Tales Of A Mercenary Mechanic

[Willie B]

Ok, the weekend was full of fuckery. Still had to finish making things presentable, and also test the actual function of the inverters on grid, generator and battery usage. The coach really isn't a boondocks type of rig...damn fridge is a Kenmoore SxS with icemaker...nicer than what's in my kitchen.

At night, the system powered up, basically just running the fridge, drew roughly 1% per hour. Now, the coach had two solar maintainers. They had both been wired to the chassis batteries. One was toast. With the other, the batteries stayed fine for 3 weeks, no kill switch. This is also parked where the solar panels get no sun until 1ish. After looking at the setup the previous owner had put up, I decided to run the other, new, maintainer to the coach bank. The average draw for the coach is about 125 Watts. In full sun, the state of charge dropped 1% every 2+ hours. (And yes, floated the idea for big solar to owner. He's had a couple heavy hits this season, so it's a maybe for next season...that's when I do a patented "chicken call")

Saturday, started to button things up. It had headlamp issues...and marker light issues...we'll come back to that. The body shop didn't finish the lights. In fact, they mixed up the L and R's, so when they did work, they sucked. Figured out the wheel controller was failing as well, so bypassed the HL control on the wheel. Relays and tapping wires. Still no markers. Fuse popped, so have a short...actually, a herd. Many wires crossed by a body man. But still had a short. Super Bowl Sunday, I was thrashing...owner to arrive Tuesday

About midnight last night, I think I figured it out. This coach had lost the rear right corner, as well as the rear cap, in a large blowout. I narrowed down where the short is, and it's where one may have used wood screws to hold the rear structure...shit. It was 30 degrees, he'll be here in 12 hours...shit. When he text me from Sky Harbor, I gave him the bad news. He was fine with it. He planned on day running, and stop and turns worked, and HL's if needed.
View attachment 1478565
He showed up here at 1. We went through how and what everything does. He'd never had the slides out! He was super happy. From here, it was going to pick up his buggy in Mesa, then Tucson. Tomorrow morning, off to Glamis for a week.

He was asking about infielding at the NASCAR race...he likes to have fun!

… A big thumbs up to you…

 

[TomD]

Generator peeps should have used the jacks and network cable to begin with to make life easier for everyone. I guess they have to be special. Good job Kevin!

 

[monkeyswrench]

Generator peeps should have used the jacks and network cable to begin with to make life easier for everyone. I guess they have to be special. Good job Kevin!

They did, but they used phone type cables from 20 years ago. I was going to cheat, and pull conductors from the two existing lines to give me enough to wire one RJ45 line. Well, after looking at the overall condition of those lines, I decided I was better off to just run new ones. I was going to have to do something anyway, because of the smart shunt deal by the batteries.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Ever have one of those days? No, didn't get molested by a large dog. Nope, didn't break a bolt on a 5 minute job. No flats, no stitches or head wounds...just bent over and royally screwed by what should have been "easy".

A pretty new SxS. Has the maintenance warning on, time for a 2000 mile service. Ok, order the parts. Them bastards are proud of their stuff. The oils must not be made of dinosaur squeezin's, must be unicorn tears.

So, I do the service, and run the thing to the other end of the property...so I could use the web to figure out how to clear the maintenance warning, and to check for leaks. Do the proper pushing of buttons, screen is clear. Cool!

And then I take it back to park it...
And that is where my little 2hr project turned into a nightmare...

No, wasn't jumping the thing, nor roosting a corner. Nope, driving up the driveway. "Limp Home Mode", 20ish% power...fuck me running.

I spent the next 4 hours, checking every harness connection, fuse and battery voltage. I put to old plugs back in and found the same issue. I used the internet to pull the codes, and what they meant. All kinds of stuff, from throttle to coolant and "oil service button circuit"...
F'k!
It was acting like a bad ground or voltage, but everything looked good...

This guy owns hogs, a backhoe and a wood chipper! I just killed his SxS...pretty sure he can beat my ass to boot.
F'k! F'k! FFFFF'kkkkk!
I sent him a txt that night, Monday. It was a mess, but conveyed my fuckery. He didn't txt back...I assumed he was digging a hole.
I called the next day, and we spoke. I told him I tried, but I must have screwed something up. The only wires I undid were the plug wires, and don't believe I touched anything else. Maybe the reset angered it?
I hate technology. I really am starting to not like electricity...even low voltage stuff. I pissed of the auto electric gods this time, and don't even know how.

It goes into the dealer next week...
Maybe I need to "stay in my lane", but I don't even know what lane that would be?

That was only Monday...the week has been mechanically ok since then. Other stuff, not so much, but at least the wrench stuff leveled out (so far).

Oh, and the motorhome of doom is back from Glamis. It has a new and improved punch list. He was happy, but wants some stuff changed and upgraded...fun, fun

 

[Bowtiepower00]

Ever have one of those days? No, didn't get molested by a large dog. Nope, didn't break a bolt on a 5 minute job. No flats, no stitches or head wounds...just bent over and royally screwed by what should have been "easy".

