This is a story of woe.
My story starts on Monday, when I had to make the 6 hour drive back
to Pullman (from Olympia), so that I could be at work Tuesday
morning. I wasn't dreading the drive, though I didn't want to go
back to work just yet.
It is cloudy, threatening rain, so the hood is up. However, the
weather is supposed to improve once I am over the mountains,
changing to partly sunny with a chance of showers. Hah.
Driving east, I discover that when I balanced my tires, the funny
vibration moved from ~50 mph to ~55. No prizes for guessing the
average speed of traffic on WA state hwy 18.
However, all is good. I get to I-90, and start moving along at a
more appropriate speed (~80). I reach the top of the pass, and
start heading down, and I am greeted by rain. A downpour really,
and it doesn't stop. At all.
I have yet to see a British car.
About 2 hours into my journey, I smell a whiff of antifreeze.
Since I had just turned on the heat, I think nothing of it.
However, I need to stop to take a break (too much coffee earlier),
so I pull into the Indian John rest area (about 25 miles west of
Ellensburg, 200+ miles from Pullman). When I return to the car to
check the oil, I discover a small stream of antifreeze has appeared
under my car.
My water pump died. On a holiday. At 3:15 PM.
The rest of that day is short. I called my boss, he will come get
me. Should take about 4 hours, he gets there at 8:15. We don't
get back to Pullman until nearly 6 (yes Tuesday).
I had yet to see a British car. I did see a Fiat on my way to work
though (I walked).
Yesterday, my new pump arrived. I removed the radiator, the
pulley, and my water pump. The only problem (of course!) is that
the three bolts I successfully removed are all different lengths.
This seems strange to me, but I haven't looked in a parts book to
confirm this (I am assuming the worst). The fourth bolt sheared
off, and I will have to remove it later. Good thing lots of heat
is available.
So, for British car week, I drove all of 2 hours, and my car has
been out of commission for the rest of the week. Fortunately, the
week is nearly over, and next week might be better.
I did see a fine B yesterday, complete with a BMC AM radio. I felt
bad for the car though, it was the one stuck on the street, while
the Land Rover and the Honda were parked on the drive. I have yet
to see a British car being driven.
Oh, and to complete the week, my computer's monitor died over the
weekend too, and the warrantee expired some time ago.
Grr.
--
Aaron Whiteman -- Thoughts of graduation vaguely apply.
My opinions are mine and do not reflect the views of the University.
http://www.wsu.edu/~aaronpw/MG/
'75 B
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