TrailLeadr said:
Just curious how the engine died? Are you handy, can you fix it yourself?
Funny you should ask, Traileadr. I was just driving up I-95 towing my bike on an 8x10 utility trailer doin about 65 mph when I started smelling some smoke. Didn't see anything coming my vehicle anywhere, so I figured it was someone passing or in front of me. A few minutes later I smell it again and see smoke blowing out of my tailpipe. Didn't really feel any loss of power cuz I instantly got off the gas. By the time I got off the road I could feel that I definitely lost a cylinder. There was some light smoke and what I assumed to be oil coming out around one of the cylinder's exhaust ports. There was also some seepage, of what I assume to be oil, around the oil fill cap on the valve cover.
Now, let me explain why I say, "what I assume to be oil."
This truck ran flawlessly before I had a Havoline Quick Lube place in New Smyrna Beach touch it on Saturday. It's too coinicidental to me that this happened only 50 miles outside of their shop. When out of town, I will use these places if I need a change. I went in for a 5/30 oil change and they recommended bumping it up to 10/30 considering the mileage on the truck (157K). They also recommended doing a "complete engine flush," which I had never heard of before but after reading about the product and speaking with the manager I figured, "what the hell....go for it." At this time, the rear diff and tranny fluids were really really black so I had them done too.
Problem now is, even if they messed someting up....how am I gonna prove it? As far as being handy....yes I am and with the help of my shop, my tools, and my buddy I could handle it. Too bad they're all at home in NC which is where I was en route too! I'm gonna have to pay a shop down here to do this for me.