Thursday, May 08, 2008
Big River Clean Up
I was cruising around the RINEMBA website and found some pics from the Big River Cleanup a couple weeks ago. Check it, some good picks.
Monday, May 05, 2008
Saturday, May 03, 2008
TDI intake cleaning
The design of the VW TDI (Turbo, Direct Injection) diesel engine has an EGR valve that, by design, sucks dirty sooty exhaust, and injects it back into the intake to help reduce NOX emissions.The problem with this is oily fumes from the CCV (crank case ventilation) system can combine with carbon particles (soot) from the EGR system to form a black sticky tar in the intake system. This eventually starts restricting the amount of airflow into the engine, resulting in gradual power loss as the vehicle ages and the intake clogging becomes worse. Over time the car suffers from lack of power at higher engine speeds, and in the worse case, the car will detect excessive intake back pressure and go into 'limp home' mode, disabling the turbo. This has happened to me many times on the highway, and is very annoying. More or less, I figured it was time to clean the intake manifold.
BBW made an unscheduled appearance in the BeerMuda Triangle this weekend. He was in the area for a business trip so figured he might as well come over. It was great to have company in the garage and a working laptop. BBW would look up the how-to on the web, ordered parts for his new bike, fetched beer, and took pictures of the project.
A great resource for TDI VWs is Fred's TDI page. They have a great FAQ that anyone who has a TDI or is considering one should read. The procedure is descriobed in detail there, but some forum users have gone a bit further. This guy even took videos!
Anyhow, it wasn't that bad of a project, just tedious. I took the hood off the car to make it easier to work on.
After a few hours, the intake came out and it was DIRTY
One port was almost 50% clogged!
It took a couple hours of scraping, two cans of carb cleaner, a soak in a vat of solvent, but eventually it was cleaned out.
I was happy!
After breathing solvent fumes all day, scraping out sludgy soot, I was getting pretty tired. The reinstallation procedure is pretty tedious:
Eventually the project was DONE, and it was time for a test drive:
We found a intercooler hose clamp that I forgot to fasten, and it blew off. The car ran like crap without the turbo, very sooty and stinky. We fixed it and took it for another spin around the block. I couldn't tell if we got the massive increases in performance, maybe because the head is still partially clogged with sludge? (can't clean that while its in the car, and i was certainly not pulling it off myself)
Anyhow, the project was a success!
Monday, April 28, 2008
To counter the mood of the last post...
I was driving down the road the other day and saw this in front of me- made me smile...
Just really happy I had my camera handy, as nothing says 'content' like a golden hanging out a window...
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Rough week...
So- I am a big time creature of habit. When things are going great- I am loathe to change things up. If I go to Subway I get the exact same sub every single time. When I first rode the Mt. Tom trail on my first mtn bike trip to Arcadia- I liked it so much that I did not bother to find a different trail to ride for several years. When Mrs. CTLP and I bought the 'Crayons Ranch' we did so with the thought that it would be the last move we would ever make. It was our own little private slice of happiness, tucked way in the back with no visible neighbors and suited us perfectly. Can't see the road from the house or the house from the road- that is- until the property next door was sold.
My neighbor called me on Thursday night to give me an advance warning (knowing that I work from home and do not regularly venture down the road) as he noticed the brusher parked in the driveway on the property that was just sold on the other side of me. The new owners told my neighbor that they were planning to do 'a little thinning out of the cedar where it encroached on the field' toward my house.
By the time I got home from swimming on Friday morning, the Detroit Diesel was fired up and clearing within feet of the property line. I guess by 'clearing a few of the cedars' they really meant- the cedar, the beautiful stand of birch, the hemlock, the maple, the oak, the chesnut and anything growing that provided a nice buffer between the direction our house faces and the road. I generally like to see big equipment operate, but the rate at which this one ate away all that forest was incredibly sad. Another neighbor across the street came over soon after I got home (said he heard the commotion and thought that I was under seige- wanted to know if I needed a hand beating back the invaders) and after talking for a couple of minutes all he could do was stare at the destruction and shake his head. He and his wife were talking with a third neighbor later on that day and like most people around here they are also not fond of people who come in and just start smashing. People here integrate with the community, and don't try to make the community conform to them as they tend to quickly learn that it is a losing proposition.
After Mrs. CTLP got home from work (after enduring my mid-day half hour full on rant where I voiced my opinion that we should move if they clear down to the road) we took a walk to survey the damage:
Mrs. CTLP voiced her displeasure over our new found 'view':
On our way back home, I noticed that in order to pluck one offending pair of birch trees, they managed to run over what might be one of the outer grave markers in the historical cemetary between our property. Real classy.
So now from our front porch you can watch (and as a bonus clearly hear) the cars going up and down our road. As soon as they manage to chip and clear all of the trees they destroyed it will be even more clear- but by that time some of the leaves from the trees that are on our property will have leaves on them and hopefully provide us partial screening for at least half of the year.
