My gut feeling was right about the truck I described in a former post. I had the time today to poke around and found the connection of the ground strap to the frame was loose enough to turn by hand. Since it was fubared with rust, and the bolt couldn't be removed, I bought a new ground strap and fastened in another hole in the frame; after I cleaned the paint to bare metal to insure a good ground. I, also, used a stainless bolt, so some poor bastard like me won't have to do the same thing again in the future.
The truck started without any problems, I had to tighten the filter a little to stop the leak, and the truck is ready to go.
The only problem I now have is to instill the eagerness to search to those that were helping me with the truck. Whoever connected the ground strap to the battery should have seen how loose it was and brought it to my attention. Oh well, I live and I hope they are willing to learn.
Stainless isn't rustless. I work with a team of folks maintaining an ROV for submarine exploration and monitoring. Basically, after even a short trip to sea we have to pull every stainless part off, clean of the rust, and put it back together for the next onslaught of saltwater corrosion. I know, you probably won't be driving your truck in the ocean any time soon. Just sayin'
ReplyDeleteI figure the bolt will last a few dozen years without any serious corrosion. That's way longer than it will serve its purpose and probably longer than I'll walk the Earth.
DeleteDon't stores sell some goopy stuff to prevent rust? I ask for it on my battery connections. Or, maybe I am confused.
ReplyDeleteThey do, and it works, but that would require someone to check the connection and keep it covered. I can't see that happening.
Delete