The forecasted thunderstorms held off until last night, so this morning I got up to “Marshland” once again (a flooded-out barn aisle with my pond overflowing its banks). It’s just as well because I couldn’t go anywhere anyway with my truck being back in the shop! My Final Option is underway - I had my truck towed to another mechanic** on Friday - he’s going to strip out all the emissions control nonsense and hopefully get me back to a good, basic semi-reliable Ford truck again. Perhaps I am in error in feeling this way, but I’m a little put out with the Ford dealership since I tell them each and every time to do a general inspection for roadworthiness; they know I haul medium to long distances with my horse trailer. Apparently I only popped a hose last Saturday, but as I continued to drive it (what else could I do with my horses in the trailer?), that improperly-metered turbo fuel leak melted all those emissions control components. They quoted me $6K to put it back in good working order - after I had just invested $4K in the radiator and motor-mount work that wasn’t going to happen. What is irritating is thinking about the fact that perhaps they did not make note of an aging hose which could’ve been replaced at the same time?
** of course the Ford dealership won’t be responsible for taking off all the DEF crap which gives us diesel truck owner so much grief. I was talking to my man Larry at the feed store yesterday - he also is dissatisfied with his late model Dodge dually. You can start the biggest cat fight imaginable by opening the can of worms which is the “best truck” debate. I’ve got bad news for you: there ain’t one these days, at least not in the heavy duty options! I drove Old Reliable, our 97 Chevy half-ton which has 385K miles on it but still runs like a top - if only we could Hulk it out so we could pull my big trailer??
I invested yesterday afternoon in going to visit Christina again - thankfully she is off oxygen, still on IV antibiotics but her color looks much better. I am really pushing for her to come to Bristol and take a few hyperbaric oxygen treatments when they let her out of the hospital. I took one for myself yesterday which was long overdue.
Hard to believe this place has been literally 3 miles up the road from me all along! It is the owner’s mission to bring affordable hyperbaric oxygen treatments to all ($35 for an hour, when most Big D clinics charge $150-200 per half hour!).
And, miracle of miracles, Peran went for his first session yesterday! But he balked just now when I suggested a Tex-Mex breakfast to celebrate Cinco de Mayo - we used to go into town almost every Sunday for brunch, but P’s Serious Health Kick put an end to that tradition. (Yes, I admit I am a creature of habit)
"Fix or Repair Daily" or "Found on Road Dead"... I used to own a Ford Taurus that had belonged to my grandfather, and yes, both acronyms fit it by the end of its life. Sigh. I think most of us have at least one dealership horror story, not all from the same brand (mine was with a Datsun/Nissan dealer).
ReplyDeleteSending warm wishes your way to dry out the flooding and for your truck to become functional or get replaced. You need those breaks in life, Val!
Lol on the comment from OKM! I've had Ford, Dodge and Chevy, killed them all. We have 2 Expeditions at the moment and I'm holding my breath waiting now that they are out of warranty. My brother swears by his Toyota Tundra.
ReplyDeleteGlad Christina has improved.
I would be first in line if Toyota manufactured a heavy-duty truck! My cousin was also very pleased with his Tundra but alas, its towing capacity I believe is "merely" 10,000 lbs (whoops - I just had to Google it; with heavy-duty options it's rated to tow 12,000 lbs but when my trailer is fully loaded, we're around 14,000)
DeleteWe have an old GMC Sierra and a Ford FX4 and bought our son a Ford Ranger and they were all superior to cars we have owned but I like Ford the best. Dad had a Chevy which was good. BIL had a RAM and I don't like them. In general I don't like Dodge vehicles.
ReplyDeleteA Tex-Mex breakfast sounds great. We stayed home and I fixed some foods Benny can only eat a week or more after chemo that he requested. Beans and wieners plus corn muffins, slaw, and pickled cucumbers. The oncology unit and doctor say to let him eat what he wants.