problem because you are looking at a pump replacement, especially if you are on the road. Expect to pay 1500.00 or more for the pump and labor. I would not recommend getting a cheap replacement pump. While you are at it, get one with a #10 plate in it, moved forward, timing set to 15.5, AFC light spring kit, and a 3GSK in it. It will wake up your truck in ways you never imagined. Beware, if you have a stock auto, it will be destroyed, you will need to work on that too. If you have a 5sp, the stock clutch will be eaten, but it will take time and can be replaced with a better one, Southbend.

DianaT - 1-5-2010 at 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Baja12valve
I am not trying to doubt you, but what is wrong with the pump? The P7100 is generally a very strong, reliable pump that can last for years and years. Is your problem something another mechanic discovered or is it something you think is wrong? If you are coming West before heading South, there is a good mechanic in Fresno and Palmdale, California. Be sure of your problem because you are looking at a pump replacement, especially if you are on the road. Expect to pay 1500.00 or more for the pump and labor. I would not recommend getting a cheap replacement pump. While you are at it, get one with a #10 plate in it, moved forward, timing set to 15.5, AFC light spring kit, and a 3GSK in it. It will wake up your truck in ways you never imagined. Beware, if you have a stock auto, it will be destroyed, you will need to work on that too. If you have a 5sp, the stock clutch will be eaten, but it will take time and can be replaced with a better one, Southbend.

I know zero about this---but he thinks it is the injector pump overflow value---not the whole pump, but we need a mechanic to confirm. Whatever that #10 plate is, he says he has it.

He is on the phone now with some of the numbers provided here and I am staying hopeful that we will be on the road soon!

Thanks
Diane

Pompano - 1-5-2010 at 10:23 AM

The diesel pump went out of my old 1999 Dodge exactly 36,500 miles after I bought it. Was replaced under warranty, thank God, thanks to a kind service manager at Carl Berger Dodge. I believe the price tag on that pump was about $1100 at the time. Glad I dodged that bullet..and have had no problems since. Odometer now at 400K plus...and counting.

Ken..thanks for the tranny tip. I just spoke to Frank, but unfortunately they are swamped for about a week out. I believe my problem (continuous shifting at lower rpms) is caused by a faulty signal from the TPS sensor? $400-$500.

Of course it could just be a bad tranny speed sensor...about 100 bucks...

.....or..something more sinister.....I'm betting on demonic possession. Priceless.

Baja12valve - 1-5-2010 at 10:28 AM

The overflow valve is a easy part, costing around 40.00, 1/2 hour to replace. Usually the spring gets worn, and it gets "shorter" in length. You can stretch it a bit to fix the problem for a short while. The overflow is responsible for fuel pressure. When it goes bad, so does your pressure and to some degree, your performance. If that is the problem, the truck will run and not be hurt, but it will not run correctly. Does he have a fuel pressure gauge in the cab to measure the fuel pressure? There are a few reasons why the pressure will be low.

DianaT - 1-5-2010 at 11:00 AM

With calling the suggested places and discussing options, we think we found a place where they can at least look at it today---out in Lakeside, so keep a positive thought that we can safely limp out there.

Mechanic said he hopes it is the value because as Baja12valve said, that is cheap and easy----some possibilities we don't want to talk about. Wish us luck.

Appreciate the help.

Roger, they seem to receive good reviews so you might call them about your transmission. They are busy, but they said they would diagnose today and hopefully fix tomorrow----fingers crossed.

JT Diesel Truck Services
www.jtdieselperformance.com

8841 Winter Gardens Boulevard
Lakeside, CA 92040-5418
(619) 449-0991

Baja12valve - 1-5-2010 at 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano
The diesel pump went out of my old 1999 Dodge exactly 36,500 miles after I bought it. Was replaced under warranty, thank God,

Yep, the good 'ol VP-44 electronic pump! Why they made that switch is a subject of debate. It can easily happen again, there are ways to prevent it.

Baja12valve - 1-5-2010 at 11:15 AM

Please post what the mechanic found. A few things, if he says it is the fuel solenoid because it is not pulling all the way up, just clean it, do not replace it. If he says it is the lift pump, have him completely test it, they are very strong and reliable, like the IP, they rarely go bad. Fuel filter is always a consideration, so is the fuel strainer in the fuel heater. Just bypass it and it will never trouble you again.