A pretty new SxS. Has the maintenance warning on, time for a 2000 mile service. Ok, order the parts. Them bastards are proud of their stuff. The oils must not be made of dinosaur squeezin's, must be unicorn tears.

So, I do the service, and run the thing to the other end of the property...so I could use the web to figure out how to clear the maintenance warning, and to check for leaks. Do the proper pushing of buttons, screen is clear. Cool!

And then I take it back to park it...
And that is where my little 2hr project turned into a nightmare...

No, wasn't jumping the thing, nor roosting a corner. Nope, driving up the driveway. "Limp Home Mode", 20ish% power...fuck me running.

I spent the next 4 hours, checking every harness connection, fuse and battery voltage. I put to old plugs back in and found the same issue. I used the internet to pull the codes, and what they meant. All kinds of stuff, from throttle to coolant and "oil service button circuit"...
F'k!
It was acting like a bad ground or voltage, but everything looked good...

This guy owns hogs, a backhoe and a wood chipper! I just killed his SxS...pretty sure he can beat my ass to boot.
F'k! F'k! FFFFF'kkkkk!
I sent him a txt that night, Monday. It was a mess, but conveyed my fuckery. He didn't txt back...I assumed he was digging a hole.
I called the next day, and we spoke. I told him I tried, but I must have screwed something up. The only wires I undid were the plug wires, and don't believe I touched anything else. Maybe the reset angered it?
I hate technology. I really am starting to not like electricity...even low voltage stuff. I pissed of the auto electric gods this time, and don't even know how.

It goes into the dealer next week...
Maybe I need to "stay in my lane", but I don't even know what lane that would be?

That was only Monday...the week has been mechanically ok since then. Other stuff, not so much, but at least the wrench stuff leveled out (so far).

Oh, and the motorhome of doom is back from Glamis. It has a new and improved punch list. He was happy, but wants some stuff changed and upgraded...fun, fun

Sounds like a Polaris. They do that kind of shit frequently. If it is, check RZR forums for the codes and replace the appropriate sensors. If that doesn’t fix it, it’s probably a harness- ask me how i know. My guess is, it’s done it before to the owner. If it is a Polaris, you can pull the codes on the instrument panel or on the ride command- usually. If they aren’t phantom codes.

Edit: try a battery tender first, they do odd shit when the battery gets weak, also.

 

[Willie B]

Ever have one of those days? No, didn't get molested by a large dog. Nope, didn't break a bolt on a 5 minute job. No flats, no stitches or head wounds...just bent over and royally screwed by what should have been "easy".

A pretty new SxS. Has the maintenance warning on, time for a 2000 mile service. Ok, order the parts. Them bastards are proud of their stuff. The oils must not be made of dinosaur squeezin's, must be unicorn tears.

So, I do the service, and run the thing to the other end of the property...so I could use the web to figure out how to clear the maintenance warning, and to check for leaks. Do the proper pushing of buttons, screen is clear. Cool!

And then I take it back to park it...
And that is where my little 2hr project turned into a nightmare...

No, wasn't jumping the thing, nor roosting a corner. Nope, driving up the driveway. "Limp Home Mode", 20ish% power...fuck me running.

I spent the next 4 hours, checking every harness connection, fuse and battery voltage. I put to old plugs back in and found the same issue. I used the internet to pull the codes, and what they meant. All kinds of stuff, from throttle to coolant and "oil service button circuit"...
F'k!
It was acting like a bad ground or voltage, but everything looked good...

This guy owns hogs, a backhoe and a wood chipper! I just killed his SxS...pretty sure he can beat my ass to boot.
F'k! F'k! FFFFF'kkkkk!
I sent him a txt that night, Monday. It was a mess, but conveyed my fuckery. He didn't txt back...I assumed he was digging a hole.
I called the next day, and we spoke. I told him I tried, but I must have screwed something up. The only wires I undid were the plug wires, and don't believe I touched anything else. Maybe the reset angered it?
I hate technology. I really am starting to not like electricity...even low voltage stuff. I pissed of the auto electric gods this time, and don't even know how.

It goes into the dealer next week...
Maybe I need to "stay in my lane", but I don't even know what lane that would be?

That was only Monday...the week has been mechanically ok since then. Other stuff, not so much, but at least the wrench stuff leveled out (so far).

Oh, and the motorhome of doom is back from Glamis. It has a new and improved punch list. He was happy, but wants some stuff changed and upgraded...fun, fun

…But at least you have a career…or maybe a curse…one of the two…

 

[TimeBandit]

You got a code for "oil service button circuit".

you had just done the reset with that? Stuck button??

No good deed goes unpunished.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Sounds like a Polaris. They do that kind of shit frequently. If it is, check RZR forums for the codes and replace the appropriate sensors. If that doesn’t fix it, it’s probably a harness- ask me how i know. My guess is, it’s done it before to the owner. If it is a Polaris, you can pull the codes on the instrument panel or on the ride command- usually. If they aren’t phantom codes.

