I have never had a situation where my vehicle has stopped working during a trip. Not even tire issues have disrupted my drives. But that all changed today.
My 1991 Toyota Previa was driving fine all day today. I was busy moving appliances. I started to notice coolant smell, but it was faint, so I didn’t consider changing my plans. Whilst on the freeway, suddenly an accessory belt started to squeal. I looked down at the dash and noticed the temperature gauge higher than I have ever seen it before. It wasn’t in the red, but definitely abnormal. I know what happens when engines overheat. I immediately shut off my engine and coasted to the shoulder. I checked under the hood and saw coolant EVERYWHERE. it was a macabre scene of ethylene glycol gore. I couldn’t see where the source was just because it was everywhere.
Checking all hoses, I have guessed that the radiator has burst. It is the original, and the previous owner neglected to change the coolant, ever. I had to end up limping the van to a safe spot to leave it. I’d start it, accelerate, coast as far as possible, let it sit for a bit, and then repeat. All while checking the heat gauge.
I am so sad my faithful old van finally let me down. At least the accessory belt had warned me of overheating before any catastrophic damage could have occurred. Gotta love those modern safety features.
I am going to just fix the radiator and get the thing back on the road. People have been telling me To junk it, but a radiator replacement is hardly justification for trashing an otherwise reliable car.
what about your tales of automotive cessation? I am referring to break downs while moving or mid trip.
My 1991 Toyota Previa was driving fine all day today. I was busy moving appliances. I started to notice coolant smell, but it was faint, so I didn’t consider changing my plans. Whilst on the freeway, suddenly an accessory belt started to squeal. I looked down at the dash and noticed the temperature gauge higher than I have ever seen it before. It wasn’t in the red, but definitely abnormal. I know what happens when engines overheat. I immediately shut off my engine and coasted to the shoulder. I checked under the hood and saw coolant EVERYWHERE. it was a macabre scene of ethylene glycol gore. I couldn’t see where the source was just because it was everywhere.
Checking all hoses, I have guessed that the radiator has burst. It is the original, and the previous owner neglected to change the coolant, ever. I had to end up limping the van to a safe spot to leave it. I’d start it, accelerate, coast as far as possible, let it sit for a bit, and then repeat. All while checking the heat gauge.
I am so sad my faithful old van finally let me down. At least the accessory belt had warned me of overheating before any catastrophic damage could have occurred. Gotta love those modern safety features.
I am going to just fix the radiator and get the thing back on the road. People have been telling me To junk it, but a radiator replacement is hardly justification for trashing an otherwise reliable car.
what about your tales of automotive cessation? I am referring to break downs while moving or mid trip.