History of garage operator * Conclusion
This week has been a long one ... The wait has been our motto during this period ... And the rain has not left us.
We have already experienced this same adventure in Medelin, Colombia.
Vehicle stopped, waiting all day, night in the camper in the street in front of the garage.
We had the same welcome by the team (smile, friendliness ...)We were prepared before we left for this kind of situation.
This is part of the adventure and we know that other surprises can happen.
History of mechanic workshop * 5th day
D-Day for the repair....
It is done outside like other times. The sun is shining and we see that as a good sign.
In 1 hour the repair is done ... First test: Very little brake ... Inspection: a gasket is missing on the master cylinder!!!
2nd repair: joint installation ... Second test: it’s better but can do better.
3rd repair: a little purging ... Third test: it’s ok...We bid farewell to the lovely team and head to Rio.
Throughout the day we are very attentive to braking ... The motorhome behaves well.
We land at the edge of the ocean in a campsite that was recommended by Juliani and Paulo
History of mechanic workshop * 4th day
Another good night, the neighborhood is desert.
In the morning, Igor asked to clear the garage to get the camper inside. That’s a good sign.
Poor Christophe ... He has to do the manoeuvres without a brake ... Only with the handbrake ... Little moment of anguish, but he succeeds with happiness. Thus begins the repair of the gearbox which takes a good part of the morning.
Third meal at our Brazilian grannies and still no spare part.
We learn that it will arrive at the end of the afternoon ... In the meantime we do some shopping in a very well stocked supermarket. It is too late to change the part that arrived very late.
So we spend our third night after putting the camper back on the parking lot ... Second anxiety for our driver.
History ofmechanic workshop * 3rd day
We had a good night but short and rainy, the neighbors arrived early.
The team arrives around 8:30 and we ask Igor the manager what the program is.
An employee leaves this morning to pick up the part and when he returns the repair will resume. We can leave before tonight.
At lunchtime we have lunch in the small restaurant run by three pleasant "Brazilian grannies".
In the early afternoon we learn that the employee in charge of the purchase of our part had a breakdown on the road and he arrived during the lunch break... He had to wait for the opening and he is on his way back ... Que mala pata (what a lack of luck).
He arrives very late but the repair always resumes juggling with showers.
New Trials ... Verdict: Replacement part is defective!!
Immediately Igor takes his phone and organizes the purchase and repatriation of another piece from Salvador. Meanwhile, Christophe notices that there is a nut missing on the gearbox case... !! Igor looks and confirms that we must repair before leaving ... The repair will take place tomorrow because it is dark and soon the closing time.
So we spend a second night in the parking lot and always with heavy rain.
History of mechanic workshop * 2nd day
On his way back, Christophe finds that our road companion does not brake normally ... We stop immediately and we spot a leak of brake fluid at the left rear wheel.
We can’t continue without brakes.
We try to find a mechanic and as usual we do not find the one indicated on the site of travelers.
We stopped in the parking lot of a "fireworks" shop and Christophe asks the seller if she knows a mechanic.
Immediately she calls and asks a mechanic to come and help us.
The one arrives 45 minutes later and after verification, he takes us in his garage. In fact we are in a big city and cross this one through small alleys.
The workshop is large with several employees and many vehicles under repair.
The employees give us a space on the street and the repair can begin. Christophe explains to the manager that we have the defective part.
A great chance ... When the rear brake kit was last changed, the mechanics had not been able to disassemble the left-hand cylinder ... And as he did not flee ... To see later!!
It is noon and it is lunchtime ... Resuming at 2 pm !!! We find a small restaurant waiting for the return of the staff.
In the early afternoon a torrential rain falls on the city ... Repair has to be stopped... Then, from time to time, between two showers. They work ton the camper.
The tests are inconclusive ... In reality, the master cylinder is out of service.
There is no FIAT garage here. You have to order the part. And history repeats itself ... We are back in Medelin!!
Having no brakes, we are stuck in the garage parking lot. But we have electricity!!!
The neighborhood empties and we spend the night alone under a pouring rain
History of mechanic workshop * 1st day
We continue our descent towards Rio, but we stop on the way at a mechanic workshop found on the site of travelers.
He is installed with other colleagues on the roadside as is often the case in Central America.
Christophe explains that the gimbal bellows must be changed and adjusted ... No problem ...
He disappears for 3/4 hour and comes back asking us for our wrench!!
We are surprised ... In fact he came with a plastic box containing some tools.
He borrows a jack from a neighbour and the work can begin ...
He dismantles the whole system piece by piece and tells us that the brake pads should be changed.
New surprise ... After checking they are in good condition ... We are starting to worry.
He spends his time looking for tools. Once all disassembled he leaves with Christophe to buy the bellows.
Changing the bellows and always the same problem: find the clamp of the right size ... impossible misssion.... Solution: patch with two clamps!!
He fixes the whole system under the control of a very worried Christophe.
For his incompetence he asks us for a fortune ...
We leave, not too reassured, after 5 hours of stop.
ROAD BOOK 171
MAVROS ODYSSEE