Edit: try a battery tender first, they do odd shit when the battery gets weak, also.

CanAm actually. Spent all night Monday on forums, and read some about harness issues, and some weird "phantom" ecu stuff. Most said just shut it down, restart, and they dissappear. Some though, said the dealer did x, y and z...before other stuff The owner's never had an issue like this, and I definitely believe him. It does act like an ecu with low voltage though. One of the things I checked was the battery, I actually carry a load tester now because of weird stuff. It tested great.

You got a code for "oil service button circuit".

you had just done the reset with that? Stuck button??

No good deed goes unpunished.

I looked back at my notes, it actually said, "Oil Life Monitor Reset Circuit". The button used to do all that stuff is the same to scroll codes, so that itself is not stuck.


Now, as for good deeds...I may be doing one that is a bit out of my "normal" realm. On Saturday, I went and looked at a lady's car. She's a single parent of a special needs kid in one of my son's classes. My wife asked me if I could scan her car...overheating and dash lit up. Never a good sign. It's a 3 series BMW, 2008 I believe. She'd like to sell the car, and get something newer. Can't get much for it overheating. Well, scan it, and the main code is for waterpump performance. So, I learned Saturday that some BMW's have electric waterpumps...who knew?

Being a BMW, the waterpump alone is about 400$. The good thing is, it doesn't look too terribly bad to replace. A few E-torx and swivels, probably a lot of profanity, but better than some. We only have a couple shops up here that are euro types, and they're around 250$ an hour. Haven't looked at "book time", but guessing around 3?
Dunno, but I'll post up on that one...maybe I'll get to cuss in German?

 

[TimeBandit]

CanAm actually. Spent all night Monday on forums, and read some about harness issues, and some weird "phantom" ecu stuff. Most said just shut it down, restart, and they dissappear. Some though, said the dealer did x, y and z...before other stuff The owner's never had an issue like this, and I definitely believe him. It does act like an ecu with low voltage though. One of the things I checked was the battery, I actually carry a load tester now because of weird stuff. It tested great.

I looked back at my notes, it actually said, "Oil Life Monitor Reset Circuit". The button used to do all that stuff is the same to scroll codes, so that itself is not stuck.


Now, as for good deeds...I may be doing one that is a bit out of my "normal" realm. On Saturday, I went and looked at a lady's car. She's a single parent of a special needs kid in one of my son's classes. My wife asked me if I could scan her car...overheating and dash lit up. Never a good sign. It's a 3 series BMW, 2008 I believe. She'd like to sell the car, and get something newer. Can't get much for it overheating. Well, scan it, and the main code is for waterpump performance. So, I learned Saturday that some BMW's have electric waterpumps...who knew?

Being a BMW, the waterpump alone is about 400$. The good thing is, it doesn't look too terribly bad to replace. A few E-torx and swivels, probably a lot of profanity, but better than some. We only have a couple shops up here that are euro types, and they're around 250$ an hour. Haven't looked at "book time", but guessing around 3?
Dunno, but I'll post up on that one...maybe I'll get to cuss in German?

Yep. electric pump on the bimmer. My daughter had a nightmare 335i with one that failed. The serpentine belt got oil soaked and sucked into the front seal on another day. Then the a/c compressor quit. Expensive lessons for her on what constitutes a "good" car.

 

[ltbaney1]

CanAm actually. Spent all night Monday on forums, and read some about harness issues, and some weird "phantom" ecu stuff. Most said just shut it down, restart, and they dissappear. Some though, said the dealer did x, y and z...before other stuff The owner's never had an issue like this, and I definitely believe him. It does act like an ecu with low voltage though. One of the things I checked was the battery, I actually carry a load tester now because of weird stuff. It tested great.

I looked back at my notes, it actually said, "Oil Life Monitor Reset Circuit". The button used to do all that stuff is the same to scroll codes, so that itself is not stuck.


Now, as for good deeds...I may be doing one that is a bit out of my "normal" realm. On Saturday, I went and looked at a lady's car. She's a single parent of a special needs kid in one of my son's classes. My wife asked me if I could scan her car...overheating and dash lit up. Never a good sign. It's a 3 series BMW, 2008 I believe. She'd like to sell the car, and get something newer. Can't get much for it overheating. Well, scan it, and the main code is for waterpump performance. So, I learned Saturday that some BMW's have electric waterpumps...who knew?

Being a BMW, the waterpump alone is about 400$. The good thing is, it doesn't look too terribly bad to replace. A few E-torx and swivels, probably a lot of profanity, but better than some. We only have a couple shops up here that are euro types, and they're around 250$ an hour. Haven't looked at "book time", but guessing around 3?
Dunno, but I'll post up on that one...maybe I'll get to cuss in German?

good on ya trying to take care of her. just make sure the bolts are german torqued, fuckentight.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Well, still juggling chainsaws, but at least life isn't boring.
Today, went to the farm...

