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A Sherlock Holmes Story: The Element That Stopped Running
A few nights ago, my kids returned from a mini road trip in my daughter’s Honda Element. It was dark and raining. My son started backing the car into the driveway, couldn’t see where the edges of the driveway were, got misplaced, my daughter got out to spot him, the car died, and I was summoned.
The car took a long time cranking to start and then died quickly. I shrugged and we pushed the car ten feet to a parking space on the curb and called that good. Hey it was late and pouring rain. A few days later I got around to scanning the car - hmm, no codes - and starting it - took a bit of cranking but started and ran fine. Hmm, a fault that emerges when the engine is hot? A couple more days and I drove the car to work - started right up, ran no problem. Tonight, I took my flashlight and a hunch, and inspected the driveway. In the grass parking strip hump to the side of the driveway, I found this.  Then I inspected the car.  See what I think happened?
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1989 3.2 Carrera coupe; 1988 Westy Vanagon, Zetec; 1986 E28 M30; 1994 W124; 2004 S211 What? Uh . . . “he” and “him”? Last edited by jyl; 03-19-2025 at 09:27 PM.. |
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03-19-2025, 08:40 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Linn County, Oregon
Posts: 48,484
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So, an accidental exhaust plug? At least it wasn't a potato.
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"Now, to put a water-cooled engine in the rear and to have a radiator in the front, that's not very intelligent." -Ferry Porsche (PANO, Oct. '73) (I, Paul D. have loved this quote since 1973. It will remain as long as I post here.) |
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03-19-2025, 10:05 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Cambridge, MA
Posts: 44,192
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Tru6 Restoration & Design |
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03-20-2025, 02:39 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Lake Oswego, OR
Posts: 6,037
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John,
That is top shelf sleuthing!!! I am very impressed. |
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03-20-2025, 03:42 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Valencia Pa.
Posts: 8,839
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A few years back, I was getting a 912 back on the road that had sat for 10+ years in a barn .
After a bunch of checks and new fluids, we were ready to crank it and light it up . I had my dad in the car twisting the key and I was standing at the rear to observe the motor . It did not want to fire, but after a few tries, it popped to life . Out the tail pipe, came a nest and several live mice, that scurried off to make a new home in someone elses muffler . I have video of it somewhere, Ill try to post it if I can find it .
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No left turn un stoned |
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03-20-2025, 06:23 AM
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And I found a little clump of turf/grass on the road where the rear of the car had been parked. I guess the rain has washed away the dirt.
Was that Morgan Fairchild in the clip? Pretty.
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1989 3.2 Carrera coupe; 1988 Westy Vanagon, Zetec; 1986 E28 M30; 1994 W124; 2004 S211 What? Uh . . . “he” and “him”? |
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03-20-2025, 08:40 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Cambridge, MA
Posts: 44,192
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googling says Lisa Eilbacher
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Tru6 Restoration & Design |
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03-20-2025, 08:56 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Valencia Pa.
Posts: 8,839
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Found the video. I remember it scaring me half to death .
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No left turn un stoned |
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03-20-2025, 01:35 PM
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1989 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.2
