2018 Soob and Moonshot reconsidered
I noticed the 2nd test-drive that the windshield wiper sprayers weren't working. The rear was OK but not the front. But I forgot to mention this to the dealer before I signed it over, although I do have the 250mi lemon law period.
But I had intended to have one of my regular mechanics look at the car anyway this week, and that happened around 10AM this morning.
Everything else with the car he felt was "clean" and in really good condition. I think he was either a little jealous or distraught as he seemed to realize that it would mean I wouldn't be seeing him for some time (I also have my first oil-change with the dealer, in about 2,000 miles from now), as he and the other mechanic near my studio each had their share working on the 2009 Soob on an almost weekly basis.
Anyway, he puttered around looking everything over. He checked the Fusebox and everything seemed in order. We could both hear the fluid pump whirring, and noted it was burbling out of the spouts, but no spray. He was thinking they'd (dealer) have to open up the panel where the wipers are to see if there's a hose loose or some such. The tank and actuators/pumps underneath the car were also in good condition.
Then, as he was about to close the hood and send me on my way, he stuck his hand in the corner of the hood hinge area on the driver's side, and was able to pull up a cover panel, and then said "AAHA!!" and pointed out a little tube going across that corner to the wiper spouts. "Look at the kink in this line" and sure enough, the wiper fluid line was crimped, maybe from the hood hinge during some work.
Sure enough, the sprayers were...forceful. Like an idiot, I was standing halfway into the driver's seat and got some spray on my face. But we had a laugh and yeah that was a sure show the pumps were now fully functional. So, that saves me a trip & hassle with the dealer, as he noted "good luck" trying to get them to do anything about it in descent time.
On Sat. I had thought the tank was empty, so, figured once I got the car I'd just buy a bottle of fluid. But when I started filling it on Sunday, it was already close-to-full. So I drove off with the bottle in the backseat floor to do some errands. When I got back to the studio, I heard some sloshing sounds and figured it was the bottle, but, sounded like the bottle wasn't "full" like it was that morning. Yup. I did not put the cap securely back on and almost 1/2 gallon of wiper fluid was now soaked into the floor board and floor mat. Well, Fuck. I don't even have the car for 2 days and I already spilled fluid. Jeepers I guess I shoulda taken out the Gold level Zurich Extended Warranty like they were pushing on me on Saturday derpaderp
I had an insulated Cheng-Du grocery bag from FBHJR from a little while ago and that had soaked up some amount of liquid, but the floor mat and floor board were clearly soaked. Almost submerged. I had an old towel I'd used to cover the steering wheel in summer to prevent it being burning, and threw that onto the floorboard, and pulled the sopping wet mat out and put it on the pavement. I could just barely wring out fluid.
The towel was drenched within a few seconds, and everywhere I pushed onto the floor carpet, a little puddle of fluid came up. I went through a roll of paper towel and another beach/bath towel (I have a few old/salvaged towels I use in Printmaking to blot out soaked printing paper) and wrapped the floor mat in that and stood on it/walked on it, and that was soaked through in short order. Another roll of paper towel and I think I had 98% of the fluid sopped up. I didn't want to deal with wiper-fluid-soaked towels at home, since we're waiting for a new hot water heater to be installed, hopefully tomorrow.
So, the towels, paper towels, and bag got tossed in the dumpster. I didn't know what else to do.....And all I had to really do is should have had my Mechanic look at the problem first. I would have also saved $5 for the bottle of fluid. Oh well.
Moonshot re-thinking
On the drive to studio this morning after mechanic, I was reflecting on driving the previous 07 and 09 Soobs and how much mileage I'd put on those. 07 started at 45,300 and went to 147,300 (around there). 09 started at 99,000 and went to 202,620. So that's pretty fucking close, I think. Also interesting I managed to get two different Outbacks to over 100,000 miles.