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Monday, June 24, 2019

Rolling Molotov Cocktail



We didn’t have the old Chevy Blazer out of the shop that long. My lovely wife and I were going into town to move some furniture from my daughter’s house. There was a slight gasoline smell as we drove down the road. When we stopped it produced a puddle. Fortunately, it stopped leaking when the engine was turned off.

That happened Friday night around 6:30. My daughter’s place isn’t too far from my mechanic so I drove it over. The shop was closed, but the mechanic’s wife was in the office doing paperwork still. She let me in and I was able to explain what happened and dropped off the key.

They shop’s been super busy and they are trying to wrap up the jobs before going on vacation Independence Day week. I hope they can get to it before closing the shop.

Back in my firefighting days I went to a lot of car fires. Twice they were driving down the road with no idea they were on fire. It’s a weird feeling to be following a burning car and trying to get them to pull over. One guy was deaf as a post and never heard the sirens. He only stopped when the gas tank fell off as he went over railroad tracks.

Believe me, I thought of that when driving the short distance to the garage.

I’m at the point where this used vehicle project is starting to run over budget. After years of driving old cars, I’m not terribly surprised -just a little disappointed. Hopefully this will be the last major repair for a bit. You never knew how things will turn out in the long run.

-Sixbears

8 comments:

  1. Years ago, my dad bought a used cat that was only a bit over a year old. It was unbelievable what all went wrong with that car. Luckily,once everything was fixed, it served us well for years.

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    Replies
    1. I'm hoping this will be it for a while. Fingers crossed.

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  2. I've found that driving older vehicles is only affordable if you do all the work yourself.
    We've always had good luck with our mechanics... Kathy and myself lol.
    Though there have been occasions in which we had to use Mr. Goodwrench. Usually because of illness or injury kept me from doing it myself. Or when we were in circumstances where it wasn't allowed ( such as changing CV joints in the marina parking lot )
    In my 65 years of maintaining all our mechanical stuff , I can count on one hand all the occasions we were forced to go outside for help.
    Consequently vehicles have not been the financial drain most folks must live with.

    I think much of the computerization of electrics in vehicles, has been done to prevent the backyard mechanics from doing their own. Due to complexity and diagnostic tools required.
    Soon it will likely be illegal to work on your own anything...

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    Replies
    1. Between not having a garage and all the nasty weather we get here, I must admit to using the garage more often. Helps that I have a guy I trust.

      Frankly, I really don't want to deal with a leaking gas line myself right now. I downloaded the operator's manual and will get a mechanic's manual for the thing. My plate has been full with other things lately.

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    2. What year Blazer is it? When you say old, I think of original type Blazers.
      Heck to me anything made in this century is new lol.

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    3. 2004. I think it's based on a S-10 pickup truck frame.

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  3. I've mostly had good luck with used cars over the years. Just got a 1998 E350 church van with 120k miles for $3500. Drives great and cold air front/rear.
    I just always liked a big van. I promised the wife I'd sell another of my fleet to balance things out. Maybe the '04 F150 with 205k... but still runs great (new front end a few years ago).
    Hopefully your fix is a simple one.

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    Replies
    1. I'm thinking it should be. If it had happened close to home I'd probably have worked on it myself. However, being real close to the garage, it was a no brainer. Too dangerous to drive very far.

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