OP
OP
Snowbound
Jim
That’s all I use now. Definitely impressed with their products.
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I’m back with an Esky this time
- Thread starter Snowbound
- Start date
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OP
OP
Snowbound
Jim
Thanks. I may have to wrap the trim piece again. It has a couple wrinkles from being peeled off the car either by her or the fence. Either way both are caused by her! I might get that prepped and wrapped tonight so I can put that on 2mrw.
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OP
OP
Snowbound
Jim
As I mentioned on Tony’s build, I had an issue with the coolant line quick disconnect snapping while we were coming home from up north. Jess and I were cruising along down the highway just north of Madison Wisconsin when I seen a white plume of smoke come off the back of the truck. I was praying it wasn’t a head gasket that just let loose as I’m trying to get over to hit an exit ramp. Coolant temp was normal so my mind is racing thinking, could the sensor be bad and still have a head gasket issue? Could it have an air pocket that caused the head to crack? I’m going thru my tool inventory in my mind thinking I may have enough tools to remove the head, or I might just find a car rental and get home to grab truck and trailer and drag rental back up and grab the Esky.
But when I got to a safe spot and opened the hood I seen the firewall wet and was happy considering it wasn’t worst case scenario. The hose coming from the water pump to the quick connect tee that feeds both front and rear heater cores snapped right behind the quick connect fitting on the hose side. I get in my phone looking for nearest parts store and find O’Reillys and Autozone. Called O’Reillys first because they were closer. They didn’t have the part in stock. Called autozone which was 3 miles away and they said they had it. “Heater hose with plastic fitting on one end and nothing on the other?” That’s it I said. I’m gonna try and get to you soon. They closed in 2 hrs.
I walk to a nearby gas station and ask the clerk who my best bet would be to call for a ride to parts store. Uber? Cab? Lift? Who’s local and would be the fastest? She wasn’t sure but a guy in the store asked where I needed to go. I explained I was broke down on the on ramp and needed to get a part and parts store has what I need, just need to get there and back. He said he would give me a ride, of course I said the norm, “are you sure, I don’t wanna put you out” and “I really appreciate it.” So I jumped in his mini van and away we went.
This part is crazy, I didn’t even want to tell Jess about it because I felt bad but I have to include it because it was messed up. Skip to the next paragraph if you don’t wanna hear me ramble a minute. I jump in and he asks what parts store are we going to and I said Autozone, according to my map it’s just down the road to the left. He said he doesn’t know of any autozone over there but he knows there’s one a few miles down going right. I explained that I talked to the guy and he’s holding it for me. He says they should all have the same parts as he’s turning right and I wasn’t gonna argue with him since he’s doing me a favor, I’m just praying that they also have the part. We are making small talk about where I’m from, where we were coming from and such when I hear this, I don’t know how to explain it but it’s the noise a special needs kid would make like Sloth from Goonies coming from the back seat. I can kinda see a shape out the corner of my left eye like a big kid in a huge car seat but that is my bad eye and I’m not gonna turn my head all the way around to look. I was afraid of what my facial expression might be and I’m at this guys mercy so I just acted like I didn’t hear anything while he continued to talk. Couple minutes later the moaning comes again and he explains that’s his son who is 18 years old and he wants to get ice cream. I’m just nodding my head scrambling for words and the best I could come up with is, “I’m sorry that I’m taking up your time. He’s probably wondering who I am and where we’re going.” He tells me don’t worry about it and I see Autozone and think oh thank god! Pull in, I jump out and go in. Of course they don’t have it but tell me the other store down the road shows one on hand. Shit!! Walk back to the guys van and I’m trying to look thru the windshield to get a glimpse of the kid in the back seat but I can’t see clearly. Get back in the car and tell him, no the other store has it. Start heading back the other way and he explains as the moaning is getting more frequent, that his wife and him finally got their son in a facility and they are moving him the next day which is Monday. Says it’s gonna be strange having time to themselves because it’s been a full time job taking care of their son but it’s getting to be too much because of how big he’s getting and it’s physically draining. I’m just nodding and saying stuff like that’s probably a good thing for all of you, you deserve a break and some time together, he’s probably gonna get taken good care of and you shouldn’t feel bad about it, all the while praying for every green light and trying to ignore the noises coming from behind me. Finally get to the store and grab the part and some coolant. Again trying to see into the backseat when I’m walking back to the van but he’s parked sideways and the windows are too dark. He gets me back to the highway, I thank him repeatedly and try to give him $100. He won’t take it and tells me to just pay it forward. Thank him again and walk back to the truck where Jess is waiting.
Thankfully it wasn’t cold that weekend or else Jess and Lola would be miserable and freezing. She asks how I got that part and I said some guy gave me a ride from the gas station. She said oh that was nice, how’s that go? I just said fine and left it at that.
