Back in the driveway.
The Head Gasket Job
The wagon is home! The head gasket job is done and they also changed the water pump and some belts and hoses. They put in a new fan sensor switch because the fan wasn't cycling on, but that didn't help so they told me just to leave it unplugged and it will just run all of the time. He said they didn't know how to fix it and I'll need to take it to an auto electrician.
Other than the fan thing being a disappointment, the drive back home from North Hollywood was nice.
A look in the engine bay. The red line is a vacuum hose.
The Fuel Hose
While troubleshooting the fan on Friday, I had a fun exercise in learning how to replace a fuel hose! I started the car and by the time I got out and walked around the front to take a look, the hose was already spraying fuel everywhere! When I looked, the hose was clearly rotten and split. I don't know how they missed that one when they were doing the work.
So I made a quick trip to Auto Zone to grab some replacement hose and had it swapped out in 20 minutes. Easy peasy.
The fuel hose. You can see where the hose separated and sprayed fuel everywhere.
The Coolant Hose
I started the car, let it run for a bit, and stood back to admire my work. Then I noticed the dripping under the car slowly turn into a small pool, then a stream. I looked in engine bay and could see coolant seeping down from (what I learned is called) the turbo coolant crossover hose. The airbox cover had to come off so I could get to it.
I then learned that the factory used metal clamps that were pressed on and had to be cut off to remove them. I thought it was interesting that the shop was able to remove without cutting the clamps and then they just pushed that hose right back on when they were done.
I had to cut the clamps off with my Dremel to remove the hose!
Once I got the old hose off in three, raggedy 1-inch pieces because it was so rotten it basically disintegrated, I headed back out to grab some water hose.
I started at Auto Zone. I got the hose and some clamps. The hose was not only the wrong size, but it was so rigid, I couldn't bend it enough in the tiny three inches I had to bridge between those pipes.
Out I went again. I stopped into a locally-owned shop and they didn't carry hose anymore. I headed over to O'Reilly and was finally successful!
I got my hose, and made it back to the driveway to complete my task. It was starting to get dark!
After about an hour of trial and error and contorting my arms in ways I never thought possible, I was able to get the hose on! I also struggled with the hose clamps, because of course the only clamps Auto Zone had were big.
I refilled the radiator, started it up, and didn't see any issues. I took the car for a short drive after.
This morning when I opened up the radiator, it was down below the neck, so I added about a quart. There must be another leak somewhere else.
Where the coolant was coming from.
The new fan sensor switch didn't fix the fan cycling issue, but I got some advice from the K-Car group on Facebook.
Electrical
In the time since I got it back, I have been troubleshooting several electrical issues. The dash still does not light up. The wipers don't work now, and the backup lights still don't work.
Then I dove into the electrical system troubleshooting. First, I wanted to make sure that my brake lights were working, but I was alone, so I set up my phone to record. They work! Backups still don't. Turn indicators work as well.
Next, I wanted to take a look at the instrument cluster and see if I could figure out why it just won't work. I pulled it out, checked all of the bulbs to make sure they were seated, then plugged it back in. Same results. Only one section partially works. There is no backlight making driving at night not so fun.
The fuel gauge likes to jump around once I hit 1/2 tank; that probably means I'll be dropping the gas tank!
The speedometer used to be 11 miles over, but now it's just dead, so I did something wrong.
After making sure that everything was properly attached, I checked the fuses to see if everything was good there. It was.
Fuse panel with electrical guts hanging out. Looks like someone has messed with the electrical system before.
My research is pointing me at the headlight switch and dimmer control next. I'll be removing that to see if that is the problem. Hopefully it just needs a good cleaning.
What's Next
Tomorrow morning I'll be busy again. I will do a cooling system pressure test and see if I can chase down any other leaks. Then after that, I'm back to the electrical bugs. The dimmer switch and the wiper motor are next.
It is frustrating and fun but I am learning as I go. And OMG can I say that my hands are so sore. Brute force I do not have!
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