Instead I have taken my time in the morning, driven out there slowly. Taken Bertha for a long walk along the shore before making a pot of tea. And then I have started on the actual work. I have generally tried to stop around 2-3 P.M. to be home in the afternoon with the children.
Today I hope to be able to install some of the last boards, and then I'll see if I can complete the staircase.
The small setback occurred Sunday afternoon. I was supposed to drive to Viborg to pick up Asger from a goalkeeper camp, and I decided to take the green Volvo Valp. I had to bring some large boxes for my older brother, and Mette wanted to use the regular Volvo to pull the horse trailer so she could ride in the forest with a friend.
I have changed the ignition coil, the points and the capacitor on the green Valp, and it ran like a sewing machine. All the way till I reached the middle of Sallingsundbroen (the main bridge leading to our island). At that point the engine suddenly died completely.
After testing the starter button, I found that the engine could turn, but it turned much faster than normally. I then tried to look into the rocker arm cover by removing the oil filler cap - and nothing moved at all in there.
These old Volvo engines haven't got a timing chain or a timing belt. Instead they operate with timing gears. The middle gear is made out of some sort of fiber and does not last forever...
After checking with an old mechanic who's a friend of mine, he said that nothing is damaged inside the engine when this occurs. So I just have to order a new set of timing gears and replace them. I think that might be a job for the next time I am home.
Following the advice of Nathan Simon, I used a framing square for the lay out.
View from the bridge (to the North).
View to the East.
So how did you and Asger get home? It looks like it would have been an awfully long walk.
ReplyDeleteHi Ralph.
DeleteI never even got as far as to get Asger, because it was on its way to pick him up. But luckily Mette hadn't left for her riding class, so she could drive down and get him. I myself got picked up by a friend who runs a towing company (very handy when you like old cars) :-)
Brgds
Jonas
Does Denmark have ADAC? I find it's worth it if you own a hooptie.
ReplyDeleteHi Brian.
DeleteThere is something similar to ADAC. My friend is part of the Viking rescue service, and he was able to pick me up and drive me and the Valp home.
Brgds
Jonas
Funny, my mom had a Volvo many years ago and had a nearly identical experience. I've never been much of a car person, so I cannot not relate as my experience is limited to changing the oil or the battery and other very minor repairs. I only remember that it was very expensive to repair because Volvo parts were costly then (and maybe they still are)
ReplyDeleteHi Bill.
DeleteVolvo parts for vintage cars are generally not very expensive over her, and there is an abundance of used parts available from Sweden. The Valp has got a standard 1.8 L gasoline engine similar to those used in the Amazon and P1800 cars. Still I would prefer that I didn't have to change the timing gears..
Brgds
Jonas
My old SAAB V4's had similar set up and similar results. No warning until the moment of catastrophe. A preventive maintenance item every 90000 miles - need it or not.
ReplyDeleteHi Mike
DeleteI lusted for a Saab 96 V4 for many years. I really like the aerodynamic shape of it. But I ended up getting a Volvo instead and have stuck with that brand since.
It is funny that you should comment mentioning a Saab V4, because I was visiting our local parts dealer, and the old guy behind the counter mentioned Saab had a similar setup.
I can buy all steel gears for the Volvo, and maybe I'll do that. The fiber wheel was supposedly fitted to lessen engine noise.
Brgds
Jonas
Affirmative on the noisier steel gears - at least on the German Ford Taunus engine that SAAB used for the V4.
DeleteI lusted after 96's and Sonetts with the 3 cylinder, 2-cycle engine - but I am much older than you!
Regards,
Mike
Hi Mike
DeleteI have always had a soft spot for older cars. They were not that afraid of gentle curves in those days.
The Sonetts are works of art. Very un-Swedish with a stylish sports car in those days.
Brgds
Jonas
Jonas,
ReplyDeleteI was visiting with someone a day or two ago about how much cars have changed and while they cost more today than yesterday you get so much more.
Are you going to fix it yourself or send it to the shop? Which is another thing that has changed, in the not so good old days you would push your rollaway tool box oven and have a go at it. Today not so much.
ken
Hi Ken
DeleteI agree that we have gained enormously in reliability and drive-ability compared to yesterday, but sadly I think a lot of the soul of cars has been removed in that process.
I personally think that most modern cars are boring to look at, and I can't even think of a new car that I would really like. (save the Lamborghinis etc.)
I also like that I can still putter around in that old car/truck and don't have to worry about software updates, cars being hacked via the communication system etc.
I think that I will change the gears myself, I'll just have to order a set and get myself into gear. But I am going out in a weeks time, so it won't be until I get home.
Brgds.
Jonas
Seeing the pictures from the bridge made me laugh out loud, that was clever. Have fun fixing it, things like that are good for a man. Your routine at the summer house sounds awesome, too.
ReplyDeleteJeff
Hi Jeff
DeleteSorry for the late reply.
Your comment slipped through my mind while I was busy replying to the company that I was ready to go to work.
I'll have to order the spare parts, so I can fix the car when I get home. It should preferably be ready for winter driving in case we get any snow this year.
Brgds
Jonas