STS Hop 5
128 miles, mostly via I-95.
This was not the hop that was planned. We had to abort about 100 miles short of our intended destination (Wilson NC) when the “check engine” light came on just north of Petersburg VA. Accompanying the light was an alarming loss of power: I had difficulty maintaining 45 mph going uphill.
As I had experienced similar symptoms just prior to the start of the STS, I was pretty sure it was an emissions control problem. I was also pretty sure that I could continue for a short distance. I was also totally sure that I had to get the problem diagnosed immediately. As the time was 2pm on a Friday, I knew I didn’t have much time to make that happen.
So, a quick rerouting. We found a campground about 14 miles away, called them to make sure they had a spot for us and gently, gingerly, made our way there. The 15-minute rest did the engine some good and we made it about halfway before the symptoms reappeared. Another 10-minute rest fixed the problem again and we made it without further difficulty.
We checked in, quickly unhitched, got a recommendation from the office for a local shop that could take a look and ran the truck over. Unfortunately, the shop did not have diesel experience. But in the short (less than a quarter mile) trip to the shop, the “check engine” light turned itself off. The shop gave me the number of the local GMC dealer and I called them but they said they couldn’t diagnose anything if the check engine light was not on.
So I returned to the RV park with good news/bad news for Jett: the “check engine” light was off and no one knows why. She insisted that I take a test drive and stress the engine (as much as it can be stressed when not hauling). I drove 25 miles and the truck performed flawlessly.
So Hop 6 is now 300 miles, with a truck of dubious health. Should be an “interesting” day.
When we first had the problem, I read the manual and it suggested that I check the fuel cap. Apparently a not-tight-enough fuel cap can cause emissions control problems. So I tightened the cap and it is just barely possible that that caused the light to turn off. Wishful thinking? Probably.
Anyway, wish us luck.
Picture Lake Campground
Our site at Picture Lake
Picture Lake Campground was an emergency destination, but it has high ratings from Good Sam. From our limited experience, it is overrated. The sites are bare dirt and not level and the facilities (playground, volleyball court, restrooms) are ordinary at best. It does have a somewhat picturesque lake (which looked even better in the sunset – see below), but the ambiance is marred by the presence of the Virginia Motorsports Park on the opposite shore. If there were loons in the area, their calls were completely lost amid the roar of the drag racing engines. Apparently the speedway has racing only on weekends. But it was Friday.
Lucky us.
Picture Lake at sunset