Took Josie out for a quick photo shoot using the Fuji X100s. Used a pair of Canon Remote strobes. Threw one inside of the car and the other laying on the ground pointing upwards in a 45 degree angle.

I Actuallt wanted to take a photos at the area behind the Chevron station down the street but there was a funeral going on. The temperature stayed at 180F during the up and back ride down the street. I poured in another bottle of Water Wetter yesterday. Hopefully it made some type of difference. 

This evening I had a locksmith (Mike) come over and try to make a door key. The standard ignition key is supposed to open both doors. Somewhere during the lifetime of Josie one of the owners must have replaced the ignition switch because it no longer opened the doors.

After trying for over an hour Mike was able to get the passenger door working with a key that he made. Curiously enough it also worked on the ignition which probably means the drivers door has a problem. I more than likely be taking off the drivers door this weekend.

EDIT: 20160423

Mike the locksmith came back over to try and solve the driver door problem. He spent at least another 2 hours messing with it. In the end he was unable to open the drivers door with a key. In fact he accidentally disengage the lock connecting rod inside of the door! This means I will definitely have to remove the panel. Chit.

So this is my story..

Ever since I’ve had “Josie” I had to place a piece of cardboard or a drip pan down below. I realize a car of this age would have leaks and some are acceptable until it can be evaluated  and repaired.

One leak that bothered me was the coolant leak. My original “Pro Cool” leaked at several different places under the car. Most at the location directly under the radiator or more specific under a motor frame directly below the radiator.

The leak would appear every time I went for a ride  regardless of the distance and length of time it took to travel. It was as if the leak wasn’t tied to the engines changing conditions.

I had removed the radiator twice. Each time swearing it was a faulty new radiator causing me all this grief. Each time I pulled it out I carefully inspected the lower and the surrounding areas. Getting pissed off I never found a leak or anything that resembled it could cause a leak over temperature and pressure.

The next was to use a dye and black light. This would let me trace the leak to the exact source(s). When the dye arrived I immediately pour some onto the radiator inlet port.  I decided to wait overnight in case the leak was located in the radiator only. I figured it wouldn’t be draw into the motor if the water pump was operating.

When i checked it out the next morning there was the puddles of coolant on the floor pan. I tried the glasses and black light combo and there was no dye to be found! Now this was baffling as hell as it indicated my leak was not from the radiator.  I rechecked the water pump hose fittings, weep hole, all the freeze/core plugs, thermostat and hoses.

For whatever reason I went ahead and replaced all the hoses again and actually changed the upper radiator hose with a braided model.

Heading into work on my normal path. Damn car died getting off of the exit. 

Got off work as early as possible and when I arrived home we took off for Disneyland. This was to be the first time our grandson has ever gone there and we wanted to make it a special time.

We checked in at the Hyatt Hotel sort of late but that okay, we would have an early start in the morning!

Taking our grandson to Disneyland. It’s for his 6th birthday gift. 

Took a bit longer to get into work this morning. There was a three car pile up and this car was smacked from the front and back. 

I can scratch another bucket list item off, owning a Mercedes Benz. I’ve been missing riding a full convertible at will. We have a BMW 330ci but it’s the wifey’s car and not available all the time. Also, I’m not able to tinker with it and out of commission for days at a time.

We are celebrating our 15th year anniversary today. Our dinner had to be postponed due to a family crisis.