What Did You Do Today?

[FreakyStylie]

Well, I wasn't as focused as you. More like polishing what I currently have and thinking how to pack stuff into the truck. I rearranged my stuff to make it quicker to grab on the way out.

I did finish off the first tank of gas in my truck. 25.2 mpg driving as much like an ... as I could to mimic bug out driving. 80% in town, and the rest on the freeway. 345 miles as close to "E" as I really cared to get it. I could throw 15 more gallons in the back easily to double that distance. That makes me happy, because it is roughly 1,200 miles to Phoenix from here, so I have some options now.

I also found that there is a small leak in the tank when it's completely full. Just enough to leave a dime size spot overnight, and make an awful smell . . . good thing I don't smoke anymore. Now I just have to identify it and see if it's repairable.

 

[whynotvap]

Here's a shot in the dark but... Check the filler tube hose where it connects to the tank. I've noticed that a lot of 'older' vehicles don't like the amount of ethanol that's being put into gas these days and it's degrading them. You might be able to find a replacement (if that's the problem) but if you can't, you can take the old one into an auto parts store and match it against a radiator hose. Both are chemical resistant . If it's an actual pin hole in the tank, you'll either have to find a new one, pay a buttload to have it repaired and re-lined, OR... get 'creative' and use some shoe-goo to patch the hole. There's an actual product available for repairing gas tanks that looks like rubber cement in a tube and it's the ONLY thing I've found that actually works and is gas resistant. But check the filler hose first

 

[FreakyStylie]

I'm going to get under there tonight and wash it so I can find where it's coming from. It almost looks like it might be coming from the seam, which wouldn't be good. It was a really cheap truck though, so I am planning on initial repair costs, but I never thought about a gas tank, LOL.

 

[technovapir]

Here's a shot in the dark but... Check the filler tube hose where it connects to the tank. I've noticed that a lot of 'older' vehicles don't like the amount of ethanol that's being put into gas these days and it's degrading them. You might be able to find a replacement (if that's the problem) but if you can't, you can take the old one into an auto parts store and match it against a radiator hose. Both are chemical resistant . If it's an actual pin hole in the tank, you'll either have to find a new one, pay a buttload to have it repaired and re-lined, OR... get 'creative' and use some shoe-goo to patch the hole. There's an actual product available for repairing gas tanks that looks like rubber cement in a tube and it's the ONLY thing I've found that actually works and is gas resistant. But check the filler hose first

Hey Whynot! I just have to pop in and say that I am in awe of the breadth of knowledge you have. It seems like whatever the topic is, you know a bit about it. No, I mean you know MORE than a bit about it. IRL you must be an amazing jack of all trades, and I really admire that. Since I don't know what you actuallly look like, I picture you in my head as MacGyver!!

 

[whynotvap]

If it's a bad seam weld, you MIGHT be able to get away with an internal re-coat if it hasn't progressed too far and there isn't an actual hole to be seen. You or the shop will empty and drop the tank, pour the coating inside and swish it around to cover the entire inside of the tank. I've never had to do it but a friend who owns a 66 Barracuda did since it was less than half the cost of a replacement tank (which was few and far between). You might have better luck searching bone yards for a tank though. I'm not sure what year tanks are compatible but any 2nd generation 1987-1996 (mitsu production ran 3 years longer than 'dodge') tank should work if there isn't a difference between 2wd and 4wd models. FWIW, I did some quick searches and can't find anyone making reproduction tanks for them yet so be careful with the one you have!

 

[FreakyStylie]

It looks like some corrosion got started at the seam after looking closer. I'm going to wait until it gets down below that level and try some of this wonder caulking I've got and finish it with some JB Weld to see if it helps, otherwise I'll see about replacing it with a plastic tank I found or seal this one. No wonder it was so cheap . . . the guy didn't even hesitate when I countered his original price. That's what I was expecting though.

 

[whynotvap]

Well it isn't Z-day related but I went to Mt. Rainier yesterday. Just for kicks I'll put a link to the photobucket folder here for anyone interested. I don't have the photo of me taking the photo of the silver phase fox uploaded yet but I was able to get him within 3-4' of me! Stupid on my part but how many chances do you get at something like that?
Mt Rainier spring 2011 pictures by motechnician - Photobucket
and while I'm in a 'sharing mood' I'll add the link to my photo's from the AZ trip too with the 'chinaman tunnel' probably being the most interesting ones. Most of the local population don't even know it's there.
AZ trip pictures by motechnician - Photobucket

 

[technovapir]

Great pictures. I love love Mt Rainier. I haven't been up there in awhile and now I really miss it.
Thank you for sharing.
(And Grand Canyon is my 2nd fav place in the world...I miss it now too.). Time to plan some vacation days I think.

 

[whynotvap]

Give Rainier a little more time to thaw, Paradise is the only entrance open right now and I've heard good things about the view farther down that road that was still closed. The Grand Canyon still doesn't seem real to me. Sooner or later I'll go to the glass floored overlook on the reservation and see if I can hold my water while doing it!

 

[FreakyStylie]

Nice pictures. Makes me eager to get out and stretch the legs a little more. Looks like it was a beautiful day!

