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Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Transport



Some days I think it's too bad horses and I don't get along. Lately vehicles and I haven't gotten along too well either.

The van has more parts on order. It's a never ending story of vehicle repair. There's a significant air leak on the diesel side of things. My mechanic thinks it's the unit that fits in the fuel tank. The only way to get to it is to drop the fuel tank. Joy.

Just to confuse the issue, there was also an air leak in the fuel filter housing for the waste veggie fuel. That was discovered by bypassing the filter with a cheap in-line. Once the problem was found, I removed the filter housing and was able to tighten the fittings. That took care of 98% of the air leak. There may be a spare filter housing somewhere in my random parts pile, so I'll replace it if I get a chance.

Normally, the van starts on diesel and once the engine heats up, it switches over to the waste veggie tank. I can't shut down over night on waste veggie because the engine won't start on cold solidified veggie fuel.

I did not want to leave the van at the garage while waiting for parts. After driving it home on veggie, I pumped most of the veggie out of the tank. Then I pumped fuel from the diesel tank to the veggie tank. The veggie tank was used as a diesel tank in the past so I know it works. However, I'll have to burn expensive diesel instead of free veggie until the diesel fuel system is repaired. Travel will be limited.

My lovely wife and I had planned on doing a lot of traveling this coming winter. If the van continues to have problems, our plans will have to be modified. These constant repairs have been discouraging and hard on the budget.

If nothing else, it has gotten the old brain cells thinking about unconventional transportation ideas. Who knows what kinds of weird and wonderful things will come out of that?

-Sixbears

10 comments:

  1. Here's an interesting thought for 'ya:

    http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles/silveira36.html

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    Replies
    1. If someone would build it, I might buy it.

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  2. At least your vehicle troubles didn't start while you were in south Florida!

    -Moe

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    Replies
    1. I did have a brake line and master cylinder replaced, but they only had to do it once. :)

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  3. Maybe you should get a team of mules to pull the van?

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    Replies
    1. Not sure I'd like critters that are as stubborn as I am.

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  4. Vehicles tend to be a constant expense, but if you live way out there you need at least one. My 1988 F250 is going into the shop for a fuel leak. Last time, it was a brake problem. I guess it's just one of those things there is no escaping.

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    Replies
    1. Transportation is always a big deal for rural folks. There has to be better ways to do it.

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  5. DD is right.
    A mule or two is probably the answer.
    Stubborn is not the answer.
    Mules are an obvious transportation answer for rural folk.
    Especially for those on limited incomes.
    You're a lateral thinker my friend.
    It's time to kick stubborn stuff out the door and get back to basics.
    You lead, others may well follow.
    If you're really serious about a transport solution, the only way to do it is to do it.
    You're good at walking the talk...

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    Replies
    1. Actually, in the short term I've been riding my bicycle a lot more, and that's a good thing. Really don't have room or the inclination to add transport beasts to the homestead.

      There are some loopholes in local laws right now that could be exploited. ATVs are allowed on a lot of city and town streets. Could modify one for alternative fuels . . .

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