Doyle Engine

[enigmaT120]

I didn't. I should have been suspicious though, as you aren't prone to using the expression "bleedin'".

I've never bled the lifters on my Chevy's 283.

[Ken in Oklahoma]

But when was the last time a modern car let you down?

Taking your question seriously, that would be about 3 years ago on a trip from Oklahoma to Boise, in my '08 Kia Sedona. I was about 100 miles away from Boise, cruising at about 70 mph on I-84, passing a Semi, when I lost power. Nothing, nada, zilch! The Semi I was passing passed me and I was desperately looking for an opening so I could get off the road. There was a car following the Semi so I had to wait for that guy as well.

Upon safely reaching the side of the road I was pondering my options. Then I noticed that the tachometer was showing some RPM. I put the car back into gear and very slowly, at idle speed, it actually started to move. There was an exit about a mile ahead. I was familiar with that exit because my Ford Aerostar crapped out there within about 0.3 miles of where the Kia crapped out.

Incredibly the Kia kept moving, even up hill on the off ramp. There was a motel there, which pleased me because if I had to spend the night there, well, I could spend the night there.

A friend got on the internet and googled the symptoms. Apparently it was a known problem, a defective throttle position sensor. So agreed the Kia mechanic when I had the Kia hauled to Boise.

Now I will stipulate that the Kia is much more reliable than the kinds of cars that I understand. On the average. But dagnabbit, an old fart with luddite leanings at least likes to feel like he has a chance!

And don't even get me started about the time when my newly installed electronic ignition crapped out on my R100/7, leaving me stranded on the Talimena Scenic Drive. I put the points back in and the ignition has worked fine ever since.



Ken