First, the cuteness. Breakfast time!
We have another milder day today, but it’s also supposed to snow later this afternoon.
We’ve already been out and back, but we didn’t make it.
The goal was to go to the nearest Walmart, mostly to restock on cat supplies. The prices aren’t quite as good as Costco, but certainly better than local.
Before we headed out, I backed the truck up enough that I could check for any new drips, and check the oil levels. I’d already texted the garage about a time when I could bring it in for a diagnostic, at least, since that check engine like it still on. It might turn itself off again when things get warmer, though. Plus, the driver’s side front tire has a slow leak still. That used to be the tire that leaked the fastest, so we got that sensor/valve assembly replaced. It no longer loses are like it used to, but it did still leak very slowly, somewhere. Both front tires got replaced, and the leak it still there, so that means it’s got to be the seal on the rim. It’s not an urgent thing, but it would be nice to not have any leak at all!
After I moved the truck, I saw fresh drips on the floor.
*sigh*
The oil level was actually low this time. I got my daughter to check it for me, because she can see the line better than I can. We ended up adding another 3/4 of a liter.
I messaged the garage about what I was finding. He is still perplexed, but we now have an appointment for Thursday afternoon, which is two days from when I’m writing this.
I asked if I needed to worry about going to the nearer city and he said it shouldn’t be a problem, but to check the oil again when we got there, and before we left. If it was a problem, they have their second location not that far from the Walmart that I could take it to.
We didn’t make it.
When my daughter and I headed out, I chose a route that took us towards town, where the garage is, first, instead of an alternate route through where my mother’s apartment was. There isn’t any difference in distance, really, but things were niggling at me and I decided to take the route that took us towards town.
We were maybe 2 miles from the highway turnoff when the truck started dinging. That oil pressure gauge just kept dropping, and was fast approaching zero, while the onboard computer was flashing a red message, “oil pressure low, stop engine.”
Well, we knew there was plenty of oil, so we just kept on going and tried to ignore the truck screaming at us. My daughter messaged the garage to say what was happening and that we were going straight there.
I’m so glad 1) I didn’t take the other route (though there is a garage I trust in the other town, too) and 2) it happened when it did, and not half way to the city on an empty highway.
Thankfully, it wasn’t too much further to the garage. Once we parked, I headed in while my daughter started messaging to update the family.
The owner had just got our message and was expecting me. I told him what was happening, and he was very perplexed. There was a lift open, though, so he sent one of his guys with the keys to bring the truck right in.
Which was quite a surprise for my daughter, when someone else got into the truck! I was going to message her first, but he would have gotten there before I could finish, so I didn’t bother.
They drove into the bay and my daughter joined me in the office, still laughing because she had to tell the guy how to get out of the truck. He was looking for a door handle that isn’t there!
The first thing they did was check the oil level, which was fine. Then they got it up, and I watched as the both of them were looking around with flashlights, trying to figure out what was going on.
I don’t have an oil leak.
It was the differential. Just a minor leak. Which explains the location of the “oil” drops I was seeing!
This leak would have been indistinguishable from any oil leaks we saw before that seal got replaced. It is also new, and likely another consequence of that last cold snap we had.
I already had the appointment set, so they’re going to replace the oil sensor, do an oil change and repair the differential leak.
I then asked about the possibility of getting pre-financing to see what we can afford to get to replace the truck. I just can’t be dealing with all these sensor issues! He’s going to send me a link, and I can start that process online.
There was no way we were going to continue on to the Walmart now. Instead, we went across the street to the regular grocery store. We wouldn’t be stocking up on cat supplies, but we could at least get enough to last us until the truck is worked on.
I didn’t get a picture of cart to show was $184.56 looked like, but I did get a shot of the receipt. Sorry for the poor quality image.
Top of the list is a 9.1kg bag of kibble. $43.99 The Kirkland brand kibble we get at Costco is also 9.1kg, but costs just under $30. Even the 11kg Whiskas brand bags they carry costs only a few dollars more.
*ouch*
They didn’t have cases of the larger size canned cat food we normally get at Walmart, so we got a dozen cans at 94¢ each.
After that, the only things we really needed to get that we would likely run out of over the next couple of days was milk, butter, bread and bananas. So I got a couple of pounds of butter, a 2L of milk and a couple of loaves of Texas Toast. Along with the bananas, I also got my husband more of the frozen curly fries. I remembered to get some plain cooking oil.
We also picked up a couple of packages of wieners on sale, so we got a couple of bags of house brand hot dog buns on sale, too. We just aren’t going to be up to doing proper cooking today, so those will likely be part of our supper tonight!
My husband requested some sour candies, plus Fresca that he splits with the girls. I got some more Coke Zero that he and I split. There’s some beef jerky, but that’s to keep in the truck.
Then, because we could really use some treats right now, we splurged. We got bags of chips for my daughters and I, plus there was a sale on baked goods, so we got chocolate croissants and chocolate brioche rolls.
My daughter and I were both quite hungry by then, so we got a couple of sandwiches and drinks for the drive home.
That’s it. That’s $184.56 Aside from the kibble and canned drinks, it all fit into three hard sided grocery bags, with room to spare. That cat food was what really kicked up the cost.
*sigh*
That done, we headed home. Thankfully, the oil gauge “behaved” and the needle was just low, but not low enough for the onboard computer to start screaming at us. We did make one stop at the post office. My daughter had ordered something could only be delivered by UPS, but they don’t go where we are, so it was delivered to the store the post office is in. It got there about half an hour before we did!
So now we will be staying home until after the truck is worked on. Then we can finally do a proper stock up trip, though with having to buy so much locally, it hasn’t been good on the budget! Plus, we’re going to have the truck repair bill to deal with soon.
*sigh*
Ah, well. It is what it is. As my father used to say, we can laugh, or we can dry, and I’d rather laugh.
The Re-Farmer
The Re-Farmer 