Monday, August 25, 2008
Back to Earth....
Well, didn't meet my goal of driving the car around the block yesterday.
I bled the brakes without issue, although it took me a couple of wacks are each corner to get the air out. The driver's side rear brake isn't real strong, so I will have to see what's up with that. But I figured I had enough braking power for a spin around the block.
Took the tires out to fill them up, then put 'em on and lowered the car. One last check of oil, coolant, dashpot oil, and then my sons, wife, daughter and several of my son's friend's came out to watch the big event! Of course, the car wouldn't start!
It would crank then make a loud 'clicking' sound and stop. Only thing I could figure was that the fan belt was a bit loose so the alternator was slipping. So I tightened the belt, and sure enough, it started right up! So we unhooked the jumper cables,
but when I stepped on the brake, the idle dropped to almost nothing. When I released the brakes, it jumped up again but eventually the car stalled. When we tried to jump it again, we again got that half-crank then loud clicking. So, there must be a vacuum leak with the brakes - when I looked at the hose, it appeared that there might be a slight crack in it. So, I will replace that hose.
At that point, I decided to call it a day. I am going to get the battery (dropped it off at the shop this am), and also change the battery clamp (which has a crack in it so it is a bit loose) and then, once I know the charging system is good, going to try it again.
I bled the brakes without issue, although it took me a couple of wacks are each corner to get the air out. The driver's side rear brake isn't real strong, so I will have to see what's up with that. But I figured I had enough braking power for a spin around the block.
Took the tires out to fill them up, then put 'em on and lowered the car. One last check of oil, coolant, dashpot oil, and then my sons, wife, daughter and several of my son's friend's came out to watch the big event! Of course, the car wouldn't start!
It would crank then make a loud 'clicking' sound and stop. Only thing I could figure was that the fan belt was a bit loose so the alternator was slipping. So I tightened the belt, and sure enough, it started right up! So we unhooked the jumper cables,
but when I stepped on the brake, the idle dropped to almost nothing. When I released the brakes, it jumped up again but eventually the car stalled. When we tried to jump it again, we again got that half-crank then loud clicking. So, there must be a vacuum leak with the brakes - when I looked at the hose, it appeared that there might be a slight crack in it. So, I will replace that hose.
At that point, I decided to call it a day. I am going to get the battery (dropped it off at the shop this am), and also change the battery clamp (which has a crack in it so it is a bit loose) and then, once I know the charging system is good, going to try it again.
# posted by Dan DiBiase @ 11:04 AM 
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