6 Days till the 4100 km Drive to Alberta

[Dowser]

Evening all.

 

Haven't been on for a while as I dropped my Computer down a flight of staris during a move. Mashed into several pieces and the mother board was laying face down in about a foot of snow so needless to say, things aren't working right now. Just happen to be near a computer for the moment so I'll get you all up to speed.

 

-Found a Big crack in the Cat Converter after all my preaching of Emissions.

-O2 Senser is shot cause I'm getting a hell of a lot of White smoke now. Ran the codes and it says I'm running lean of course. Don't think I'll be able to get either before this move to Alberta as it's already going to cost the Girl and I over 5 Grand for the move. Think I'll be Ok driving it that long if it's Burning Lean?

-Finally Bought my Steel Wheels. YAY. 15 X 8's with 3.75 backspacing. Added 33x12.5 tires which took like over 7 ounces of weight on each tire to balance and now I got a hell of a lot more issues. For one, Wheel Rub. Only the Drivers side when I turn Left. I took off the fender flares in hopes for a tiny bit more clearance but it's not lookin good. I've got the Calmini UCA's in and I jacked the front up a bit. I'm about 1/2" - 1" from the bump stops so i can go more, but my Passenger side Upper BJ isn't sitting straight like the Drivers side. It's angled quite a bit more then I'd like to see it and doesn't look too strong in my opinion.

-With a Loosy Goosy, Nissan Steering system and the high quality :oops: STOCK centerlink I have I'll never get this thing aligned. Or so I'm told from the Alignment specialists at goodyear. hahaha.

-My Tires are freaking messed up and are doing the same thing as JJ's. Turning all funky with this sort of thing. l/

-My vehicle died on me yesterday while I was taking the fenderflares off of it. I had it Idling so i could turn the wheels using the Power Steering and before long it started farting like it was about to die. I ran to the gas pedal to giver a bit of juice and it just got sick on me, spuddered and died. After that, seemed like not enough gas was getting to the ignition as it didn't want to stay alive. Now its just the starter talking to me. No firing. I can hear the Pump click on for the 2 seconds it does when you turn the key, I checked the sending unit and it's got the 12 volts. I haven't checked Pump pressure yet but if thats good What do you think. Plugs and wires maybe?

Also, I would like to make another Quick anouncement of Calmini's UCA's and how they are not very compatable with Rancho Shocks. The Calmini UCA's as everyone knows are beefy. So beefy in fact that the opening for the shock is not reasonabley wide enough for Rancho's Thick 9000x design. my shocks are taking a beating rubbing against the UCA's.

 

All and all, I looking at a Very HEAFTY repair bill Im thinking. I'm also thinking my Boy is near pooched. Just when I bought a block heater too for those nice -40 mornings too.

6 days all.... 6 DAYS!... I need to get this thing operational PRONTO. Any help is appreciated. You know... I could have sworn i was Upgraging this thing, not deteriorating it. What the F@#k....

 

Dowser

and the Beaten Battle Worn Lean Machine

[Simon]

Hey Dowser.....

 

If anything, once you get her running.........I'd go buy a new stock CL, and install it, just to get her aligned for your trip. It should last a while, as long as you aren't wheeling it....and based upon the amount of play I saw in yours while you were at my place, I'd say it's a mandatory repair. Especially given the length of the trip you're taking. You'll eat through those brand new tires in no time. Probably toast them on your trip.

 

Your O2 sensor MAY not be shot, as the crack in the cat could be messing with it's readings.......

 

If you've got wheel rub, and the T-bars are cranked.....start trimming. I know 88's got 33's on, with a 3+3 and he had to trim the fenders a bit to stuff them in there.

 

If it died on you while Idling, that doesn't sound good. Check your distributor, wires, plugs, MAF sensor and connecting wires. Also, if your pump is running, maybe change out the fuel filter.....possibly became clogged.

 

As usual, if you do get her running again, and need a place to work on it, let me know.....

 

Keep us posted on what's wrong with her, and good luck.

