The joys of a breakdown at -29°

[Gryphon Rider]

From Monday onwards we in Alberta have been experiencing the lowest temperatures of the year.  Some years we don't get this low.  We've been getting between -27 and -32 degrees Celsius (-17 to -26 degrees Fahrenheit).

Yesterday afternoon I got a call from my wife saying her van's steering was extremely stiff, making it undrivable.  I had her find the power steering reservoir according to my directions, and she told me it was empty, so I left work on a rescue mission.

First stop was to pick up my son from school, which she was scheduled to do, then home to pick up some fluid from the garage.  Inside the garage I saw a red puddle on the floor above which the back of the engine would be when parked, and a trail of red fluid from the puddle out towards the lane.

When I got to her and the van, adding fluid simply resulted in the fluid being puked out under the van when the engine was started and the steering wheel moved.  I drove the van home, which required only a handful of turns, thankfully, as it took a lot of strength to steer the wheels, with her following in my truck.

That evening I went out to my insulated but unheated garage to find that one of the two short hoses that connect to the PS fluid cooler had a bad split in it.  This morning I pointed the radiant heater at the underside of the van, went to the auto parts store for its 7:30 opening to buy a length of hose and some ATF+4 fluid (my van uses it for PS and for the transmission), and headed home in time for Sandra to use my truck to shuttle our kids to their destinations.  I had breakfast, bundled up, and got the two hoses replaced.  After refilling the steering system, then alternately running the engine to work the steering, then shutting it off to top off the fluid, it seems to be containing the fluid.

Here's hoping that's the last of the emergency repairs until spring.  I'm glad it was a relatively easy one.

[The emperor has no clothes]

I feel your pain. (Or, I used to feel it) Growing up in Alaska, we never had a garage. Working on a '59 Chevy Apache at -30* can be somewhat trying. I thought I was in tall cotton when I finally had a house with a garage at the age of 26.
Glad you got her fixed up 

[97BLKVALK]

Kevin,

The joys of living way North of the Mason Dixon Line.

Hope you and the family stay warm!

Michael

[Jess from VA]

Even small troubles can be deadly in those temperatures.

Back in college, I had an old beater that needed a new power steering unit, that I could not afford.

The reservoir leaked down about every 2-3 days (commuting to/back from school about 7 miles), so I got the big jug of fluid I could afford, and topped it up when the squealing got bad.  Stop leak was no help.

I had to park on the street and a parking structure, and I tried to use the same spots, which others seemed to be avoiding.  

That was a used Arizona State Police cruiser 383 Fury with no rust (in Detroit) that really hauled ass, but the 100,000 on the clock (and 200,000 idling) made it a poor investment, and it had to go.  

Even though all the lights and stickers were gone and it was an older model, it was amazing how many people would pull over and let that big white car pass when you flashed your lights at them.      

[JimC]

I know your pain also.
My first real job out of college was operating a 20 to hydraulic truck crane.
The only times it broke down it was either below zero, or above 95 degrees.

Jim

[cookiedough]

really glad you got it fixed and mechanically inclined and more so hardy enough to do it in -20 or more below zero. 

A heated garage would be nice during the winter, but knock on wood,  I so far have gotten by 'waiting' until it gets into the +20's to get things needing done in my garage like oil changes, etc.

I do have a somewhat bigger heater runs on 20lb. propane but to heat a garage or an area helps some but if NO garage in winter with -20,  NO thanks, not sure I could tolerate it doing stuff outside especially since the wind chill factor also comes into play. 

A lot of cussing and swearing usually goes along with that as well if that cold.

[G-Man]

When I was a resident in 1997 and 1998 I drove a 1979 Mercury Capri.  It was the Mustangs little sister.  Faded blue paint and split at the seems vinyl seats all around.  Had to pump the breaks ti build up vscuum to stop, no heat, Auto-transmission lever was a needle nosed vise grip that I would have to pull up on and then move forward or back then drop it down and make sure it locked into place or it would pop out of gear.  Hood and hatch both needed a broom stick to hold them open.  Had 14" tires all around, but they were all different aspect ratios and widths. 

I was driving this when I met my wife.  When we got engaged, she made me get rid of it. 

[Gryphon Rider]

really glad you got it fixed and mechanically inclined and more so hardy enough to do it in -20 or more below zero. 

