F*cking e-brake cable froze on my car this morning and won't release. Going to be a pleasure laying on the ground tonight, freezing my balls off to try to figure out why it's hung up. Hoping its not the caliper.
The Automotive Thread
- Thread starter envirotex
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Master slacker
Something awesome.
At home this evening, the car started up just fine. Pop the radiator cap and start pouring water in. The damned thing was plum empty! Dry as a frickin bone. Guess ill try to find the source of the leak when the weather allows. Either way, I'm probably out the cost of another head gasket. At lEast the silver lining in allof this is that I'll double the value of my car when it's done.
OK, so not only did my parking brake freeze, the glove box door crapped out too.
PB released itself during the day, but that damn glove box door was already replaced under warranty, which it's no longer under. It was a piss poor design, two opposing cams linked together by the worlds WEAKEST spring, with some lithium grease slathered on it. Problem is, when it's cold or it gets dusty, the spring can't overcome the goop.
Of course, this is a disposable part, since they ultrasonically weld the two plastic halves together after placing the latch assembly in. A replacement glove box door is $100. F*ck that. Pried the two halves apart, replaced the spring with a stronger one out of my HD Box-O-Springs, and liquid nails'd that bitch back together. Its in the garage clamping, should be ready to go back in.
Of course, that didn't end my day of automotive woes. I return home to see the Exxon Valdez in my driveway. Apparently it came from my truck, which I drove to work. GF says "oh yeah, I noticed that", but failed to tell me, and consequently, that stain isn't coming up any time soon. Crawled under there last night, and the oil filter had backed off some. You could see it all around the top. Since it was still warm and couldn't be turned by hand, I threw the channel locks on it, and got a good three quarters of a turn before it snugged up again. Hopefully that does it until I can do an oil change.
PB released itself during the day, but that damn glove box door was already replaced under warranty, which it's no longer under. It was a piss poor design, two opposing cams linked together by the worlds WEAKEST spring, with some lithium grease slathered on it. Problem is, when it's cold or it gets dusty, the spring can't overcome the goop.
Of course, this is a disposable part, since they ultrasonically weld the two plastic halves together after placing the latch assembly in. A replacement glove box door is $100. F*ck that. Pried the two halves apart, replaced the spring with a stronger one out of my HD Box-O-Springs, and liquid nails'd that bitch back together. Its in the garage clamping, should be ready to go back in.
Of course, that didn't end my day of automotive woes. I return home to see the Exxon Valdez in my driveway. Apparently it came from my truck, which I drove to work. GF says "oh yeah, I noticed that", but failed to tell me, and consequently, that stain isn't coming up any time soon. Crawled under there last night, and the oil filter had backed off some. You could see it all around the top. Since it was still warm and couldn't be turned by hand, I threw the channel locks on it, and got a good three quarters of a turn before it snugged up again. Hopefully that does it until I can do an oil change.
Capt Worley PE
Run silent, run deep
My Maxx had the same dealio. No heat, but ran fine till it ran hot. had a slow leak in a T fitting under the engine. Surprisingly, a half liter drop in coolant makes a BIG difference.
How many head gaskets have you replaced on that thing so far?
I've also seen leaks from coolant reservoirs, and a few cars notorious for leaks at the heater core.
Master slacker
Something awesome.
This will be the second head gasket. Replacing the head gasket itself isn't all that bad. However, if I have to replace the water pump as well, I'll produce numerous not-nice words. I now know that I must have a crack in the tubing from the radiator to the overflow tank... water in the tank was never sucked back into the radiator since the rad was dry. Until I can get under the car, it looks like I'll be replacing the head gasket / bolts, t-stat housing / gasket, maybe the t-stat itself, and tubing to overflow tank. Good thing this car was free to begin with. 
Master slacker
Something awesome.
Well, at this time, it appears that I have a busted freeze plug on the front of the block (radiator side). Pissed like a champ when i filled the radiator. This aught to be fun to pull and change out. I hope to God there isn't a freeze plug on the other side (firewall side). If there is, it'll just be a matter of time before that one blows, and I would have to make a deal with the devil to change that one out...
wilheldp_PE
PE, LEED AP, SPAM KING
Master slacker
Something awesome.
Doing the math, driving the pimp daddy sedan to work costs me an extra $800 per year in gas alone. In a one year payback, I could pay for all gaskets, bolts, beer, and an engine picker. I'll try to start the teardown tonight and, hoping the cylinders look OK, will order parts and go ahead and replace the neighbor freeze plug that's still "good" along with the bad one. Dug more on the Escort forum and found that there are two freeze plugs on the firewall side and even one on the block INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION BELLHOUSING. My Granny not only left me a gas saver, but also one hellacious way of helping me get my learn on when it comes to pulling / replacing anything and everything in a car.
Capt Worley PE
Run silent, run deep
^Escort forums, huh? They break them up into the different generations or lump them all together?
Master slacker
Something awesome.
They're all broken out. Unfortunately, there are no sub-sections for each generation. If you own a 2nd gen (like me), everything from "How the F do you remove the alternator?" to "How do I use the turn signal?" is in that one area. Kinda sucks, but at least the search function is usable.
Capt Worley PE
Run silent, run deep
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Dexman PE PMP
Internationally PMP'n his PE-ness
Capt Worley PE
Run silent, run deep
That begs an interesting question...what of the SS and PPV after 2016?
Is Chevy working on a four door Alpha?
And the Holden version was marginally better looking than what GM did to it. I think the Ute would sell pretty well among the performance enthusiast crowd.
Capt Worley PE
Run silent, run deep
Ridiculously small niche. I doubt they'd move 7500 units/yr. I'd be surprised to see over 5K, and that'd be a quickly filled market.
I actually agreed wit GM for not bringing the Ute over in 2008.
knight1fox3
Jedi MASTER & Friend of Capt. Solo
Where's Bly? I wonder if he could make this work on one of his vehicles. LOL
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHM9bh-qlec
>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHM9bh-qlec