[Filthy Luker]

It puzzles me that you knew that you had to make a big move yet you kept adding big stuff to your truck. Stuff that will make your 4000KM+ move more cumbersome and expensive (fuel cost, worn out parts) and stuff that could have been easily purchased after you got settled in Alberta. You were told many times of the issues when lifting the front end with big tires and stock CL....

 

I just don't understand some people I guess...

 

Also oxygen sensor is only like $80 so i'd replace it now as it's gonna save you in gas over the 4000KM+ just driving there.

 

Running lean is extremely bad for the engine... It's worse than running rich.

[Mookie]

As suggested, I'd replace that centre link too. If you happen to use 4wd you could find your steering quite wonky and almost unpredicatable on snow if the centre link is badly worn. The O2 sensor change is good to. Mine went out on me 3hrs after leaving Alberta for Ontario. Couldn't figure out why I was backfiring, sputtering, dies out on hills and headwinds...made for a long and frusterating trip!

 

For the starting issue, have you tried the basics like checking your battery volts, cable connections? I'd run the codes to see if that shows anything like a crank angle sensor for example.

 

Going through the sSates and cutting up or through Ontario on the way out?

[Dowser]

Heading to the garage in about 30 minutes to try and figure out whats happening. Had to get CAA to tow it there last night. Luker. As far as this move is concerned, It wasn't offical until about 3 weeks ago. Before that it was just talk as The Girl was Applying for several different positions. Most of which were still in Ontario. Since I got Laid off on Thanksgiving with absolutely no notice, My Cash supply has had to stretch significantly. I started Buying and amassing the parts while I was working and was going to put them all on once I had them all gathered, but that Unforgetable Trip to BobCaygen seemed to speed the Process up a lot sooner then expected. With my Front Suspension Shot, I had to swap what was at least broken. I purchaced 33" tires in hopes I would have the other Parts purchased before the installation of them. Perhaps a buit hasty, but a Set of 4 Tires for $300.00 seemed like I should jump on them. I waited as long as posible to change them out but the fronts were so bad they looked exactly like Drag racing Slicks. The Side walls were the only Tread pattern. When it came time to swap I had the choice of either buying 2 more 31's for the front, or getting 5 rims to put the new tires on. As I couldn't see myself shipping the set of 33's to Alberta and the fact that I got the 5 Rims for less then the cost of two 31's the choice was easy for me. It all boils down to Cash. And with Being unemployed, Christmas, 2 moves to generate funds for, and credit cards already maxed, The necesary parts for this pig are just going to have to wait. Going to charge up my account at my Uncles Garage in parts and labor before I go being the Good Nephew I am and hopefully will get things a bit more funtional. So although I knew of the problems with the Centerlinks and so on, this is just how things worked out. Not exactly as I planned as usual.

Mookie, heading up the through Canada, up through Saskatoon, then to Grand Praire adn finally North to Fairveiw. I was hoping we might go through the States and drive through Calgary and Edmonton but thats not the case. Although you'll be like 12 hours away, I just may have to come see that Monster Machine of yours. And posibally... yes... thats right. Break all your tools.

Heading out to look into parts and figure out whats happening. Oh and simon. Whats the chance I could swing by your place on Boxing day on my way through and pick up the Timiing Belt and Water Pump? lol You don't have to be home or anything . You can just leave it on the front step or whatever. I have a strong feeling I should get a hold of those haha.

 

Keep ya's posted.

 

Dowser

[Simon]

Not a problem. I'll be around all day, leaving in the evening to go visit some friends. If I'm not home by the time you come by, I'll leave them in the mailbox.

 

Good luck with the rest of the stuff........hopefully it's an easy fix...........

 

 

And if you fix ANYTHING....make it that CL.

