so, here's my report on my 2K mile trip, to Durango, CO and back (?).
86 300 SDL 235K miles.
the trip out was uneventful, 70 ish mph, trying the "new " PRI-D additive.
I'm happy to report, getting 30-32 mpg, highway 50 (mostly two lane), some
mountains.
but on the way back..........
I hit a bump,and the whole front end began to shimmy, much like my old
pickup used to, when the kingpins wore out. I applied the brakes, and it
stopped.......dang.
so, I pull in to a shop, and ask to check the tie rods.....it appeared, one
is loose, but, not to the breaking point, and, felt, and was assured, it'd
last home.
And, it did. The shimmy happened from time to time, but, overall, it was
workable.
But, in Salida, UT, as I was climbing a long steep (6 miles) hill out of
town, I committed a cardinal transgression of driving: "Smell antifreeze,
pull over".
Well, I was following an old RV and, it was overheating, so, I thought,
since my temp gauge was normal, it was just him.
But, as I topped said hill, and the road flattened out, the temp began to
rise fast.......and, I began to look for a spot to pull over. This section
of road is two lanes, no shoulder, and soft sand......so, I had to continue
until a safe spot could be found.
By then, the needle was pegged on high, and, steam arose from under the
hood.
I left it idling, and popped the hood.
water was squirting on the fan, from the upper hose.
So, I got a towel and opened the cap.
I had a gallon of water, so, poured that in slowly. It helped bring the temp
to high, but, not cool it.
so, I did a "u" turn, knowing if I could make the crest of the hill, I could
coast all the way back to town.
The temp was pegged, again above the red, as I crested the hill.
I was coasting at 60 mph, and left the engine idling, for steering and
brakes, and, it cooled a little.
I got to a parts house, and of course, they didn't have the correct hose,
but, we found one close and cut it to fit.
The old hose, upon inspections, looked like a chunk had been taken out, not
popped, but cut.
It was right in line with the fan, but, all the parts on said fan and stuff
were intact.
We decided, somehow, something flew up off the road, hit the fan and was
propelled into the hose, cutting it (very clean edges on the damage, and no
loose pieces, but a hole).
So, replacing said hose, refilling 50/50 and getting two more gallons of
water, we head out.
all is fine.
I stopped a couple of times, to top up the tank, knowing it probably had a
bubble or two from going almost dry. I ran the heater, to make sure it was
full, too.
We got to Ely, for fuel, and noted, water dripping from under the reservoir
tank (plastic).
and, it was getting worse!
so, I let it cool a little and removed said tank.
It had several cracks!! only one was leaking but, the thick plastic had
cracked.
I guessed, the hot steam from the previous incident, and pressure from the
cap, softened the tank enough, to let it expand under pressure and crack.
So, I used what I had (to later for parts), duct tape and fishing line, to
patch said tank.
It held. But, I was not willing to pressurize it at cap pressures, feeling
the patch would blow off.
So, I called my friend/MBZ mech. and explained.
He said, my only option was to run with a loose cap, and refill from time to
time, as the low coolant light came on.
so, I did that.
this worked fine, until just before Austin, NV. Evidently, the low coolant
switch decided to malfunction, and, as I was climbing the pass, the temp
shot up, again.
and, this time, I'm sure it emptied the cooling system.
I opened the cap, nothing but steam (I had left the cap loose, to avoid
pressure on the patch).
It took the whole 4 gallons of water, a little at a time (pour it in, steam,
noise, blow it back out, repeat),
to get the engine to accept the last little bit of water, and get just below
"hot" (I left it idling the whole time), and, limp to the top of the pass,
enabling us to coast into Austin.
Austin, NV at midnight on a Monday, is closed. Period.
no water at the only two gas stations, no one at the police office, and I
had no interest in sneaking into someone's yard to get water, and have them
think I stealing their daffodils.
The one bar that was open, looked inside so much like I'd expect a bar in
the movie "Deliverance" to look, as well as the three drunken patrons, I was
not going inside.
So, AAA, here I come.
got towed into Fallon at 4 am, called a friend (indeed) and was home by
noon.
Went back up with my truck and car trailer yesterday.
The car started fine, seemed to run smooth. I pulled onto the trailer, and,
it's home.
dang.
Any thoughts, would be appreciated, referring to things to check, probably
causes, and, what I could have done better.
Henry
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