It has been some time since I wrote anything and I'm sure that all my fans in the stands must think that this is because nothing new has happened.  O how I wish that were true.  Just when you think things should be smooth sailing...

 

And so, the Lada has been on the road and always just a little lacking.  It seems that after a little Q&A with a few mechanics my car fires only on 3 cylenders.  This could be a head gasket problem, a valve problem, or a ring problem.  At any rate there is no fixing it right now due to cold weather and lack of funds.  All of those fixes require cash and opening up the engine.

 

In the mean time life goes on and my car still runs.  Until it died in mid stride the other day.  Started up, round the corner and silence.  No cough, sputter or anything.  So I coast to a stop, push it to the curb and shake my head.  It turns the starter Ok but nothing is firing.  Spark or Fuel? 

 

Well after a quick tow home and some tinkering I determine that fuel flow is not the problem.  Note: The electric fuel pump can sure fire a stream of gas when it starts up.  After cleaning up that mess I started checking for spark.  Nada.  Nothing I could detect anyhow.  So now I have reached the end of my expertise and must seek professional help.  I do not like to take my car to a mechanic any more than I like going to the Doctor.  Less even.  But I can tell when I don't have the equipment to figure out the problem.

 

Long story shorter, turns out that the ignition modual, that replaces the coil on carberated cars, had developed a crack in it's housing and had chosen that day to let me know.  And the best part!  It's a GM part!

 

So, too much money later we are back on the road.  But as I'm leaving the Mech mentions that my battery seems to crank a little low.  What!!  this is just the kind of thing that keeps me away.  Always one more thing with a shop.  Besides, that battery is not quite 3 years old and has a 60 month warrenty.  So off I go.  After a boost.  And one the next day.  And trouble starting all the time now.  I'm becoming quite good at praying.  Downright penitant if I do say so.  So after being stranded in a snowbank that should never have presented a problem.  Bought a new battery.  The shop now owns part of my soul.  I almost had some savings there.  I was almost not fearing Christmas and the yearly draining of my savings during the end of the year materialistic blowout.  So much for that.

 

Now you might think that I now am set up for a few days peace.  I thought so.  Ha hahaha!  I get my new prize home and set to work changing the battery.  It seems that the modifications that I made while installing my remote starter solinoid includes no extra cable.  Who knew that different batteies had their posts in different spots.  Two inches short on the positive terminal.  Shit. 

 

So back downstairs to my bag of wire.  I knew that there was a reason I grabbed all that extra at the wreaker's.  Found a Long piece and rewired a few connections.  Boy I am glad that it isn't really cold right now.  It was downright pleasant working on the car outside.  And the moon was shining.  I could almost see.  Maybe God does like me.  Hmm best not to tempt him further.

 

Back on the road again...