Bill Collector
Nomad
Posts: 374
Registered: 1-13-2004
Location: Buena Vista, BCS
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Stuck in San Quintin
OOPS I put this in the wrong place, so deleted that one.. Sorry about that, hope this is the right place to be
Barb
Our 2004 Durango started over heating after we left Ensenada yesterday. We made it to San Quintin, were they replaced the fan clutch, thinking that
was the problem. We left, headed to El Rosario, started up the grade we over heated. Turned around, went back to San Quintin for the night. The
mechanic here thinks it's the radiatior which they dont' have. They are fushing it out now, then we will attempt to leave, heading to Bueana Vista. I
know we can get a new one in La Paz but that is long ways if this doesn't work.. We might have to head back to San Diego for repairs. We dont' want
to cross back into the US with our car loaded. Does anyone know of a good storage place that we could unload just for a few days if we need to return
to San Diego
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bajabound2005
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 2760
Registered: 10-15-2005
Location: Punta Banda, BCN
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Mood: words cannot describe...
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Pacifico Storage
KM 122 on Mex 1
just north of Maneadero and just south of Ensenada
Contact: Juan Valecillo
office 154 1352
cell 101-0662
Friends don't let friends drink white zinfandel.
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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Sounds like the thermostat is stuck. You can take it out and you will know in 15 minutes if that is the prob. Newer radiators and cooling systems
just do not fail or load up with rust if you keep coolant in there.
I would hesitate to change that radiator. Also, chk the inside of the engine oil filler cap for foaming brown oil/water. That would indicate a blown
head gskt.
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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schwlind
Nomad
Posts: 362
Registered: 8-30-2008
Location: Daytona Beach, FL/San Antonio Del Mar (Colonet)
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We have a great mechanic in Ensenada... so perhaps you wouldn't have to return to the states. If you're interested, I'll be happy to send along his
name and phone number.
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schwlind
Nomad
Posts: 362
Registered: 8-30-2008
Location: Daytona Beach, FL/San Antonio Del Mar (Colonet)
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Regarding our mechanic in Ensenada, about 5 years ago we bought a 91 Toyota 4x4 4 runner in FL to be our "Baja mobile". We drove it out without any
problems. A year or so later, we took the car in to the San Diego Frank Toyota dealer for service. When we returned to pick up the car we were
informed that we needed among a long list of other things a lower engine rebuild and were told the estimate was well over $7,000. We called our
friends in Ensenada and they intro'd us to the only mechanic we will now let even touch our car. While we had to leave the car in Ensenada on our way
out, this guy completely torn down our engine. His analysis was that there was nothing wrong with the engine. He did replace the timing belt, water
pump, all the belts and hoses and a few other things, and the grand total was $430.00 including parts and labor. Our little Yoda is still perkin
along with no problems.
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Bill Collector
Nomad
Posts: 374
Registered: 1-13-2004
Location: Buena Vista, BCS
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We had a new thermostat put in the day before we left thinking that was it. When they checked it yesterday the mechanic thought it was the fan clutch.
They did replace it saying our wasn't good. Just checked the engine oil filler cap that is good. The guys at the radiator shop removed the radiator it
is about 75% plugged. They are cleaning it each core, so we should be able to make it to Buena Vista, then get a new radiator in La Paz
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Sharksbaja
Elite Nomad
Posts: 5814
Registered: 9-7-2004
Location: Newport, Mulege B.C.S.
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Hope all goes well. What the heck plugged up a 2004 radiator? Rust? Good luck!
DON\'T SQUINT! Give yer eyes a break!
Try holding down [control] key and toggle the [+ and -] keys
Viva Mulege!
Nomads\' Sunsets
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Bill Collector
Nomad
Posts: 374
Registered: 1-13-2004
Location: Buena Vista, BCS
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That is the question my husband is asking. What plugged it up, it's weird. We will research it once we are home in Buena Vista. They have a new
radiator coming from Ensenada this afternoon. These mechanics here have been great, they couldn't get it cleaned up said it's a mess. So we just had
them order one. . Should be back home Saturday, thanks for all the input
Barb
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bajaway
Newbie
Posts: 2
Registered: 11-1-2008
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Mechanic in Ensenada
Schwlind: You mentioned you knew of a good mechanic in Ensenada. Could you give us his name and phone number.
We will be travelling to Ensenada from San Felipe Monday or
Tuesday. Have tried to fix our car here - Ford Contour 2000 which got stuck in a flash flood about 6 weeks ago - spent over a $1K in
parts and labor - and the problem still persists.
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bajamigo
Super Nomad
Posts: 1218
Registered: 6-17-2006
Location: Punta Banda, BC
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Mood: hubimos llegado
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If that doesn't work out, the Ford dealer in Ensenada seems to get high marks from the locals,
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schwlind
Nomad
Posts: 362
Registered: 8-30-2008
Location: Daytona Beach, FL/San Antonio Del Mar (Colonet)
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Bajaway...
His name is Jose. The name of his business is Alejandro, located at Calle Septima, between Riveroll and Alvarado (on the east side of the street).
His phone number is 646 178-1292.
Tell him that Linda and Jerry with the black 91 4 Runner (friends of Marilyn and Lorenzo) recommended him. He is excellent and I sure hope he can
help. One thing I'm confident of is he is honest and won't try to take advantage of you. He also speaks pretty good English if that helps.
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redmesa
Senior Nomad
Posts: 580
Registered: 3-12-2008
Location: Van Isle and Bahia Asuncion
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Schwlind, thanks for that. We all need to know where to find a good mechanic.
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bajaway
Newbie
Posts: 2
Registered: 11-1-2008
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Mechanic in Ensenada
Schwlind:
Thanks for the info. We know Ensenada
quite well and feel we should have no
problem in finding him.
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Bill Collector
Nomad
Posts: 374
Registered: 1-13-2004
Location: Buena Vista, BCS
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Quick update.
The guys ordered a new radiator out of Ensenada. While we all waited, they fixed dinner for us. Probably the best tacos we have eaten, sitting on the
dirt floor.. The bus arrived at 6 pm, they went to the bus depot picked up the new radiator and went to work installing. We spent the night in San
Quintin and left the following morning. The trip back home to Buena Vista was smooth after that. We can't say enough of the people in San Quintin,
just shows there are GOOD PEOPLE still around. Think this is why we have lived here for 14 years the PEOPLE..
Barb
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BajaGringo
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3922
Registered: 8-24-2006
Location: La Chorera
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Mood: Let's have a BBQ!
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Thanks for the update. Many of us here have stories of the goodwill of the people here in Baja and the extra mile they go to help us at times in such
situations.
Glad to hear everything worked out and the rest of the trip went without problem...
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Hook
Elite Nomad
Posts: 9010
Registered: 3-13-2004
Location: Sonora
Member Is Offline
Mood: Inquisitive
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Glad you're back on the road.
Now, the mystery is..............how does a 4 year old radiator clog so fast?
What did the old thermostat look like? Were there signs of extreme calcification? Was the non-ferrous material intact?
If it was truly 75% clogged, it almost has to be a calcification issue.
This is almost unheard of unless you filled your radiator from a sulphur spring or something................
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