Vehicle Troubles
Yesterday I thought I was doing a good thing by taking my truck in to have some things fixed. The original front brake pads are still on my 7 year old, over 100,000 mile truck. I figured it was time to have them replaced. Also, the power steering pump was seeping a bit. Not enough to make a puddle, but I didn't like it. All of the belts were original from 1999 also, so I figured while they were off to change the power steering pump why not change them as well. I take the truck to the local Firestone Tire place for any work that I can't or won't do myself. I've had really good luck there in the past and there work is usually very good. We agreed that they would do a complete inspection and give me a call before they did anything really expensive.
While the inspections were going on Jen and I went to the mall in Viera to get something to eat and find a gift for her gift exchange a work. As soon a we got there, they called with there recommendations. They said even though the brakes were old they were still in good shape, the power steering pump needed to be changed and the belts should also be replaced. All fine with me. They also suggested the the belt tensioner be replaced as well. They explained that they can start to wear out after a while. I wasn't really sure but it wasn't that much so why not, then everything is new.
Fast forward to today. This afternoon I was on my way to work. I went to pass a car and gave it more gas than usual. All of a sudden the power steering was gone. I mean all the way gone. Even at speed I could barely turn the wheel. There were only some curves ahead so I kept going, thinking that maybe there was maybe air in the lines that would work itself out. The steering didn't come back so I looked for a spot to pull over. Unfortunately, the road I was on didn't have any good places. I had to make one right hand turn and headed for the KSC visitors center. The parking lot is big and there would be plenty of room for a tow truck. Turning that truck with no power steering is not easy, but I got there alright. The temperature gage was pegged so I shut the truck off as soon as I could. The first thing I checked was the coolant level. That was fine. Hmmm? Then I saw it, or rather didn't see it. The serpentine belt that had just been replaced was no longer there. Crap. Thank goodness for cell phones and AAA. Of course I had also forgotten my wallet so I had to call home to get the number for AAA. It was towed back to the Firestone dealer so what ever was broken could be fixed. They were very apologetic and said they would fix what ever was broken.
Turns out that the new tensioner that they talked me into was defective and that was probably all that was wrong. I believe them because I don't think the engine was hot enough for long enough to cause any damage. One of the guys offered to stay late and replace the tensioner and the belt. I have to go back tomorrow and get them to reimburse me for the part of the towing that AAA didn't cover.
The thing that really bites was that Sunday is double overtime. That is a lot of money to miss out on. I'm not a big overtime hound, but it is nice every once in a while. Especially with the new house project and all. Oh well, there is always next week. I'll have to try and get something extra out of them when I go in there tomorrow.
While the inspections were going on Jen and I went to the mall in Viera to get something to eat and find a gift for her gift exchange a work. As soon a we got there, they called with there recommendations. They said even though the brakes were old they were still in good shape, the power steering pump needed to be changed and the belts should also be replaced. All fine with me. They also suggested the the belt tensioner be replaced as well. They explained that they can start to wear out after a while. I wasn't really sure but it wasn't that much so why not, then everything is new.
Fast forward to today. This afternoon I was on my way to work. I went to pass a car and gave it more gas than usual. All of a sudden the power steering was gone. I mean all the way gone. Even at speed I could barely turn the wheel. There were only some curves ahead so I kept going, thinking that maybe there was maybe air in the lines that would work itself out. The steering didn't come back so I looked for a spot to pull over. Unfortunately, the road I was on didn't have any good places. I had to make one right hand turn and headed for the KSC visitors center. The parking lot is big and there would be plenty of room for a tow truck. Turning that truck with no power steering is not easy, but I got there alright. The temperature gage was pegged so I shut the truck off as soon as I could. The first thing I checked was the coolant level. That was fine. Hmmm? Then I saw it, or rather didn't see it. The serpentine belt that had just been replaced was no longer there. Crap. Thank goodness for cell phones and AAA. Of course I had also forgotten my wallet so I had to call home to get the number for AAA. It was towed back to the Firestone dealer so what ever was broken could be fixed. They were very apologetic and said they would fix what ever was broken.
Turns out that the new tensioner that they talked me into was defective and that was probably all that was wrong. I believe them because I don't think the engine was hot enough for long enough to cause any damage. One of the guys offered to stay late and replace the tensioner and the belt. I have to go back tomorrow and get them to reimburse me for the part of the towing that AAA didn't cover.
The thing that really bites was that Sunday is double overtime. That is a lot of money to miss out on. I'm not a big overtime hound, but it is nice every once in a while. Especially with the new house project and all. Oh well, there is always next week. I'll have to try and get something extra out of them when I go in there tomorrow.
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