Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Today in our ongoing national embarrassment…

Hey Washington Post, “Democracy Dies in Darkness” was supposed to be a warning, not a mission statement.

There are no moderate republicans – only extremists and cowards.

Giving in to doom is how we fail to fight for ourselves & one another.

Washington Post Catch and Kill, not noticeably better than the Enquirer’s.

You are so fucked. Still, I wish you the best of luck.

I really should read my own blog.

Let me file that under fuck it.

Thanks to your bullshit, we are now under siege.

Anne Laurie is a fucking hero in so many ways. ~ Betty Cracker

Baby steps, because the Republican Party is full of angry babies.

Our messy unity will be our strength.

People really shouldn’t expect the government to help after they watched the GOP drown it in a bathtub.

It may be funny to you motherfucker, but it’s not funny to me.

This really is a full service blog.

People are weird.

Democracy cannot function without a free press.

Fight for a just cause, love your fellow man, live a good life.

But frankly mr. cole, I’ll be happier when you get back to telling us to go fuck ourselves.

People are complicated. Love is not.

Imperialist aggressors must be defeated, or the whole world loses.

Republicans: slavery is when you own me. freedom is when I own you.

When we show up, we win.

Conservatism: there are people the law protects but does not bind and others who the law binds but does not protect.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / BJ Hive Mind (Open Thread)

BJ Hive Mind (Open Thread)

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Hey BJ Peeps!

When we have a trail derailment with chemicals, there’s a jackal who has experience with that.

When we have fires out west, we have a former Fire Chief who can explain stuff to us.

Need some construction tips?  OzarkHillbilly and others can give you some tips.

So it seems like there’s always someone, and I’m hoping that will be the case here.

You guys probably know Ajabu from the comments and from the two posts linked below. Long story short, Ajabu is in need of an engine – does anybody know how to find an engine for a 2007 Volvo C70 T5?

Apparently, it’s a bad idea to drive over accident debris on the highway in the dark, when it’s raining, and puncture a hole in your oil pan without knowing it, and continue driving along for 7 miles on the highway until the car stops dead because it has no oil.  Who knew?

So the first hope is to find this engine, which is apparently very hard to find.  In the meantime, if there happens to be a jackal in the greater Atlanta area who might have a spare vehicle to loan Ajabu that would be fantastic.  Ajabu is trying to finish his music project and he can’t get very far without wheels.

Ajabu – Making Music

Ajabu Shares a Personal Story

Open thread.

 

Reader Interactions

72Comments

  2. 2.

    WaterGirl

    @Baud: You can get a used Volvo engine on Craigslist?  Problem solved?

    Seriously, where’s Mozzie when you need him?  Always good to know a guy who knows a guy.

  5. 5.

    gene108

    I tested positive for COVID last Monday. I tested positive again last night. I’m starting an anti viral today. I it does something. I feel like there’s no end in sight.

  9. 9.

    SpaceUnit

    I have spare engines on hand for the Volvo C70 T2, T3, T4, T6 and T7, but just not the T5.

    Sorry.  :(

  12. 12.

    billcinsd

    Looks like ebay and automotix have a few. I assume ebay ships, don’t know about automoti

    eta: i see a couple people beat me to these.

  15. 15.

    NutmegAgain

    Junkyard, no? In the wayback days, that’s where I got things like that. Used to be able to call and ask if they had what you needed. Of course, you need to know what to look for–a used engine can be in a junkyard b/c it’s junk…  good luck!!

  18. 18.

    NotMax

    Random thought.

    Volvo was owned by Ford at that time so there might well be a non-Volvo-specific Ford engine which could be dropped in.

  19. 19.

    SpaceUnit

    There’s a company called Powertrain that seems to specialize in replacement engines.  I know absolutely nothing about them, but they claim to be BBB accredited on their website.  It might be worth a look (plus a good deal of research before you throw any money at them).

    Powertrain

  20. 20.

    SomeRandomGuy

    So: my automotive experience is, my life partner watches “Rust to Riches” and a couple other “making a really cool car, out of a less cool one.”

    Still: Gotham Garage doesn’t let a little thing like a mismatched engine slow them down. Are there engines that can be made to fit, *OR*, given the specs, do you really, really need that original engine?

    Also: I used to be part of OneTouch, which was purchased because their GM parts locator system was just *that* good. One advertising tidbit our salesfolk used was “don’t think of the money you’re spending – think of the sales you can make, when you find the one person who needs that particular rare part you couldn’t sell anywhere else.”

    Dealerships *might* have a parts locator system. So might parts stores. So don’t just canvas for the part… canvas for parts locators. “Got the engine? Damn – got a parts locator?”