[Dowser]

Well turns out it was the Wiring to the sending unit. Once again the guy that I bought it from had fiddled with it. Turns out I had a Little Fire inside my Gas tank. Not the nicest thing to find out. The main Power Line to the sending unit had ate through a budget sh!tty Grommet the guy had on there. Even when I was testing it last night for Voltage I was thinking that the whole thing was looking rather nasty. We went to unscrew the wire and ended up popping the screw right into the tank and the Wire connector needed to be changed. The Mechanic said that the Wire was poorly put back together and that having a fire inside the Gas tank happens ocassionaly but its nothing to worry about as theres no Oxygen to burn in there. Thats when I told him that when I was cleaning off the sending unit earlier I used a cup of water to wash away all the grime and noticed about 12 different air bubble leaks from the seal section. His eyes got a little wider and he said, "Well your lucky then cause things could have been a lot worse." So my Pig is purring for the time being. The wheels are still jacked. Did a poor mans Alignment check and noticed the wheels are off by about an inch of each other. It's a Toe problem and my Tire rods are looking like nothing short of a Torch is going to budge them. Centerlink will be the next thing to tackle but I doubt I'll be able to get it before I go. I have this strange feeling that I may be leaving the Pig on the side of the Road somewhere between here and Fairview. If that happens I'm pretty sure CAA wont tow me the rest of the way. I also took a grinder to the bottoms of the Fenders. Not nearly enough but I at least have about a CM of clearence on flat terrain. I can now turn corners at a crawl and not worry about hitting. Mind you if I go up a curb or something while turning it's not gonna be good. LOL Man, I'm not even Mall rated anymore. With such little time left I'm going to have to just deal with it as it is and hope for the best. I'll just Drive it like I'm making sweet love and hope that I don't slip up while trying to go the distance. More to come on Thursday.

 

Dowser

[Mr. Pickles]

Have you considered pulling a junkyard CL (and other parts) on the cheap? May be better than doing nothing, and hopefully cheap. Other than that, drive slow, and we'll cross our fingers and hope nobody gets in your way.

[Dowser]

A quick Update.

 

Block Heater Is in. Not the Factory Design though As its supposed to go behind the Manifold Exhaust which as we all know would be like a Huge undertaking. I have about 5 Broken studs last I checked and Probably more by now and those need to come off to get the Factory Version Block Heater in. Went with a Jimmy'd Rad hose kind. I think It'll do the job. As far as an Alignment Goes and getting another Centerlink in, I couldn't get a Centerlink in time for the move. Even at the Local U pull it Wrecking yards there was none there. Sh!t out of luck for a centerlink which of course makes aligning this Bastard a hell of a problem. I got the Toe in but the Camber on the Drivers side is out. I think it read at 118 Degrees when I believe its supposed to be 67. Things are definitely Loosy Goosy though. I'll just have to take Caution for the trip. I'm pretty Curious why the Drivers side Camber is not correct though. Turns out the Passenger side is a little higher then the Drivers, and the Passengers is fine. I'm still trying to figure out why the Drivers side wont Camber properly. With all the Shims out, and about 3/4 of an inch off the Bump stops they were telling me nothing short of lowering the Spring rate would fix it. Perhaps the damage to the Lower Control Arm mount has something to do with it. If you can remember I posted its pic in me BobCaygen Forum. Did all the Oils except for the Tranny due to not finding the right oil. But Have since found a local dealer selling the right stuff. I found one from Quakerstate as a Synthetic in the 1 Litre bottle form. I'll get the Part number and post it in the Appropriate formus later. I cut out the Fenders using 88's great write up on fender Trimming and Cut the Hell out of my Pig. Now that I cut the excess away I noticed that clearance is still not the greatest. I cant cut anything else Either as it would be Structural which I was Highly advised not to cut. As much as I love my Pathy I can really see how Fender Stuffing space is a real concern. It's just not structurally designed with Bigger Tires in mind. At any rate, I wont be rubbing anymore unless I do some good Crawling while Offroading. Leaving in 3 days including today and nothing is open now even if I wanted to do more. The Mechanics were laughing at me when I told them I'm driving it to Alberta. They said, well at leat now you have a 75% chance instead of 30%. Bastards.... no Faith in my Boy. They were poking fun at me also when I was talking to my Juggernaught reassuring him that Cutting his fenders wasn't going to hurt a bit and to be strong. I hope the trip will go well but incase I get buggered I'm sure you guys will get a Laugh out of the Pic of my Monster getting Towed from a Yellow Cavalier. :oops:

 

Dowser

 

More to come.