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mapsedgeThis was Automotive Weekend at our house. I changed the oil on both vehicles and fixed a slow leak on the Civic's right-front tire1. After having not touched an engine with any tool more complex than a paper towel for more than ten years, it was an interesting experience to say the least. At least I remembered how.
The van's drain plug was an issue, until I found the right size socket (17mm, for future reference); that found, it was easily finished. The Civic gave me the most problems. The Civic engine compartment is designed in such a way that unless you park on an incline greater than 45° - or hang the car by it's front bumper from something Really Tall - the oil from the oil filter is going to drain onto the frame and exhaust system. It makes for smoke and smell and a day's worth of drip marks in the driveway, so it's impossible to tell if there's actually a leak or not.
To repair the tire leak I had to remove the wheel which had stuck solid to the lug plate. After fifteen minutes of beating on the wheel with a dead-blow hammer, tugging, pulling, WD-40'ing, swearing, etc., it broke loose with a loud pistol-shot of a pop. Fixing the puncture (a ring-shank drywall nail, if you're interested) took just a few minutes.
In the end, between the oil changes and tire repair, I saved us about $100 by doing it myself.
The Halloween party was a lot of fun, in spite of having to wear a costume. Ate good food, played good music with good - and new - friends. The other guitarist besides me and aerie13 was a guy named Cody, who's been performing on stage with a guitar in his hands since he was four years old. Terrific player, terrific person: humble and appreciative.
Finally, we closed out the weekend with a visit to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
glesyn and raibeart 's house. They live a small distance away, a very pleasant drive through some beautiful Missouri country. We had a great meal, and even better visiting. The kids are having trouble adjusting to the time change, so by the end they were totally out of control. Once in the van and moving, they calmed down and got sleepy, if never actually asleep.
So, a good meal with good friends, and on the drive home we saw a shooting star. A good way to end the weekend and start the new year.
1Although, whether it is actually fixed or not remains to be seen. Hafta wait a few days and watch the pressure.
The van's drain plug was an issue, until I found the right size socket (17mm, for future reference); that found, it was easily finished. The Civic gave me the most problems. The Civic engine compartment is designed in such a way that unless you park on an incline greater than 45° - or hang the car by it's front bumper from something Really Tall - the oil from the oil filter is going to drain onto the frame and exhaust system. It makes for smoke and smell and a day's worth of drip marks in the driveway, so it's impossible to tell if there's actually a leak or not.
To repair the tire leak I had to remove the wheel which had stuck solid to the lug plate. After fifteen minutes of beating on the wheel with a dead-blow hammer, tugging, pulling, WD-40'ing, swearing, etc., it broke loose with a loud pistol-shot of a pop. Fixing the puncture (a ring-shank drywall nail, if you're interested) took just a few minutes.
In the end, between the oil changes and tire repair, I saved us about $100 by doing it myself.
The Halloween party was a lot of fun, in spite of having to wear a costume. Ate good food, played good music with good - and new - friends. The other guitarist besides me and aerie13 was a guy named Cody, who's been performing on stage with a guitar in his hands since he was four years old. Terrific player, terrific person: humble and appreciative.
Finally, we closed out the weekend with a visit to
glesyn and raibeart 's house. They live a small distance away, a very pleasant drive through some beautiful Missouri country. We had a great meal, and even better visiting. The kids are having trouble adjusting to the time change, so by the end they were totally out of control. Once in the van and moving, they calmed down and got sleepy, if never actually asleep.So, a good meal with good friends, and on the drive home we saw a shooting star. A good way to end the weekend and start the new year.
1Although, whether it is actually fixed or not remains to be seen. Hafta wait a few days and watch the pressure.