Request For Emergency Numbers Along Route From Rochester, NY to San Diego California - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JimSmith · #1 05-30-2003, 11:01 PM

Hello everyone.

Well, my daughter is getting ready to take off with some friends from Rochester, NY and drive across the country to San Diego, California. She is taking her 1982 240D with 294,500 miles and another young lady is taking much younger domestic compact car. The group is about 5 kids - give or take one. I am not really concerned about the machine being able to make the trip, but like any Dad seeing his daughter off on a trip like this, I am trying to plan for some invevitable visits by Mr. Murphy. I spent a few days preparing the car (new filters, oil, thermostat, temperature sensor, valve cover gasket, injection timing, valve adjustment, etc.)

So, still on the lookout for Mr. Murphy, I decided I would change tactics and rather than plan only to keep him away (Plan "A"), I thought I would try to figure out a plan of what to do when he arrives in spite of Plan "A." For Plan "B" I was wondering if there are a few of you board members (men or women) who might be willing to volunteer your phone numbers as local contacts along the way, should she need some advice or direction to a reputable shop as she passes near by.

My wife suggested this as she thinks we (well, me anyway) spend so much time sharing car stories and know how that there might be some volunteers to help get our daughter safely along the way should a problem arise. I was figuring my daughter could call me, tell me what her situation was, and if there was a nearby boardmember who had volunteered I would contact the boardmember to make sure they were still interested and available, and the request for help was not going to be outlandish. In most cases I would be looking for a recommended shop or garage and then give the information to my daughter. If the volunteer was willing to get more involved directly (like, say the problem arose on the block they live on...) that would be fine too, but I am not looking for free mechanic service or anything like that.

My daughter is more than mildly familiar with the car as one of the demands I made before she was allowed to get a driver's permit was that she knew the basics of automobile mechanics, and that she participate in all maintenance on the vehicle. I bought her some books on cars and engines, and quizzed her. She is pretty bright and took the challenge seriously. She can do regular stuff like change a tire, the oil and the oil filter, check and fill fluids, tire pressures and so on. And like I said the car is old but in very sound mechanical shape and she has participated in everything from valve adjustments to brake maintenance and exhaust system replacement along the way. So, I expect better descriptions along the way than the call about a funny noise. And I am counting on her watching the oil pressure and temperature gages, and not letting a failed hose turn into a failed engine....

She leaves early next week from home and drives to Rochester to pick up another traveller. From there the group is driving on I-90 to Chicago, then to St. Louis on I-55, and I-70 to Vail, Colorado. Then they plan to start heading to a number of National Parks in Colorado (Black Canyon and Mesa Verde), Utah (Canyonlands, Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, Zion) on scenic routes and some I-70, Arizona (North Rim of Grand Canyon), Nevada (Lake Meade, Hoover Dam, Las Vegas), and then into California on I-15 to San Diego. They may, depending on how long all this National Park touring takes them, detour up to Death Valley from Las Vegas and then go down to San Diego. I have some reservations about taking the old Diesel into someplace called Death Valley where the ambient temperatures soar over 100*F daily. Just doesn't sound like a friendly place for a German vehicle.

Anyway, this is asking a lot and I will not be put off if no one volunteers. If you are interested please respond either to this thread or via Private Message. Thanks, Jim

JCE · #2 05-30-2003, 11:32 PM

I will volunteer for what it is worth, but I am only about 60 miles from San Diego, so may not be much help to them. How about preparing a list of shops along their route from the 'Good MB Shops' forum? I know one locally, and my brother is in San Diego and has a favorite shop where he takes his 123 diesel.

JimSmith · #3 05-30-2003, 11:53 PM

JCE,

Thanks for offering to help and the suggestion. I will start a list tonight. And by the time they get to San Diego they may very well need a shop as they intend to use the car there and then drive back in the later part of July or early August.

