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Post by kungfuzu on Mar 14, 2022 6:58:57 GMT -8
On Saturday, Mrs. Kung was backing out of the garage when radiator fluid began to pour out from beneath the car. I had her come back in and park it.
On Sunday, I replaced the water pump and thermostat housing as both were old and had failed in the past.
After replacing these parts and replaced the fan and fan shroud (which is a real pain in the ass) I let the car sit for a few hours to allow the seals to set. I then poured in a container of coolant and to my great dismay the car still leaked like a sieve. I can't tell exactly where the leaks are, but it appears that either the block is cracked or the freeze plugs have finally failed. The later is possible as I had to park the car on the street for several days during which the temperatures dropped into the low and mid-twenties over night.
I fear the old war-horse is on its last legs. I guess that is only to be expected as it was built in 1996, but I have taken good care of it to now. I hate the idea of buying a new car.
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
Posts: 11,047
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Post by Brad Nelson on Mar 15, 2022 7:50:41 GMT -8
Sorry to hear about Mrs. Flu's car. It does sound like something serious. If it can't be fixed, I hope you can find an inexpensive replacement.
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Post by kungfuzu on Mar 15, 2022 9:39:10 GMT -8
Thanks. I worked on the car yesterday and thought I had the problem solved. When I turned it on, things were worse. So much for my skills as an auto mechanic. I will try again today.
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Mar 15, 2022 9:41:35 GMT -8
That's sounds very frustrating. From what you've already described, your auto mechanic skills go way beyond mine. Hopefully the problem is repairable (that is, not a cracked engine block).
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Post by kungfuzu on Mar 16, 2022 17:36:50 GMT -8
It appears to be. After fooling around with the water pump, thermostat and housing and water hoses for three days, I believe I finally solved the problem last night. I tore off the thermostat housing again, scraped off the gasket remains on both the housing and engine block with a razor blade, covered both the flange of housing and engine block area, to which it connected, with some goop which is supposed to improve the seal between the two, added a new paper gasket, screwed the housing to the engine block and left things over night. After letting the goop cure for 15-16 hours, I re-connected the hoses, re-assembled the fan components and put in some coolant. The engine started and did not leak. Whoopee! I only had to go through the above motions (including taking the water pump off and replacing it) three times before I finally got it right. I am getting old.
To cut myself some slack, part of the problem might have been a bolt, I did not initially notice, which had gotten particularly dirty for the last 1/4 inch near the head. The threads were completely full of rust and junk and I had to soak the bolt in gas and scrape the threads with a sharp nail and then brush them in order to get the thing clean. Perhaps, this dirty bolt had prevented the thermostat housing from being completely tightened to the engine block.
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Mar 17, 2022 12:42:13 GMT -8
Wow. Success! That's good to hear. Maybe it was a dirty bolt. Or a combination of things. I hope Mrs. Flu is pleased and suitably amazed.
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Post by kungfuzu on Mar 17, 2022 12:53:38 GMT -8
I figure it was a combination of things, fatigue being part of the problem. I heard Mrs. Flu speaking to a friend on the phone and while talking about the age of and problems with the car. She said something like "somehow he keeps it running." It was said in a way which I took as admiring. Or at least somewhat surprised.
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
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Post by Brad Nelson on Mar 17, 2022 16:02:56 GMT -8
Henceforth we shall call you Mr. J.L.B. Matekungi.
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Brad Nelson
Administrator
עַבְדְּךָ֔ אֶת־ הַתְּשׁוּעָ֥ה הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את
Posts: 11,047
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Post by Brad Nelson on May 12, 2022 18:08:02 GMT -8
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