Born Loser files

          So, we all like to work on things, cars, bikes and puttering around the house, but when we HAVE to work on things its not always as much fun.
          On the way to work the other day my van started to overheat, I made it to work fine pulling in the parking lot with the tell tale steam coming out from under the hood and that ever and always sweet smell of anti-freeze. Gotta get in there and save lives. so I figure I'll add anti-freeze in the morning and check it when I get home. Fast forward to early morning, top off radiator, pour some in the over flow and off I go. I made it home right before the needle hit the red line, about a 12 mile drive, steam and coolant obvious to all around. I am whipped so off to bed for me I'll look at this after I wake up.
          I wake up and head out to the drive way, top off the radiator wait a few minutes, top it off again and wait a few minutes, its low again! Where is the leak! I scan the front of the engine, nope hoses all look good. I can hear something so I check under the van and see coolant coming from somewhere, so I get the flashlight and start looking around, I cant find it! Start taking things out to get a better look, air cleaner and hose assembly, gone ( I can see a trickle going down the back side of engine now) still can't tell where the leak is, off comes the throttle body.... BINGO!!

          Here is were the born loser part comes from, for most people it would have been a hose, $8 and a 1/2hour. Done. For me though......

          It's coming from the lower intake Plenum gasket!

          So I end up with this...

          but not before a valve cover bolt becomes rounded off, one in the back of course...get out the Dremel

          and when I go to pick up the new gasket set I find out this is an ongoing issue and that the new gasket set has an improved gasket to deal with this.....

          the engine is still getting warm, but not in the red, other issues I think the sending unit is bad, the fans are not turning on now, and I replaced the thermostat.

          If you stuck with me this long I hope you got a good laugh out of this, that's what it was meant for a little mid week humor at my expense. Life goes on and we all have to live it, peace and love. Keep the rubber side down