    Final, maybe silly, question: have you considered rebuilding the engine?  Not an option for most, but, since it’s impossible for *me* to rebuild an engine, I often don’t think of it.

  22. 22.

    trollhattan

    We’re a two-T5 family but still need the engines. :-)

    I’ll caution they’re not super-interchangeable so a doner engine might need to come from another V-70 close to that year. OTOH the XC 60 and some C 30s have T5s as well (the spouse’s and kid’s cars respectively). Maybe an XC 60 engine can drop into a V 70?

    For the car fans, it’s a transverse, turbo, gas I-5. Not your everyday engine.

    I’d reach out to Volvo owner forums–US based because in Europe they use many engines we do not get in the States. Example.

    Good luck!

  23. 23.

    SpaceUnit

    Another option would be to remove the floorboards and turn it into a Flintstone car.

  25. 25.

    Sparkedcat

    The total cost of replacing the engine is not worth the value of the vehicle. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

  26. 26.

    karen marie

    Do not drive over accident debris, period.

    I am in the middle of transcribing a jury trial in which a woman ran over “accident debris” that turned out to be a human being who had been hit by the car in front of her.  Instead of stopping, she sped around the car, running over a person who was lying in the middle of the oncoming lane where she was thrown when struck.  Two people were hit and killed in this “accident.”  They were crossing the street in a crosswalk.

    Do not drive over accident debris.  Especially at night.  Especially at night when it’s raining.

    More infuriating than the carelessness?  The defendant got only six months for this egregious behavior.

  28. 28.

    MazeDancer

    Just had to face the death of my beloved 2001 Subaru. With a mere 72K miles. Drove like a dream. But rusted out. And a brake line snapped.

    And a bunch of other stuff.

    Wanted to throw thousands at it just to keep it. But getting real, lucked into a clean 2015 Chevy Cruze – LT, for Luxury Touring package – for 9.5K. With only 74K miles.

    So much fun to drive.

    Just joining

    @Another Scott:

    @Sparkedcat:

    in saying maybe the time has come. Look into used Kia Soul’s.

  29. 29.

    WaterGirl

    @karen marie: If you can’t see the accident debris in the dark, in the rain, you don’t have a choice of not running over it.

    Police were directing traffic around the accident scene, and you drive where the cops tell you to.

    I’m sure the cops didn’t know the debris was there, either.

  30. 30.

    OzarkHillbilly

    does anybody know how to find an engine for a 2007 Volvo C70 T5?

    Tip #1: Don’t. Just don’t try to find parts for a Volvo.
    Tip #2: If desperate, go to a junkyard. There is a web service they all prescribe too that can find damned near any part you need, including used engines. What’s that? You don’t want to put a used engine in your vehicle? It was running on used parts before you trashed it, will be after you fix it. Go get a low mileage engine.
    Tip #3: It’s a Volvo. Be ready to pay out the ass for whatever you find.

    Seriously, Volvos are great vehicles, just expensive as all fuck to repair.

  32. 32.

    raven

    If he doesn’t have the money for another car he doesn’t have the money for what this is going to cost.

  35. 35.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @raven: Truth. Unless he is willing to wrench it into place himself. And it being a Volvo…. That probably isn’t enough.

  36. 36.

    gene108

    @WaterGirl:

    Last Monday as in 8 days ago? I thought the antiviral had to be started in the first 5 days.

    My local CVS didn’t carry it and I slacked off getting it filled, because I was feeling better late last week. My fever went away until yesterday.

    May not be as effective so late after symptoms?

    I’m sorry you are going through this.

    Thanks

  37. 37.

    karen marie

    @WaterGirl:   That certainly raises questions about the police in that case.  Anything large enough to puncture an oil line is large enough to see.  Anything large enough to see is something the accident reconstructionist wants to know about and wants to know exactly where that large enough thing was immediately post-accident.

    But that raises another question in my mind – wouldn’t the damage be covered by auto insurance?  I mean, you’re in your car driving and an accident happens to your car (accidentally running over something that punctures your oil line), how is that not covered by insurance?

    The case I’m working on has my nerves completely on edge because the “accident” was needless and horrific.

    But still – do not drive over accident debris even if police direct you to do so.

    I’m saying “motherfucker” a lot today.

  38. 38.

    Gvg

    Ajabu, are you good with cars yourself or have a mechanic who can do this and isn’t going to charge you the going rates, like a good friend or relative? Because there needs to be an expert or near expert involved in this I think.
    I do not know much about them, but at this time of year, I start to hear radio ads for the big car swap meets. You might be able to find a lead or 6 at something like that, especially if it had a lot of Volvo people. I think Atlanta might have something. Even if you can’t go, the ads for something like that if you can find them, might be good leads. A list of dealers going to it, just save it and start working down the list.

    is there such a thing as a parts dealers convention? Again save a list of exhibitors and start working down the list?

