Wednesday, March 2, 2011

More Car problems

Some of you may have read about my travel troubles last month and they continue. When my car broke down, I was told it was the timing belt. They said they didn't think there would be much trouble since I stopped as soon as I heard the noise. I guess that was lucky thinking. When they got into the engine they found the valves were bent. $$$ Than each step of the way more things ended up going wrong. Finally last Tuesday I got a call the car was ready to be picked up. I arrived at the garage and was on my way a few minutes later. I was just a couple miles down the road when the car died (in the middle of the road). I called the garage and they came to rescue me. It appears when the guard was washing the engine he must have loosened a connection that after a couple miles of our bumpy roads worked its way loose. That was an easy fix. I got almost to my house and the horn started tooting and wouldn't stop. After many minutes I guess it got tired and stopped. The next day no horn at all. Back to the garage. This was Wednesday. The next day I went to start the car only to find no power. The mechanic came to my house and said the cable on the battery was loose and that is why there was no connection. Think that is enough for one person to handle? Oh no. On Saturday I started out to help one of our missionaries get some things and found the car jerking like it was missing. I called my friend the mechanic and he looked at the plugs and they were full of oil. He cleaned them up and cleaned the carburetor. We were back on the road in about an hour. The car ran ok for the next 2 days, but again on Tuesday one week after getting it back the same jerking and stalling happened on the way to town. I again called the garage and they came to my rescue. Now I am renting the vehicle from the garage while my car is back in for more service. I am told they probably will need to replace the "cam head" and they don't know if they can even find one here in Madagascar. They tried to "plane" it and hoped it would work, but it appears not. (poor Thomas the Engine that could might be just getting to the end of his life).

I think I will have to start searching for a different vehicle. At this time I can not afford a new vehicle so I am asking you to join me in prayer that God will show me what my next step is.

Blessings
Sandi

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