Oh, I've Got a Brand-New Engine Coolant Cap

...You've got a brand-new key.

Judging from the driving I've done in these past few days, including circling the Woodbridge Mall parking lot for 15-20 minutes, it seems like my car is finally fixed. No boiling coolant, no leaky fluid, no overheating engine.

And what did the trick? Not the new radiator (though that was damaged in the initial occurence and had to be replaced), nor the new tubing. Instead, what I needed was a new cap on the coolant reservoir to better keep things pressurized. The higher the air pressure, the higher the boiling point. Simple physics, as anyone who's ever hard-boiled an egg in Denver could tell you.

But believe me when i say, my Christmas is looking a thousand times merrier than it had been, thanks to a five-dollar piece of equipment.

Rob

Rassafrazzin...

After three trips to the shop, my car's coolant continues to boil.


As does my blood.

Rob

Car Update

Looks like there was a faulty hose running from my brand-new radiator. Now that's fixed, and hopefully all is well. Gotta ride this baby till the wheels fall off. (Note to self: Tighten
wheels.)

Rob

I Need Happymaking!

Ugh.

After a long night of D&D this Friday, we pulled off the turnpike on our way home and noticed that a) my check gauges light was on; b) there was a funny smell; c) my car's hood was smoking; and d) my temperature gauge was through the roof. So we pulled into the driveway, opened the hood, and found coolant all over.

The next day we refilled the coolant and drove it to our mechanic. He replaced the radiator on Monday, and that was that.

That's what I was hoping, anyway. I noticed a strange, fishy smell as I pulled into the driveway after work last night, but thought nothing of it. This morning, as I was climbing floor after floor of my parking garage, I heard some sort of grinding sound. I opened the hood once I parked (missing my train as I looked), and noticed, yes, coolant leaking all over. I restarted the car briefly, and the temperature gauge was nearing the danger zone.

Whatever the busted radiator was, it didn't bust on its own. It was a symptom of some other problem. Hopefully that will be fixed tomorrow, and I can drive this car a while further down the road.

Until then, I need happymaking.

Rob