Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2004 21:54:47 -0600
Reply-To: tom ring <taring@TARING.ORG>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: tom ring <taring@TARING.ORG>
Organization: Tippen Ringware
Subject: Re: Danger from the cold
In-Reply-To: <4009F9A2.9030408@bellsouth.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Agreed.
A short tale from northern NY. There was a storm south of Watertown in the
lake effect area, as there is about every 2 weeks in the late fall, winter, and
spring. This one was a bit worse than usual, so Fort Drum, these days a much
expanded training base, sent out APCs and tanks to some remote areas to make
sure people were OK. A tank got lost, and stopped next to a road to check
directions at a nearby farm. When returning, they couldn't find the tank,
which had been idling when they left it. They didn't find it until April. It
snows a lot just south of Watertown. :)
And don't ask me why they sent tanks, I have no idea, excpet that they can go
through snow deeper than they are tall.
If anyone lives in the CNY and north area, I'm originally from Adams, so you
know what I'm talking about there. ;)
Thinking that you are safe and snug and nothing can hurt you because you are in
a "modern" vehicle, can get you in deep crap in the winter. An emergency kit
is a good thing. I have one in each vehicle, even though I rarely leave the
Minneapolis metro.
Good advice, John. Also add a 2 way radio. CB minimum, maybe an FRS. Amateur
if you have the license. And AFAIK, cell phone companies in the US are
required to do 911 service even if the phone has no contract with any company.
So a junk phone with a good battery might save your life. I am pretty sure
this is still true. Anyone confirm?
tom
On 17 Jan 2004 at 21:12, John Rodgers wrote:
> One thing I leaned in 30 years of living in Alaska, and that is that the
> cold in winter will show every weakness in your vehicle, wheather it's
> the tired tires, worn bearings, old coolant hoses, fuel lines or what
> have you. When the temps get really down there, the weaknesses start to
> show. And in a really cold climate like Alaska, Canada, and some of the
> other northern tier states, having a problem out somehere can turn a
> nice Sunday afternoon outing into a grim survival situation, even if it
> is just over night. After a few cold weather maintenance episodes I got
> the message, and maintained my vehicles in Alaska to the max.
> Maintenance was very routine. I never missed servicing, and any
> componenets that were questionable were simply replaced. I also kept
> extra blankets, some means of building an maintaining a fire, as well as
> some food in my van in the winter. And never, ever made a "quick run
> downtown" without my coat, hat, mitts, and boots. I would simply never
> take the chance.
>
> And you definitely don't want to get stranded out somewhere with your
> family.
>
> Maintain to the max. Thats my motto!!
>
> Regards,
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>
> Robert Freeman wrote:
>
> > I took my '91 Westy up into British Columbia after xmas for a week of skiing. One night when temps were about -20C I was driving down into town for dinner (Rossland BC) and the car was stalling on me. I managed to get it to a parking space near where I was going, but when I came out after it wouldn't start again. I tried several times and it would catch and run for a bit and then die. I guessed that there might be water in the fuel line that had frozen. Then I smelled fuel. Got out and looked under
with a flashlight and sure enough, drip drip drip. I just left it there and walked back to where I was staying. Next day was sunday so no getting it fixed then. Monday morning I had it towed to a local garage. He found the fuel line had split near where it enters a valve near the firewall. He cut off the bad part and reattached it with a clamp. All he could do at the time. I will get all the lines replaced soon though. Nearly had a vehicle flambe. The lesson is if you have not replaced your fuel lines
in the last 5 years, there is no time like now. By the way, the car started easily and ran great otherwise, but I sure had a hard time getting it to warm up in that cold. We drove in all our ski clothes most of the time.
> >
> >Bob Freeman
> >Seattle
> >
> >
> >
>
------
Tom Ring K0TAR, ex-WA2PHW EN34hx
85 Westphalia GL Albert
96 Jetta GL The Intimidator
taring@taring.org
"It is better to go into a turn slow, and come out fast, than to go into a turn fast
and come out dead." Stirling Moss
| 
