I'll be dogged! I fixed it!
Yesterday, I wrestled the radiator out and there was dirt in maybe 10% of cells, so I blew it out best I could then used the hose sprayer until no cells were clogged. I also ran water through it for a bit. Next I cleaned the smaller cooler which had dirt in about 30% of cells. That was a tedious job because I didn't remove it from the machine, although I could pull it out to the side somewhat while I sat on the front tire with my trusty collection of dental tools, zip ties, and toothpicks. Naturally while I was wrestling the radiator back in behind that blasted fan shield, I broke the fuel line T connector. Today, I put installed the new T, filled the radiator with 50/50 and left cap off so I could see movement after I started the machine up and saw movement. Oh, I forgot to mention that I also removed the thermostat and tested in boiling water and it functioned good so I put that back on too.
I just took it for a spin and the temp look perfect in the green even after cutting some high grass for a few passes. I parked it in the shade, because I couldn't wait to tell you guys! Thanks for all your advice; it's very appreciated.
Now a bit about me: I am a 62 y/o woman, (as of today,) and recently retired as a criminal defense attorney. My prior career was as an air traffic controller. I got my private pilot's license when I was 18 and went to college for aviation. In college I earned my commercial pilot's license for single and twin engine aircraft, but I graduated at the height of the '81 recession when airlines were laying off pilots and corporations were selling their airplanes.
My dad raced foreign cars all through the 1960s and was a superb mechanic. He and my mother open a Mercedes-Benz/BMW dealership in 1973, so I grew up around cars, boats, and airplanes. In 2001, I bought an old farmhouse and since then I have renovated it, mostly by myself. I put in 2 bathrooms and a kitchen where there were none and did all the plumbing and electrical myself.
My boyfriend is an old retired farmer who was also a welder and a carpenter. He helped me with replacing the windows and siding. We have been together since 2001 after he rode his bicycle over from his farm a mile away. Watching him try his damnedest not to shell out a dime for repairs or outside help taught me that I can and should try to fix stuff myself before throwing in the towel. I get very frustrated and lose my cool, but I am learning to just walk away and do something else for awhile like try to catch my rotten horse or work on winning the trust of an unhandled mule I picked up last fall. I have 5 equines and 3 dogs and they always want attention, not to mention my boyfriend over at his farm.
A couple years ago I bought a junky 1972 2-horse trailer that I spent a summer stripping and painting, replacing the floor, and rewiring with new lights. One of the springs broke when I brought the mule home so I had to learn how to replace that. I do not recommend that, because it was Hassle City, USA. I also restore horse drawn vehicles and show once a year at a pleasure driving show.
Fixing things is very satisfying for me. Most people these days don't know enough to even troubleshoot a problem. They have no idea how HVAC works at home or what makes their cars go vroom, vroom. They are at the mercy of contractors and mechanics, which is okay to a point, but they aren't aware of when they are getting taken. Personally, I cannot help but try to understand how things, (including government, medicine, human nature, animal behavior, etc.,) work. I want to know where the end of my abilities lie and so far there isn't much I am not willing to attempt. I have learned I can always do more than I think I can. If you have daughters out there, please encourage them to be self-sufficient. Teach them how stuff works. I hate seeing women feeling like only men can figure out things. They will appreciate what you teach them, even if just by example, but it may be many years before they realize the object of your lessons.
I am sure you'll see me on here again since there is no end to projects around here.
Take care y'all,
Suzanne
P.S. Things I am really bad at are: painting, caulking, gardening, and house-cleaning.
Glad it is working, and thanks for following up.
