[V8] change the subject

[dsaad at icehouse.net]

Boy has this been a bad three months for me and cars.

83 Ranger - fan clutch went out.  Cheap and easy to fix.

91 Audi - steering rack started leaking. PITA to replace - then got to do
it again after the first rack was not to my liking.  Broke clock spring is
process. Now airbag light is on. $#%@% ^^#%^$

91 Audi - clutch went out.  Ended up pulling motor, replacing all
hydraulic parts and clutch. (why could the rack not fail when the motor
was out??)

91 Audi - climate control valve box went out.

98 Explorer - plastic thermostat housing failed.  New part is $300 plus a
ton of work to put it in.
This also means that my wife is driving the Audi - so the clutch is going
to be tested severely.

next up: the Ranger is getting a new (reman) steering gear to replace the
old one - which is NOT leaking, but is so worn out that it is hard to
drive in a straight line.

Things I noticed:
If I touch something rubber or plastic on the Audi, it breaks. It is
generally easier to work on - but I need to do it way to often.  Things
are starting to fail fast now it seems, which is irritating given how
babied it is.

The Explorer is hard to work on.  Everything is hard to get to.  No real
thought went into design for maintenance - but since I almost never have
to, no big deal. Things are also starting to fail faster - but it has 200K
miles on it too.  It has earned the right to have a worn out part or
three.

final tallies:
Ranger: about $60 and off the road for about 20 minutes

Explorer: about $300 and off the road for two days to order parts and
install.

Audi: about $1000 and off the road most of the last three months waiting
for parts, install time.

At least there is no snow around here - so I don't have to feel bad about
not skiing.


Dave