Get off my LAWN! "Grumpy Old Farts"

[beans-on-toast]

Flex-Seal.(?)

Thanks for the good suggestion. I’ve seen that product at Walmart.

It seems that Flex-Seal liquid is only rated to 350 deg F. This engine really runs hot. You can wrap your lunch and cook it on that thing.

 

[beans-on-toast]

Talk about coincidence , similar problem in Seahags engine which I believe is also a 3400 except that hers was dumping water into the block , not out of it. The engine I'm having put in it is a "99 and has the metal parts. Sounds like you're making the right decision.

Older engines can be beefier in terms of construction. I recall reading that the early 3.4L ones made in the 90’s originated in either China or the US. China surprised me. It must be the same engine though so shouldn’t matter.

 

[GonePlaid]

Thanks for the good suggestion. I’ve seen that product at Walmart.

It seems that Flex-Seal liquid is only rated to 350 deg F. This engine really runs hot. You can wrap your lunch and cook it on that thing.

Thanks for the good suggestion. I’ve seen that product at Walmart.

It seems that Flex-Seal liquid is only rated to 350 deg F. This engine really runs hot. You can wrap your lunch and cook it on that thing.

I was actually being facetious but if it works...........

 

[toprekoms]

12 surgeries, no losses. Where's my dang number?

 

[agedhorse]

Sounds like an easy decision then, that's good!

 

[Al Kraft]

With the more detailed post it's obvious what you should do, and I always love decisions that make themselves. I was in a similar position myself recently with an older vehicle that had utility for me, but wasn't worth the cost of what was going to be a costly engine repair. The other problem is that many vehicles, despite being popular, are sometimes hard to get parts for when they're in that 10-20 year old range (collectible vehicles being a notable exception).

 

[beans-on-toast]

My wife’s all hepped up about getting a new car. She studied the brochure and says that I can give it to her for her birthday.

I asked, what about all the cloths you already bought for your birthday. She says don’t worry about that.

 

[sharkbait130]

Older engines can be beefier in terms of construction. I recall reading that the early 3.4L ones made in the 90’s originated in either China or the US. China surprised me. It must be the same engine though so shouldn’t matter.

I was told that it was the earlier engines that had all the problems i.e. 1992 to 1995. the '96 and later models had the metal parts and weren't so susceptible to the problems of the earlier engines. No idea where either of them were made though. The one going into Seahags car is a '99 with about 105k on it.

 

[BadExample]

I asked, what about all the cloths you already bought for your birthday. She says don’t worry about that.

One less thing for you to worry about then, bless her heart

Good luck on your SUV quest. Sorry to hear your old gal gave up the ghost... or is near.

 

[toprekoms]

When did this morph into a vehicle thread? Ridiculous.

 

[Al Kraft]

I always saw this as a unique thread for renaissance men and women who had depth and insight in many areas from music, to science and engineering, to auto repair, to you name it...obviously not sure why they let me in, but that's my take on it anyway.

 

[BassmanPaul]

When did this morph into a vehicle thread? Ridiculous.

Ah Grasshopper! Don’t even have a number yet and already trying to restrict the subject matter!!

 

[alaskaleftybass]

Older engines can be beefier in terms of construction. I recall reading that the early 3.4L ones made in the 90’s originated in either China or the US. China surprised me. It must be the same engine though so shouldn’t matter.

Hey beans. Sorry about your beloved car. I had an old Datsun wagon one time that I really loved. I was younger and wife and I had a janitor business. We cleaned the carpet of a Doctor's home and he gave me the Datsun wagon in exchange. That little old wagon ran and ran. Well, gave it to one of our daughters and she ran it into the ground within a year. If I had known that I would have bought her a local beater and kept the Datsun.

But you have an attractive option ahead of you. FWiW We both have Subarus. We also had Subarus in the 90's and the cars are drop dead reliable. Wife's Forrester hasn't dropped one tiny drop of oil on the ground since we bought it in 2010. I got a new Impreza hatchback last year and it's been great. I like the backup camera and bluetooth connection-- I download albums from Amazon free Prime and listen through the car system. I'm guessing you'll end up getting a Big Three car but if you do, like you mentioned, make sure it's a car that will exist into the future.

Although you'll miss your old friend, having a modern car will truly be a treat. You'll enjoy all the new little creature comforts. Good luck, keep us posted!

 

[12BitSlab]

We might one day drop through Indiana. Wife Carey's oldest girlfriend is widowed and lives in Kentucky. We're thinking about visiting her for a couple weeks when it cools down in the fall.... And Shadow used to give the slightest sweetest kisses for a dog...

On your way, if you pass through Cincinnati, let me know. Mrs. 12BitSlab and I will introduce you the local cuisine.

 

[12BitSlab]

Sad day for my faithful 15 year old Chevy Impala today.

I was doing my Saturday thing, about a hundred miles from home when something blew in the lower block. Coolant started leaking, not a drip, more of a stream. It got onto the belt and was thrown all over the engine. A mechanic looked at it and said that the repair would cost way more than the car is worth. He said that it could have been pushed over the edge by the super hot weather that we had last weekend.

With 380K on the odometer, I knew that we’d need a new car but kept putting even thinking about it off. We really like the car, it drives well, the body and cabin has been kept like new.

We don’t have a clue what we want other than it should be a SUV with a gas engine. I like them but we drive too many remote highway miles to consider an electric vehicle at this point. Unfortunately, we will have to move quickly.

We went to a Chevy dealer out in the country. I had read that Ford will be dropping most of their car lines in favor of just trucks and SUV’s. It seems that GM is doing much the same thing. The Impala is being dropped in a year. The salesman rattled off a list of other car models that are slated for retirement in the next couple of years. They had some 2019 SUV Equinox and Traverse models on the lot. I Liked the new Equinox. It would be my choice if we went with a Chevy.

We made it home without the engine seizing. The engine temperature was not in the red but I’m worried about taking it out. It lost a lot of coolant. I’ll have to take the car out out to trade it in. Not sure if we can make the purchase in one trip.

If I can find the source of the leak, I’m wondering if I can plug it with a water proof epoxy to allow me to get a couple of last trips out of it. Somehow I doubt it but it may be worth a shot.

I have a 2018 Equinox Premier and love it!

 

[beans-on-toast]

When did this morph into a vehicle thread? Ridiculous.

It isn’t about the subject. It’s about the positive support that we offer to one another.

 

[BassmanPaul]

It isn’t about the subject. It’s about the positive support that we offer to one another.

Well sometimes @BadExample can be a bit off putting but we love hm just the same!!

 

[toprekoms]

Ah Grasshopper! Don’t even have a number yet and already trying to restrict the subject matter!!

Restrict the subject matter? That's ridiculous. I don't have, and never will have a number because I'm not a part of the TB clique.

 

[BadExample]

No cliques in here, just a bunch of GOF's enjoying each others friendship.

 

[BassmanPaul]

No cliques in here, just a bunch of GOF's enjoying each others friendship.

This is one of the reasons why we all love this guy!