I must admit that although my garage isn't heated, it's still warmer than outside.  It was -9°C (+16°F) inside the garage, and I had the dish heater under the corner of the bumper pointed at me as I worked.  Also, as I said above, I had the dish warming up the underside of the van while I was doing other things, so I was working with comparatively warm parts.  I've been around long enough to know how to mitigate otherwise difficult circumstances.  What I figure might be useful for working under a car in cold temperatures is a close-fitting tuque with a chin strap or cord tie to hold it on my head as I turn back and forth while lying on a creeper.

[RP#62]

A buddy of mine used to work on large recip aircraft in northern Canada.  He told me the only good part about it was that if you spilled any oil, you could just wait a minute or so and kick it out of the way. 

-RP

[Robert]

While in high school in NY I had a job in a repair shop the guy never really heated the garage all winter. The temp would go down to 40 he would turn the heat on for a bit then turn it back off when it reached 55 to 60. Didnt help to much laying on your back with the snow blowing in under the door.

[Gryphon Rider]

While in high school in NY I had a job in a repair shop the guy never really heated the garage all winter. The temp would go down to 40 he would turn the heat on for a bit then turn it back off when it reached 55 to 60. Didnt help to much laying on your back with the snow blowing in under the door.

If I had a heating system in my garage I would probably set the thermostat to 40°F or so in the winter, then turn it up to maybe 50 if working in the garage.  Not much snow blows under the door as it faces south and cold winter winds are usually from the north.  My garage isn't someplace I retreat to relax, so if I'm out there my busyness keeps me warm enough at 40-50°.

[mbramley]

 I feel your pain also. I finally got a garage 7 years ago (I'm 59). Pretty much had cars that regularly needed work no matter the season. Now have a newer car also. Way back when I first got into industrial maintenance the temps had dropped to -20 F, with a wind chill of -60. Our chiller outside overflowed and became a huge ice cycle. There were 3 of us in maintenance so we did 20 min rotations. 20 minutes holding the ladder, 20 minutes up the extension ladder then 20 minutes inside. It took over 2 days of that to get all the ice chipped away. Fun times.

[old2soon]

        I'm at that point in my life I no longer service the cage. I have a danged Good mechanic-read honest too-that works quite reasonably. I Still do my own wrenchin on Phatt Ghurl though. Up until early 78 I still lived in Northern Illinois and did most of my own service on the various cages we owned. Outside in the winter wind and snow blowin seemed normal.  I'm up here-N. Il.-now and 13 degrees F is No Longer NORMAL fer this old guy!  Arriving tonight and 2moro are snow ice and freezing rain!  And by some weather guesstimates might be flirtin with near on 7" of this gunch.  My cage Is parked outside here and anything happens needin wrenchin i ain't above waitin on spring thaw!  Glad you got yers fixed/repaired.  RIDE SAFE.

[cookiedough]

speaking of cold,  I had an OH NO moment now WHAT driving into work on my 5 year old car with 73K miles on it.  Was about 14 degrees out when left this morning and temp gauge cluster on dash took awhile to warm up off 1 mark then it finally started moving up to near 1/2 as it should after say 5-6 miles of hwy. driving.  AS soon as I slowed down into next town on the hwy.6 miles from home down to say 35 mph the temp gauged dipped to ONLY 1 bar again as if it was first starting out cold some 6 miles ago when cranked it up first thing.  I was like NOW WHAT?   Blew a radiator hose,  thermostat not working?  NO idea?  I felt the vent heat go down to only luke warm and about 1 mile later the temp gauge went back up to normal one mark below 1/2 temp as it should be after 5-6 miles of driving and vents got hotter on full HOT as they should.

Wonder what is now the matter?    Ran fine after that thank god!

[scooperhsd]

speaking of cold,  I had an OH NO moment now WHAT driving into work on my 5 year old car with 73K miles on it.  Was about 14 degrees out when left this morning and temp gauge cluster on dash took awhile to warm up off 1 mark then it finally started moving up to near 1/2 as it should after say 5-6 miles of hwy. driving.  AS soon as I slowed down into next town on the hwy.6 miles from home down to say 35 mph the temp gauged dipped to ONLY 1 bar again as if it was first starting out cold some 6 miles ago when cranked it up first thing.  I was like NOW WHAT?   Blew a radiator hose,  thermostat not working?  NO idea?  I felt the vent heat go down to only luke warm and about 1 mile later the temp gauge went back up to normal one mark below 1/2 temp as it should be after 5-6 miles of driving and vents got hotter on full HOT as they should.

