Sunday Morning (1999 Project)
This is how it starts…

8:00 AM: Iβm starting off the day trying to figure the problem out with the truck and these spark plugs. And I may have found the problem. I think itβs the wrong set of plugs. Youβd think the guy at the counter would have some knowledge as to what heβs selling you but Iβve trusted too much in that. It would seem heβs wrong.
(Further on Iβll be talking about OβReillyβs. I didnβt get the bad plugs from there. – Credit where credit is due.)
Iβll be taking off to the parts place with a little more knowledge this time and the manual and truck info to back me up.
But first, church.
12:19 PM
Iβm at OβReilly Auto Parts and my man Chuck here confirmed part of a problem. I was sold single platinum plugs instead of double platinum plugs at the other parts place. The plug in five split and is causing misfire. These plugs couldnβt handle the workload.

We may be onto something…
1:00 PM: I got back home, stepped out of the car and directly to the truck. I went to work on replacing the plugs.

I started at one and went to six. I didnβt pull a wire until I had the previous one gap checked, greased and seated. That fifth cylinder misfire was because of these old plugs. That would be number five in the lineup pictured above. Absolutely the wrong equipment for the application.

2:14 PM: After about an hour I was back on the road but it wasnβt all rainbows and roses, no. The battery had died and a cell had went bad so I was off to another OβReillyβs to see about a new battery.
The truck isnβt cutting back like it was and no check engine light. No misfire. This, for me, is huge! I love my truck but it has to be usable to stick around.
At this point I was only into this little adventure for blood, sweat, and $32.00 USD. I was dreading having to shell out for a new battery. They arenβt outrageous but they arenβt cheap either. And this battery was only a year old.

But then I guess there was a bit of βwhiskers on kittensβ. Turns out the battery I bought a year ago was under a two year warranty at OβReillyβs. Those fellas helped me out big time to day.
A BIG SHOUT OUT to OβReillyβs and to their employees. Gene and Jim in Camden, SC and Chuck in Lancaster, SC. They were super helpful and knowledgeable today.
And also, Iβm thanking God. Itβs getting hot and thereβs no air in the Escape. The Ranger has super cold air. I prayed over the truck last night hoping that this was the problem. I needed it and it was granted. So thank you Lord for the hands and mind to work the problem and the grace to let this happen.
5:50 PM: I havenβt eaten all day. I was all about getting this done. And now itβs almost supper time.
Time to shower, eat, and relax. Tomorrowβs Monday.
And itβs gonna be a great day!
Thatβs it. Thatβs the post.
Seegars