Well here comes another chapter in the mystifying world of mechanical transportation. Sunday saw another crapter in the continuing saga of Chuck and Jenni's infinite hit list. Jenni went to get coffee, paper towels and essentials while I watched the NCAA Tennessee vs. Michigan State game. Before you know it I get a call. The brakes broke on the drop-top torpedo. She said the pedal was going almost all the way to the floor. Luckily she was only 5 stop lights from home, and to help further it was raining.
She could have parked the 'Vert and I'd come play fetch, or she could baby the two ton smash-compactor home. She drove. When she got home I went out and surveyed the damage. The brake fluid reservoir was completely dry. I refilled, started the car a pumped the brakes. Brief partial pressure, then mush again. Then I re-checked and almost all the fluid was gone again in the reservoir. After another refill, I moved the BMW Frankenstein out and the brakeless Sebring into the garage.
Prognosis, busted line or failing master cylinder. No collision, no immediate threat. No money. Carpool time.
In the next couple of days I will have the 'Vert towed to The Downtown Car Care Center on Virginia Avenue three blocks from where Jenni works. Towing, new brake line(s), bleeding the system. This won't be cheap.
That is one of three vehicles covered. You may remember that I also recently blogged my mouth off about the Old Dodge Truck. Well, I've had great fun with that particular albatross as well. New fuel filter, fuel pump and battery, still no running. That combined with the right front tire that goes flat in a matter of hours and you can see the fun has doubled! If I can get the wheel and tire to Indy tire I can get that fixed. But as it sits immobile on the 25°driveway at present that too is a long shot for the immediate gratification award. Once it is re-tired there will be a tow-in in it's future too. Frabjous. So tonight when I come home there's an abandoned vehicle tag on the window, and less than 72 hours remain before it's tow to 700 South Belmont Ave, to be disposed of destroyed. Looks Like I'm having two vehicles towed to the Downtown Car Care Center tomorrow. Sumnabich
Still hungry? How about this. I've had an old dead car in the garage that has been awaiting the title for some time, (long story shortened, the company that loaned the moolah went out of business, and the loan-lien went elsewhere, car gets paid-off, 3 years to track down title, lawyers...). Anyway, a guy sees the car in my garage while I'm working on the Bimmer, wants it. Month's later he checks in again and I now have the title, he says he'll be back for it. Weeks go by, I move the car out into the drive so he can come get it, finally he pays me, and takes the key and title, still hasn't removed it from my driveway yet, over five weeks later.
Chuck Pace ©2010
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