Get the broken hose off the water pump side, it’s just a squeeze clamp. Pull the new hose out of the bag and the quick disconnect side is different. It looks like a push lock connector not like the one that was on there with that retainer clip. I’m thinking maybe it’s a new design. It won’t go on with the retainer clip on the tee so I took that off and pushed the new fitting on and it clicked over the end of the tee but didn’t feel right. I’ll try it, I have nothing else. Attach the other end to the water pump with the new squeeze clamp and fill up the coolant tank. It took the entire gallon but I had about a half gallon that I brought with me because I try to be prepared for stuff like this. I tell her go ahead and start it so I can bleed it. She starts the engine and coolant blows out past the new fitting. Shut it off! SOAB! Now what? Wrong hose, at least the wrong fitting on the hose. Time to improvise. I took the hose with the broken fitting and cut the end off so I just had a plain heater hose. Pulled the new hose off the water pump and put the old hose back on as fast as I could so I didn’t lose anymore coolant. Stuck the hose onto the tee and used a hose clamp I had in my tool box and tightened it down. Put whatever coolant I had in the tank and said start it. It’s holding but I know it won’t last the rest of the way home so we headed back to Autozone. They didn’t have the right part but they did have a 5/8” quick disconnect fitting with a barbed end. That works! Returned the wrong hose but kept the squeeze clamp that it came with and grabbed 2 more gallons of coolant. Pulled the hose off the tee, attached the quick connect fitting with new squeeze clamp, put new retainer clip on and attached the hose again. Filled coolant, bled it out and hit a car wash to clean all the coolant off so it wouldn’t smoke anymore and I couldn’t leave all that sticky crap on there. Made it home without issue and that part is still on there but I will be replacing the tees and fittings with better quality ones when or if I get some time.
How’s that for an adventure. Never a dull moment over here. I did tell Jess about the drive when she kept questioning me and wondering why I was only giving her one word answers. I finally broke down and told her and she just laughed the entire time and I said, this is exactly why I didn’t want to tell ya.
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But when I got to a safe spot and opened the hood I seen the firewall wet and was happy considering it wasn’t worst case scenario. The hose coming from the water pump to the quick connect tee that feeds both front and rear heater cores snapped right behind the quick connect fitting on the hose side. I get in my phone looking for nearest parts store and find O’Reillys and Autozone. Called O’Reillys first because they were closer. They didn’t have the part in stock. Called autozone which was 3 miles away and they said they had it. “Heater hose with plastic fitting on one end and nothing on the other?” That’s it I said. I’m gonna try and get to you soon. They closed in 2 hrs.
I walk to a nearby gas station and ask the clerk who my best bet would be to call for a ride to parts store. Uber? Cab? Lift? Who’s local and would be the fastest? She wasn’t sure but a guy in the store asked where I needed to go. I explained I was broke down on the on ramp and needed to get a part and parts store has what I need, just need to get there and back. He said he would give me a ride, of course I said the norm, “are you sure, I don’t wanna put you out” and “I really appreciate it.” So I jumped in his mini van and away we went.
This part is crazy, I didn’t even want to tell Jess about it because I felt bad but I have to include it because it was messed up. Skip to the next paragraph if you don’t wanna hear me ramble a minute. I jump in and he asks what parts store are we going to and I said Autozone, according to my map it’s just down the road to the left. He said he doesn’t know of any autozone over there but he knows there’s one a few miles down going right. I explained that I talked to the guy and he’s holding it for me. He says they should all have the same parts as he’s turning right and I wasn’t gonna argue with him since he’s doing me a favor, I’m just praying that they also have the part. We are making small talk about where I’m from, where we were coming from and such when I hear this, I don’t know how to explain it but it’s the noise a special needs kid would make like Sloth from Goonies coming from the back seat. I can kinda see a shape out the corner of my left eye like a big kid in a huge car seat but that is my bad eye and I’m not gonna turn my head all the way around to look. I was afraid of what my facial expression might be and I’m at this guys mercy so I just acted like I didn’t hear anything while he continued to talk. Couple minutes later the moaning comes again and he explains that’s his son who is 18 years old and he wants to get ice cream. I’m just nodding my head scrambling for words and the best I could come up with is, “I’m sorry that I’m taking up your time. He’s probably wondering who I am and where we’re going.” He tells me don’t worry about it and I see Autozone and think oh thank god! Pull in, I jump out and go in. Of course they don’t have it but tell me the other store down the road shows one on hand. Shit!! Walk back to the guys van and I’m trying to look thru the windshield to get a glimpse of the kid in the back seat but I can’t see clearly. Get back in the car and tell him, no the other store has it. Start heading back the other way and he explains as the moaning is getting more frequent, that his wife and him finally got their son in a facility and they are moving him the next day which is Monday. Says it’s gonna be strange having time to themselves because it’s been a full time job taking care of their son but it’s getting to be too much because of how big he’s getting and it’s physically draining. I’m just nodding and saying stuff like that’s probably a good thing for all of you, you deserve a break and some time together, he’s probably gonna get taken good care of and you shouldn’t feel bad about it, all the while praying for every green light and trying to ignore the noises coming from behind me. Finally get to the store and grab the part and some coolant. Again trying to see into the backseat when I’m walking back to the van but he’s parked sideways and the windows are too dark. He gets me back to the highway, I thank him repeatedly and try to give him $100. He won’t take it and tells me to just pay it forward. Thank him again and walk back to the truck where Jess is waiting.