The locals ran up to greet me. It was actually kind of creepy. They all came up, checked me out, but the gold one up front hung around. In the Prius, under the truck, occasionally hanging out on a tire...social type bird.

First project of the day was air brake relay valve replacement.

Old, and new. This is the relay you hear when you tap the brake pedal. It uses a 1/4" "signal" line from the pedal, then opens the port for the big air line. It's a way to keep the rear brakes as fast as the front. The big line is charged already, and the relay is mounted close to the axle. The signal makes the event happen near simultaneously to the front, instead of compressing the whole line again. This valve is different than the one you hear when a truck hits the parking brake. This valve is kind of progressive. The other is more of a dump valve, on and off.

I pull the lines, and leave the fittings when removing the old relay. I put them side by side, and replace the fittings one at a time. Remembering where the go is easy, but clocking everything is important. The airlines have a bit of flex, but not much.

This is the bottom of the old relay valve. That's a rubber dust cover on the exhaust port. Around that, you can see the buildup from it pushing a bit of air, with oil and moisture. There's a snap ring in that dirt, that holds the exhaust cap in. It's sealed with an o-ring. Above that, is the real issue, a piston that should also be sealed with an o-ring. When that one starts to leak, things get goofy. The brakes may be slow to react, or weak. This is a 3 axle dump truck, and not used often. With 2 axles working, the 3rd probably wouldn't be noticeable as being and issue. This one was hissing alot, so a big giveaway. An owner would take care of it, but some otr drivers in leased rides may not.

 

[4Waters]

good on ya trying to take care of her. just make sure the bolts are german torqued, Gutentight.

Fixed it

 

[monkeyswrench]

Second project of the day: Remove glass door from skid steer. Sounds easy enough. There is a serious order of disassembly, and some finesse. Of course, I didn't know the order, and my finesse was replaced by necessity.

As you may be able to tell, the lower portion seals externally, the upper, internally. That by itself is pretty weird. The other oddity, only the lower pair or rollers adjust.

Here's a closeup of the axle the lower rollers sit on. There was a lock nut that keeps it in position once set.

On the inside of the braket, there is a hole. The end of that axle/spindle has a slot, so you use a screwdriver to suck the thing inboard.

Now, this is where geometry comes into play. The uppers don't adjust. You have to push the glass back up, and allow it to go into the foot well. That, of course, requires removing the brackets that mount the struts for the safety bar...which, in this unit, also hold a phone type holder thing on one side, and a monitor on the other. Once those are clear, there is just enoof an angle to twist glass, and pull the upper rollers from their track. At that point, there is just enough roof to lay the glass at an angle, and remove it from the cabin. No pics of that, because I needed both hands and a lot of luck.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Today was something new for me. Guy with motorhome texts me. He asks if I could drain his buggy tank, and run some race gas through it. I've winterized boats...but never "summerized" a buggy. Now, the buggy is backed into the trailer, with a dirt bike behind the exhaust. I haven't been around "modern" bikes. Damn, it was light! Really easy to get out the side door.

Pretty rowdy Ls in the thing, Mendeola trans and stuff. Now, also a shocker. I've never been in or around a modern long travel. The front tires look like 37's or larger. Climbed in it after swapping the E85/Torco "T85" with 110. I fired it up, and waited for the idle to change up, then brought it to temp for a few minutes.

I could get real used to either the bike or the buggy...but the buggy has 800+ horsepower, and I could scare the hell out of three people

I loaded the bike at the rear, and inched the car back a little. I believe it is getting picked up, and going to some place in the valley for new body panels. Fun stuff though!

 

[monkeyswrench]

Well shit howdy...
This afternoon got a text from the SxS owner...from the dealer. It was accompanied by a pic. The pic was of a small plastic bag, with some o-rings and gasket washers. Still sealed...
"Missing something?"
My heart stopped, felt like I was going to puke. I was doing my "homework", had just got home from 4 inspections in Flag through Camp Verde...F'k!

First thing I wanted, really needed to know, did I kill the motor? It's a 1L V-twin, but probably costs Mercury prices. The motor, they are pretty sure, is fine. The bag must have been inside the air filter when I installed it. I bought the "kit" from an online place. They were all factory parts, but cheaper than our local place. Still expensive, so I remember thinking it should come with the gaskets. It did...my stupid ass took the air cleaner out of the box, and out of the bag...but didn't even think to look in the air cleaner.

Apparently, when I was bringing it up the hill, it pulled enough vacuum to suck the bag out of the filter...and into the throttle. The throttle is a drive by wire deal. When the bag kept it from closing, it went into limp. During the course of my panic search, I'd even pulled the air filter back out...but it didn't occur to me to pull the boot off at the throttle.

The good news is, it looks like I'm not buying a motor. The bad news, I look like an F'n moron. I guess it's better to look like a moron, than look like a moron and having to sell a kidney to buy a motor. Don't know what the dealer bill is yet, but it's a lot less than it could have been, so that's a plus.