Wonder what is now the matter?    Ran fine after that thank god!
[/quote
Normal behaviour on my 2000 VW New Beetle TDI - some people in colder climates actually put winter fronts on them. That generation TDI is KNOWN for not making alot (if any) excess heat, and the temperature will actually cool down idling at a stop sign / light when it is cold enough outside. STarting is not usually a problem - VW tested them up in Alaska  / northern Canada for winter starting / driving. They WILL start at -30F , and after a short period to warm up enough , they run OK.

[Rams]

Spent most of my adult life in the military, I've lived or "visited" many places on this rock we call home.    It is my belief there is no "perfect" place to live or call home.   Having said that, we all chose where we call home.  

Several here have indicated they feel his pain.   All I'm going to say is, I don't want to feel that.   It comes with the territory.   I do feel sympathetic to the situation but, living in the cold north is a decision one makes knowing it's cold up there this time of year.   Those that chose such a life are hardy souls.   I figured out, I'm no longer in that group.   Although, yesterday I was outside observing the concrete crew preparing to pour the floor of my new garage.   I was wearing just my KC Chiefs sweat shirt on my upper body and they were all wearing heavy jackets with hoods and winter gloves.   They questioned me as to how I could be out in temps below 40* dressed like I was.   I told them that cold is relative to what you're used to.   It wasn't all that cold to me.

Best wishes to my friends up north but, don't expect me to come visit with your temps.   It's too frigg'n cold for me there.   What's that song?  Baby it's cold outside...…….

Rams  

[Beardo]

It’s not all bad. I don’t have to worry about earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes, tsunamis, etc. Maybe the odd tornado.

Plus, according to Greta, in a few years, it’ll be warmer here and, since I’m in the middle of the continent, I won’t be flooded like all the coastal cities will be.

[Rams]

It’s not all bad. I don’t have to worry about earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes, tsunamis, etc. Maybe the odd tornado.

Plus, according to Greta, in a few years, it’ll be warmer here and, since I’m in the middle of the continent, I won’t be flooded like all the coastal cities will be.

Well, there ya go.   I knew someone would find that silver lining!!   

Rams

[Gryphon Rider]

Best wishes to my friends up north but, don't expect me to come visit with your temps.   It's too frigg'n cold for me there.   What's that song?  Baby it's cold outside...…….

Rams  

Hey Rams, you better get on a plane and come here quickly; this past Sunday our famed Chinook winds have blown in and provided us with highs above freezing and lows not too much below freezing, which are supposed to last until the end of January!  My longjohns have finally made it into the laundry hamper rather than straight into the washing machine because they needed to be worn the next day!  If you're a skier/snowboarder, the combination of warmer temps and recent snow makes for decent conditions.

I suppose I chose to live here, but more pleasant Canadian locations, weather-wise, require a steady job earning more than I do here, so that "choice" comes with at least temporary significant sacrifice.  I am content, even happy, to be where I am, even if that means putting up with a week or two of bitingly cold weather every year.  What I can say is, at least I'm not in Winnipeg, where my brother chooses to be, where their highs this coming week are approximately 10°C (18°F) colder than Calgary's.  I was born in Calgary, have only ever lived in Calgary or within an hour of it, and now my FIL lives with us and my recently (May '19) widowed mother lives five minutes away, so there is much holding us here.

If I had a long-term, generous job offer c/w green card and health care from semi-rural southern USA, it would certainly be something to consider, however.  

[da prez]

 Cookie (Mike). You may have an air lock in the cooling system. I learned about it (almost) the hard way. A service garage , or buy your own, will have to fill and then put a vacuum pump to the cooling system and then let it draw in the balance of the fluid. There are many twist and turns in the cooling systems and like brakes , have to be bled.

                               da prez

                                                           

[hueco]

From Monday onwards we in Alberta have been experiencing the lowest temperatures of the year.  Some years we don't get this low.  We've been getting between -27 and -32 degrees Celsius (-17 to -26 degrees Fahrenheit).

Yesterday afternoon I got a call from my wife saying her van's steering was extremely stiff, making it undrivable.  I had her find the power steering reservoir according to my directions, and she told me it was empty, so I left work on a rescue mission.

First stop was to pick up my son from school, which she was scheduled to do, then home to pick up some fluid from the garage.  Inside the garage I saw a red puddle on the floor above which the back of the engine would be when parked, and a trail of red fluid from the puddle out towards the lane.