Thankfully it wasn’t cold that weekend or else Jess and Lola would be miserable and freezing. She asks how I got that part and I said some guy gave me a ride from the gas station. She said oh that was nice, how’s that go? I just said fine and left it at that.
Get the broken hose off the water pump side, it’s just a squeeze clamp. Pull the new hose out of the bag and the quick disconnect side is different. It looks like a push lock connector not like the one that was on there with that retainer clip. I’m thinking maybe it’s a new design. It won’t go on with the retainer clip on the tee so I took that off and pushed the new fitting on and it clicked over the end of the tee but didn’t feel right. I’ll try it, I have nothing else. Attach the other end to the water pump with the new squeeze clamp and fill up the coolant tank. It took the entire gallon but I had about a half gallon that I brought with me because I try to be prepared for stuff like this. I tell her go ahead and start it so I can bleed it. She starts the engine and coolant blows out past the new fitting. Shut it off! SOAB! Now what? Wrong hose, at least the wrong fitting on the hose. Time to improvise. I took the hose with the broken fitting and cut the end off so I just had a plain heater hose. Pulled the new hose off the water pump and put the old hose back on as fast as I could so I didn’t lose anymore coolant. Stuck the hose onto the tee and used a hose clamp I had in my tool box and tightened it down. Put whatever coolant I had in the tank and said start it. It’s holding but I know it won’t last the rest of the way home so we headed back to Autozone. They didn’t have the right part but they did have a 5/8” quick disconnect fitting with a barbed end. That works! Returned the wrong hose but kept the squeeze clamp that it came with and grabbed 2 more gallons of coolant. Pulled the hose off the tee, attached the quick connect fitting with new squeeze clamp, put new retainer clip on and attached the hose again. Filled coolant, bled it out and hit a car wash to clean all the coolant off so it wouldn’t smoke anymore and I couldn’t leave all that sticky crap on there. Made it home without issue and that part is still on there but I will be replacing the tees and fittings with better quality ones when or if I get some time.
How’s that for an adventure. Never a dull moment over here. I did tell Jess about the drive when she kept questioning me and wondering why I was only giving her one word answers. I finally broke down and told her and she just laughed the entire time and I said, this is exactly why I didn’t want to tell ya.
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Last edited:
OP
OP
Snowbound
Jim
Julianna turned 7 on April 24th. Jess wanted to get her a hamster and I said no way! I’m not dealing with that thing when we want to go up north or having it bite her because she grabs it when it’s sleeping. I’d have to kill it!
She wanted a unicorn cake so Jess had some lady make this for her. Better than I could do but I don’t really see the resemblance. But the lady makes awesome cakes, cupcakes and brownies. Her cheesecakes are the bomb so we go to her for stuff like this. Jules was happy so that’s all that matters.
Jess decides we’ll get her a kitten then. That’s just what we need with Lola going on 11, some cat peeing and pooping in the house, tearing up the furniture with it’s claws and something else we need to take to the vet.
Turned into a nightmare trying to find a kitten. I remember being able to go to pretty much any farm and finding a kitten. Not any more. I guess with the scamdemic everyone picked up a new pet so they are few and far between. You have to fill out an application and get approved before you can even look at them. By the time Jess would get approved the kittens would be gone or they only had males left and I said NO MALE CAT!
As you can clearly see, she did finally get one and picked it up the day after Julianna’s birthday. My buddy wanted to get her a cat tower but couldn’t give it to her on her birthday for obvious reasons so they came over when Jess came home with the kitten.
I gotta say, we got a good one. This cat, Rosie is what she named it, let’s Jules pick her up and walk around with her. Rosie jumps up on her lap and cuddles with her and since I’m on midnights and nap during the day this thing sleeps between my legs every day. It’s a playful little shit and still has its claws for now and they are like razor blades. Jess had to sign a waiver that she wouldn’t get the cat declawed but I told her, you lied because we are getting that done. We’ll keep her 2wd but she’s not staying 4wd!