I can't complain as I drove all over the country a couple of times in my twenties, including to Alaska twice. It was an adventure the first time as I drove a 1967 Fiat 124 Spyder in February. That car gave its all on the trip, starting in White Horse, Canada at more than -35*F, but suffering a few failures along the way, the last being fatal for it when the toothed rubber belt running the camshafts lost a few teeth. A later trip in my 1975 240D was uneventful by comparison. So, the fact that my daughter wants to drive across our beautiful country and see the awesome natural wonders in person is something I can only support.

Thanks again, Jim

IZELJIC · #4 05-31-2003, 12:11 AM

When I lived in Los Angeles I took my cars to Pacific Motors in Santa Monica (beach of Los Angeles). In case of emergency she can call Rick @ 310-450-8129 Monday-Friday (7AM-6PM). They are closed on weekends. They are great and trustworthy people who are always willing to help.

Wish her a safe trip and know that we're here to help!!!

Igor Zeljic (Minneapolis)

lrg · #5 05-31-2003, 02:34 AM

Jim,
Sorry I'm too far North (SF) to help but as a former SoCal resident I can tell you not to worry too much about Death Valley. In spite of the intimidating name it is unlikely she will have much trouble there. Just council her that she should never drive into the desert without at least a days supply of water and be mindful of the "last gas until...." signs as it is best to stay on the sunny side of full before trying to cross the big expanse. It sounds like a great trip and one that I hope my daughters try to make some day. Do discourage her from going to the Burning Man event in Nevada on the way home. She should save that until she is 30 something (if she'll still care.)
LRG

84300DT · #6 05-31-2003, 08:27 AM

jim - you probably have this one covered but..

800-367-6372 (mercedes roadside assistance)

ps: oh i always thought german vehicles worked well in the desert .. until they ran out of fuel courtesy of the british!

Aaron · #7 05-31-2003, 10:52 AM

Ok so if they're going across I-90 then they'll be in Ohio for a while (at least going trough Cleveland and Toledo). I'll volunteer for any assistance should they need it along the way. (513) 519-7302. I live in Cincinnati but actually am supposed to be up in Cleveland next week.

suginami · #8 05-31-2003, 11:59 AM

When they're coming down from Las Vegas on I-15 heading south to San Diego, at the intersection of the 15 freeway and the 10 freeway, they'll be about 20 miles away from where I live. That area is in the city of Ontario, in San Bernardino County. If you look on a map, the Ontario International Airport is just west the intersection of those two freeways.

I'll volunteer to help out in any way should they need it.

BIGRED · #9 05-31-2003, 12:59 PM

The the 405 and 10 in Los Angeles is about 45 minutes from me. I know a good shop and part house and can turn a wrench myself. I'll cover from the San Fernando Valley to LAX.

Now you know your going to have to update us on where they are at on their journey.

I will email contact numbers.

Don

Ken300D · #10 05-31-2003, 02:09 PM

That's the best age to take a few trips like that - I always wanted to drive across county but it looks like for me it'll be in a Winnebago.

Since I'm not on the route I can only volunteer suggestions.

A membership in AAA Plus. Gives her 100-mile towing for a year.

An inexpensive bike tire pump to keep in the trunk.

Pre-Paid nationwide cell phone - like TracFone (www.tracfone.com) $100 for 150 minutes.

Some kind of camera for taking pictures of the trip.

---------

Inspect those axle boots.

Ken300D

JimSmith · #11 05-31-2003, 06:20 PM

Thanks for all the responses! She is just the right age to be doing this as at about the same age I drove across the country twice, including trips to Alaska and back.

I drove a Fiat 124 Spyder the first time, and thought nothing of heading up the Alcan Highway in late February. In Whitehorse I found out what -30*F does to toothed rubber timing belts. By the time I got to Tok Junction in Alaska (after a long search and inquisition reentering Alaska that imposed a final and technically unnecessary for the moment thermal cycle on the engine) the belt was missing more than one tooth and I could hear rattling noises. A logging truck pulled out in front of me and I downshifted, which sheared a few more teeth off the belt and the engine died. Hitchhiking in Alaska is pretty successful most of the time, but there were two of us and we spent a few hours walking in snow in below zero weather before someone stopped. One ride though took us to our destination in Anchorage. My next trip up there was in ay 1975 240D, much less dramatic.