  39. 39.

    NotMax

    Open thread, so —

    1) Would you eat it?

    Lab-grown meat is a recent phenomenon that has divided the public. Now the woolly mammoth has entered the debate.

    Vow, an Australia-based food cultivation company, announced Tuesday that they had successfully grown woolly mammoth tissue and turned it into a meatball.

    However, the meatball is not yet fit for human consumption, the company said, adding that since it is an “extinct protein” it will take more time to determine whether Mammoth meat is safe.

    The culinary work of art was revealed at the Netherland’s NEMO Science Museum on Tuesday. Source

    2) What time is it? In one country, that’s debatable.

    Lebanon’s caretaker prime minister reversed an unpopular decision made by his office to delay the start of daylight saving time by a month, saying Monday the Cabinet decided to implement the change in two days.

    Najib Mikati’s comments came after the government’s initial decision earlier this month was widely criticized around the country with many, including the country’s largest church, saying they will not abide by the decision.

    With some institutions implementing the change while others refused, many Lebanese found themselves in the position of juggling work and school schedules in different time zones — in a country that is just 88 kilometers (55 miles) at its widest point. Source

  41. 41.

    cain

    Man, I did that. I apparently did something like that. I saw the oil light go off so I go in and put in two quarts of oil. By the time I got home, my engine got fused. It was dead – and home was only 3.5 miles away from when I filled that oil. :(

  42. 42.

    Another Scott

    @WaterGirl: Understood, but there are often alternatives.

    If Ajabu has time, auto auctions may be worth checking out.  A friend bought a BMW 5-series for his kid for $600 at one (the lower part of the winshield had a water leak so it needed some TLC and some time).

    Copart.com listing of Volvos.

    Asking around friends and neighbors can sometimes work as well. Lots of people will donate or sell cars for a nominal amount just to get rid of them.

    Yeah, it’s not likely. But it’s possible! :-)

    Thanks for helping out.

    Best of luck to Ajabu!

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  45. 45.

    Jay

    #1, is the engine destroyed or just seized? If it is just seized, a good shadetree mechanic can bring it back to life, but it will limp.

    #2, the cheapest option is to have the engine pulled, inspected and rebuilt. As long as there is no warping in the heads, crankshaft risers, etc it can be rebuilt for parts and labour,

    #3, a cheap used vehicle. During the worst of Covid, we bought a 2000 RAV4 for $4k.

    #4, these days, a crate motor or used motor needs to be an exact replacement, as the OBDII won’t handle even minor differences, and the OBDII and the other computerized parts manage all of the functions of running the engine.

  47. 47.

    sab

    @NotMax: I am old so I probably will not trust Aussie meat again in my lifetime.

    What about woolly mammoth makes them think it is appropriate to grow in Australia?

  49. 49.

    Jay

    Often enough, the absence of lubrication causes friction and heat to build up to a point where the bearings and rings swell, locking the cams, pistons and crank in place. I have had luck sometimes pulling the plugs and injectors, pulling the oilpan and valve covers. draining what remains of the crankcase, then WD-40-ing the hell out of any place I could reach.

    Let it sit for a day, then turn the engine over with a massive breaker bar.

    WD-40 it, turn it, rinse and repeat until it turns like it should. Put the plugs and injectors back in and do a compression test. If compression is good, put the covers back on, fill it with 5W-20 and see if it fires up.

    It works sometimes.

  50. 50.

    MazeDancer

    @Jay:

    Clearly, you know cars and know what you are talking about.

    And the thing about being in Atlanta is no rust from salt on the street.

    My 2001 Subaru would still be going strong except for the rust. So a really good, really old car should not be overlooked.

    Like someone who passed on and a family that just needs their car gone.

    Definitely ask around.

  51. 51.

    J R in WV

    @OzarkHillbilly:

    I have a bladder cancer diagnosis, today they installed a port for the chemo, fucked the procedure and collapsed my lung. Much pain, but OK otherwise.

    Sorry about your stones issue,  the only 911 call I ever made at work was when a coworker nearly passed out on me from the pain. He did OK tho, drank too much pop…

  52. 52.

    SpaceUnit

    A lot of folks on this thread seem to be dealing with bad stuff.

    I am sending you all good thoughts.

  55. 55.