When I got to her and the van, adding fluid simply resulted in the fluid being puked out under the van when the engine was started and the steering wheel moved.  I drove the van home, which required only a handful of turns, thankfully, as it took a lot of strength to steer the wheels, with her following in my truck.

That evening I went out to my insulated but unheated garage to find that one of the two short hoses that connect to the PS fluid cooler had a bad split in it.  This morning I pointed the radiant heater at the underside of the van, went to the auto parts store for its 7:30 opening to buy a length of hose and some ATF+4 fluid (my van uses it for PS and for the transmission), and headed home in time for Sandra to use my truck to shuttle our kids to their destinations.  I had breakfast, bundled up, and got the two hoses replaced.  After refilling the steering system, then alternately running the engine to work the steering, then shutting it off to top off the fluid, it seems to be containing the fluid.

Here's hoping that's the last of the emergency repairs until spring.  I'm glad it was a relatively easy one.

My God. I could not live under such conditions. In my truck driving years I have seen such conditions. Parking lots with posts for plugging in block heaters. Prayers sent up for you and your family. From the Tropics of Texas.

[Gryphon Rider]

My God. I could not live under such conditions. In my truck driving years I have seen such conditions. Parking lots with posts for plugging in block heaters. Prayers sent up for you and your family. From the Tropics of Texas.

Our reward is in summer, when there are usually only 1-2 weeks when I wish my house had AC, and it rarely gets to 90°F.

In 1980 my family took a big road trip through the states, hitting Yellowstone, Salt Lake City, Estes Park, Texas, Louisiana (family friends were on a missions assignment in Dulac, with the Houma Indians), and Disney World, FL.  After that I remember drivng past a big peach sign in Atlanta, Amish Acres in northern Indiana, Dad getting a speeding ticket in Minnesota, followed by a night of high winds that terrorized us in our tent trailer, with my dad out of bed to move his weight to the upwind side of the trailer, Mount Rushmore and the Jewel Caves, then home.  Many books and Archie comics were read.  But I digress...

While traveling through Texas, we visited the Houston Space Center, where I remember us kids running from building to building to get back into the air conditioning.  It was brutally hot.  We kids took turns on water duty in the back of the non-air-conditioned Vista Cruiser station wagon, where we had a 1 gallon thermos filled with ice water.

[The emperor has no clothes]

My God. I could not live under such conditions. In my truck driving years I have seen such conditions. Parking lots with posts for plugging in block heaters. Prayers sent up for you and your family. From the Tropics of Texas.

Our reward is in summer, when there are usually only 1-2 weeks when I wish my house had AC, and it rarely gets to 90°F.

In 1980 my family took a big road trip through the states, hitting Yellowstone, Salt Lake City, Estes Park, Texas, Louisiana (family friends were on a missions assignment in Dulac, with the Houma Indians), and Disney World, FL.  After that I remember drivng past a big peach sign in Atlanta, Amish Acres in northern Indiana, Dad getting a speeding ticket in Minnesota, followed by a night of high winds that terrorized us in our tent trailer, with my dad out of bed to move his weight to the upwind side of the trailer, Mount Rushmore and the Jewel Caves, then home.  Many books and Archie comics were read.  But I digress...

While traveling through Texas, we visited the Houston Space Center, where I remember us kids running from building to building to get back into the air conditioning.  It was brutally hot.  We kids took turns on water duty in the back of the non-air-conditioned Vista Cruiser station wagon, where we had a 1 gallon thermos filled with ice water.

It's not a Vista, but made me think of this. 

[Gryphon Rider]

Our family wasn't quite as interesting as that one, but lose the dog and add a tent trailer, and you've got it!
Our wagon was like the one pictured below, except ours still had its hubcaps.  It was fun drifting it on twisty gravel roads when I was a teenager.  I don't know if my dad figured out I did that.



I found this pic on the net (of course).  It is from a 1987 move, named Cyclone.  I haven't seen it, and it's probably a contender for a "worst movies" list, but the IMDB description sounds intriguing:

Rick has developed the ultimate motorcycle, the Cyclone. It is a $5 million bike equipped with rocket launchers and laser guns. Rick meets his fate and it is up to his girlfriend Teri to keep the Cyclone from falling into the wrong hands. Teri can trust no one but herself.