She has a good little camera, a membership in AAA, a nationwide cell phone, and at least knows the basics of inspecting the vehicle every morning before leaving a safe spot. I will put our foot operated bike tire air pump in the trunk before she fills it with God only knows what. I still worry about Death Valley, but we'll see.

Once again, thanks for the offers of help. Hope we don't need to bug anyone but it is great to know we can call. Jim

jcyuhn · #12 05-31-2003, 07:27 PM

Jim - I'm a bit too far off the route to be of any assitance, otherwise I'd toss my hat into the ring. That said, it sounds like one heck of a good trip. I'm quite envious, as I never got to do any such exploring at the age where it makes sense.

I visited the North rim, Bryce, and Zion parks last fall (and rode my bicycle from one to another). I can't recommend these parks too highly. The Grand Canyon must be seen to be believed, and Zion is wonderful - beautiful, and small enough to see up close. Bryce is different in an eerie sort of way, though I was a bit burned out on canyons by the time we got there.

Vegas is a lot of fun, probably moreso at a young age. I'm entertained just walking the strip and seeing the sights - human and otherwise. Midweek hotel rooms are very reasonable, I've stayed in nice places for 60 bucks a night.

Have her watch the temp guage in Death Valley. I've been through that area many a time. Never had a problem personally, but there are certainly cars that can't run the a/c without overheating.

- JimY

MikeTangas · #13 06-01-2003, 01:50 AM

Since she'll be passing just a few miles from my house as she slowly jets down I-15, y'all can contact me if she has any troubles around the Temecula area. That'll basically cover from Corona to Escondido.

dabenz · #14 06-01-2003, 05:06 PM

Sounds like a well planned run. Trips like these are the stuff books and movies are made from, and I'm glad young people still have the courage to do stuff like this.

Having done a few miles, you may want to forewarn the ladies that they won't see too many MB's between the Appalacians (sic) and the Cascades/Sierras, much less many car shops with the ability to work on them. Sometimes the best trick is to ask the county sheriff who the best old-time diesel mechanic is in his area, or where a ThermoKing/Carrier (refrigerated semi-trailer) shop is. And yes, most sheriffs in the west will gladly help. The ThermoKing/Carrier dealers give away a national listing of dealers if the ladies are interested.

If I was them (and I wish I was) I'd carry a dozen secondary fuel filters, a spare primary, a half-dozen oil filters and one of those plastic oil pan/jug things (filled with rags until oil change time), spare oil plug gaskets, a foot powered air pump (easier for women), a can of "fix-a-flat" (I know, but then again you never know), spare radiator hose clamps and a bicycle inner tube for patching water hoses with the side of a soda can, a spare valve cover gasket. And the tools to change oil, fuel filters, and adjust the valves themselves.

As far as driving the big hills: if they climb in 3rd at 45mph with the AC off then I'll bet the domestic car overheats, and not the MB. Keep the fuel above half at all times and a gallon of potable water per person in the desert and they'll be fine.

And I'm available if they decide to get out of the heat and enjoy cool country. I know WA (except SW), ID, MT, eastern WY, ND, SD, MN, IA, WI, northern IL, and western MO fairly well as far as where to get diesel service in a pinch. Parts for a MB is another story.

diesel don · #15 06-01-2003, 10:15 PM

Jim:

If she gets in trouble from the Eastern Indiana line through Chicago, let us know. We're two-three hours away and we take our diesel kin very seriously. Between the six of us guys up here in Grand Rapids, we'd cover some help. I've been stranded on the road and the forum has saved my goose on two different occasions.

Don
Cell Phone 616.745.1911