We picked Barbie (our GMC) up on Monday afternoon after having the new (rebuilt) transmission installed. I was pleasantly surprised that the cost was at least $100 less than I had planned – they charge $85/hour for cars and $115 for RVs. This is a lot like a car so maybe they will stick with the $85 in the future if I beg.

I parked the coach at the clubhouse parking lot on Monday evening because I will be working on some interior things that need doing before our trip in July. When I went to pick up the coach on Tuesday morning and again later when it was parked in front of the house I noticed a small puddle of oil under the engine. It seems to be coming from the oil filter or its housing. It has been leaking there and I had asked them to look at it and now it is worse but nothing major I am sure.

I again parked the coach at the clubhouse on Tuesday evening and when I went to pick it up this morning (Wednesday) there was a 4″-5″ inch puddle of tranny fluid on the ground under it. I suspect the dipstick tube where it goes into the final drive again and there is fluid right under it.

I called Jared at Next Generation Automotive, told him what was happening and he said to bring it in. Since both leaks were there before I expect to have to pay again but I don’t think it is more than an hour of work.

On my way to drop the coach off I had just gotten off the highway and the under-dash A/C quit blowing cold air. I was leaning over trying to turn some dials on it (it is all apart because I am working on a new enclosure for it) when I heard a loud sort of grinding sound from under the floor and then lots of smoke billowing out from the right side wheel well. I pulled over wondering if I was going to use that new aqueous foam fire suppression system I had just installed but no fire just a little smoke now. I pulled open the engine hatch and could see smoke still coming from the front of the A/C compressor. I restarted and drove the rest of the way – a mile or two – with only some noises coming from that A/C clutch but no smoke. Jared will let me know the bad news about this tomorrow.