DianaT - 1-5-2010 at 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Baja12valve
Please post what the mechanic found. A few things, if he says it is the fuel solenoid because it is not pulling all the way up, just clean it, do not replace it. If he says it is the lift pump, have him completely test it, they are very strong and reliable, like the IP, they rarely go bad. Fuel filter is always a consideration, so is the fuel strainer in the fuel heater. Just bypass it and it will never trouble you again.

Mechanic was busy today and only took a quick look. He has it overnight so he can test it starting when totally cold which is one of the problems. At least we managed to get it there -- slowly.
The fuel solenoid is an after market one that the last owner put on---one of the things being checked. The mechanic owns a similar truck and seems to work mainly on Dodge trucks---used to work for a dealer. So, we are hoping for something easy and cheap.

Oh, the fuel filter is new. Appreciate your input.

Diane

Baja12valve - 1-5-2010 at 07:57 PM

If you are having cold starting issues I will put my money that you have a air leak. If so, you are losing prime overnight. There is a hand primer on the lift pump that you can push about 100x. If you feel air, then fuel, you have found the problem. The difficult part is where you are pulling air. Finding the leak can be a real pain. Hope it all works out for you!

vgabndo - 1-5-2010 at 08:52 PM

So 12 valve...the classic Dodge lift pump failure is only on the post 12v on the 24 valve turbo diesels? '98 to about '03 they made a junk lift pump which fails, starves the injector pump which is lubricated by fuel on the way to the engine, and ultimately eats both units. $1900.00 was a DEAL at Oregon Fuel Injection in Medford. I lost my $400. accelerator pedal position sensor at 180k. Found one on line for $160. but the trouble shooting was more fun than reading the Sara Palin memoir. :lol:

Good luck Diane

Baja12valve - 1-5-2010 at 09:05 PM

That is it. 94-98.5 12 valves have the P7100, mechanical IP and mechanical LP. The 24 valve 98.5 to 03 ( I think) has the VP-44, electronic IP and LP. You are exactly right, the LP fails, fuel pressure drops, cooling and lube of the IP fails = new fuel system. Bummer. Some put in a Air Dog or Fass LP, ditching the crappy stock LP to prevent the next failure. Sorry you went through all that.

Thanks for the tip, Diane.

Pompano - 1-6-2010 at 08:07 AM

I will be calling them this morning and will let all know what transpires. Lots of great tips on this thread. I think it should become a forum of it's own..where to get things done.

We had a great time on the I-5 freeway yesterday here in beautiful San Diego. My transmission started to shift up and down..in and out...round and about...and threw both our coffee cups into the air. Then the Maltese Bros (The White Terror) shredded my bagel.

I haven't laughed that much since I saw Kerry salute at the convention. :rolleyes:

[Edited on 1-6-2010 by Pompano]

DianaT - 1-6-2010 at 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano
I will be calling them this morning and will let all know what transpires. Lots of great tips on this thread. I think it should become a forum of it's own..where to get things done.

We had a great time on the I-5 freeway yesterday here in beautiful San Diego. My transmission started to shift up and down..in and out...round and about...and threw both our coffee cups into the air. Then the Maltese Bros (The White Terror) shredded my bagel.

I haven't laughed that much since I saw Kerry salute at the convention. :rolleyes:

[Edited on 1-6-2010 by Pompano]

Even with the unfortunate political statement, I still hope they can help you. We are just waiting to hear from them as to the verdict about son's truck.

Pompano - 1-6-2010 at 10:08 AM

Diane, I usually refrain from posting anything seriously political. My own position is that of Independant. But...I felt that fair play was in order after...

Vagabundo quote: "Found one on line for $160. but the trouble shooting was more fun than reading the Sara Palin memoir."

So, you see, that was the first unfortunate political statement. I truly wish, as I am sure all the nomads and lurkers I know also wish, that those who instigate these remarks would keep them to themselves.

Thanks for the thought about my tranny woes, but Summit Transmission of La Mesa has me all fixed up for later this morning. I remembered the great help this place gave me many years ago with my Minnie Winnie tranny and looked them up. Sorry, but they only do trannys. I will ask the owner who he may recommend in your area and relay it here...just in case.

[Edited on 1-6-2010 by Pompano]

DianaT - 1-6-2010 at 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Pompano
Diane, I usually refrain from posting anything seriously political. My own position is that of Independant. But...I felt that fair play was in order after...

Vagabundo quote: "Found one on line for $160. but the trouble shooting was more fun than reading the Sara Palin memoir."

So, you see, that was the first unfortunate political statement. I truly wish, as I am sure all the nomads and lurkers I know also wish, that those who instigate these remarks would keep them to themselves.

