First long trip in Ole Yellar!

[ericsmith32]

I'm going to depart KC tomorrow evening for St. Louis going over to see my sister. Going to be interesting trip. Been in the family since 02 and this will be the longest trip to date. Thermostat is stuck open (new one didn't arrive in time), the sway bar bushings are sorta there and the clutch slips a bit on hills. Going to pick up a extra fuel filter since that one has 80k on it. Fluids, belts and bearings are all good or new though. Have all my tools and 2 extra tires. Could take the automatic but it needs a new exhaust manifold. 5 speed might get better mpg anyways even with the bad thermostat. If nobody hears from me on Friday/Saturday might be burying a Festiva.. ehh I wouldn't do that it's a good car and has only left me stranded once when I first got it.

[ejp2fast]

good luck!! bring a small tool bag with the 10, 12, 14, 17 mm goodies just in case. If you bring that, you'll be fine.

[muscle_Car1]

RWe have members in st louis & such so if you need help we have the emergency festiva thingy.

[ericsmith32]

Just had to bring up a 10mm.. the baine of my existant. I have 2 sockets and 2 wrenches of every other size but 10mm! And guess what the Festy's use the most the 10mm. Dang nabit I swear someday I'm going to get 20 of those things maybe they'll last year.

Yeah I need to look up a few numbers before I leave.. have them somewhere! Is there any Columbia members don't recall seeing any. If I do have any trouble it'll probably be on those hills around there. If I get past that should be smooth sailing!

[freshtiva]

Juryrigger is about half way between ST Louis and KC. So is Justin. Ill volunteer their services. J/K

[ericsmith32]

Well the dual stage thermostat showed up today. Going to put 'er in tonight. Going to be cold one.. but at least it'll be toasty in the morning! Decided not to leave till Friday just way to much to do!

[Safety Guy]

Good call, Eric! Don't forget the 10mm sockets!

Karl

[ericsmith32]

Good call, Eric! Don't forget the 10mm sockets!

Karl

:banghead: Arg.. thanks Karl

On side note got the thermostat in took a hour.. longer than I thought. I thought I got a fail safe the last time apparently I didn't. Is the symptoms of a stuck shut thermostat a hot top hose? Can't remember if that applies to a regular or fail safe thermo. I guess she'll what she does tomorrow. Also it looks like I have a problem with the TPS.. everytime I hit it the idle would go crazy.

[hotfordcat]

Don't forget about FIT!! It worked for Amanda. Should be a sticky somewhere with phone #s near your travel route. Hope all goes well..

[ericsmith32]

Ah ah that's what it called. I'll look it up.. probably need to change my info too.

[ericsmith32]

She made it without a hitch! Dad can't believe it for some reason. Drove 75mph all the way. Can't comment on gas mileage yet. Started out on a tank with 60 already and half of those were with the bad thermostat. Filled up at Boonville almost the half point and when I got here had 3/4 tank left. The only worry is the exhaust falling off.. someone did a shoddy job putting a muffler on.