Mostly a nice day
6:12 pm.
47º F, Light rain, NNE wind 13 mph.
Good evening,
So my timing was about right for a change. I changed the oil and filter on the van. Just as the beginning spritz of rain starting to come as I was filling the crankcase. Everything cleaned up before any real rain started. I really don’t mind changing the oil on this vehicle. Everything is out in the open and easy to get at. The only problem is getting the filter wrench around the filter. Fortunately I have a "slit-band" wrench. On another vehicle, the filter was more or less frozen in place and could not get enough leverage with the filter end socket wrench so had to remodel the band wrench to get enough leverage on it. Never have used it since, only the end socket. The catalatic converter is just close enough to the filter to not allow the band wrench to pass with out the split wrench. The end socket won’t work on this vehicle I don’t think, though I have never tried it. There is a frame member and the catalatic converter appears to be in the way.
I really am surprised at how clean the underside of the vehicle is. Most often there is some oil or other leaks grabbing any kind of dust and dirt it can. Not on this one. Like that and hope it remains that way. The other surprise for me is the huge capacity of the front windshield washer tank. Guess I have never emptied it this far. It took almost an entire gallon bottle. Suspect that if it ever is really empty, it will take the entire gallon. Wish the rear washer had a tank that big too. I actually use the rear washer more than the front, thanx to winter driving and the construction on the road out of here.
One thing I am going to have to start doing is to start replacing some of the parts on the van. With nearly 140,000 miles on it, it is time to really look at things like belts, half-shafts, shock absorbers, brakes, and a lot of other things. I have a set of brakes and will probably replace and renew them shortly. I looked at the fan belt (serpentine belt) today while I was working in the area. Seems to be a smaller problem to replace than I thought it would be, but - I still have not tried to yet. Trying will be the test. Next time to Green Bay I will try to pick one up. Suppose I should have someone look at the air-conditioning system too. That is one thing I can’t do. Probably could if I still had the store and some of the equipment/tools. I will try to pick up the necessary parts for the rejuvenation of the van over a period of time. That will be a bit easier on the budget and will also do the work over time too.
Margriet did some of the laundry today and she too had the timing about right. It was dry and off of the line about an hour or so before the rains came. Now I should have clean shorts for a couple of days. She did do some vacuuming today too, but since she is not up to par, not as much cleaning as she normally would. Hope she feels some better tomorrow.
I also did a bit of scratching on the lawn today too. Not much as I had other things to do. Tried to get a bit of it where we walk most cleaned up. The rest of the clean-up will expand out of that area. There is not as much to clean up this year for some reason or other. Also noticed that the chives we planted last year, and forgot about, is also up. Will have to get some other herbs planted near it this year. Maybe we will have a real herb garden. Found the rhubarb in the weeds today too. Should move it to a place closer to the house and a bit drier. Should do it soon too.
Weatherman is indicating the temperature will drop dramatically overnight. It already has started to drop. It will also be possibly some snow, but to the north and west of here. The temperature was in the mid-70's today and actually worked up a sweat! Cold, wet, and windy tomorrow then warming again for the rest of the week. Hope it will be a bit dry so I can get some things done outside.
In Christ My Saviour,
Chris <><
47º F, Light rain, NNE wind 13 mph.
Good evening,
So my timing was about right for a change. I changed the oil and filter on the van. Just as the beginning spritz of rain starting to come as I was filling the crankcase. Everything cleaned up before any real rain started. I really don’t mind changing the oil on this vehicle. Everything is out in the open and easy to get at. The only problem is getting the filter wrench around the filter. Fortunately I have a "slit-band" wrench. On another vehicle, the filter was more or less frozen in place and could not get enough leverage with the filter end socket wrench so had to remodel the band wrench to get enough leverage on it. Never have used it since, only the end socket. The catalatic converter is just close enough to the filter to not allow the band wrench to pass with out the split wrench. The end socket won’t work on this vehicle I don’t think, though I have never tried it. There is a frame member and the catalatic converter appears to be in the way.
I really am surprised at how clean the underside of the vehicle is. Most often there is some oil or other leaks grabbing any kind of dust and dirt it can. Not on this one. Like that and hope it remains that way. The other surprise for me is the huge capacity of the front windshield washer tank. Guess I have never emptied it this far. It took almost an entire gallon bottle. Suspect that if it ever is really empty, it will take the entire gallon. Wish the rear washer had a tank that big too. I actually use the rear washer more than the front, thanx to winter driving and the construction on the road out of here.
One thing I am going to have to start doing is to start replacing some of the parts on the van. With nearly 140,000 miles on it, it is time to really look at things like belts, half-shafts, shock absorbers, brakes, and a lot of other things. I have a set of brakes and will probably replace and renew them shortly. I looked at the fan belt (serpentine belt) today while I was working in the area. Seems to be a smaller problem to replace than I thought it would be, but - I still have not tried to yet. Trying will be the test. Next time to Green Bay I will try to pick one up. Suppose I should have someone look at the air-conditioning system too. That is one thing I can’t do. Probably could if I still had the store and some of the equipment/tools. I will try to pick up the necessary parts for the rejuvenation of the van over a period of time. That will be a bit easier on the budget and will also do the work over time too.
Margriet did some of the laundry today and she too had the timing about right. It was dry and off of the line about an hour or so before the rains came. Now I should have clean shorts for a couple of days. She did do some vacuuming today too, but since she is not up to par, not as much cleaning as she normally would. Hope she feels some better tomorrow.
I also did a bit of scratching on the lawn today too. Not much as I had other things to do. Tried to get a bit of it where we walk most cleaned up. The rest of the clean-up will expand out of that area. There is not as much to clean up this year for some reason or other. Also noticed that the chives we planted last year, and forgot about, is also up. Will have to get some other herbs planted near it this year. Maybe we will have a real herb garden. Found the rhubarb in the weeds today too. Should move it to a place closer to the house and a bit drier. Should do it soon too.
Weatherman is indicating the temperature will drop dramatically overnight. It already has started to drop. It will also be possibly some snow, but to the north and west of here. The temperature was in the mid-70's today and actually worked up a sweat! Cold, wet, and windy tomorrow then warming again for the rest of the week. Hope it will be a bit dry so I can get some things done outside.
In Christ My Saviour,
Chris <><
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