$10,000: fix or sell?

[trudylundgren]

We were in a similar situation last year -- engine overheated and had to be
rebuilt to the tune of $20,000. We chose to spend the money because our 1985
PT40 is paid for, we were in Las Vegas and had access to a good repair shop, and
we work and had to get to our next job ASAP.

It was a tough decision -- I was this close to trading it in as is on a used
SOB, but decided I didn't want to take on a monthly payment. Also -- bottom
line, we love our bird and couldn't imagine being in another coach, even if it
did have slide-outs.


Trudy Lundgren
Lisa Wade

1985 PT 40 Ð The Catbird Seat
Currently working in beautiful Glenwood Springs,CO





--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Markus Meyer wrote:
>
>
> There was a recent similar situation where the Bird sold for 5K I believe in
that condition, another few thousand to have it towed. Towing these monsters
isn't cheap.
>
> Having said that, I'd check around for a used motor, you can find one for less
than the price you are being quoted, including installation.
>
> Markus
> 86 PT40 6V92
>
>
>
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> From: gregy1@...
> Date: Tue, 7 Sep 2010 20:53:10 -0700
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] $10,000: fix or sell?
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On the road to Burning Man two weeks ago our '86 PT-40, Bluefire, overheated.
Background and story later, but it is now at Britt's Diesel & Automotive in
Bishop CA. It's a family run shop with some mechanics old enough to know the
8V92.
>
> Thus far I have a verbal estimate of around $10,000 to fix it, including
cracked heads, cracked liner, cooling system and turbo damage. My fundamental
questions are:
> Does anyone have any experience with Britt?
> What are the economics of selling (broken) it if we chose not to fix it?
>
> I think we will fix it but want to understand the options. If we end up
selling it I imagine we'd need to tow it to L.A. to find a customer. But what
might it be worth and how long to sell for pats?
>
> Background:
> On our trip last year the hydraulic fan started to not come on. I assumed it
was the high temp switch and just hit the override when needed. I replaced the
switch before this trip expecting it to fix it but there was something else
wrong - relay? - and I had to continue to rely on the override. So I foolishly
thought to save a few pennies on fuel by switching the fan off on downhill runs.
Of course there was the moment of distraction when I forgot to turn the fan on
and we overheated about 17 miles west Of Tonopah NV. Our Good Sam ERS would only
pay to
> Towto Bishop even though the nearest DD authorized service center was in Reno.
The surcharge to tow to Reno would have been $1400. So it's in Bishop.
>
> Thanks
> Greg
>