Sorry I haven't written much lately. I have been going non-stop. The Trooper was a known project car but it has been more challenging that I expected. I think, this time, I have it fixed and reliable.
The biggest problem from the start has been the cooling system. In the beginning, it was because the accident (that happened prior to my ownership) had pushed the front end in causing the lower radiator hose to rub against a belt and get sawed almost in half. I fixed that. A buddy of mine, Nathan, helped me pull the front end out of the motor by attaching a tow strap to my bumper and then to his truck. At first he gently eased the tension. When that didn't work, he put slack in the line and gunned his truck forward, essentially jerking my bumper out a half inch at a time. It was funny to watch because it caused the whole Trooper to skid forward an inch with the tires giving out a little screech each time. (it was in park and parking brake was on). We put on a new hose and life was good again. For awhile.
The repaired hose, unbeknowst to me, expanded when the engine heated up and rubbed against a pulley nut, grinding a hole into the new hose. I had to replace the hose again. It is a PITA job because the lower half of the hose is attached in a space that required me to sacrifice substantial amounts of knuckle skin and irrigated my eyes with dripping power steering fluid (from a leaky power steering pump) as I laid underneath the engine compartment. Also I had to twist my elbows and wrists in unnatural positions to move the ratchet just one click at a time. Once I installed the hose I secured it with a tie strap to keep it from flexing into trouble areas.
I had a new muffler and tailpipe installed, by a professional, to treat myself. It is the male equivelant to getting a mani/pedi.
I added a thermostat, because it didn't have one. I later learned there was a reason for this. It seems when driven at normal operating temperatures for longer than 15 minutes that the Trooper would develop a moody disposition. Meaning that if I stopped it briefly, to say, run in the store, it might or might not crank when I came back. It left me stranded 3 times due to this disorder. I had no idea why. I put in new spark plugs, a fuel filter and cleaned the EGR valve. I read online all kinds of similar problems and theories why but no credible solutions. Most starting problems are vaguely described as "no fire or no fuel" issues.
It was at this time that I deduced that, for whatever reason, the Trooper did not like normal operating temperatures so I popped the thermostat out. I haven't had a starting problem since.
I did however develop a new problem. My engine would mysteriously start overheating. The cause was low coolant levels. I would top off the radiator with as much as a quart of fluid a day. There were no drips, leaks or evidence of steam. I did notice that I had a great deal of white smoke coming out of my tailpipe, especially when at it idled. (Fortunately I had already gotten it through emissions testing before this incident). The coolant started disappearing even faster, with it overheating in as little as a half hour after filling it up.
A little online research told me that white smoke is one of the sure signs of a head gasket problem. The other signs, missing coolant and overheating. I did not like this because a head gasket replacement runs about $1000-$1500. I had to find an alternative fix. I instantly decided this would be a great time to find out if those Head Gasket sealers in the auto parts stores worked or not. I bought the $10 bottle, not the $100. I also picked up stuff for a radiator flush, just to make sure I didn't have a clog in the system.
This turned out to be a very messy and very labor intensive project. Mainly because the petcock (aka drain plug) was in a position that forced me to be directly beneath it while I directed a wrench, that I used as an extension of my fingers, into a dark crevice to grasp and turn the petcock. When I succeeded, I was rewarded by being baptized in dirty radiator fluid. From there, I cut a hose, inserted a t-attachment that I attached to a garden hose and proceeded to flush out the radiator with fresh clean water. I replaced the petcock with all the same joy as removing it, minus the baptism. Then I put in a Chemical Radiator Flush, filled the radiator up with water and ran the engine for 15 minutes to circulate the solution. Let the engine cool down. Then, oh yes, remove the petcock again...remembered to keep mouth closed this time. Hooked up a garden hose to flush out the chemical solution. Ran clean water for 10 minutes to be thorough. Replaced petcock again. Now I was to the really important part, (cue heaven music) adding the Head Gasket Sealer. I had to mix it with 3 quarts of hot water prior to pouring it into the radiator. Fill the rest of the radiator with hot water and run the car for 30 minutes (white smoke stopped coming out of the tailpipe after only 10 minutes). Let car cool down. Drain the radiator and let it sit empty for 24 hours without the petcock or radiator cap. Flush the next day, fill with radiator fluid and water and go.
It is a very time consuming project but I am happy to report that the fix appears to be holding. Online testimonials have reported varied success stories. Ranging from no help to worked for a few months to worked for several years. I am hopeful. It has been a week since I did this repair and the Trooper has been running great since.
I know there are many out there that have read this and wonder why I subject myself to such misery. Truth be told, I don't consider it miserable. It is challenging and satisfying. The tough parts make the success so much better. And it is almost always funny in hindsight. The Trooper is a wonderful get around vehicle, with tons of cargo space. It has a boxy look with plenty of large window space. The gas efficiency leaves something to be desired but that comes with buying an older SUV.
I am very fond of not having a car payment.
