I had occasion to help a friend with his jeep. A small team of us try to help him keep it up, as he's got enough on his plate with his business, his planes and hangar and a variety of appearances he's asked to make to speak on a variety of topics ranging from flying to civic issues and his well-known grandfather, George S. Patton. My bud, Pat Waters, son of John Waters (WWII vet and POW at Stalag IVB in Hammelburg .. ) lets us tinker as needed, and had run into some problems with the jeep.
We've hit snags along the way, of course, as numerous as the warnings about jumping to use modern parts because they just bloody do not fit in the original holes of these vehicles. So, Knowing I had his old Olaco tank in my garage, I felt compelled to pursue my end of this work-for-tank deal to its end. You might recall he bought a new MDJ tank, and Arch and I did get it in the well and lines aligned and installed. My first solo trip I got her to idle, but soon ran out of luck - and time. Despite a frantic call to Moose, I Had to retreat and plan another visit.
What was it? I started step for step, over and over what the problem could be - at least to my thimblefull of knowhow.
Old gas? Well sure, had to be at least some left in the filter and fuel pump, right?
Air in the line? Sure - probably. It had been left in a state of less-than-assembled for a couple weeks or more.
Electrical issue? Doubtful. Once I figured out the nuances of the starting system (45MB, different than my 42GPW) and his slightly goofy starter I ruled that out.
I had run out of patience, and I know me, once that happens dumb sh!t usually follows. THIS IS NOT MY JEEP, and it ain't some regular ol dude's jeep neither.
Third trip out, Moosey came along and well, you know the rest of the story now.
/original post edited
Last Edit: May 28, 2015 19:51:16 GMT -5 by jeffwho
Step by step, trouble shoot it! You can do it! Moosey needs the drama. If you are like me, you better be careful. Seems whenever I get into someone elses vehicle, it breaks and then I feel guilty and fix it. Oh, and yes, you can have another jeep. I give you permission so the wife can't say anything-----------
OK OK first things first. Pat's jeep is a 1945 MB. I never paid attention because I was always either under it, or had my face rammed in the engine space. Ho hum. Yesterday when I was at the hangar I took some photos.
Oh yeah, so here is the good news: Bo and I both got to drive the jeep. Runs great! Made a cheesy video to boot.
Now, here's what a standup guy Bo is, and if you don't already know this, you're simply not paying attention. He told me that I didn't have to come clean and tell you all this. The truth, that is, as to why I got this jeep to only idle for a short time my last trip out to the hangar. Imagine his surprise (and the look on his FACE! LOL) when I greeted him at the hangar door, holding the fuel filter bowl in my hands. "WHAT are you DOING?!" He was afraid - for the jeep. However, when I first got there, I decided to troubleshoot and was unable to get gas from the tank through the line by sucking on this crazy rubber hose I had, so I started by trying to isolate components, thinking maybe the filter was clogged or whatever - not knowing exactly what had been done in the past. So, points to me for coming up with a plan. After a couple huge lungs full of gasoline vapour, with no results, I've resorted to blowing into this hose, and Moosey (now under the jeep) says "Oh hey, guess what .. here's the issue." TO HIS CREDIT, he didn't put a whuppin on me with a breaker bar like he would a misbehaving goat for being a Detard (you'll see how I earned that moniker) - it must be like dealing with a curious two year old, but always patiently answering questions. The guy's a saint.
So ya know what was the root issue? The fuel line was not secured to the tank. "F-SCRIPT ME". (Sorry Cap'n)
NOW, think back to my post to BG about checking and re-checking your work, eh? I was so sure that my buddy AW (an experienced jeeper, currently rebuilding his engine) had secured that connection at the tank last time we met there, I didn't check it. It's inconceivable right? Barely believable?! I'm SURELY making it up ... it's the only possibility!
/sigh No, this is sadly typical. I just don't take the time it takes to do things well. It must make Moosey crazy - inviting me into this Forum, finding me a jeep. So if you know anyone who makes pills to cure 'severe craniorectal inversion syndrome' I'll be the first to take a dose. If it cures 'comparative capability disorder' too, that'd be a plus. (Oh, and don't call me Shirley.)
No tricks, Oilly, just couldn't get the video to post. Not sure this works, I forced it to work on my computer. Can post to a website if anyone is interested and it doesn't work here on the HG
Last Edit: May 28, 2015 20:04:07 GMT -5 by jeffwho
Yep....there goes detard racing away in somebody else's jeep! I did get to drive it, too. I'm using that 1/4 mile in my race tally, by the way.
And...unfortunately...Jeff is correct on all accounts of how the jeep was fixed. Pretty funny, actually. If asked by you guys, I was just going to say "air leak in the fuel line." Hahaha.
And Oily, there was a HUGE leak on the hangar floor. Right underneath the transfer case. Looked like the jeep barfed 90 wt. You would have been proud of her. I think Jeff caused it somehow.
Afterwards we went to HGs house. Hung out in the garage. Bast age had no Coca Cola. I always suspected him of being a North Korean.
Post by Haines Garage on May 28, 2015 22:26:46 GMT -5
That is a bad ass jeep though ! MB !!! You GPW douchebags!!! Ha ha ! Now tell the story of who actually owns that . I think the members here would be most interested.
Just When You Think You Know The Answers.....I Change The Questions!!
Thanks for the edit. I always get hung up on the Patton connection with Pat. I always forget about his dad. What a great, perhaps even controversial, story about his dad John! If you guys do t know it, I'm sure a gazillion hits will come up on google. That's cool to have helped fix his jeep. Thanks for teeing that one up for me, Jeff.
In Carlo d'Este's book on Patton, he cited "Journal of John Waters" and I happened to ask Pat about that one day. He replied very casually, "Oh yeah, I have that. Want to borrow it? It's a pretty exciting read." Like it's some note to get bread and milk. JUST LIKE THAT, he's going to let some DOYYYYY like me read his dad's one-of-a-kind wartime journal. I tell ya, I chickened out. But some day, I will. And I will get hi-res scans to feature at the museum, oh and share with you guys if that sounds even mildly interesting.
In Carlo d'Este's book on Patton, he cited "Journal of John Waters" and I happened to ask Pat about that one day. He replied very casually, "Oh yeah, I have that. Want to borrow it? It's a pretty exciting read." Like it's some note to get bread and milk. JUST LIKE THAT, he's going to let some DOYYYYY like me read his dad's one-of-a-kind wartime journal. I tell ya, I chickened out. But some day, I will. And I will get hi-res scans to feature at the museum, oh and share with you guys if that sounds even mildly interesting.
