Onward across the Great Plains. There's lots of open country,
towns with grain elevators,
and bird formations.
Since leaving Enid going has been good but there seems to be a constant head wind. Gate, Oklahoma, the Gateway to the Panhandle, is an interesting little town. Buildings are painted with an Old West facade.
Somewhere past Gate I started to notice the RPM's were running high. I had to drop the speed down to get the RPM's in an acceptable range. Then the transmission would shift down and I could speed up again. It was almost as if the transmission shifted into passing gear but wouldn't drop down again. About this time I also noticed the check engine light was on. We stopped at a roadside stop outside Beaver, Oklahoma for lunch. I thought I would check the fluid level in the transmission but could find no dip stick. The cover over the engine compartment prevents any inspection of the engine. We continued at the speed up - slow down pace. In Hooker, Oklahoma I found a young man at an auto repair shop who was willing to take a look. He was bewildered by the transmission and suggested stopping at the NAPA shop in Guyman. We continue on toward Guyman.
In Guyman we stop at NAPA. They say their computer cannot check a VW. They do not know how to check the transmission fluid and suggest driving to Albuquerque. We drive on. I spot a Goodyear service center. Their mechanic stays after hours and makes several calls. He explains it is a sealed transmission. The fluid level cannot be checked without breaking the seal. Since there is not sign of leakage this should not be done. He thinks the is a problem with a computer sensor. I called the VW 
help line. They tell me there is service in Amarillo but they are not authorized to work on an RV and give a number in Albuquerque. I then called Albuquerque. They told me they could not schedule repair for at least one week. Since the repair was on the Eurovan, not the RV, we decided to drive on to Amarillo and see if could get in on Monday.
Another late check in at the RV Park; dinner at Mazzio's
and to bed.
NEXT:Palo Duro
Index:Our First Assignment - Contents