Hi All

ChiChi1 · Guru

Hi All

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Enjoy the journey ChiChi - I love the trip up and down the Newell.

nu one · Senior Member

Have a safe and enjoyable trip....I take delivery of mine ,S/H, to day and will soon be on the road myself..it is exciting and abit daunting but its a good feeling.

See you out there along the way

OH Jules has every one figured out where the get otgether is yet ? I would like to go too

--so illkeep an eye on the site

Bt for now .... Nu one

Rip and Rosie · Guru

Nice to hear you are enjoying it Chichi.
We are off tomorrow down the Hume this time, but only pulling the boxtrailer. if I have the caravan on, the Newell is my choice, and at this time of the year the Newell is beautiful.

Not sure about the get together Nu one. Someone said the Green Lake suggestion has dirt bike and other noise, plus no dogs, so I won't be going there. Its Gunbower for my vote. See what happens, although I need a decision soon as my plans are already made up to that point.

rosie

ZedJay · Veteran Member

good on you chi chi

ChiChi1 · Guru

Thanks E1. Now at Moree. Good trip once again. Thought the road was edged in little white flowers. Until twigged it was cotton. I also noticed the toilet paper littering the roadside stops. People!

Staying ay the Gwydir CP tonight. Had a dip in the Artesian Pools this afternoon. Excellant!.

Off to Toowoomba tomorrow and then Sunday early the decent down the Logan Motorway. May spend tomorrow night at a truck stop free camping as there doesn't appear to be any dog friendly CPs in Toowoomba. Hope there are some stops on the motor way. Could make it to Brisbane tomorrow night but it would probably be dark. Would rather wait til morning. Nearly There!!!

Cruising Granny · Guru

Take your time. You're bound to come across road works wherever you go. It takes a long time to repair all that flood damage.
Stay safe.

Elle on Wheels · Guru

Safe travels and look forward to hearing updates
ellen

Beth54 · Guru

ChiChi1 wrote:
Thanks E1. Now at Moree. Good trip once again. Thought the road was edged in little white flowers. Until twigged it was cotton. I also noticed the toilet paper littering the roadside stops. People!

Staying ay the Gwydir CP tonight. Had a dip in the Artesian Pools this afternoon. Excellant!.

Off to Toowoomba tomorrow and then Sunday early the decent down the Logan Motorway. May spend tomorrow night at a truck stop free camping as there doesn't appear to be any dog friendly CPs in Toowoomba. Hope there are some stops on the motor way. Could make it to Brisbane tomorrow night but it would probably be dark. Would rather wait til morning. Nearly There!!!

Sorry to correct you Chichi, but it's the Warrego Highway that comes down the Toowoomba Range, not the Logan Motorway. The Warrego then changes to Ipswich Motorway at Riverview, and you exit at Gailes for the Logan Motorway.

I wouldn't like you to get lost. Don't come in to Brisbane too early on Monday morning. The traffic is a killer before 9am at least.

Where are you heading to in Brisbane? Love to catch up for a cuppa if you're able.

ChiChi1 · Guru

Thats alright Beth. Now for what happened. Things took a very inconvenient turn yesterday.

Got as far as Goondiwindi and a warning light came on. Oh No! So called roadside assist. They took me around to probably the only mechanics open on Saturday afternoon. (TriDale Auto) They put it on diagnostics and would you believe its the same problem as I had in Yarrawonga in July. They couldn't fix it nor could the local Ford Dealer. When I could'nt go anywhere, they said it was OK to stay parked in their yard for the night. They didn't charge me for anything. So a big thanks to them.

Anyway, after much tooing and froing with NRMA premium care they decided that the best solution would be to tow the van to Maroochydore in time for the funeral Monday. I would never have suggested it but am so happy they did. A very nice young man from the towing service gave up his whole fathers day to tow me to Maroochydore. Long trip. So big thanks to him also. I am now safely ensconced in a CP in Maroochydore.

So, after all the stress, who would have believed that I would'nt have to do the drive. I got driven. Yoo Hoo.!! Alls well that ends well. I will book into the Ford Dealer tomorrow. Hopefully I can then be on my way down down to Redland Bay to my sister's for about a week before heading home again.