Well hell, it's Friday, survived another week!

 

[Angler]

Well shit howdy...
This afternoon got a text from the SxS owner...from the dealer. It was accompanied by a pic. The pic was of a small plastic bag, with some o-rings and gasket washers. Still sealed...
"Missing something?"
My heart stopped, felt like I was going to puke. I was doing my "homework", had just got home from 4 inspections in Flag through Camp Verde...F'k!

First thing I wanted, really needed to know, did I kill the motor? It's a 1L V-twin, but probably costs Mercury prices. The motor, they are pretty sure, is fine. The bag must have been inside the air filter when I installed it. I bought the "kit" from an online place. They were all factory parts, but cheaper than our local place. Still expensive, so I remember thinking it should come with the gaskets. It did...my stupid ass took the air cleaner out of the box, and out of the bag...but didn't even think to look in the air cleaner.

Apparently, when I was bringing it up the hill, it pulled enough vacuum to suck the bag out of the filter...and into the throttle. The throttle is a drive by wire deal. When the bag kept it from closing, it went into limp. During the course of my panic search, I'd even pulled the air filter back out...but it didn't occur to me to pull the boot off at the throttle.

The good news is, it looks like I'm not buying a motor. The bad news, I look like an F'n moron. I guess it's better to look like a moron, than look like a moron and having to sell a kidney to buy a motor. Don't know what the dealer bill is yet, but it's a lot less than it could have been, so that's a plus.

Well hell, it's Friday, survived another week!

Shit happens. Glad a new engine wasn't needed.

 

[4Waters]

Well shit howdy...
This afternoon got a text from the SxS owner...from the dealer. It was accompanied by a pic. The pic was of a small plastic bag, with some o-rings and gasket washers. Still sealed...
"Missing something?"
My heart stopped, felt like I was going to puke. I was doing my "homework", had just got home from 4 inspections in Flag through Camp Verde...F'k!

First thing I wanted, really needed to know, did I kill the motor? It's a 1L V-twin, but probably costs Mercury prices. The motor, they are pretty sure, is fine. The bag must have been inside the air filter when I installed it. I bought the "kit" from an online place. They were all factory parts, but cheaper than our local place. Still expensive, so I remember thinking it should come with the gaskets. It did...my stupid ass took the air cleaner out of the box, and out of the bag...but didn't even think to look in the air cleaner.

Apparently, when I was bringing it up the hill, it pulled enough vacuum to suck the bag out of the filter...and into the throttle. The throttle is a drive by wire deal. When the bag kept it from closing, it went into limp. During the course of my panic search, I'd even pulled the air filter back out...but it didn't occur to me to pull the boot off at the throttle.

The good news is, it looks like I'm not buying a motor. The bad news, I look like an F'n moron. I guess it's better to look like a moron, than look like a moron and having to sell a kidney to buy a motor. Don't know what the dealer bill is yet, but it's a lot less than it could have been, so that's a plus.

Well hell, it's Friday, survived another week!

I just learned something

 

[monkeyswrench]

I just learned something

Don't let monkeys mess with SxS's?

 

[4Waters]

Don't let monkeys mess with SxS's?

No, check the inside of a new air filter but yeah, that too

 

[monkeyswrench]

Well, I posted in another thread that I did a service on a 496. No pics of that, as I left the phone in the truck. The impeller on those is, in some ways, easier than the old 454/bravo deals. On the 496, 2 nuts and a bolt, pull the belt and the pump assembly comes out to swap the impeller. (Oh, and the two hoses) This is fine and all, but the rear seat on some boats is just a few inches away. Pulling the seat may be an option, but by yourself, a big bench, and a nice boat...playing twister and taking time seemed to be my most prudent plan of action. If you don't have ratcheting flex end wrenches though, probably not going to happen.

I also posted about my daughter's old car. It's been affectionately called Dory for years. She's also blue and flattish...like the cartoon. Well, wife was driving it the other day, and she lost power, as in quit. It got towed home, because of course, it was a rare occasion I was out of town. Last night it was raining, but managed to figure out the starter wouldn't turn the motor. I was pretty sure it was seized.

Jacked it up today, as we have a break in weather. Supposed to suck again later. Pull the plastic apron to get access to the crank bolt.

Bastard 3 liter had an E20 for a head. That was different. Any way, stuck my trusty SnapOn ratchet on it, the big one...and tried to turn the crank. Nope, she's done. Oil level is good, timing belt is intact, and coolant level good, but she's stuck.
Dory went to the big fishbowl in the sky
Time to look for the title, steal the radio and battery.. and call a wrecker.

 

[Rajobigguy]

I will be checking this thread periodically to see how long before someone suggests dropping an LS in there.

 

[4Waters]

I will be checking this thread periodically to see how long before someone suggests dropping an LS in there.

You just did

 

[monkeyswrench]

I will be checking this thread periodically to see how long before someone suggests dropping an LS in there.

