What are you working on today?

Extremely busy 4th for me. The old saying “there’s no such thing as a holiday when you’re self employed” definitely rang true.

Started out putting the 6ft tiller on our Allis Chalmers 5045 and hauled it up north of town to till a future wildflower bed for a customer. Then grabbed my lowboy and moved the manlift that I moved last week back home since their job is complete. Fixed a taillight on my Ford Transit and did an engine oil change and transmission drain and fill.

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Yesterday, I finally had a bit of time to tend to the Camaro. Last week when I backed it out of the garage, I noticed a substantial fuel leak located under the bell housing.

There's only a few places in the back of the engine where fuel could be leaking from; pressure regulator, fuel rail cross-over tube or cold start injector hard line. I rigged up a jumper wire and momentary switch, and ran the fuel pump (engine off) thru the ALDL to see if I could locate the leak. Nothing visible, although there was a faint fuel smell.

When I get the time, I'll have to run the engine and see if there's a leaking injector(s) but this is unlikely to cause the amount of visible leakage.

Letting vehicles sit for long periods is not good for them.
 
Went over to mow a family member’s place that I’m helping care for as needed today. The mowing had gotten away from her with the heat this week. Took a helper and two 60” zero turns and knocked it out in under 3 hours. Came home with two push mowers and two wheeled trimmers to fix and sell for her. Also pulled the deck on one of her MTD mowers to diagnose a repeat thrown belt issue. Found a bad spindle on the deck. New belt and spindles on the way from amazon.

Took a short ride on the Coleman to check moisture and temperature on some hay tonight.

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Two vehicles this weekend. Putting the 410 into the Parklane and then start with all the add ons to the engine. Also changing out the thermostat in the F100 as it seems the old one is less than reliable after testing. While at it removed 16 qts. of coolant for a complete change out. Then unexpectedly pulling the original ignition after the key was frozen into position after starting. The bakelit portion of the switch decided to break off during removal so ordered a new switch. Since the engine stand was clear I could now put the new 3.0 Vulcan V6.

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The Peloton’s back together, I also replaced the tensioner bearings with Polish-made NSKs off Amazon.
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Also, replaced the sliding hinge on the van with a new OEM Toyota one. Yes, I could have used a Chinesium Amazon one but meh. The hinge wasn’t painted, I hit with two coats of Rust-Oleum Automotive Etch Primer, I had some silver PPG Deltron DBC basecoat laying around from a project I used to paint the new part. The cab my dad drives got a new set of Chinesium Amazon lift supports.
 
Fairly successful 4th up at my good buddies family cabin, they've always got a couple projects for me that I'm happy to help with.

This year's tasks were installing a replacement Cue touchscreen in said buddies Mom's 2016 SRX. It was my first attempt at said repair, but it turned out to be shockingly easy aside from the amount of small screws that were involved.

Spent the next morning replacing 3/7 deep cells in their ancient Club Car electric golf cart and installing as many new battery cables as I was comfortable touching. I think we've finally convinced the folks that it's time for something newer.
 
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Cub Cadet CC600 (twin blade walk-behind mower.) We've had it about 6 years with good results. Replacing the blade control cable which broke inside the cable housing apparently from age and wear. You Tube was my friend as usual for a helpful video. Had to remove the pulley cover plus tip up the mower and reach underneath. The pulley space gets packed with grass clippings, so I'll make it a point to take off the cover periodically and clean them out. The 195cc OHV engine runs 30W oil which seems to stay pretty clean all season with minimal oil consumption. A common issue is when stopping the engine when hot, it seems to vapor lock until it cools down somewhat. I've just learned to live with it. Would be glad to hear from other owners about their experience and other anticipated future repairs.

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Daughter came out in a panic and said the Vibe wouldn’t start and she needed to be at work. Venza was apart yet so pulled out the multimeter and had 10.5V on the Vibe battery. Went and grabbed the battery my Wife bought for the Venza while stranded at a hockey rink. Happened to be an Autozone across the street so she bought the $100 special and they put it in and away she went. I warrantied the Die Hard Golid at AAP a couple of weeks later and did the swap (it was rifle season for deer, no way I’m doing anything but hunt during that time). Well I took the 8 month old battery and swapped it in the Vibe and away she went, alternator is fine.

Old battery that was too small for the battery tray. Must have been easy for the previous owner.
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Battery from Autozone was a 24 and fit like a glove. I’ll be cleaning the clamps and putting some goop on for the corrosion today.

Driving 17yo cars is so much fun. Never a dull moment with upkeep.
 
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