#k5

After replacing the leaking fuel pump yesterday, today I had the pleasure of fixing (or I thought) the steering-pulling-to-the right problem.

Now the cabin is a little quieter when I’m driving!

I did have a proper original ‘hood carpet’, but due to the diesel heater fire and the transmission oil that went everywhere, it needed replacing.

After the break down in France then delivery of the truck back to me in Holland via my car service over a month ago, Chuck is working again.

And I’m a little pissed off as to the reason why it’s taken so freaking long!

It’s a great day, so why the hell not!

After the transmission issue, which I now believe was the fault of the cooler lines that a fucking idiot (not me) installed… I now have an issue with having to replace the oil cooler and hoses too!

I’m stocked that it’s back!

Now I gotta get working on pulling the transmission to see what the actual problem is.

Although I’m happy it’s back, I’m not happy with the issues I’ve found in the engine bay.

As I’m 99.9% sure it wasn’t like this when I left it in France!

Will do some diagnosis on the whole thing when I have some time.

Right now, I’m helping build barns, lamp posts and concrete pillars for my cousin’s museum.

They need them to assess whether the truck is ‘worth’ the cost of towing it back to Holland.

So fucking pissed about this because they go by year of the vehicle and how many KMs on the clock.

I told them it’s a classic car and worth upwards of 30k, so they’ve asked for photos.

Fucking livid!!

Had early lunch from this place while I wait for ANWB to sort out a hire car for me. Nice fresh French baguette and meat.

Today was a travel day and it started really well.

But the truck broke down on the motorway in France as I was making my way back to Den Helder.

Here’s the thing…

• Weigh the pros agains the cons.

• Marry the person you dislike the least.

• Use tech that works for you, not against you.

So as I sit here in my very warm and comfortable truck while it’s raining, and windy as hell, it makes me think of why the hell would I travel as a nomad like this!

A few hours a go I rolled up to this view and to stay for the night, possibly the weekend.

And as I deal with my emails, I’ve noticed a pattern when I’m contacted about helping people with their Apple devices.

Other than the general questions like…

• Why is my Mac slow.

• Where are my files located.

• Can you help sync my iPhone and iPad.

I’ve had a few people ask me about power and how I keep my electronics, even my fridge/freezer, powered while I’m nomading in my truck.

Well, it’s via a 400w solar blanket while I’m ‘camped’. And a 1000w DC-to-DC charger while I drive. So I’m never without power.

My cooking is also fully electric. I have an induction stove top and an air fryer that I’ve recently purchased. So between the two, I can eat inside or out.

If there’s a will, there’s a way.

It was DEAD quiet.

You can hear the main motorway, but only if you’re focusing on it.

The only other (non) issue is that there is a bright light in the far distance.

I think it’s the football pitch flood lights, that may be annoying if you don’t cover the window facing it.

Other than that, I think I’ll be coming back to this place for sure!

So we went to the doctor for a check up.

The diagnosis…

It’s bleeding here, here, here, here here, here and here.

We need to replace this, this, this and this.

And upgrade these, these, these, these, these, these and these two.

It’s fun having a classic car!

Winter hasn’t been kind to Chuck, and the battery has had a bad time while he’s been sitting for a while.

So I got a battery charger that can also repair and maintain it to bring it back to life.

It’ll take some time, and I have high hopes that it’ll be just fine.

When I had my 1989 Blazer I always wanted a full service manual for it, so I was able to repair what I could without issue.

I found this online back in 2003 and have had it ever since. And has come in very handy on many occasions.

When I moved to Holland I made sure this was in a safe place so I wouldn’t lose it.

However, it was in such a save place that I hadn’t been able to locate it since 2007!!

Until today!!

This is the bible for my Chevy. And although now I have a 76, it’s still very handy!!

I think it looks great!

Now I have to figure out how to strap the spare tire onto it.

To resolve a problem, reframe then tackle it for the win…

Problem…

I’ve broken down.

Reframe…

I’m being challenged to learn something new.

Win…

I’m now able to help someone else who may have the same issue one day.

Update

I thought I found the issue with a split vacuum hose, but that wasn’t it. Gonna keep on diagnosing.

Chilling in a forest carpark and I hear a loud thump!

My heart is pounding like crazy!

Chuck the truck has been giving me a bunch headaches for the past few weeks. Not only have I ‘broken down’ but it’s been stalling intermittently.

Not good, or safe.

I’ve been diagnosing it as I go, and have replaced the TPS, the IAC and a bunch other parts. And yesterday I finally found the culprit.

The EGR valve!

A new one has been ordered, but it’s going to take a few days to arrive, so for now I’ll just ‘delete’ it by plugging up the port so I can get back on the road.

So I had the dash out of the truck to fix a few issues. All was going swimmingly until I decided to fix the vents.

The vents are held in-place by very flimsy plastic posts. So you have to be very carful when putting back the so called ‘bolts’.

Having a classic Chevy K5 Blazer in general brings its own challenges, but driving and sleeping in truck daily can put a little more strain than normal. But as long as you’re on top of it all, you’ll be fine.

So while I’m house/dog sitting for a family member, I thought I’d take the opportunity to fix a few things that were annoying me lately. The blower fan, the dash light that flicker when going over bumps, and the speedo needle that fell of a while back!

The fan was easy, took it out, oiled it, put it back… bingo!

Chuck the truck has been a little sluggish lately. So giving him a little TLC, he’s now running like a champ. In couple of weeks he’ll have a well deserved full service too.

Light off-roading on Salisbury Plain

The day I picked up the truck! (2002)

I can’t stand people naming their cars, but I thought I’d join the crowd. Chuck the K5 Chevy Truck. Kinda has a ring to it.