    StringOnAStick

    Volvo’s have cachet with a certain kind of car hobbyist because of their old reputation as an incredibly long lasting car.  That means there’s some additional competition for used parts, aside from not having sold annual numbers like the Big Three, so there just aren’t as many carcasses to get parts from.  Having blown up a Fiat 124 Spyder in a very similar way and rebuilt it with my father, it was a month’s long operation with many unanticipated expenses and we only vaguely knew what we were doing so lots of mishaps, and this was prior to cars becoming so computerized.  It’s that latter thing that likely makes finding a new/rebuilt engine to swap in just about impossible, especially on a budget and quickly enough to get the car back into service in a timely manner.  For as far as it was driven while overheating, rebuilding the existing engine will likely require machine work on the crankshaft, the rods, the piston heads and the chamber walls, the camshafts, the head is likely warped now too, and who knows about the oil flow channels that honeycomb an engine block and head.  Seizing an engine causes extensive and comprehensive damage.  The backyard mechanic days pretty much ended when cars became computerized.  If Jay’s quick and dirty way to see if everything isn’t permanently seized up isn’t successful, it’s time to be realistic and move on.  Rebuilding an older car like this is ok as a hobby to throw money at (ask our friend who has had the same Volvo 240 in the garage in parts for over 23years), but if Abaju needs transportation quickly, well, being realistic about it is probably best.

  56. 56.

    catclub

    @karen marie: ​
    &nbsp

    ;But that raises another question in my mind – wouldn’t the damage be covered by auto insurance? I mean, you’re in your car driving and an accident happens to your car (accidentally running over something that punctures your oil line), how is that not covered by insurance?

    No. The only insurance that should be on that car is liability – if IT causes damage.

  57. 57.

    Pharniel

    RE: Salvage Yards,https://www.hollanderparts.com/used-auto-parts will search the Hollander Interchange network that will search for the specific part/assembly & [i]all compatible parts[/i].

    You’ll need to know what kind of engine is in the car, but here’s the search query URL https://www.hollanderparts.com/used-auto-parts/2007/volvo/c70/engine/300-engine

    Tubo’s are going for $1.5-2k+freight shipping (and it’s important to note, they’re going to ship freight, so you need a loading dock)

    Non-tubo’s look to be in $5-600 range.

  61. 61.

    raven

    About 15 years ago I blew the engine in my 66 chevy truck. I bought a short block 350 and was able to use all the external parts. I had a mechanic who was a nuclear sub machinist and he put it in for me.  I put the 3 speed Saginaw in myself but putting the engine in was above my pay grade. This is with a conventional engine with not one computer component. Finding someone who knows what they are doing with a car like that is a fools errand.

  62. 62.

    Ruckus

    @karen marie:

    There was a news station video yesterday/day before here in the LA area that a pickup truck lost a front wheel that rolled in front of a Kia and the Kia got airborne. The video was from a camera in the Tesla behind the Kia and showed it about 6-8 ft off the ground but then it rolled and crashed to the ground. No one was hurt but the car was totaled. Really there was no way to not drive over debris in this case. Traffic was moving too fast to evade/stop.

  64. 64.

    Ruckus

    @SpaceUnit:

    You get up there in age, shit goes bad – or at least doesn’t work as good as it did for decades. It’s that circle of life thing. Life starts out with nothing working, it gets oxygen it gets better, years and stuff goes by and then slowly and then faster and faster – shit goes bad. Sometimes it’s little stuff, sometimes it’s too much at once, sometimes it just piles on, one thing after another. You keep putting one foot in front of another, a bit slower and not as far as you once did, till one day that isn’t enough. And somewhere, someone else is starting the whole shebang all over again. If you are smart, you enjoy what ya got, when ya got it, you learn to use what’s left till ya can’t.

  66. 66.

    Ruckus

    @raven:

    Here in SoCal 3 or 4 K buys you junk. 300-400 thousand miles and shoddy body. Back in 2016 I traded in an E250 van with 135K and got $2500 trade in. I’d paid $3500 for it in 2006. I got the better end of that. A week later the dealer had it advertised for $7500. Somebody was getting screwed. I don’t think it was me.

  67. 67.

    Jager

    @WaterGirl:

    Then there’s the cost of pulling the old engine and installing the new used one. The people who know how to do this work the right way are not cheap.

  68. 68.

    Gvg

    Another possibility I heard of years ago was hiring someone who does auctions to find you a new used car. There are wholesale auctions and buyers who go to them. This was years ago though.

    sometimes your credit union or insurance company can locate a new vehicle for you too. repo’s or other circumstances.

  72. 72.

    Jerf

    That engine should just be the same 2.5L 5cyl Volvo put into everything back then.  Shouldn’t be hard to find, although for the C70 there might be different accessory brackets, maybe and different oil sump.  But the engine core should be cheap and easy to find.

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