Beth would love to have coffee. Unknown what will happen at the moment but will PM you when things firm up.

Elle on Wheels · Guru

That's a very good outcome after so much stress - I just hope they find the problem and fix it. It's good to know NRMA was compassionate and practical - it's possibly worth some publicity so that the other state based auto clubs see a good example and follow it. Best of luck for the rest of your journey.
Ellen

Beth54 · Guru

ChiChi1 wrote:
Beth would love to have coffee. Unknown what will happen at the moment but will PM you when things firm up.

Gee what a to do! But what a great job by NRMA!

Redland Bay is not that far from me Chichi, so that'd be great!

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Oh Chichi - not good news - but hopefully you can get it fixed up there. Good onthe NRMA - and the towie who took you up.

Hope all goes well from now on.

Happywanderer · The Master

What a bad situation Chichi. Great that NRMA were able to help so much and tow you all the way there. I wouldn't have thought they would do that. Was there any cost to you for the tow??
Hope you can get it fixed now you are there, all the best with sorting it out.

ChiChi1 · Guru

Hello again. Went to the funeral today. Met up with a lot of cousins hadn't seen for many years. Funny how when you do meet them again its just like time disappears and you pick up like you had just seen them yesterday.

Van is going into the Maroochydore dealer tomorrow so hopefully it won't take too long and I will get down to Redland Bay tomorrow afternoon. Depending on timing, hope to put van on barge out to the island tomorrow. Otherwise, I have to spend the night in the carpark. Thats all right though its opposite the police station.

HW, I think somebody up there is testing my stress coping levels. I have NRMA premium care its a bit more expensive (I think about $50 pa) but, in this case worth it. They have to get me to my destination or pay accommodation, car hire etc until the vehicle is repaired. With Molly on board accommodation wasn't an opton. It has a $3000 cost limit though. The towing didn't cost that much so it was free to me. (420 kilometers)

Will check in tomorrow

nu one · Senior Member

hi all,

Well playmaties Im setting up my camper and doing all the pre trip checks...

The shake down starts thursday...off to Shepperton and then to Lake Dartmouth...returning to Melb via Beechworth ,Myrtleford, and home to tweek any little things.

I will upting for Gunbower my self its a bute area and the wild birds will be migrating.

hope c u all up there ..

take care out there u all!!!! by 4 now

ChiChi1 · Guru

Made it to Russell Island. Had to take the barge. New Experence if a tad expensive. RI is a very nice place. Could free came quite easily, plenty of places though probably defeats the purpose with barge cost. $145 rtn. Leaving Saterday. Sister and BIL are going back to Emerald so they will escort me as far a Toowoomba. Then It will be back home.

Cruising Granny · Guru

What a test of patience. Thank goodness for NRMA. It's certainly worth paying the extra for that sort of coverage and assistance.
What sort of vehicle do you have, and what warning light came on? Is you vehicle under some warranty or are you up for a big bill?
I hope it all works out, but it sounds like recurring problem which needs to be fixed once and for all. Good luck.

ChiChi1 · Guru

Hi CG, Patience is still being tested. Although fortune is still with me. Thought it didn't "sound right" when arrived RI so had organised for a diesel mechanic to look at it this morning. He seemed to think it was OK.

In the meantime, sister decided to stay home. So I decided to stay a few extra days. Low and behold I just went down to the shops and the @#$%& engine management warning light came on again. Its a Ford Transit van. I have already forked out $950.00 and still not fixed. God knows what the next Ford Dealer will do AND charge. You are right Granny its got to be some recurring problem. The problem is "WHAT is it"!!!! Seems all they do is clean something and reset the light.

Cruising Granny · Guru

Is there actually anything wrong as a result of the light? Or is it just a wayward light which scares the crap out of you and makes you stop and call for help?
Does anything else happen? Noises, motor stop, overheating etc?
I had a blinking oil light in NSW. I stopped, checked all my fluids under the bonnet, and everything looked ok.
So when I got to town I had it checked, and it turned out to be a loose earth wire.
The nice man tightened it up, I slipped him a $5 and I was on my way.
His spanner impressed me, but that's another topic.

