We are in route to Baja and our motorhome gas generator needs a tuneup. It ran fine in Colorado but starts hard and doesn't run smoothly in the hot
sea level climate. We are going to spend some time at Portrero County Park in Portrero Ca (near the Tecate border), in Bajia de Los Angeles at
Daggetts, Vicente Guerrerro at Posado Don Diegos and at Bajia de Concepcion at Santispac. We are looking for a mobile mechanic that can visit us in
one of those campsites to do some minor adjustments on the generator. (Probably needs a spark plug, filter etc.) The generator has a total 83 hours
and has never been serviced. Any suggestions? RonRuss - 7-2-2011 at 11:40 AM
Just ask a local and get your wish. I believe there are a lot of people that can adjust the carb in any peublo.absinvestor - 7-2-2011 at 12:10 PM
Thanks. I was hoping to get a name so when I got to one of the campgrounds I would know who to ask for. But, I'm sure you're right- when we lived in
Punta Banda we never had a problem finding someone to fix whatever broke!! RonHook - 7-2-2011 at 12:13 PM
If it is an Onan with a carb, many of them had a rotating ring associated with the fuel bowl, as I recall. It was listed right on it.
Yours is probably set for high altitude and at sea level, you're getting too rich a mix.
It's worth a try. You can always put it back where it was.
You also could have gotten some dirty fuel down there. Check the fuel filter.
Make sure your air cleaner is clean, too. Try running it without the air filter and see if it runs better. Try one fix then the other, not all at the
same time so you can eliminate each possibility. Start with altitude adjust, then air filter, then fuel filter, unless you can visually see that the
fuel filter is gunked up.
[Edited on 7-2-2011 by Hook]monoloco - 7-2-2011 at 01:10 PM
Actually, you need to richen the mixture for sea level, more air pressure= more fuel.absinvestor - 7-2-2011 at 02:46 PM
Thanks hook and monoloco. Unfortunately I am not a handy type of guy and I'd rather pay a local to adjust it etc. But, I appreciate the info. RonBob and Susan - 7-2-2011 at 02:58 PM
stop at "armando's" shop
he's almost across from the pemex
ask the pemex guys if you have a question
he has a big enclosed yard and can repair the generator
plenty of room for your motorhome
(buy a bag of oranges while you are there : ) )
very professional
if you want his staff to go to the beach then just ask
there might be a small fee for that
this is really a small engine repair not electrical
these guys can do itmonoloco - 7-2-2011 at 03:43 PM
It will save you a lot of time, money, and grief if you take the time to learn how to do your own routine maintenance. The old adage, "if you want
something done right, do it yourself", is especially poignant down here.absinvestor - 7-2-2011 at 05:58 PM
to bob and susan- thanks- good info- I'll stop there on the way to the beach. To monoloco-good advice however some are mechanically inclined and
others aren't. My parents were poor and dad could fix anything- electrical, mechanical etc etc. Unfortunately I didn't inherit his skills. Many times
my attempted fix makes the final fix more difficult for a real mechanic!!larryC - 7-4-2011 at 08:21 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
It will save you a lot of time, money, and grief if you take the time to learn how to do your own routine maintenance. The old adage, "if you want
something done right, do it yourself", is especially poignant down here.
In my experience down here, truer words have never been spoken.Bob and Susan - 7-4-2011 at 02:14 PM
geeezzzz...
i took my diesel generator to san diego 3 times for a problem when i first started using it
i spent thousands
the guy here looked at it and said here it is...FIXED $40monoloco - 7-4-2011 at 03:19 PM
Once in a while even a blind squirrel finds a nut.larryC - 7-5-2011 at 08:16 AM
Quote:
Originally posted by Bob and Susan
geeezzzz...
i took my diesel generator to san diego 3 times for a problem when i first started using it
i spent thousands
the guy here looked at it and said here it is...FIXED $40
And if you would have fixed it yourself, you would have saved thousands plus the $40 bucks. I'm just sayin'.....J.P. - 7-5-2011 at 01:24 PM
Quote:
Originally posted by monoloco
Once in a while even a blind squirrel finds a nut.
I will rely on the blind squirrel, at least he doesnt charge 95,00$ per hr. I cant get over the obvious contempt some people have for the Mexican
populaces ability yo do any thing. Dont you know they FIX things out of necessity. I have found some REALLY good mechanic's down hereHook - 7-5-2011 at 08:08 PM
I cant believe the obvious contempt people have for trying to fix things for themselves BEFORE they call a repairman.Bob and Susan - 7-6-2011 at 04:43 AM
this string is not about trying to repair something...
i agree...you should try to do that....
but its about a servicing and tune-up
sometimes this is better left to a professional
way less hassel
and there are some sharp "professionals" in bajaabsinvestor - 7-14-2011 at 09:31 PM
Here is an update. This morning I went to Armando's. His son who looks to be about 15 is also named Armando. Amando Jr and a mechanic agreed to visit
me in Santispac. They came out within a 1/2 hour of my seeing them at the shop. They adjusted the generator and it seemed to work fine. They charged
500 pesos which I felt was quite reasonable considering they made a special trip from the shop to Santispac. About 15 minutes after they left the
generator quit. I immediately drove back to the shop and they promised to return at 4pm. At 4pm sharp they returned. They were able to get the
generator to quit again after about 15 minutes of running perfectly and determined it needed a new fuel pump. They replaced the pump and it runs
perfectly.(They charged me 380 pesos for the pump and 100 pesos for the labor. Again, I felt the charge more than reasonable. What is most impressive
is that Armando Jr, Armando Sr, the mechanic and grandpa Sr stopped by the motorhome this evening around 7pm to make certain everything was running
smoothly. I tried to tip them for the special followup trip but they refused. They did accept 4 cold cokes. I would highly recommend them. Thanks Bob
and Susan for the referral.Desertbull - 7-14-2011 at 09:38 PM
Armando has helped me in the past as well. Stayed open late because we were on a schedule with clients and they are Top Notch...Nice work Mulege Bob
once again for helping out the Nomads!