A Slice of Life
Bill Lites
Day 6 – July 20 Continued: As I mentioned last week, I was heading north on I-39 just north of Knowlton, WI when I heard “ding-ding-ding” and I glanced at my dashboard, to see my water temperature gage pegged on “HOT.” I started to slow down and pull over, but before I could get to the shoulder of the road, the temperature gage went back to “NORMAL.” “What was that all about?” I wondered. I went back on the highway and proceeded on my way for another few minutes. Then the “ding-ding-ding” sounded again, and the temperature gage was once again pegged on “HOT.” This time I quickly made it to the shoulder and slowed down before the temperature gage went back to “Normal.”
Image Credit: https://images.search.yahoo.com/ overheated+car+engine
I stopped and called my friend Ray (auto mechanic) to get his advice on the problem. He said it sounded like a faulty temperature sensor, and to have a mechanic check it out the first chance I had. So, I thanked him and continued on my way for another few minutes before I heard the “ding-ding-ding” again. This time I stopped under an overpass, opened the hood, and was greeted with steam from the radiator. “Oh Boy!” I thought, “I have a really bad situation here. What am I going to do now?”
Image Credit: https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/overheated+car+engine
First, I needed to call my Roadside Emergency people for a tow to the nearest auto repair shop, but I hadn’t noticed any mileage markers before I stopped. Then I checked both sides of the overpass for a road I.D. but there were none. Then I remembered the gallon of water I had brought for just such an occasion. After the engine had cooled enough to remove the radiator cap, I added the gallon of water and prayed it would be enough to get me to the next exit so I would be able to tell the Roadside Emergency people where to come pick me up.
mage Credit: https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/24-hr-roadside-assistance
I found the next exit and pulled off to call for a tow. While I was sitting there looking up the number this “Angle” on a motorcycle pulled up beside me and said, “Do you need help?” I told him my problem and he said, “Well, my name is Steve, and I own a small trucking company near here and know a little bit about engines, can I take a look?” I said, “Sure” and popped the hood.
Photo Credit: CanStockPhoto.Com
He looked it over and said, “It looks like you may have a radiator leak. Do you have any water?” I showed him the case of bottled water I had brought along for my trip, and he didn’t say a word, just emptied the whole case of bottled water into the radiator. Then he said, “That should be enough to get you to the small ‘Stop-N-Go’ store just up the road a short distance. Follow me and we’ll see what they have to get you on your way.”
Image Credit: https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/stop+n+go+store
At the Stop-N-Go store, Steve refilled my Emergency Water jug and found a couple of different kinds of ‘Stop Leak’ while I was in the restroom. We added the Stop Leak, topped off the radiator with water and he told me about an excellent auto repair mechanic in the town at the next exit up I-39 to see about my problem. I thanked him and told him how much I appreciated his help and headed for Mosinee, WI. I found the repair shop and told Clyton, the mechanic, my problem. He removed the radiator cap and asked me to start the engine. He immediately told me to shut it off and said, “You have a blown head gasket.” I said, “Great. What does that mean to me?” he said, “I’m booked up with work and wouldn’t be able to get to your engine for at least a month. I can call other auto shops in town, but I doubt any of them could repair your engine in less than a week.” So, “Now what was I going to do?” I wondered.
Image Credit: https://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images;man+with+car+trouble
—–To Be Continued—–
Bill is a retired Mechanical engineer living with his wonderful artist/writer wife, DiVoran, of 65 years in Titusville, Florida. He was born and raised in the Southwest, did a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy, attended Northrop University in Southern California and ended up working on America’s Manned Space Program for 35 years. He currently is retired and spends most of his time building and flying R/C model airplanes, traveling, writing blogs about his travels for Word Press and supporting his wife’s hobbies with framing, editing and marketing. He also volunteers with a local church Car Care Ministry and as a tour guide at the Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum there in Titusville. Bill has two wonderful children, two outstanding grandchildren, and a loving sister and her husband, all of whom also live in Central Florida, so he and DiVoran are rewarded by having family close to spend lots of quality time with.
One of Bill’s favorite Scriptures is: John 10:10
Old Things R New 
WOW! Talk about a cliff-hanger! Can’t wait for next week’s installment!
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