It has taken me a little while to cool off some, but all day today while I was working around the house I had to hear them knocking down more trees and stripping the dead branches off of the remaining cedar. Pisses me off royally that they did not even extend the common courtesy to talk with us first and take the time to consider the impact this would have on their new neighbor. Granted, this probably seems quite overblown to most due in part to my obsessiveness and the relative space that I still enjoy. Besides- what right do I have to say what should or should not be done with property that someone else bought and pay taxes on? For all I know- they are clearing that area out and are going to replace it with a fast growing evergreen screen and all this stress will be for somewhat mitigated. It would be one thing if they wanted to reclaim the field to cultivate it again- that I could get behind and would understand. But apparently all they have plans for is subdividing and putting up another house. So right now all I have is utter disappointment. If there is one thing that I can not abide it is people that decide they want to 'move to the country' then proceed to try and make it look like the suburbs, then get the heebie-jeebies when a cricket chirps and leave town. If you want to move to the country- LEAVE IT NATURAL. When you develop the country- it is no longer... the country... Pretty f'n simple.
One bonus to this, though Sleepy- the deer will be much less likely to bed down in the field, and I hope that translates into less deer trying to take out my car in my driveway at 3:30 in the morning...
My neighbor called me on Thursday night to give me an advance warning (knowing that I work from home and do not regularly venture down the road) as he noticed the brusher parked in the driveway on the property that was just sold on the other side of me. The new owners told my neighbor that they were planning to do 'a little thinning out of the cedar where it encroached on the field' toward my house.
By the time I got home from swimming on Friday morning, the Detroit Diesel was fired up and clearing within feet of the property line. I guess by 'clearing a few of the cedars' they really meant- the cedar, the beautiful stand of birch, the hemlock, the maple, the oak, the chesnut and anything growing that provided a nice buffer between the direction our house faces and the road. I generally like to see big equipment operate, but the rate at which this one ate away all that forest was incredibly sad. Another neighbor across the street came over soon after I got home (said he heard the commotion and thought that I was under seige- wanted to know if I needed a hand beating back the invaders) and after talking for a couple of minutes all he could do was stare at the destruction and shake his head. He and his wife were talking with a third neighbor later on that day and like most people around here they are also not fond of people who come in and just start smashing. People here integrate with the community, and don't try to make the community conform to them as they tend to quickly learn that it is a losing proposition.
After Mrs. CTLP got home from work (after enduring my mid-day half hour full on rant where I voiced my opinion that we should move if they clear down to the road) we took a walk to survey the damage:
Mrs. CTLP voiced her displeasure over our new found 'view':
On our way back home, I noticed that in order to pluck one offending pair of birch trees, they managed to run over what might be one of the outer grave markers in the historical cemetary between our property. Real classy.
So now from our front porch you can watch (and as a bonus clearly hear) the cars going up and down our road. As soon as they manage to chip and clear all of the trees they destroyed it will be even more clear- but by that time some of the leaves from the trees that are on our property will have leaves on them and hopefully provide us partial screening for at least half of the year.
It has taken me a little while to cool off some, but all day today while I was working around the house I had to hear them knocking down more trees and stripping the dead branches off of the remaining cedar. Pisses me off royally that they did not even extend the common courtesy to talk with us first and take the time to consider the impact this would have on their new neighbor. Granted, this probably seems quite overblown to most due in part to my obsessiveness and the relative space that I still enjoy. Besides- what right do I have to say what should or should not be done with property that someone else bought and pay taxes on? For all I know- they are clearing that area out and are going to replace it with a fast growing evergreen screen and all this stress will be for somewhat mitigated. It would be one thing if they wanted to reclaim the field to cultivate it again- that I could get behind and would understand. But apparently all they have plans for is subdividing and putting up another house. So right now all I have is utter disappointment. If there is one thing that I can not abide it is people that decide they want to 'move to the country' then proceed to try and make it look like the suburbs, then get the heebie-jeebies when a cricket chirps and leave town. If you want to move to the country- LEAVE IT NATURAL. When you develop the country- it is no longer... the country... Pretty f'n simple.
One bonus to this, though Sleepy- the deer will be much less likely to bed down in the field, and I hope that translates into less deer trying to take out my car in my driveway at 3:30 in the morning...
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Crazy weekend
Hi, Sorry it took me so long to post these. We've had a busy week around the BeerMuda triangle. Last weekend was especially so. I took friday off to get some garden beds in. I borrowed the FlatTires big red truck and took advantage of their dirt farm (leaf mulch piles in the front yard converted to rich compost).
I ended up putting in three raised beds, screening all that gorgeous rich dirt, and getting the house cleaned up for company. Snoopy was no help... he slept under the trees with the ibucket.
Friday Night we went up to boston to see the Greyboy Allstars with the NH crowd. Here is the view from the loft in the Paradise:
BBW and GardenGirl came down for the saturday morning Big River cleanup, then saturday afternoon we commenced a long party out on the porch. Snoopy took another nap with Uncle BBW.
BBW made a solar cooker. He made wicked good ribs, and everyone was pretty surprised it actually worked!
After lunch, BBW, Garden Girl and I took a trip down to the river on the BFB for some hot rope swing action.
BBW showing off his moves.
