I'm very particular about checking fluids, usually.
Sat night on my way to work I heard a weird sound & hoped it was someone else on the freeway. It was a loud banging type of noise. The sound went away, I forgot all about it.
Last night again on my way to work, I heard the sound, thought uh oh, that sounds like lifters from low oil. Forgot all about it by the time I got off work.
Today on my way to an interview I again heard "the" sound, this time I mentally kicked myself for not checking the fluids & pulled over immediately.
Yes I know you shouldn't check the oil when the car is hot, you get a false reading.
Well, there wasn't a drop of oil showing on the dipstick! I had some in the trunk, I put that in, cancelled my interview, and went to Auto Zone. Bought more oil, put some in, FINALLY got a reading on the dipstick.
I limped towards home not able to go faster than about 25mph. The car died at an intersection 6 miles from home. I got it started again, limped on down the road till it finally stopped about 1/4 mile from home. It would turn over, but not start.
Sounds like a combination of no gas, which I have 1/2 a tank, and like it's going to explode and shoot bolts and other engine shrapnel everywhere. I know that's vague. One of the guys that stopped to help and towed me home, claims to be a diesel mechanic. He said it seems like it has to do with the cam, but without tearing the engine apart it's impossible to tell.
I used my cell phone video to try to record. I put it under files, it says Video002, Trish's '81 300D.
Neither Kevin nor I know anything about diesels. What are my options? Pull the engine and put in a new one? I know a mechanic, he says it's free for them to tell me what's wrong, but they don't get involved in rebuilds, they'll be happy to pull this engine and drop in another one...for $$$$$$
I did call the kid I bought the car from. He swears there was no problem. He said they had the oil changed because the car had been sitting. It was done at Lube Express. I don't know if they didn't put the drain plug in right or maybe the filter wasn't installed properly. But if it's not due for an oil change until 12/15, I sure shouldn't be out of oil now! He told me how the money I paid him burned a hole in his pocket so he bought a truck and has had to dump tons of money into...so I wonder if that's not instant Karma? Did he know something about my car??? I did ask if his diesel mechanic dad would be willing to come see if he can tell me what's wrong. I told him I'm not after him, the car was purchased "as is".
boo hoo hoo. I'm very bummed and trapped at home ten miles outside of town!
Trish
No comments:
Post a Comment