The only thing that made it really cool, was it being all wheel drive. It was a ghetto Subaru. The real problem, this is an '03 model. That means it has some bastardized European motor...it's a bit funky. In '04, they had Honda motors. As a 2wd, I can't see the cute little rear diff handling more than 50-75hp. Couldn't have but maybe a 5" ring gear in there.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Well, time to add some levity to a pretty messed up weekend. I'd mentioned in another thread that I went and looked at some shitboxes...fuel efficient, boring and, above all, cheap...now look at what happened!

The original POS is going on the chopping block. I've put over 100k on it, sitting around 260 now. While it still runs, I can maybe get some money for it. It's burning oil like a 2 stroke on the highway now. Around town it's fine, but I drive highway quite a bit.

We found a rental place selling all their 08's...something about a cutoff for lift or Uber or something. They had 15 of them for sale. We went and looked at them, narrowed the field to 4, scanned them and test drove them. The red one and the gold one were the best. The red one will be POS 2.0, as it has dents and dings. The gold one will be my wife's run around to help cut costs, and to keep a spare econo box. May end up lifting one or both a couple inches. As I had to straighten out my exhaust last week

The Prius guy had an interesting project. A bit higher than I'd lift one, on 37's! They dropped the sub frame, where as I had toyed with the idea of portals. Funny as hell, but I'd roll it!

 

[Taboma]

Well, time to add some levity to a pretty messed up weekend. I'd mentioned in another thread that I went and looked at some shitboxes...fuel efficient, boring and, above all, cheap...now look at what happened! View attachment 1487803
The original POS is going on the chopping block. I've put over 100k on it, sitting around 260 now. While it still runs, I can maybe get some money for it. It's burning oil like a 2 stroke on the highway now. Around town it's fine, but I drive highway quite a bit.

We found a rental place selling all their 08's...something about a cutoff for lift or Uber or something. They had 15 of them for sale. We went and looked at them, narrowed the field to 4, scanned them and test drove them. The red one and the gold one were the best. The red one will be POS 2.0, as it has dents and dings. The gold one will be my wife's run around to help cut costs, and to keep a spare econo box. May end up lifting one or both a couple inches. As I had to straighten out my exhaust last week

The Prius guy had an interesting project. A bit higher than I'd lift one, on 37's! They dropped the sub frame, where as I had toyed with the idea of portals. Funny as hell, but I'd roll it! View attachment 1487804 View attachment 1487805

Wouldn't that tend to put additional stress the CVT ? Like climbing steep grades in a SxS using High Range.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Wouldn't that tend to put additional stress the CVT ? Like climbing steep grades in a SxS using High Range.

I would think so, as it could never get the ratio down as low as intended. That's why my idea was to use a portal type setup to add qear reduction to keep the transmission output more in line with original design...
Yes, I spend way too much time driving one

 

[TimeBandit]

Well, time to add some levity to a pretty messed up weekend. I'd mentioned in another thread that I went and looked at some shitboxes...fuel efficient, boring and, above all, cheap...now look at what happened! View attachment 1487803
The original POS is going on the chopping block. I've put over 100k on it, sitting around 260 now. While it still runs, I can maybe get some money for it. It's burning oil like a 2 stroke on the highway now. Around town it's fine, but I drive highway quite a bit.

We found a rental place selling all their 08's...something about a cutoff for lift or Uber or something. They had 15 of them for sale. We went and looked at them, narrowed the field to 4, scanned them and test drove them. The red one and the gold one were the best. The red one will be POS 2.0, as it has dents and dings. The gold one will be my wife's run around to help cut costs, and to keep a spare econo box. May end up lifting one or both a couple inches. As I had to straighten out my exhaust last week

The Prius guy had an interesting project. A bit higher than I'd lift one, on 37's! They dropped the sub frame, where as I had toyed with the idea of portals. Funny as hell, but I'd roll it! View attachment 1487804 View attachment 1487805

Stuck piston rings on the OG POS?

I know you could fix that in your "spare time"

 

[monkeyswrench]

Stuck piston rings on the OG POS?

I know you could fix that in your "spare time"

I'm pretty sure the ring tension has just gone away. When the motors get weak, it uses more battery to keep the speeds up. I guess they also rely on the 75hp hamster wheels to maintain highway speed. As a commuter car in a city, it would do fine still...around town it still clocks 40-45 mpg. The problem is, I drive a lot of highway miles...it used to be 40-45 there as well. Now, 33-35 on a highway run. No bueno. Tomorrow morning I'm trying the red one out to Flag. The other giveaway with a tired motor, losing speed on hills. With a good battery, I should be able to maintain speeds. Hasn't been able to in almost a year now.


Of course, I was at the wrecking yard the other day, and saw this. It's the cutest little supercharger I've ever seen. Mini Cooper! Always bad ideas, blown lawnmower, maybe a quad...a Prius?

And, for scale...and my hands aren't massive.

