The grill at the cabin was falling apart, the left burner wasn't attached anymore and the coverers were rusting though, also the grills were rusting and flaking off. I was able to pick up a new set of most of it on Amazon for ~$70, which seemed like a good deal, since the outside wasn't rusting too bad, and a new one cost $400. That and it sucks to throw those things out every 10 years. So we will see how long it last now, next time will probably have to replace the whole thing.
Even though we had pretty good luck replacing the head gasket, zippy was still leaking oil. We thought we had narrowed it down to the oil cooler, so we went back in to replace that. We eventually go it out, but it took some doing, since we were trying to avoid taking out the turbo. Then we found that the stub that fits into the block was broken off, so we had to get a tool to get it out of the engine block!
We got the new one in, but had to wiggle the turbo quite a bit and it was difficult to slide it in. So it is still leaking oil, and the turbo seems to be acting up now, so that wasn't the best outcome...
Our last plan if to take out the turbo and oil cooler and make sure they are seated well and the gasket isn't bunched up. We have some new coolant and oil lines for the turbo as well that we might install if there is any doubt there. Finally we will inspect the turbo and make sure it is still working. 🤞
In January we went to the cabin to do some cross country skiing and ice fishing. The day that we left we noticed that at some point the old furnace how had a bit of a blow back, and fried the wiring.
So that was scary! I had been wanted to replace it for awhile, since it was 60% efficient. So I had been watching facebook, and even went to talk to the folks at Appliance Depot, I thought I could get a new 80% furnace for $7-800, but the quote came back at $1300 (plus the conversion kit), so I went back to facebook.
I was able to find a 2012 Rheem that should meet the need for $200. I found a LP conversion kit on eBay for $35 (vs $100 normally).
Last weekend we go the old one out and the new one into position.
Now that we have a 3rd vehicle to park, we thought it would be nice to have an out of the way spot to park it. It was getting late in the year, but we were able to get it in before the snow flew.
I did it in 2 pours, the first one is further back and was a relearning of how to do the stamping, so it is good it is further back. The front one turned out pretty well.
I had planned to re-pour the garage apron this year, but didn't get to it, but this is a start at least. I want to build a lean to over the pad as well, so the pine tree doesn't drop sap on zippy.
The metal nut on the p-trap cracked when Mom leaned on the sink when she spent the night. Or it might have been cracked before, because the cabinet seemed a bit warped. I was able to find another but at HD, but it was a real pain to put back together and it really needed to be torqued.
I am not sure the last time I swept the chimney so I did it this morning while watching some football. Pretty glad I did since there was quite a bit of build up. I didn't get a chance to take a picture while it was piled in the fireplace, but here is a (reused) gallon ziplock that I fill up.
The carpet and the sliding on the pontoon was looking pretty tired, so we decided to freshen it up. We had to take off the rails and edge trim, put on the new carpet then put the rails back on. You can see the old white and red fence (we called her the speckled queen).
We put new vinyl on the pedestal as well. I have been working on the new blue fence over the summer, the girls aren't thrilled with the results, but I think it looks pretty good. I was trying to use the old holes in the rails, so there are a couple wavy spots.
I was able to complete the simple fences over the summer, but the fence that curves up I need something to cut it with easier.
We started in earnest end of July. It took us most of August to get down the head gasket. I am not sure why it took so long to take it apart, but it went together much quicker. Our favorite bolt is the banjo bolt, we had so much trouble with that!
We also had to redo the timing chain 5 times till we figured out the trick, you have to do one of the cams first then the other.
This is the head with the valve cover off, Nick is taking apart the timing chain here (I think).
I was looking back at my Northern Tool account to see when I bought the sprayer, and it must have dropped off my account history, so I thought I would add what is on there, so I have some record of it.
We had some hot weather so came up to open up the cabin. We worked on taking the rails off the pontoon and I worked on fixing the motor. I am going to need to retap the threads on the drain plug. Brainerd marine didn't seem too interested in helping with that project, so I will try DIY...
I did get the thread chaser and was able to clean it out and get the plug back in. We also, got the new carpet on the pontoon and started replacing the fence.
I have been planning to redo the garage apron for 2 summers now. The project is a bit daunting so I have been putting it off. In the interest of getting something started on it, and to send enough last year at Home Depot to get a reward, I put gutters up over my garage stall. Not too hard a task, but I did need some help holding them up there while I attached them to the facia.
I think to note, you need to seal the pre-fabed corner pieces otherwise they leak.
I made the little jog in the downspout, because that was as far as I could get with the length of gutter I purchased after cutting for the corner. I could see regretting that if ice builds up in there. Also, I put it up a week ago, it rained once and there were a bunch of leaves in it already. Hence I added the gutter guard stuff.
Then it must have stopped working again, because I am pretty sure we took it apart again... Then after we put it back together it wouldn't start. So my fallback is to order a new carburator.
We got it and I started putting the new one in, but I was having a problem getting the spacer to fit. So I checked You Tube and figured out that the spacer went on the other side of the carb. So we must have put it back together incorrectly that second time.
So I doubt we needed a new carb, but I put it in anyways and it ran right away so we are ready for winter now. Lesson of the day is to double check how to put things back together...
It took some doing, but we finally got a new Washer and Dryer installed.
They were delivered on the 28th, but the installers wouldn't move the old washer because we hadn't done a good enough job getting the water out, and it was so old that they didn't know how to empty it.
So we had to call to set up another time to have them install it. That was supported to be Friday, but their truck broke down, so we had to reschedule again. I heard Tuesday and figured we could make it.
Tuesday came and no call or delivery window, so I call them bright and early and they update me it is the following Tuesday. That is no good so I am begging the guy what can you do, he can do Thursday, but eventually agrees to come over at lunch and install it himself if I can help with the heavy lifting! Sure.
Important notes in dryer install, they ship with the neutral line attached to ground, you need to move that when installing the plug.
These are quite a bit bigger, which should be nice. Black "Friday" sale made them $1496 for the set. Then when I called they gave us back the $50 for hauling away the old washer, even though he did. Then we returned the plug we didn't use and the dryer vent (we used our old one), so made back $60 there as well. Not too bad.
The old washer dryer lasted almost 15 years and washed all our babies cloths.
It is that time again...
It was the main garage door again, almost exactly 7 years again. Crazy.
The spring on the smaller door has never needed replacment (knock on wood...), though we use it less.