At first Lola wanted to eat that thing. We had to keep them separated for a good week and a half. Then we would just keep Lola from chasing her down and Rosie would hiss and spit whenever Lola would get near. We were trying to slowly get them acquainted.
Lola doesn’t go on the furniture but when I lay on the lounge at the end of the couch and throw a blanket down I let her come up by me on the blanket. So one day I’m chillin with Lola and Rosie comes along and jumps up by me not knowing Lola was there and they look at each other, Lola puts her head back down and Rosie isn’t gonna not sleep between my legs so this is how they ended up. She has to keep her paw on Lola so she’ll know if Lola turns around or moves but this was the first time they slept anywhere near each other. Now Lola just ignores her, Rosie tries to play every now and again by attacking Lola’s legs as she walks by but Lola has no part of it. As long as I’m not ignoring Lola and giving Rosie attention, I don’t think Lola will eat her so it’s working out so far.
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She wanted a unicorn cake so Jess had some lady make this for her. Better than I could do but I don’t really see the resemblance. But the lady makes awesome cakes, cupcakes and brownies. Her cheesecakes are the bomb so we go to her for stuff like this. Jules was happy so that’s all that matters.
Jess decides we’ll get her a kitten then. That’s just what we need with Lola going on 11, some cat peeing and pooping in the house, tearing up the furniture with it’s claws and something else we need to take to the vet.
Turned into a nightmare trying to find a kitten. I remember being able to go to pretty much any farm and finding a kitten. Not any more. I guess with the scamdemic everyone picked up a new pet so they are few and far between. You have to fill out an application and get approved before you can even look at them. By the time Jess would get approved the kittens would be gone or they only had males left and I said NO MALE CAT!
As you can clearly see, she did finally get one and picked it up the day after Julianna’s birthday. My buddy wanted to get her a cat tower but couldn’t give it to her on her birthday for obvious reasons so they came over when Jess came home with the kitten.
I gotta say, we got a good one. This cat, Rosie is what she named it, let’s Jules pick her up and walk around with her. Rosie jumps up on her lap and cuddles with her and since I’m on midnights and nap during the day this thing sleeps between my legs every day. It’s a playful little shit and still has its claws for now and they are like razor blades. Jess had to sign a waiver that she wouldn’t get the cat declawed but I told her, you lied because we are getting that done. We’ll keep her 2wd but she’s not staying 4wd!
At first Lola wanted to eat that thing. We had to keep them separated for a good week and a half. Then we would just keep Lola from chasing her down and Rosie would hiss and spit whenever Lola would get near. We were trying to slowly get them acquainted.
Lola doesn’t go on the furniture but when I lay on the lounge at the end of the couch and throw a blanket down I let her come up by me on the blanket. So one day I’m chillin with Lola and Rosie comes along and jumps up by me not knowing Lola was there and they look at each other, Lola puts her head back down and Rosie isn’t gonna not sleep between my legs so this is how they ended up. She has to keep her paw on Lola so she’ll know if Lola turns around or moves but this was the first time they slept anywhere near each other. Now Lola just ignores her, Rosie tries to play every now and again by attacking Lola’s legs as she walks by but Lola has no part of it. As long as I’m not ignoring Lola and giving Rosie attention, I don’t think Lola will eat her so it’s working out so far.
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Sam Harris
Supporting Member
Hahaha! That’s awesome. Great story man. Thanks for sharing that. Glad to have you back man!
petethepug
Michael
Yea bully pics! Keep em coming. You are fortunate with the cat too. Good work Dad.
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Tonyrodz
Resident Resident
Awesome story lol! Good deal McGyvering that fitting. I've been stuck on the side of the road too many times to count. I don't blame you on the hamster deal. My kids had them for awhile in their room. They later complained that the hamsters would keep them up at night running on their wheel. We put the cage in a closet because there was no where else to put it--yup, that was the beginning of the end. I'm not a cat person, but I found a feral kitten a few summers ago. She was stuck under a car. Got her out and took her home. We had her 4 months, but she kept breaking stuff. We were able to find her a good home tho. Our pit loved her. They used to play all the time, and the cat used to kick her ass lol. I miss that cat.
She liked laying in the sink for some odd reason. She was 4wd too lol.
She liked laying in the sink for some odd reason. She was 4wd too lol.
petethepug
Michael
Kataclismic!
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OP
OP
Snowbound
Jim
Looks like that was a good playmate for the dog. Lola’s too old for that now. I’m not a cat person either but once I’m around any animal I get attached. Unless it’s just a total douchbag and I’ve seen many of animals like that.
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Tonyrodz
Resident Resident
Same here! I've met many animals that are assholes. Everything has a personality.
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