The Joys of Automobile Ownership...
You know, I really love Maggie (my 1996 Geo Metro with 61 cubic inches of single overhead cammed fury pushing out a whopping 55 horsepower), but there are a bunch of things wrong with her, and I decided to try and tackle some of them while I was home last weekend.
Problem: Loose carpet on drivers side kick panel that occasional screws up my clutching.
Solution: Ignore it for now.
Problem: Rear brakes are worn down so that the level of brake fluid is below minimum, and the idiot light keeps coming on.
Solution: Add more brake fluid, and ignore actually replacing brake shoes until they start chirping.
Problem: Battery positive terminal is completely obscured with corrosion.
Solution: Scrub vigorously with wire brushes and baking soda (thanks dad).
Problem: Alternator belt squeals like hell when it's below 40 degrees out.
Solution: Replace belt, which is coincidentally the exact same as the air conditioning belt (again, thanks dad).
Problem: Oil leak from the bottom half of my engine.
Solution: Ignore for now, but keep watch on oil level (although it doesn't look like it's going down)
Problem: Rear tires are bald on the outer half but have plenty of tread on the inner half (don't ask me).
Solution: Ignore for now and hope I don't get pulled over.
Problem: Coolant leak (has been going on for a while now, but I just recently discoverd where it was leaking from).
Solution: Go to Auto Zone, buy thermostat (leak was coming from thermostat housing). Unbolt thermostat cover (odd, no gasket in the middle). Remove old thermostat. Try and replace with new thermostat. Hmm, doesn't fit. Go back to Auto Zone. Tell clerk. Clerk basically calls me an idiot, and that I must have told him the wrong engine type (I'm pretty sure I can count the number of spark plug wires). Computer specifies same part for both engines. Get manager. Manager says I need an o-ring like what was on my old thermostat. Auto Zone doesn't have the o-ring. Get refund. Go across the street to Napa. Buy thermostat and o-ring. Go home and install. Hmmm...there's still a leak. Shit. Unbolt everyything again, and trace thermostat housing cover for new gasket. Install gasket. Problem solved.
Should I be mad? Frustrated?
Oh who am I kidding, I can't be mad at Maggie.
Problem: Loose carpet on drivers side kick panel that occasional screws up my clutching.
Solution: Ignore it for now.
Problem: Rear brakes are worn down so that the level of brake fluid is below minimum, and the idiot light keeps coming on.
Solution: Add more brake fluid, and ignore actually replacing brake shoes until they start chirping.
Problem: Battery positive terminal is completely obscured with corrosion.
Solution: Scrub vigorously with wire brushes and baking soda (thanks dad).
Problem: Alternator belt squeals like hell when it's below 40 degrees out.
Solution: Replace belt, which is coincidentally the exact same as the air conditioning belt (again, thanks dad).
Problem: Oil leak from the bottom half of my engine.
Solution: Ignore for now, but keep watch on oil level (although it doesn't look like it's going down)
Problem: Rear tires are bald on the outer half but have plenty of tread on the inner half (don't ask me).
Solution: Ignore for now and hope I don't get pulled over.
Problem: Coolant leak (has been going on for a while now, but I just recently discoverd where it was leaking from).
Solution: Go to Auto Zone, buy thermostat (leak was coming from thermostat housing). Unbolt thermostat cover (odd, no gasket in the middle). Remove old thermostat. Try and replace with new thermostat. Hmm, doesn't fit. Go back to Auto Zone. Tell clerk. Clerk basically calls me an idiot, and that I must have told him the wrong engine type (I'm pretty sure I can count the number of spark plug wires). Computer specifies same part for both engines. Get manager. Manager says I need an o-ring like what was on my old thermostat. Auto Zone doesn't have the o-ring. Get refund. Go across the street to Napa. Buy thermostat and o-ring. Go home and install. Hmmm...there's still a leak. Shit. Unbolt everyything again, and trace thermostat housing cover for new gasket. Install gasket. Problem solved.
Should I be mad? Frustrated?
Oh who am I kidding, I can't be mad at Maggie.
posted by AP at 10:20 PM
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