Monday, November 21, 2011

What a Weekend.

For those who are following the saga of my Mother in Law who was severely beaten in her home, I believe we have good news. She is supposedly coming home tomorrow.  There were quite a few complications from the beating, fluid around the lungs, bruised and swollen kidney, stomach problems, fractured skull and hip etc. She still has to use a walker to get around and will need a hip replacement but for now she seems to be doing better. Thank you for all the prayers and kind words of support.

My stepdaughter's car (well actually my car but I never drive it) broke down last Thursday night, its a Ford Focus. I am not a mechanic nor do I play one on TV but I have a pretty good grasp on mechanical things. I do not have money to throw at it so I decided to fix it myself. I determined the fuel pump was not working after much troubleshooting. I bought a new one, when the old pump was removed it did bench test OK but the screen around the pump was clogged so I decided to replace the pump anyway seeing as I had gone this far. I installed the new pump but the car failed to run.
The pump is in the tank and not a lot of fun to change. I pulled the new pump back out and bench tested it.....it worked. I put it back in...still not running. I tested all the circuits and everything was fine, I took the pump back out, it still bench tested fine. I determined it was not working when submerged in fuel so out of desperation I reinstalled the old pump and screen after it was thoroughly cleaned, I put it all back together and it ran like a top. The bright side of it was I took the pump back to the parts store and they refunded my money.
I do have a car lift in my shop (that picks up the whole car and you can walk under it) but it is still not a fun job. I have better things to do with my weekends.

13 comments:

  1. Now me on the other hand would have had to take any car problem, to you....

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  2. I know how frustrating that all can be, but at least the beastie is running again.

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  3. Stephen, if you bring me a car to fix I will take it to the range and have target practice.
    Rev. Paul, It makes you want to take up cussing when you have a weekend like this.

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  4. Happy to read MIL is well enough to be home for thanksgiving and Christmas is just around the corner. Your family really has something for which to be thankful!!!

    We don't even bother to do any work on our vehicles any longer. Can't even get to a part that may need replacing on the newer vehicles. Fortunately we haven't had any major problems that would break the bank. I miss my dad's old 66 ford truck. I could sit up in the motor area and help work on it.

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  5. Mamma Bear, Thanks, family is something to be thankful for. I miss old vehicles as well. I used to be able to diagnose and fix them very quickly...not so with newer cars.

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  6. Do you think you also might have a fuel filter clogged (or partially clogged) and maybe some trash in the gas tank?

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  7. Good news all around. Glad MIL is better.

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  8. Matt, I did replace the fuel filter as well as plugs, PCV valve and air cleaner (basic tune up stuff)
    Rob's Bunker, Thanks.

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  9. So glad to hear things are getting better. A little bit at a time.

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  10. Dear Duke - i am so happy to hear this news about your Mother in Law - and i bet that you are thrilled. about her being able to come home. but not so thrilled about spending your weekend on that dang car! but i am glad that you were able to get it running! good job, buddy!

    your friend,
    kymber

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  11. 45er, thanks, It is good news.
    Kymber, Thank you for your prayers and support. I just long for stuff to be 'normal' sometimes, whatever that is.

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  12. Duke, now I know you love Christmas...you've just had a few tough and rough weeks...have a good trip in the morning and see you when you get back.

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