Blazer Update
Well, I’ve gotten to the point where I can’t progress any further on the Blazer without spending some money. Now that the weather is nice and Andrea and I have been talking about camping a lot this summer, we decided that we need to get it running ASAP. Especially since we’re already paying for insurance on it (which isn’t much, but still).
So I finally think I’ve got the fuel pump wiring straightened out and working like it’s supposed to. I decided to tear into the engine and inspect the fuel injector and fuel lines for any leaks and see if anything under the intake could be causing problems.
Upper intake manifold removed. You can see the injector in the middle and the fuel lines on the right. Do you notice anything odd? Look closely...
WTF!? A HOSE CLAMP to stop a leak? Just when I thought it couldn't get more rednecked!
I was amazed. To think that someone would go through all the trouble to remove the upper intake manifold and put it all back together and not spend the $50 on the new lines to just fix it. You can see the bright silver finish from leaking gas washing the wall clean and a puddle of gas and gunk down by the bolt at the bottom. “Well there’s your problem!”
So with new parts in hand we set out the replace the leaky fuel lines and the injector.
Old injector vs. New one. Pricey little bastard ($270). The old one's lines were so brittle they stayed in the position they were installed.
Yup... it's old.
Yup... it's new.
These are the nozzles that spray the fuel. Not the best technology today, but it works.
Old fuel line from inside the intake. This is the one that had small cracks leaking fuel inside the engine.
Those fuel lines were the hardest part of the job. They were obviously installed in the truck before the engine was put in at the factory. There wasn’t a whole lot of room and ended up having to get some smaller tools to get the job done. But after a bit of swearing, we got ’em out.
Ready to install!
With all the stuff out of there, cleaned all the gunk out of the intake. Didn't worry about making it spotless... not like anyone is going to see it.
My favorite part. Looking at all the new stuff perfectly in place.
Andrea got her hands (and face apparently) dirty with this job too! I love having a wife that's interested in this stuff!
As we were putting everything back together it started getting dark.
Before I tried to start it up, I told Andrea that I was nervous. That either it was going to do the same thing it was doing before, or it wasn’t going to start at all. Turn the key…. and it cranks over but wouldn’t start. I could get it running with some starting fluid, but it dies once all the fluid is burned up. It’s just not getting any fuel.
So I’m thinking we’re gonna need a fuel pump too. I don’t regret spending the money on these parts as the both were shot, but it sure would have been nice if that were it. Future updates to come. I’m definitely in too deep now to turn away.
Hey, strangers!
I’ve been taking a break from the blog it looks like. But I’ve been busy with a few other things. Working on the cars, doing a little spring cleaning here and there. A little digital organization too, getting the server all straightened out. There’s so much stuff on there and until now it’s been organized in the loosest fashion possible.
I’m excited for summer to get here, and get out side. Most of the time we just go from winter straight to summer here in Kansas, but this spring has been cold and wet. Got almost 4.5 inches of rain just last night. Which leaked a little bit of water into the basement. So I took it as an opportunity to hose the walls down with bleach and try to kill some of the dank, musty odor down there. Ended up ruining most all of my vinyl record album covers, but the records themselves are fine. It’s not like I have anything rare… or even that great. So I’m not too torn up about it.
I actually haven’t played much Guild Wars at all lately. I started a new character hoping it would kinda rejuvenate me, but I just keep finding other things to do for now. I’m sure I’ll get back into it soon enough. I always seem to.
Truth be told, I’ve actually been out doing stuff more in my life now than I have in many recent years. Been to a few races this spring already, a couple theater plays at the Crest, and several visits to Wichita and SWK. Coupled with plenty of work at the station and in the computer job, I sure haven’t been bored for a while!
Just started to feel guilty that I hadn’t posted anything for so long. I guess life has only been tweet-worthy lately, haha.
Whew, busy!
Man alive!
Ever since our radio auction at work I feel like I’ve been playing constant catch-up. That was several weeks ago yet, and still I find myself scrambling to fit everything done I need to do into a short day. Now with a short week I’m trying to squeeze as much stuff in as I can. I need to be able to let a few things slide and deal with the recovery when I get back… but for some reason I keep thinking I can do enough not to be behind when I return. Yeah right!
So I’ve been sacrificing some time on the net to get some other things accomplished around the house. Got the valve cover gasket changed out on Andrea’s car this past weekend which seems to be holding well. Got my old cracked tail light lens swapped out on the Toro. Did a bunch of dishes and laundry the past few days. So I’ve been productive, which when you’re busy I guess that’s all you can ask for!