 

[whynotvap]

She finally got her pics uploaded a little while ago... at work... so instead of making everyone search through them again, I'll just post the image she got of the fox just after he turned away from me.

I do NOT recommend anyone else try to get this close to a wild or unfamiliar animal! I was extremely stupid to do it and relied on my 'never been bit, ever' experience. But again, that's really not a good excuse.

 

[FreakyStylie]

I bet it's thinking "You know . . . the cost of a photo is a tasty treat. Why do you think I hang around you guys?"

Nice photo, but yeah . . . careful around those things everybody . . . it's hard to read animals.

 

[whynotvap]

Yeah, poor guy wanted a Scooby snack pretty bad!

 

[technovapir]

You're lucky he didn't want a "whynotvap" shaped treat!

 

[muttSRT]

Well on my "what do you do today" list, for the last 3 weeks we have been looking at houses. what a bumpy ... ride thats been.

The first couple houses we liked and put bids on all came back with problems.

The very first house was a 1500 sq ft brick home sitting on 4.11 acres. It had its own private pond and there was a huge barn on the property. Should have known for the price that something was wrong. Coming in at a whopping $49,900. Well the floors were destroyed in the house, the kitchen floor actually fell where the subfloor met the foundation and when you walked into the kitchen, the downward fall of the floor made you run into the wall. Of course the pictures didnt show that until we actually did a walk through. Almost signed the papers sight unseen, glad we didnt. Strike 1.

Looked at a bunch more houses, and decided to look for a smaller, newer house. Finally found a house that was only 4 years old, 2 story, but it only sat an a 1/2 acre. No worries, the layout was pretty nice, even though it was small. And the asking price was only $49,000. We submitted a bid and they countered with $43,000 and we signed a contract. 2 days later, my realtor calls and says the house is in a flood zone and FEMA flood insurance was going to run $3300 a year. Thank god for the 10 day no questions asked back out policy. Strike 2.

Back on the hunt. After looking at lots of properties, we finally found the perfect little house. I say little, but it was pretty big. 3000 sq ft, sitting on the side of a hill, 5 years old. The 2 car garage was 38 feet long on each side-meaning I could park 4 vehicles inside the garage. Off the the right of the garage, there was a cinderblock room 6 feet wide, but 25 foot long. Add a solid core door and I had the perfect weapons room. The rest of the lower area was a huge room, big enough for our pool table and still room to add a media room. Upstairs, hardwood floors throughout, 3 large rooms, 2 bathrooms, large kitchen and dining room and a HUGE livingroom. Off of the kitchen there was a set of french doors leading out to a nice sized deck that was elevated about 12 feet in the air because of the landscape. Instantly fell in love with this house and submitted a full price bid, $89,900.

After a couple days, no word on the bid I called the selling agent who tells me the house is going off market because the original home owners are suing the builder. The builder didnt seal the lower floor and when it rains, it floods. Also where the house was located, all the run off water backs up onto the front lawn, and slowly rises to flood the basement. Estimated $50K to fix the problem (on top of the original asking price) on top of a hidden mold problem. Strike 3.

Well, we finally found a house. Its not huge, but its cinderblock and red brick all the way around, sitting on a full concrete slab. No worries of floor problems, and the block/brick should keep most zombies out. It comes fully loaded with stainless appliances, and a new front load washer and dryer. The house was built in the 60's, but every room has been remodeled, so its very modern on the inside. It has a screened in deck out back that ataches to another, uncovered deck. House was on the market for 3 days, and there were 4 different people bidding on the house. 2 were lowballers, 1 bid $1000 under asking price, we bid full price + $100 plus we were the only ones who were pre-qualified. We got it. Just waiting for closing day.

Now that its all done, I should be back on and trying to catch up.


*** oh yeah, forgot to mention, even though the house has been remodeled, the wife wants both bathrooms redone, so I will be at the tile store all day today. yeah for me

 

[FreakyStylie]

Congratulations on getting past all that Mutt! We've never bought a house, but we started the process once. That is an ugly road that consumes you entirely. With all that tough exterior, that's one heck of a "what you did" thing indeed!

 

[FreakyStylie]

I've been busy with insignificant this-and-thats lately, but I had a good find yesterday that I thought was worth sharing. I picked up a JanSport backpack at Goodwill for $10. It's older, and I couldn't find info on it, but it is about a 90liter bag, self healing zippers, etc. Great bag for $10. I'm still saving for the bag I really want, but this will be nice for my son to carry his stuff in.

 

[muttSRT]

lets see....between house hunting, prepping for the move, becoming a grandpa and filing for divorce (my third, maybe it IS me)...i havent been able to do too much lately. I have thinned the SHTF pack down some. went through and cleaned all my weapons again and organized all of the ammo that i had scattered everywhere. Still doing some packing of the house to thin the stuff down. Just had a garage sale and sold all the extras I had.

Should be back on here full time in a couple weeks.

 

[Illustrated_Man]

Today, I got Lasik...no more fumbling with glasses. Ever!

 

[whynotvap]

Today, I got Lasik...no more fumbling with glasses. Ever!

AWE-SOME! Just make sure you follow the directions with the eye drops and everything should be smooooth sailing. How bad were your eyes before?