Robert DIY Western USA Helper Tour IN PROGRESS MAY 2016!!

[MadeInJapan]

I think he should do a Southern Tour too!

[viper69]

Excellent idea Robert, I hope it goes well and I hope if you see some interesting situations you'll film them. Your videos are always helpful on my end.

Safe travels Robert!

[rspi]

Back home to take care of a few things. Should be back at it Wednesday.

For some reason, most people I go to visit/help are surprised I stopped by and don't have the parts I need to help them. I was in the LA area for about 10 days and seen maybe 8 Volvos and worked on maybe 3. I travel to help, not so much to visit.

At any rate, I'm going to give a few folks a 2nd chance and swing back through Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area. Then I'm heading north and won't stress myself out about contacting people that won't reply or make excuses why I can't help with their cars.

Wasn't looking forward to the heat but here I come.

[1337]

We really really need a patron. Robert is our spiritual guru, but what about a place to work in? We need someone with acres to host a crazy Volvo weekend: ten-twenty cars, air tools, flood lights, tents, composting toilets, beer, meats, live-cam feed... A Burning Man for Volvo enthusiasts.

a "burning man for Volvo enthusiasts."

Count me in!

I vote we do it near a junkyard that contains many Volvos, so we don't have to go far for parts.

[1997volvo850]

Robert,

How many Volvos did you work on during your Eastern tour?

Maybe you need to confirm the individual you are visiting has obtained the part(s) necessary to work on their vehicle before you stop.

Would be cool to do a local get together for Volvo members in the areas you are visiting. Depending on how you count my 1997 850 is getting close to its twentieth anniversary...I'm wondering when the celebrations begin...

Sorry to hear about the problems with your tour.

[PeteB]

I'd really like some help with our PCV job, Robert, when you come North.

Also, AC not working, Axle shafts need new boots, struts need to be done.

[abscate]

Robert - do you want to the East Coast by flight, then borrowing a Volvo for the cruise? I know of people who can loan you one.

[sleddriver]

For some reason, most people I go to visit/help are surprised I stopped by and don't have the parts I need to help them. I was in the LA area for about 10 days and seen maybe 8 Volvos and worked on maybe 3. I travel to help, not so much to visit.

At any rate, I'm going to give a few folks a 2nd chance and swing back through Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area. Then I'm heading north and won't stress myself out about contacting people that won't reply or make excuses why I can't help with their cars.

Geesh...that's a bummer to drive all that way only to encounter multiple frustrations & disappointments. After all, your knowledge, skills, abilities and time are indeed valuable and should be respected. Furthermore, you are indeed providing a very rare service....to total strangers.

[rspi]

Woo hoo! Things have picked up for Part 2 of the western US helper tour on the road edition. I started off in Vegas where I did a ton of work on a 2000 V70 XC. Gilbert had a few unfortunate encounters with mechanics that "could fix it". From angle gears to cam cover leaks, got a lot done.

I just got finished rebuilding a head on a '94 850 T in Yucca Valley CA. Start to finish it took 4 days with one being a down day as I took a break and went to Victorville CA to do a timing belt on a S70, then went to pick up the head. The guy in Yucca Valley had a bad compression gauge from Harbor Freight that was telling him his compression was between 90 - 100 psi. My gauge showed 153 to 170 across the board (after the valve replacement). His gauge still showed 90 psi.

I have a few more stops in CA then up to Oregon.

[rspi]

No delete button???