I was reminded by Mr. OverKill that I really hadn’t told the whole story about our trip to West Virginia. It just wouldn’t be right not to share the story of our trip home with you. I promise, I don’t make this stuff up.
On the way up to WV, you’ll remember that we had a flat tire. Well, I didn’t mention, because I thought that you would think I was making this stuff up. What? Anyways, about an hour after getting the tire fixed, we stopped for a potty break and I told Mr. OK that the van was making a horrible noise. Of course, at first he didn’t believe me, because he couldn’t hear the noise from inside the van. So, he jumps out of the van and lo and behold he hears the noise too. Our vacuum pump was going bad. So, one of Mr. OK’s projects while we were in WV was to swap out the vacuum pump. While he had the van apart he also replaced a couple other parts that were about to need to be replaced. It’s just easier to replace everything in one shot rather than take the van apart again….So he was able to do that and we thought the van was good to go.
Did I mention we couldn’t get up Dr. Harvard’s driveway? I think I did. Point being, leaving said driveway wasn’t going to be a picnic either. Plus, there was snow predicated again, and as much fun as we were having, Mr. OverKill couldn’t afford another week away from the shop – one man show and all. So, we headed out making it down the driveway, with snow chains on all 4 tires! We got into town, and realized that the van had zero power. Not good when you are about to drive through mountains. So, we stopped and Mr. OverKill looked at things, and wasn’t entirely sure what was going on, but he thought it might be the new belt he had put on. So, he bought some spray, sprayed the belt and away we went. For about 10 minutes….Long story short, we made it about 1 hour down the road and had to stop for the night.
Mr. OK went out first thing the next morning and parked the van in front of an Advanced Auto Parts, and went to work. Turns out, the first belt he replaced on the van was the wrong one. He got the right one, installed it, and the van ran better, but we still didn’t have full power.
Thankfully, he had also ordered a fuel filter thinking that might be part of the problem. Sadly the fuel filter wouldn’t be in until 1:00pm. So, the kids and I hung out at the hotel until check out time forced us out. Then, we went in each and every store in the little strip mall where Advanced Auto Parts was located. Then, we bought a snack and I read out loud to the kids.
Mr. OverKill literally had the van apart…..
Yep, that’s my console…in the back seat.
And that would be the engine….super loud without the bonnet on.
Turns out, the problem was a combination of things. The wrong belt and a bad fuel filter. Our diesel is a Florida diesel, it doesn’t have a warmer on the fuel tank. When we got to colder climates, the diesel gelled up and clogged the fuel filter. Once we had those two things replaced, we were on the road again.
And we had plenty of power for all those mountains we had to cross, or drive through, as the case may be ;)
Seriously ya’ll I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried!!!!!
LOL! I will remember that if I ever take my Florida deisel to colder climates! :)