Howdy
07-11-2009, 09:24 AM
I was driving my Blue Bomb ( 89 Escort wagon ) yesterday going to see my Dad and ( Step ) Mom to do some work for them ( fix an antenna again ). I am the ONLY kid ( dads ) that drops what I have going on to go help them out when ever possible. Any how I am driving along in the middle of no-where ( 10-15 miles from dad and a little more from home ) at 55-60 when all of a sudden the motor POPPED loudly. It then started running very ruff. My speed dropped to 35-40 and a lot of shake rattle and barely roll. At the 1 stop sign, and 1 other turn I could barely get moving. But the one time I really needed it it felt like someone was pushing the car forward. Any how I was able to get to my dad's and decided to let it cool down a little.
So here I am 31+ miles from home, dad is busy and can't haul my rear home to get the truck & trailer. My step mom is still recovering from her nasty fall and she can't drive. My friends are busy ( painting, camping, working ). I am thinking I am screwed!! I would walk home before asking the s2bx for help.
So I decided to try and fix it. I tore into it ( Just happen to have enough tools with me ). The motor was still HOT so it was a pain. What I found was the 1 cam follower / lifter was bad. The car had sat for over 5 years ( very rarely started ) and the lobe on the camshaft rusted. The rust was like sand paper to the cam follower / lifter.
It literally ground the bottom of the lifter off ( you can see the spring inside ). I'm thinking great, this is all I need now ( I have enough crap happening as it is ). I decided to go to the auto parts store and see if I can get a new part just to get me home ( will need a lot more parts down the road ).
I borrowed dad's car and went on the search for parts. The first place I stop at is the Portland Indiana Auto Zone. I took the old part with me and ask if they had one. They looked up the part number and seen they had 4 in stock ( sold in a set of 4 ? ). The guy looked puzzled and ask the other worker what to do. The other worker told him to sell them for what they are listed at. Get this, the parts were marked down to $0.01 each ( they do this when it's time to throw them away ). Last time I bought some ( different vehicle ) the cost $10 or so each. I was taken back by being able to buy NEW parts to band-aid fix my car for $.04. So I also picked up a set of plug wires and a soda as well.
It took about 30 minutes to get everything back together and going. Runs like a dream now. I know the cam will need replaced soon, but I was able to drive it home with no problems. I am happy!!!
Pictures below. Sorry for them being a little blurry.
Howdy
So here I am 31+ miles from home, dad is busy and can't haul my rear home to get the truck & trailer. My step mom is still recovering from her nasty fall and she can't drive. My friends are busy ( painting, camping, working ). I am thinking I am screwed!! I would walk home before asking the s2bx for help.
So I decided to try and fix it. I tore into it ( Just happen to have enough tools with me ). The motor was still HOT so it was a pain. What I found was the 1 cam follower / lifter was bad. The car had sat for over 5 years ( very rarely started ) and the lobe on the camshaft rusted. The rust was like sand paper to the cam follower / lifter.
It literally ground the bottom of the lifter off ( you can see the spring inside ). I'm thinking great, this is all I need now ( I have enough crap happening as it is ). I decided to go to the auto parts store and see if I can get a new part just to get me home ( will need a lot more parts down the road ).
I borrowed dad's car and went on the search for parts. The first place I stop at is the Portland Indiana Auto Zone. I took the old part with me and ask if they had one. They looked up the part number and seen they had 4 in stock ( sold in a set of 4 ? ). The guy looked puzzled and ask the other worker what to do. The other worker told him to sell them for what they are listed at. Get this, the parts were marked down to $0.01 each ( they do this when it's time to throw them away ). Last time I bought some ( different vehicle ) the cost $10 or so each. I was taken back by being able to buy NEW parts to band-aid fix my car for $.04. So I also picked up a set of plug wires and a soda as well.
It took about 30 minutes to get everything back together and going. Runs like a dream now. I know the cam will need replaced soon, but I was able to drive it home with no problems. I am happy!!!
Pictures below. Sorry for them being a little blurry.
Howdy