You are correct---your's was not the first on this thread. And I probably overlooked it because I agree with the first one and yours, well I won't say how I really felt about it. That is how these things get started --- back and forth and they never end up any place other than where they started. All politics should stay in the off-topic forum.

And I do sincerely hope you get the tranny fixed. I also hope it is cheaper than what my son had to pay in Spokane.

Good Luck
Diane

Baja12valve - 1-6-2010 at 11:36 AM

Hopefully this sidetrack is behind us, no need for me to state my position, but I agree with.......... BTW, how is the truck?

vgabndo - 1-6-2010 at 04:02 PM

Pompano, you obviously aren't watching much late night TV. Letterman has been running a version of that joke every night for months. I could have said more fun than a root canal, but when someone goes to so much trouble to make themself the butt of jokes, don't we get to laugh?

Does this mean it would be inappropriate to make light of Pat Paulson's run for office?

None the less, I apologize for petting your political fur the wrong way.

Please substitute..."finding an inexpensive APPS is harder than finding a WMD in Iraq"; there's something upon which we can all agree.

rts551 - 1-6-2010 at 04:23 PM

STTTOOOOOOPPPPPPP

Diver - 1-7-2010 at 08:58 PM

Back to the original topic;

What's with the truck ???
Hope it's an easy (cheap) fix !!

DianaT - 1-7-2010 at 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Diver
Back to the original topic;

What's with the truck ???
Hope it's an easy (cheap) fix !!

As my son told me, you open the hood of a diesel and it is at least a grand.

We should have it back by noon tomorrow, we hope. So far it has been a number of small things, many that the previous owner did to the engine. But also the timing was off and a few other things. This mechanic is going over EVERYTHING---but that is a good thing.

When he gets it back, he will take it for a really good test drive, up and down moutains etc. He also suggested that he hoped we could tow him if necessary.

We told him that we know of a very good tow company in San Quintin. :-)

Keep a positive thought. It has been a number of years since he has been able to make it to Baja---so this is really important!.

Wish you all were going to be there!

wessongroup - 1-8-2010 at 08:30 AM

Well, at least he is getting closer... hope he took some pictures of his "trip"... as he has had one...

Know it will all work out...

Baja12valve - 1-12-2010 at 08:45 PM

Timing off? How and what degree? Stock is around 12.5, if it has been bumped to 15-16, I would leave it. Your engine will run better with that timing. Stock was set that way for emissions, bump it up and that is where it should be. Trust me on that one.
Since the previous owned did a bunch of work, I am wondering what he did and what corrections your mechanic is doing. I am glad you are at least moving along.

Diver - 1-12-2010 at 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DianaT
We told him that we know of a very good tow company in San Quintin. :-)

The view of our rig in tow from Diane's Tundra passenger seat.
The guy from San Quintin was Jose' Mario Andretti Lopez !! :lol:

[Edited on 1-13-2010 by Diver]

tow.JPG - 38kB

Hook - 1-12-2010 at 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Baja12valve
Timing off? How and what degree? Stock is around 12.5, if it has been bumped to 15-16, I would leave it. Your engine will run better with that timing. Stock was set that way for emissions, bump it up and that is where it should be. Trust me on that one.
Since the previous owned did a bunch of work, I am wondering what he did and what corrections your mechanic is doing. I am glad you are at least moving along.

He's probably removing all the good aftermarket stuff the previous owner installed so he can sell it later.

Baja12valve - 1-12-2010 at 10:43 PM

Unfortunately, that is what I am afraid of. There are many mechanics who do not understand the aftermarket goodies and tuning you can do on the good 'ol 6BT and therefore cannot work on them accordingly.

Diesel Doctor

pangamadness - 1-13-2010 at 03:42 AM

I use the Diesel Doctor He is a mobil Mechanic 619 933-5986

Pompano - 1-13-2010 at 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by pangamadness
I use the Diesel Doctor He is a mobil Mechanic 619 933-5986

pangamadness....Thanks. You brought back a memory of the Diesel Doctor.

Sorry, Diane..I should have thought of this fellow right off the bat.

I used him to work on a GMC Suburban diesel I had trouble with around 1990. He saved me a lot of grief by coming to my location stalled at the US Customs, San Ysidro. (I had been towed there by a Cantamar tow truck. What an experience the tow driver and I had getting both our vehicles across the US border...hoo boy.)

The Diesel Doctor. I also found him to be a good mechanic.

wessongroup - 1-13-2010 at 04:57 AM

You guys are great....