Both Cars Broke Down Today

[monster]

This probably should be in Nothingland BUT IT GODDAMN DOESN"T FEEL LIKE NOTHING!



We're mostly finding it funny ...because what the hell else can you do? But really......


So, the Windstar first broke down on the way to a swim meet last thurs. Turned over but wouldn't catch after stopping at Burger King for a nutricious family dinner because no time to go home or pack anything better...... Called AAA, called a friend to come get the swimmer..... Finally the fucker started as the friend showed up, so cancelled AAA

Fine for 5 days. Same thing last night in the parking lot at the ice rink after the game. Called AAA, beest turned up to get the boy and the kit...... Tow truck called to confirm directions, just as it finally started again. So we cancelled again. beest had been messing with the throttle. Seems like fuel line/pump problems. But very intermittent.

Took it in to the shop 8am today. they are all "ooh, that sounds weid, NFI can you leave it all day?" No, I can't. Maybe Friday. 8 or 9 starts and stops later it breaks down again. In the same fucking Burger King parking lot. (My lunch plans changed, I needed food, i was worried about it not starting so i figured hell, lightning never strikes twice......i swear I haven't been to BK for at least 6 months befor this week....) No calling AAA this time. fucked about with the throttle, waited around and eventually it started. So after the rest of my errands, decided to drive it to the shop and leave it there instead of waiting for Friday. beest texted me the potential price. decided to procrastinate and went home GOOD FUCKING JOB! His car totally died on the way home/to pick up Hebe. Fucked alternator, no warning. he did actually get towed.

What a day.

Good job he's getting a ride to the tournament Friday.

[jimhelm]

I know where you can get a good deal on a nissan?

[Clodfobble]

There's a customer service rep at AAA who totally hates you right now.

[elSicomoro]

Maybe you should stop eating at BK

[ZenGum]

[probably] I reckon the Windstar has some crap in the fuel line, probably just water, from condensation due to the increasing cold inside the tank. Next time this happens, give the fuel filter a good shake, wait a minute, see if it starts. If it does, replace your fuel filter and/or put half a cup of metholated sprits in the tank to break up water molecules and help them pass harmlessly through the filter. [/wrong]

Well, it's an old bush mechanic thing, especially if you're using fuel from drums or tanks that have sat for a while. It has worked for me twice.

[Trilby]

is the suxeth, monster.

Ugh.

Car trouble. right up there with plumbing trouble.

I can't give any advice but i can and do commiserate.

[monster]

So far so good today beest got a ride to work and the Red Rascal has started both times. But I made the kids get up and ready 15 minutes eartly in case we had to walk to the bus stop, so we just sat there in the car for extra time.....

This three busy kid schedule thing is hard enough with 2 cars.....

Yes, i also think something floating about in the fuel line. Kinda leary about adding stuff though Let's get one out of the shop first and see the damage to the credit card.... and back to playing Russian Roulette with this one.

[infinite monkey]

Stoopid cars. I AM sorry about ur tow.

I'm not sorry about ur finger, though, just ur tow.

[Big Sarge]

you can also check the fuel line problems much easier. just drop a match in the gas tank and it will take care of the water in the gas

[footfootfoot]

Crap in the fuel line? How often will she need to do that?

Thanks folks, I'll be in the parking lot until my friend shows up. Try the BK Broiler.

[Undertoad]

You need to perform electrolysis and separate the hydrogen and oxygen in water. Both will help combustion.

[Beest]

I was siiting at work yesterday about an hour before leaving and decided to spend a minute and count my blessings, then on the way home the car dies, I was cruising on the highway and it just cut out, it's almost enough o make one belive in vengeful/ mischievous deities who fuck with us just for the lulz.

Apparently it's not the alternater but one of the cables attached to it,a nd the 'PC valve(?)and vacuum line, hey ho.

Originally Posted by ZenGum

[probably] I reckon the Windstar has some crap in the fuel line, probably just water, from condensation due to the increasing cold inside the tank. Next time this happens, give the fuel filter a good shake, wait a minute, see if it starts. If it does, replace your fuel filter and/or put half a cup of metholated sprits in the tank to break up water molecules and help them pass harmlessly through the filter. [/wrong]

Well, it's an old bush mechanic thing, especially if you're using fuel from drums or tanks that have sat for a while. It has worked for me twice.
would this just work itself out eventually?

This is very interesting.
i) the first incidence of non starting was couple of weeks ago when it ran very low on fuel, we chalked this up to having run so low, and were also thinking that crap could have been sucked up from the bottom of the tank.
ii) waiting a bit has helped on the firt two occasions, taking ten minutes to make some calls and wait for the tow truck before giving it one last try, and voila.
iii) The station were we usually buy gas was closed for a day or two, it's less than a year old at a local supermarket, shopping there gets points for cheaper gas.

What are the chances the new station got water in it's fuel and had to be flushed out and we got a fill of that.

Hmmm....

[BigV]

Originally Posted by Beest

I was siiting at work yesterday about an hour before leaving and decided to spend a minute and count my blessings, then on the way home the car dies, I was cruising on the highway and it just cut out, it's almost enough o make one belive in vengeful/ mischievous deities who fuck with us just for the lulz.

Apparently it's not the alternater but one of the cables attached to it,a nd the 'PC valve(?)and vacuum line, hey ho.



This is very interesting.
i) the first incidence of non starting was couple of weeks ago when it ran very low on fuel, we chalked this up to having run so low, and were also thinking that crap could have been sucked up from the bottom of the tank.
ii) waiting a bit has helped on the firt two occasions, taking ten minutes to make some calls and wait for the tow truck before giving it one last try, and voila.
iii) The station were we usually buy gas was closed for a day or two, it's less than a year old at a local supermarket, shopping there gets points for cheaper gas.

What are the chances the new station got water in it's fuel and had to be flushed out and we got a fill of that.

Hmmm....

You need a new fuel filter.

MIGHT be water, but water is denser than fuel, so would be at bottom of tank, where fuel pickup is located. But if you took in some water, it would have run like shit, but then passed through! The water doesn't KEEP giving you trouble. However, crud in the tank, also at the bottom and likely to be taken up with a very low tank would have given you trouble by restricting the fuel flow. But if you took in some crud, it would have given you trouble, then KEPT ON giving you trouble because the filter's doing its job--holding the crap out of the engine. You have a little crap dam in the line. Time for a new filter.

Trouble is, you might need two, because some systems have a prefilter (a filter, just coarser and upstream) in the freakin gas tank. That one is a bitch. You probably also have an inline filter somewhere NOT in the tank that can be replaced by you (or a shop, of course). This second kind can be had for just a few bucks. Even if this is not the "answer" you still get the benefit of a new filter, and the cost is very low. Or, you might have solved it.

I'd definitely change the fuel filter, based on what you've described. Good luck.

[Nirvana]

FORD gah sounds like fuel pump

[jimhelm]

given the start of this happened when the car was low on fuel, I agree with the clogged fuel filter assessment. happens to my home heating oil if I run out too.