Having already checked the fuel line the night before, they decided to improvise a hoist to get a better look in the daytime...
Plenty of room under the back now!!
Breakfast was served...
Then the driver briefing... however the boys knew they wouldn't be going on the dirt today...
A bunch of mechanics all had a bit of a look at Booger Mobile... The suggestion was to install a secondary (electric) pump at the fuel tank to assist pumping fuel up to the engine.
In the end it was decided to take Booger Mobile to a local mechanic who had offered to be available to assist esCarpadians in need... so off to Hollydeen Motors went Booger Mobile.
After chatting to Shane (from Hollydeen Motors) it was decided that the best course of action was to remove the fuel tank and empty it out, checking for anything that might be obstructing the fuel flow.
All the stuff was removed from the boot...
Then the carpet folded back to reveal the fuel tank...
Ten nuts and bolts later (plus the removal of the filler, the fuel lines and fuel gauge sender), and the fuel tank was removed!!
Damian suggested that if they couldn't get the problem sorted, he and Angus could take turns pushing Booger Mobile along like this:
After emptying the fuel out (or most of it) into a 20 litre container, some of the boys from the workshop came to assist with cleaning and checking the tank.
Eye spy with my little eye...
The plastic ring from the top of a drink bottle!! This wouldn't have caused the problem, as it was the wrong shape to get stuck, but it was a curious find nonetheless...
Angus getting ready to blow the fuel lines out...
Yep, think they are clear!!
After reinstalling the fuel tank, it was time to filter the fuel back into the tank...
There was a blob of water in there... (in fairness, this might have been from the plastic bottle that the fuel went into)...
But the actual culprit was this LEAF that Damian had spotted when emptying the fuel tank into the container... It was only about the size of a 20 cent piece, but that was enough to stop the fuel flow to the engine!!
Boot repacked ready to head to Bathurst...
Booger Mobile out front of Hollydeen Motors...
Shane and the team from Hollydeen Motors, with Angus (and of course, Booger Mobile).
While repairing Booger Mobile, Damian received a text from Joshua from Country Princess (Car 62), asking if he could get a lift back to their car (after hitching into town to buy some spare parts after a mechanical failure).
Sure... bundle in!!
On the road to find car 62...
Of course, in the meantime, some of the other teams had stumbled across Isis waiting with her car and stopped and rendered assistance, and she was mobile again... They stopped together for a bite to eat...
Josh took the opportunity to have a sleep... or to remove the front towball... you decide!!
Two old girls together...
Damian phoned Ben (the course director) to advise that neither Booger Mobile nor Country Princess would be making it to lunch, and would be heading directly to Bathurst.
They headed off on their way...
The fires burning were making everything a bit hazy...
Although it was remarkably clear in this photo!!
Driving, driving, driving...
Past some random dam...
And some mountains in the distance...
Heading towards Bathurst...
Booger Mobile was going beautifully!!
The signs say to go left... so go left they did!!
These signs were a little more insistent, encouraging the left-going with a concrete wall in the middle!!
Bathurst was getting closer...
And the roads windier...
But Booger Mobile continued to go!!
Past a lonely windmill...
Into Bathurst, checking in (much to everyone's surprise) at the old courthouse!!
See, Booger Mobile really made it!!
Car 555 looked a little worse for wear after having a slight altercation...
Banana Benders liked the colour of Booger Mobile so much, they used a very similar colour on their car!!
While in Bathurst, go for a lap of Mt Panorama!!
Looking the goods at the start/finish line!!
Angus and Damian both had a lap around the track!! Of course, the track is speed limited to 60 km/hr (enforced by speed camera), but in some parts, that was still scary-quick!!
Vroom!!
As the afternoon grew longer, the sun turned red with all the smoke in the sky...
See...
Dinner was at the Bathurst Goldfields...
Quiet room with the early arrivers...
An old mining setup...
Angus and Damian sat with High Rollers...
Meanwhile, the Car 54 bear was doing the rounds for photos!!
Very noisy with all these people in the room!!
And these ones!!
For the week of drama with the fuel in Booger Mobile, Damian received today's Turkey Award - an award that is given each day to someone who either does something hilarious, stupid or just plain unlucky... Damian falls into the last category!!
The award was for spending a week chasing an intermittent fuel problem, replacing hoses, filters, the fuel pump, blowing air through lines, stuffing around and generally tearing his hair out, only to finally discover that the whole issue was caused by one tiny little LEAF!!
Damian trying to eat his turkey... he doesn't want to know what Darren's doing behind him!!
The Turkey Award... be proud!!
Of course, Damian and Angus wouldn't have made it to Bathurst without the kind assistance of Shane and his team at Hollydeen Motors, Muswellbrook.
If you are in Muswellbrook and need a mechanic, go and see Hollydeen Motors at 14 Common Road, Muswellbrook (phone 6541 4881) and tell them Team Booger Mobile sent you!! Shane and his team will do a wonderful job of looking after you!!
One last thing - upon arriving in Bathurst, Damian and Angus had a crack at taking Booger Mobile around the Mt Panorama race track... Check it out in the video below!!
Fantastic .........no more fuel problems! The drive around Mt Panaroma most certainly the highlight of the day. Nice one guys.
ReplyDeleteThe Turkey Award is a great memento. J