I am finally getting the exhaust manifold looked at today. Most of the way down from Canada there was a periodic bad smell in the cab that was hard to identify but very pungent. At first I thought it was a raw fuel smell and took it into a GMC dealership in California and they could not find any problem. It started to smell again shortly after but we just lived with it.
At Celestino a retired mechanic looked at it and thought it was a leaking exhaust manifold but he was too crippled up to do much more. In Mazatlan I found a "Taller Mechanico", the owner of which was educated in Denver and who spoke perfect English. He came this morning and looked at it, agreeing with the exhaust manifold diagnosis. He said they could take it off right here in the park, have it machined and replace it complete with a new gasket. The only problem, he warned, would be if any of the bolts broke off when they remove them. In that case, the motorhome would have to be towed into their shop and have the engine taken out for repairs. Big Problemo! A little while ago a Spanish speaking mechanic showed up to remove the manifold He soaked all the bolts with WD40 and then left for two hours to have lunch.
If worse comes to worse, we were planing on leaving the motorhome in Mazatlan and driving the car to Durango for a few nights in a hotel. We will do that if the motorhome has to go into the shop. One thing is for sure. The problem has to be fixed and it will cost much less to have it fixed in Mexico.
Yes, I know. Croft and Churches - bad mix! Even so, you have to admire the age and architecture of these Colonial Churches. They have been open and well used since the day they were build back in the 1700's! Some of the stone thresholds are worn down several inches from the constant traffic.
Near La Cruz is a Sea Turtle Hatchery. Someone in the Celestino RV Park organized a tour and each couple got to release a newly hatched Sea Turtle. As soon as they sense the nearness of water all four flippers instinctivly start the swimming motion! If it is lucky enough to avoid the big fish and diving birds who eat them before their shell hardens it will live 200 years!
, small fish of various breed that are then taken to the fisherman's house where the whole family cleans, fillets and bone them. They are then sold from their houses or taken to the downtown area where they are sold on the street where they fetch $40 - $50 Pesos ($3.50 - $4.50) per Kilo. They are very fresh and delicious. We have yet to find a bone in any of them, and we have eaten lots!
This diver performs along the Malecon several times a day. He climbs up and stands there with one arm raised. This is the signal for his partners to start working the crowd for money. They tell you how dangerous the dive is and that there is only five feet of water under him. I do not doubt the danger as he has to time the wave perfectly, clear the cliff and land just as the wave below him peaks. However, the people collecting money show you great wads of US bills and offer you change from a hand full of twenties and fifties. I said to him, "Amigo, I have been in Mexico too long to pay that much!", and gave him $20 Pesos ($2 CAN) which he quickly shoved into his pocket before others might see.
