Friday night, I was driving back from a friend's house (who lives about 2 hours north) to the place where I am staying here in Utah when my car suddenly started beeping and warning me that it was overheating and that I should shut the engine off. I managed to pull over to a gas station and pop open the hood. There was definitely smoke or steam coming out of the engine and the plastic tank where the coolant/anti-freeze goes was empty. Fortunately, I had lots of offers for help (one good thing about Utah). I dragged the kids into the gas station and bought anti-freeze. A few guys helped pour it in and one told me that I should be good to go.
I set off again and didn't get very far before it happened again. I pulled off to the side of the freeway to let it cool off and started making calls for help/advice. Fortunately, a friend offered to come help even though I was about an hour south and it was freezing cold. He found me on the side of the freeway. He looked under the hood and the tank was empty again! He filled it up and helped me get to the next gas station with multiple stops because of more overheating warnings. Once there, he opened up the radiator and saw that it was completely dry. He put anti-freeze directly into it. He told me that it should take care of it. Then, he said goodbye and to call him if I have ANY more problems. I was able to drive all the way back to where we are staying without more overheating warnings thanks to him. One good thing about Utah is the nice people. I am sure he had better things to do on a Friday night than freeze his butt off with me.
Anyway, the check engine light is still on so I do not want to head back to California until whatever else is going on with the vehicle is fixed. Can you imagine being stuck in Death Valley with two little kids? My car is being towed up to the Saturn Dealer in Salt Lake today. Who knows when I'll get to go home? Once again, I am very thankful my friend and her family here that have made me feel so welcome without any signs of being sick of our LONG vacation. I was sure they'd want to kick us out by now.
3 comments:
"He put more anti-freeze directly into it. He told me that it should take care of it."
Obviously your car is a sick puppy and is trying to tell you that you probably have a crack in the radiator or a leak in the hose connections. The fact that you had to - more than once - completely fill up with anti freeze is a dead giveaway. Too bad that your friend wasn't aware of that. It would have been prudent to have not continued driving the car after your 2nd gas station stop but instead get a qualified mechanic to check things out. Been there done that myself in the past.
Sounds like you made the best out of what could have made you grumpy..good girl...the mountain looked so mysterious thanks for sharing the stories.
Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com
I hope your car is doing better - I am so sorry to hear about that. And I completely agree about a car breaking down in death valley.
Post a Comment