First of all, this post is NOT about the Sunrader I posted that needs the taillights and Dometic fridge replaced.?
Nov 17, I was driving my 1982 Sunrader Shorty from San Diego to Norco to use as a hotel, for a weekend horsey event.? When in Escondido, it was making "water hammer" noises coming from the 5 speed transmission area (under the hump in the middle).? Then smoke started coming into my cab from the floor!!!? And then the front was not visible due to all the white smoke, which I later figured was steam because it didn't smell and dissipated quickly.?
Sunrader lost power and I pulled over on the 15 fwy.? Only then did I notice that the temp was way beyond the H, as far to the right as the needle would go.??
25 mile tow back to the driveway where the marine layer (5 min from the beach) turned it into a rust heap in the last year.? Poor Sunrader makes weak and dying wretching noises (like the dry heaves - Oh so sad!) when I turn the ignition and won't start, which I played to a couple of mechanics on my phone.? They said I blew the head gasket, the dry heaves speak of "no compression" or maybe I also ruined a cylinder.? ?
One said I cannot rebuild the motor because I already did so 50,000 miles ago, and "there is no room to do it again".? Another mechanic disagreed, but he'd have to take it apart to assess what can be done or not done.? He also said he'd have to find and rent a place to store it, so he could work on it at that storage facility.??
My problem is no mechanic has the facilities to handle 8 foot camper with dually wheels that "doesn't run".? It appears that their insurance will not cover any loss to my Sunrader while they are working on it, if it is not locked up.? ?But no one wants to work on it, even if it DID run, because they just don't have the hoist or overhead bay clearance for 8 ft camper, or ramp for dually wheels, as you all are familiar with "being in my place".
Does anyone on this forum know of an engine mechanic in San Diego, CA, who can help me repair the 22R engine, or where could I get another engine, and someone who would do the swap?? ?
So sad, because I owned this 1982 Sunrader for 23 years, purchased in Mesa, AZ Sept 2000.??
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Julia Genevy, who sometimes lives in San Diego, CA where I grew up.
Julia