My car is as bad as a boat: Off-topic discussion forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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Sept. 23, 2008 8:25 a.m. GameboyRMH Dork

I'm just dumping money into it now and getting nothing out. After getting a distributor from Canada, getting a working one put together with the parts from this new one and the old one, all it needed was a tune-up, oil change and the usual checks before it was ready to drive (on the few roads smooth enough to drive it on). Part of the idle-up system was rust-fused in place and it needs a new radiator petcock to replace the broken one jammed in place now but that's another story.

So after changing the oil, it starts dripping out of the sump seal. AARGH! I should have seen it coming but it still pisses me off. It feels like every penny that goes into the powertrain is a total waste because I'm planning to change it and the engine is a worn-to-nothing smoke-spewing mobile HAZMAT situation. So basically in the last 3-4 months, I've spent over $300 and probably around 20 hours of work on it (not including time at or driving to the junkyard in Canada), and I've only driven it around the block once and have basically made no improvements over where it was 6 months ago.

Anyone else had a (production) car that ate money and time like this?
Sept. 23, 2008 9:06 a.m. JThw8 Dork

GameboyRMH wrote:

Anyone else had a (production) car that ate money and time like this?

Everyone who has ever thought a small british or italian car would be a good idea ;)

BTDT many times. I feel your pain. Even worse if you are planning to ditch the drivetrain. Any chance of moving that up on the priority list?
Sept. 23, 2008 9:24 a.m. confuZion3 HalfDork

Berkeleying iPhone. I just tapped delete three times and it erased my whole post.

Anyway, you need to hang in there. Know that you're not alone. Everyone who plays with cars has to go through this. I spent $140 on a fuel pump this spring only to find out that the stupid wire that fed my miatas fuel pump broke.

We've all been there. Take a break for a couple days. Take the significant other out to dinner. Hang out with some friends. Hell, rob a bank just for the sheer thrill of it. Then go back to work on the car and perservere.
Sept. 23, 2008 9:32 a.m. ClemSparks SuperDork

My diesel GMC is a prime example...I spend all this time just getting things running so I can be inspired to do the rest of the work...probably not the best M.O...but it's what I've got.

Clem
Sept. 23, 2008 10:39 a.m. Stargazer HalfDork

Off topic, but how do you drive to Canada from Barbados?
Sept. 23, 2008 11:03 a.m. GameboyRMH Dork

Stargazer wrote:

Off topic, but how do you drive to Canada from Barbados?

An amphibious car :P

No but it took a good bit of driving after flying to Canada.
Sept. 23, 2008 1:21 p.m. Jensenman SuperDork

I can just see the customs guy X raying the bag and spotting a well used and greasy Samurai distributor in there. 'Hey, Mr/Mrs Supervisor, I think I got something here...'
Sept. 23, 2008 1:28 p.m. GameboyRMH Dork

It was an AE92 distributor I brought back. The Sammy's very reliable and apparently tough as nails, judging by the fact that it made it through that offroading event this weekend in one piece and not on fire.

I've brought back a lot of crazy stuff you'd think would set the security guys nuts, even a carry-on with computer parts including taped and soldered wires! (pre-9/11 though). Just last month I accidentally carried a pencil case full of pointy pencils on an airplane and I didn't get a second look for toting the razor-sharp implements of death.

The only thing that raised a red flag was a big sophisticated remote for an RC plane...also pre-9/11.
Sept. 23, 2008 2:27 p.m. Jensenman SuperDork

When the aluminum perimeter frame CR250 Honda motocrosser first came out, they were first introduced in Japan and weren't due in the states for about 6-9 months. DIRT RIDER Magazine flew two editors to Japan who bought a CR250 in a Japanese dealership. They then disassembled the bike and put the bits in carry on luggage. They flew back to the States and reassembled it so they could have a jump on the rest of the magazines. They said that customs was real curious about the pipe but that was about it. No way in hell that could happen these days.