 

[17 10 Flat]

I'm pretty sure the ring tension has just gone away. When the motors get weak, it uses more battery to keep the speeds up. I guess they also rely on the 75hp hamster wheels to maintain highway speed. As a commuter car in a city, it would do fine still...around town it still clocks 40-45 mpg. The problem is, I drive a lot of highway miles...it used to be 40-45 there as well. Now, 33-35 on a highway run. No bueno. Tomorrow morning I'm trying the red one out to Flag. The other giveaway with a tired motor, losing speed on hills. With a good battery, I should be able to maintain speeds. Hasn't been able to in almost a year now.


Of course, I was at the wrecking yard the other day, and saw this. It's the cutest little supercharger I've ever seen. Mini Cooper! Always bad ideas, blown lawnmower, maybe a quad...a Prius?
View attachment 1488313
And, for scale...and my hands aren't massive.
View attachment 1488314

Waiting on the build thread...

 

[monkeyswrench]

Out on a road test yesterday, get a call...business name, figured they were "going to be in the area" "free estimates". I answer anyway. Guy tells me he got my number from someone, as I might be willing to drive out to where his worker is...

I was supposed to be at a doctor's appointment, but it got rescheduled, so off I trekked. The driver shut the truck off, but it would not restart. Then I'm told the shifter flops around. So, I load up and roll out.

The company is a painting crew working at the campground where @The Chicken installed the off grid system. The guy that gave him my number was the groundskeeper there.

The F150 in question has been owned by them for a couple months. The guy who drives it let on that it had to be in neutral to start for a while now. Boss man didn't like hearing that. I climb under it, and this is what I found. Shift cable melted because the guy who put in the trans didn't use the retainer. No cable in my back pocket, so the truck stayed overnight.

I came over the hill from Cottonwood and through Jerome on my way home from Flagstaff today, New cable in hand. Popped it on and the world was good again.
Cheaper than the tow bill would have been...6 miles I think out on dirt...not cheap I'm sure.

New (to me) Prius in the wild. Thinking a 4" lift and 31's...passed some Jeeps on the way out. Think I need ducks for the dash!

 

[OLDRAAT]

Pimp her out Kevin....

 

[monkeyswrench]

Pimp her out Kevin....

Been looking at my lift options. It may get creative. Extra ground clearance would be nice.

Made a very miniscule amount of progress on the big truck. I dismounted a tire that I'm pretty sure shrunk in the 20 years it was on the truck.

The truck must have worked for a paving outfit, scraped 4 lbs of asphalt off the inside. I took a file, and de-burred any dings and dents. The lip to make mounting the tire easier, the rest to make purdy..

I polished the face out as best I could, and mounted the tire. One down, 5 to go

Yep, need some center caps and chrome nut covers.

 

[warpt71]

View attachment 1490527
Yep, need some center caps and chrome nut covers.

I drive a bus for the county, and when it showed up brand new with polished wheels I was adamant about getting caps and covers. My captain said not to bother with it as it wasn't important. I ordered them myself a dressed up the bus in the parking lot one afternoon without saying a word to anyone. The next time the captain saw me he complemented my idea and said the bus looked more finished with the hub and nut covers. It really makes a huge difference!!!

Keep up the good work, its fun to follow along

 

[monkeyswrench]

I drive a bus for the county, and when it showed up brand new with polished wheels I was adamant about getting caps and covers. My captain said not to bother with it as it wasn't important. I ordered them myself a dressed up the bus in the parking lot one afternoon without saying a word to anyone. The next time the captain saw me he complemented my idea and said the bus looked more finished with the hub and nut covers. It really makes a huge difference!!!

Keep up the good work, its fun to follow along

Well, I've never owned my own rig with big Alcoas. Figure I'll do my best to shine them up, and play commercial driver. Every kid likes big trucks. I never grew up. I like driving big trucks too, but can't afford a semi, don't need one really, and can't afford a big lifted truck anymore. So, spit and polish a truck I got for a few hundred bucks a few years back.

 

[warpt71]

Well, I've never owned my own rig with big Alcoas. Figure I'll do my best to shine them up, and play commercial driver. Every kid likes big trucks. I never grew up. I like driving big trucks too, but can't afford a semi, don't need one really, and can't afford a big lifted truck anymore. So, spit and polish a truck I got for a few hundred bucks a few years back.

Caps and covers will make it stand out in a parking lot! Chrome has some value to me

 

[ltbaney1]

Well, I've never owned my own rig with big Alcoas. Figure I'll do my best to shine them up, and play commercial driver. Every kid likes big trucks. I never grew up. I like driving big trucks too, but can't afford a semi, don't need one really, and can't afford a big lifted truck anymore. So, spit and polish a truck I got for a few hundred bucks a few years back.

even some rattle can black on those rusty hubs would make the polish shine a bit more. on some stuff i firmly believe it has to work and looks are secondary, other stuff the exact oposite, make it look cool and then figure out how it will work.

 

[TonyFanelli]

Is this worth anything more than nostalgia?

