Blew my top today

dpuckett · 05-09-2004, 12:36 AM

#1- this is redundant, but the yeah hoos at Auto Zone would be hard pressed to differentiate their colo-rectal output orifices from a hole in the ground.

I had noticed a burning/ something hot smell under the hood the past day or two. You know how old tractor tires or maybe the steering wheel smell after years in the sun and the rubber starts to dry rot. I checked the belt, good. Then I started sniffing around, and noticed it strongest by the battery. I took it off, dropped it at AZ, and went and rode a horse at my firend's house to kill some time. Picked the battery up, and they siad it was good. The thing would barely crank the engine. Then it would only make 8volts, instead of the normal 13volts. So I drove it a little to see if it would charge up some. I got to town, and had noticed a rattling around under the hood (another noise from the usual dozen noises), so I popped the hood to check it out. I touched the battery and it was HOT. I went to O'Reilley's and asked my buddy there if that was a bad thing. He said it was, but he didnt have a Group 31 battery in stock.

On the way home, I stopped on the gravel to see what the rattling was, as I thought I had located it (the new one, not the other dozen that are now normal), and popped the hood to see a big wet mess all over the left side of the engine bay. Then I saw the vent cap had blown, so I hit the road, going 55 down the gravel road to get home and wash it off ASAP. I got it all washed off, and no major damage in the way of corrosion that I could tell. So, MOnday on my lunch break, I'm going to run over to Case and see what they have in the way of rebuilt batteries for around $30. AZ blew a chance to sell me an Optima battery. I'm not going back there, except to rip a few new exit orifices on a few numbskulls. ARRRGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!! I hate the swamp.

I plan to get the volt regulator checked while I have it all apart. Just when I almost have the $$$ to go home. I may have to stay here till the 24th. Oh well. I'll make up for it when and if I get out there.

Daniel