Minor Win thread - Life is good!

In reply to tuna55:

Hooray for turbomachine rotor blade twistlock staking tools!

Yesterday was a series of highs and lows. Leaving the office, "damn.. that was a good day. Actually got some stuff done. I feel motivated to work on the TDI tonight! First - stop at the grocery store..."

Leaving the grocery store, CEL in the van. Feels like it's in limp mode. Barely get home and then to the mechanic's shop. "Doh..."

Edit: heard from shop. Doesn't think an o2 sensor would put the engine in limp-mode. Might be the transmission, but they'll check it out and let me know. If it is the transmission, I'll be car-shopping soon as that van isn't worth anywhere near enough to invest a transmission into. Crap.

Free premiere showing of the new Star Wars tonight!

I have finally found an ad blocker that doesn't need root to block ads and also doesn't block in app ads. As a mobile game user, in app ads serve a minor purpose, and I've always had trouble keeping that functionality. Most want root to adjust host files themselves. This uses a vpn,,and cuts out all browser ads (except for sites I allow it like here) with no speed drops and no costs.

Thank you adguard.

I have to take leave next week because I have too much on the books and any time over 240 hours at the end of the year is forfeited. While I was putting it in the computer this morning I realized that I had 3.5 hours more than that would take care of so I'm taking a 1/2 day Friday just for giggles. Ahhhh, first world problems.

Its warm enough today that i have had the top down for the last 60 miles.

It was warm enough today and my sinus infection has tamed itself enough that I could spend 90 minutes in the garage organizing and starting to assemble my new engine hoist.

It sucked that I found about one foot-acre of mouse poop under a pair of bumpers and other stuff, but the mice did not chew up a wiring harness that was sitting RIGHT THERE, and it was still cold enough that the poop swept up like horrific rice instead of smearing everywhere.

The BMW sold! Finally!

Now I can get the 924 into the garage and off the street :)

I'm relaxing on the couch this morning and just enjoying.

I'm enjoying having my kids for the week.

I'm enjoying a stay-cation from work.

I'm enjoying that youngest daughter got up this morning and made us pancakes. Then the kids even cleaned up afterward.

I'm enjoying listening to all 4 kids play a board game, I didn't suggest it or force them to get off their devices, they just chose to play a game as a group.

Life is good just now.

I'm laying on a king size bed under a ceiling fan in an air conditioned room, with just a sliding glass door separating me from the pool area. It's 80-ish and sunny. I think I'll take a nap.

Welder has been sitting, wouldn't turn on, opened up the case to see the ground wire for the power cord came loose. No fuse or motherboard issue as feared. Hurrah! Must have been from moving it around (grommet is missing) or when I installed risers so it would fit the cart. Maybe I can start sticking metal together now.

Cadillac is running so much better.

First day off in a while were I could just fiddle and found the gauge on the fuel pressure was reading way to low so I had like 11psi running into a Qjet which is no bueno. Got the new tires on as well, re-tuned and set timing again as I must have had gas coming out of everywhere in that carb due to the pressure. Holy tar does this thing move and idle better.

Cleaned garage as well. Have the rest of the week off, going to sleep in tomorrow.

wearymicrobe wrote: Cadillac is running so much better. First day off in a while were I could just fiddle and found the gauge on the fuel pressure was reading way to low so I had like 11psi running into a Qjet which is no bueno. Got the new tires on as well, re-tuned and set timing again as I must have had gas coming out of everywhere in that carb due to the pressure. Holy tar does this thing move and idle better. Cleaned garage as well. Have the rest of the week off, going to sleep in tomorrow.

Very nice.

I work T,W,Th this week, but had a 4 day weekend last weekend and another one this weekend. (That's a win right there because it's all company holiday time!)

Got some stuff done around the house, installed new deadbolts, put new headlight bulbs in the Saab, and my internet is mostly actually turned on now! Feels good getting things done.

Couple days ago I decided to clear out some junk from the garage and took all the old oil along with a couple of defunct powersports batteries in to my local auto zone for recycling and to pick up a couple of things.

New serpentine belt for the VW and a master cylinder for the ranger comes to $75. $20 rewards for being a regular, plus $20 for the batteries, plus she gave me 10% off for being a nice guy. I got out of there for 30 bucks! Not bad, I like that sort of shopping

We got to about 75% complete on fabrication to the shell on the challenge car this weekend. Still some tubes to add to the cage, a little fab for suspension, and some extra holes to fill. But we can see the light at the end of the tunnel!!!

Been a good few days. Crossing over the OK/MO line as we speak. This Challenge Priced beater has made it 1900 miles, and is within a day's flat tow from home.

Next week I get paid to walk and drive a bunch of different brand new cars. Sounds good to me

Tonight I ordered up a new battery for the trailer breakaway system, a new switch for the same, a backup camera for the motorhome, a monitor for the backup camera, wiring, a brake controller for the motorhome, and a panel that has a voltmeter, cigarette lighter, USB charging ports, and a toggle switch for the backup camera. Thanks to an Amazon gift card Christmas present, a couple gift card spiffs from work, and eBay bucks it cost me a whole thirty five cents out of pocket.

Went to Harbor Freight to get an engine hoist this weekend and had a coupon to get it for $179.99 (Normally $269) Get there and they're having a weekend sale and got another $30 off on it. Now I can yank the Oldsmobile 307 off our stand and start working on my Mazda BP-4W. Side note: Anyone want a rebuilt (20 years ago) never-run Olds 307?

Pick your part had a bunch of IS300s including one that had some very cool sideskirts that only cost me $16 each and some other stuff that should sell quickly :)

Had a great hike yesterday in the Santa Monica Mountains. Great day with the gf and the boys.

Looked at '95 318ti last night. Started and let it idle while I did my inspection, around 45 minutes. Clean car, nothing worse than some slop in one LBJ. As I climbed in for test drive, I noticed temp needle was in the red just as seller said "hey, shut it off, there's a coolant leak." It was pissing a stream from a crack in the lower hose neck of the side tank.

If I had allowed the E36 M3ty cold rain to abbreviate my inspection process, That radiator failure would have happened on my dime on the drive home.

I don't drive my '90 Integra very often. Only 800 miles last year. Haven't put gas in it since June.

I decided to take it out today and the battery was a touch low, probably from sitting. It was also very dusty.

Washing at home is not allowed and I wasn't feeling like paying for a car wash.

So I went to the Acura dealer. They pulled up the receipt from the selling dealer in WA, tested the battery (it's fine and still under warranty) and...

...washed my car for me. All at no charge.

Also, 2 technicians took my name and number. Neither of them flinched at the $3000 ask.

Today was a good day!

I have seen the top of my work bench for the first time in years. It still needs simple green cleaned, and probably bleached(thanks mice) but I can actually see it, and do things on it again.

I've started spending 1 hour a day cleaning and organizing the garage. Slow going, yes, but effective. By spring I should be able to do all my foundry work except melt and pour inside, out of the wind.

Promotion! And more money!!