ChiChi1 · Guru

Granny, when you know nothing about diesel engines, you have got to believe the "experts" First time they replaced the emissions control valve and second time the fuel pump. Unfortunately, It seems they say they have fixed it. They know you are travelling and will be too far down the road for a come back. Lucky I was not halfway up Cunnuninghams when it happened is all I can say. Where to now? Who knows. Yes I am beginning to wonder if it is the light that is faulty. But you can't just ignore it and continue on. Got to get to the bottom of it.

jules47 · The Happy Helper

Several years ago the engine management light kept coming in my husbands station wagon, after lots of diagnostics, it was discovered it was a loose wire to the management light, behind the dashboard - so dash came out - wire fixed - problem solved - may sound simple, but sometimes it is a simple problem. Just a suggestion, have you asked an auto electrician to check it out for you?

ChiChi1 · Guru

Jules, You would think that the Dealership that services them would have the best knowledge. HA! The diesel mechanic on the island is also an auto electrician and I have contacted him again. Waiting on a call. Otherwise have to take it to the Ford Dealer in Redland Bay. It doesn't make any funny noises or anything and still drives quite well but stalls very easily. Maroochydore replaced the fuel filter and this fixed it for about 150ks but......????. The good thing is I get to spend a bit more time with my sister and am quite safe and comfortable.

Beth54 · Guru

Oh Mel, what a b.ugger!

So you didn't get away today,,good that you could stay with your sister a bit longer anyway.

I'll PM you.

ChiChi1 · Guru

Beth, Got away yesterday.

Once again the Ford Dealer really did nothing. Cleaned this and that and reset the switch. Another $350. TYVM. Got as far as Nelson Bay tonight. Didn't sound too good when I stopped.

Decided to take the Pacific Highway as I thought it best to be close to a Ford Dealer. Will never do it again. Dreadful drive.

Nelson Bay is nice. Camped here about 10 years ago. Sure has changed.

Once again everything OK and on the home run tomorrow. Been an eventful two weeks. A big learning experience. Next time will be better.

Happywanderer · The Master

Oh ChiChi, You are sure having a bad run. Surely someone can check it out for you and find out exactly what the problem is. Good luck with the rest of your trip home.

Beth54 · Guru

Sorry I missed you Mel, but I'm sure there'll be another time.

Hopefully your usual dealer will take you more seriously.

I've been to Nelson Bay many years ago too, when my brother was in the RAAF nearby. Lovely spot.

Cruising Granny · Guru

I hope you get home ok so you can go to your local bloke. Being a female is not very helpful at times like this, and that's the truth.
Believe me when I pull into the garage and report my concerns I get a sideways glance. I then explain why I have those concerns and their tone is more favourable.
When I pick my truck up and pay the bill they happily explain what they've done and what might be needed to be done next time.
I'm very happy with the mechanic I've been using.
He even shows me motors they've pulled down for overhaul. I love it, but I know it's not for everyone - boys and girls.
I don't have a manicure. I have tyre rotation, balance and alignment.

ChiChi1 · Guru

CG, I worked in Ford Dealerships selling parts & accessores for 10 yrs, 30 yrs ago.

My husband was a well known Parts and Service Manager for Ford also. So, I was expecting the type of customer care we were accustomed to giving. Its no more. I get all the explanations too, but they don't like being questioned. e.g. the last dealer. I told them what was happening. All they did was stick it on the diagnostic machine and adjust what it said to.

I don't know about you, but I listen to the engine and can tell if it doesn't sound right. In this case when I picked it up it was still making the noise. (like a small backfire when it was turned on and off.) When I pointed it out, the service manager said it was only a slipping belt. I asked him why he didn't replace it. His answer was I did'nt ask him to. What can you say to that?

Wouldn't have happened on my watch. When I get home, I'll have to dig up some of the influential people I dealt with in Ford As far as I'm concerned NOT GOOD ENOUGH. $1200 and still not entirely happy.

Sheba · Guru

What happened to the "Service" in Service Manager? I'd be telling Ford Head Office that they should delete that word as it no longer applies.

Cheers,

Sheba.