 

[Rajobigguy]

Is this worth anything more than nostalgia?
View attachment 1490777

I used to have an Autoscan 4030 IR which is pretty similar to the Marquette. You cant really use most of the functions of that machine on modern engines. It has value if your building old school engines . I sold mine for a couple hundred dollars.

 

[wallnutz]

Is this worth anything more than nostalgia?
View attachment 1490777

Yes to a 1980's auto shop class Would be a nice piece for a nostalgia garage. I have seen a couple in people's garages with all their antique signs and gas pumps.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Is this worth anything more than nostalgia?
View attachment 1490777

If you own 80's and earlier cars, and do your own work, they are pretty handy. If all your stuff is modern, ODBII type stuff, or you have other people do your work, it's just an antique

I use one of these for old school ignition testing. It will do an HEI or coil/distributor setup, and can even do cylinder cutout.

 

[Rajobigguy]

If you own 80's and earlier cars, and do your own work, they are pretty handy. If all your stuff is modern, ODBII type stuff, or you have other people do your work, it's just an antique

I use one of these for old school ignition testing. It will do an HEI or coil/distributor setup, and can even do cylinder cutout. View attachment 1490834

Yep, add a tailpipe sniffer and a timing light and you can do 90 percent of what the big boy does.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Yep, add a tailpipe sniffer and a timing light and you can do 90 percent of what the big boy does.

Been searching the public surplus auctions down in Phoenix. Occasionally, 5 gas analyzers pop up, and I try to bid on them. It's one of those tools on my list. It would help on tuning much better than just pulling plugs.

 

[coolchange]

That would probably fit in real nice next to his Sun distributor machine @bonesfab

 

[bonesfab]

That would probably fit in real nice next to his Sun distributor machine @bonesfab

I am out of wall space.

 

[TimeBandit]

Been searching the public surplus auctions down in Phoenix. Occasionally, 5 gas analyzers pop up, and I try to bid on them. It's one of those tools on my list. It would help on tuning much better than just pulling plugs.

A five gas analyzer only has value with a dyno. Nox can only be measured under load.

2 gas, HC and CO is what you need.

And the bench in those machines doesn't last forever so finding a good used one? that's a problem.

 

[monkeyswrench]

A five gas analyzer only has value with a dyno. Nox can only be measured under load.

2 gas, HC and CO is what you need.

And the bench in those machines doesn't last forever so finding a good used one? that's a problem.

Ahh, but this is also 2 fold. Nox is most accurately measured under load, but still helpful without it. The other thing, in my messed up world of mechanical fukery, PTO driven equipment and pony motors come into play. As for the unit itself being aged out, that's new information to me. I know what they do, but not how they do it. I need to research that end of it more

 

[rivermobster]

A five gas analyzer only has value with a dyno. Nox can only be measured under load.

2 gas, HC and CO is what you need.

And the bench in those machines doesn't last forever so finding a good used one? that's a problem.

So I guess you don't understand what the Co2 measurement is for?

It's kinna the whole point of having a 5 gas. You can instantly "sniff out" the condition of an engine.

No compression gauge or leak down gauge required.

A five gas is Super handy if you have a thorough understanding of it.

 

[TimeBandit]

So I guess you don't understand what the Co2 measurement is for?

It's kinna the whole point of having a 5 gas. You can instantly "sniff out" the condition of an engine.

No compression gauge or leak down gauge required.

A five gas is Super handy if you have a thorough understanding of it.

I just meant the nox reading.

that is the difference between a four and five gas.

And honestly no, I've only ever used a two gas?

Honestly I can't remember 35 years ago what we had for a smog machine I just remember we hand wrote the certificates.

 

[rivermobster]

I just meant the nox reading.

that is the difference between a four and five gas.

And honestly no, I've only ever used a two gas?

Honestly I can't remember 35 years ago what we had for a smog machine I just remember we hand wrote the certificates.

You're as old as I am!!!

 

[monkeyswrench]

Well, this has been a fun filled and exciting day My friend past away two weeks ago today. His now widow asked if I could take a look in his storage unit, and send her some pics.

4ish years ago, I helped him put some of this stuff in there. My God, there is a lot. Today I did some mapping, like found where some of the motors were, and some other parts. Only one tool box is accessible, 3 others are not. She would like me to put together a decent set for her, but I believe the rest I will be selling at a later time. Majority of the boxes are not labled...and there are a lot of boxes. Holy crap...

So, I've been laughing at another thread. There are TDS people losing their minds about the stock market and tariffs. Troubles I assume are a well off person's issue. Over the past week I've been helping my friend's wife with stuff. He passed away in Maryland, his personal truck is in Maine. His home and wife are in Missouri, and the storage is by me. After some info hunting and phone calls, my friend's body should be in Missouri on Monday, and Death certificates as well. The VA was finally able to help.

People are crying about tariffs. I wonder what it's like for your life to be so perfect, that this is the only thing you have to worry about? I don't get it.