Hello all,

Well, I am officially without a visible means of support as I lost my job Tuesday. The Ranger has started acting up, AND leaking oil. I have not crawled under to check where it is coming from, but it appears to be in the oil pan region.

The other day while bringing my roommate home from work, the truck started lurching and bucking real bad. The more I pressed on the gas the more it bucked and jerked. If I let up on the gas, it would idle fine. I limped off the freeway, and pulled into a gas station, and put two and a half gallons of gas in it, and it seemed to run fine. So that tells me it was either running out of gas, or running low, and got some bad gas or something in it. I have not driven it since then though.

Being out of work has shifted my priorities, and I drive the Buick. Twice the horsepower, better fuel mileage, and AC to boot. When I get a chance, I will drop the gas tank and see if I can drain it. I should have done that when I first got it. After all, it sat for 7 or more years. Who knows what is at the bottom of that tank now? I was under the impression this truck had a 20 gallon tank, but I don't seem to be able to get more than 15 or so in it. So maybe it is a 16 gallon tank.

Anyway, that is my news for this week. Murphy has raised his ugly head and smacked me a good one this time. I, however, will take it in stride, and keep my faith in God, and everything will work out for the better with a better job, and a good running truck.

 

Jim - Sorry to hear about the job. That stinks.


That fuel filter hasn't been changed in eons - I'd give that a look right off the bat. And yes, it's a 16 gallon tank.

 

Bummer Jim, I second the fuel filter.

Hey, first thing you should do is go online to the EDD website and file unemployment claim...keep a few bucks rolling in.

 

Mike,

I already did that. I have been unemployed before (about 10 years ago) and I remember it takes awhile for the process to start and get a check, so I filed online the day I lost my job. Was also going to apply for food stamps, but will have to wait until next month, since I have made too much this month to qualify.

Fuel filter, I did not even think of that! My mind must be slipping. That is a logical thing to check. And much easier to replace than the fuel tank.

 

jim,,,,,,,

real bummer about your job. wife and i will be praying for you.....well mostly the wifey will. like you said take it all in stride. try not to stress out about it.

when i lost my house i started to stress out, but things worked out for the better now.

 

Thanks, it couldn't hurt Got some apps out, just waiting for responses. If no responses, I will start calling to check on them.