After that the day became a blur. We had a fire and Sleepy G wanted to show us where babies come from:
Sunday BBW made a kickass breakfast, bloody maries, and then we all helped out over at the FlatTires estate, laying pipe *snicker* for the radiant floor in the basement. 1700 feet were put down! I didn't get any pictures of that... Hopefully someone did and can post them here!
Have a good weekend! -40
I ended up putting in three raised beds, screening all that gorgeous rich dirt, and getting the house cleaned up for company. Snoopy was no help... he slept under the trees with the ibucket.
Friday Night we went up to boston to see the Greyboy Allstars with the NH crowd. Here is the view from the loft in the Paradise:
BBW and GardenGirl came down for the saturday morning Big River cleanup, then saturday afternoon we commenced a long party out on the porch. Snoopy took another nap with Uncle BBW.
BBW made a solar cooker. He made wicked good ribs, and everyone was pretty surprised it actually worked!
After lunch, BBW, Garden Girl and I took a trip down to the river on the BFB for some hot rope swing action.
BBW showing off his moves.
After that the day became a blur. We had a fire and Sleepy G wanted to show us where babies come from:
Sunday BBW made a kickass breakfast, bloody maries, and then we all helped out over at the FlatTires estate, laying pipe *snicker* for the radiant floor in the basement. 1700 feet were put down! I didn't get any pictures of that... Hopefully someone did and can post them here!
Have a good weekend! -40
Monday, March 31, 2008
Even more classic solar powered stuff
Heh.... Food for thought: The heat people have been, well, surviving on, for each of the last 80 winters is the direct result of using about a million years worth of dead trees each per year, per person. This isn't. It's local, organic, 100% renewable, and extremely heavy.
These are some pictures even the Amish would enjoy.
-40.
These are some pictures even the Amish would enjoy.
-40.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Solar Powered Stuff
I have some links to a couple solar projects. The first is water that is disinfected using only sunlight. It sounds pretty cool for lightweight camping trips and survival situations, or in the case of the website, third world countries. It's more of a technique and principles than anything.
The second is a solar charger that Outside magazine gave high regards for (not sure if they are paid to do that or not) so I figured it is worth a look by someone who knows a bit, enter 40oz.
The second is a solar charger that Outside magazine gave high regards for (not sure if they are paid to do that or not) so I figured it is worth a look by someone who knows a bit, enter 40oz.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Random Bits
Late update (and I just downloaded a bunch of pix) We were able to have snoop-a-loop to sit still long enough on st pats day for a picture with his Green Hat. Woof.
I hope you all had a good Vernal Equinox weekend., and Happy Easter to those who celebrate the holiday. In all, it was a fine weekend to get outside, enjoy the sun and fresh air, cleanup the yard, go mtbiking with some dogs, and see family. The CTLPs dropped Maggie off for sleepover weekend with Snoop-A-Loop, and Mrs 40's family came over Saturday night for a belated house warming party. First time some of them had been out here. Sunday my family came over, including an appearence from Kaptain and Mrs Krunch (40's Sister). Kaptain is considering finally joining us for a FARTAB, schedule dependant.
While hanging around on the porch, he had the brilliant idea of moving the bow target down to the far end of the yard and shoot off the deck. Have I said recently how much I love living in the BeerMuda triangle? No way could you get away with this sh*t in any McMansion Land up north.
Check it out, after a few practice shots tonight i got one in the bullseye, with enough @ss to put the arrow almost clear though. From the deck I thought I missed and lost another arrow. The red 'V' in the middle of the yellow is the 'nock'(is that the right term?) of the arrow.
Anyhow, this is the view of the target from the deck, around 35 yards. Yeeeeee Haww!
Speaking of shooting stuff, while typing this a fishercat just went by in the woods. It screamed bloody murder a couple times. I tried getting a video of it, but when I went out it moved out to the woods.
If you've never heard a Fisher, it sounds like a pissed off banshee being f*cked by a demon on fire... It makes the hair stand straight up on the back of your neck and grown men say "WHAT THE F WAS THAT?!?!?!"
Just the sound alone makes you wish you had something more ballsy than a tennis ball slingshot sitting on the counter to scare it away. (Which works pretty well btw)
That means we need to use a leash on snoopy at night until one of the neighbors gets rid of it... yes, the neighbors say a fisher will 'take down a dog'... I don't believe it, but they swear its true and shoot fishers on sight. Yay 2nd Amendment!
-40.
I hope you all had a good Vernal Equinox weekend., and Happy Easter to those who celebrate the holiday. In all, it was a fine weekend to get outside, enjoy the sun and fresh air, cleanup the yard, go mtbiking with some dogs, and see family. The CTLPs dropped Maggie off for sleepover weekend with Snoop-A-Loop, and Mrs 40's family came over Saturday night for a belated house warming party. First time some of them had been out here. Sunday my family came over, including an appearence from Kaptain and Mrs Krunch (40's Sister). Kaptain is considering finally joining us for a FARTAB, schedule dependant.While hanging around on the porch, he had the brilliant idea of moving the bow target down to the far end of the yard and shoot off the deck. Have I said recently how much I love living in the BeerMuda triangle? No way could you get away with this sh*t in any McMansion Land up north.
Check it out, after a few practice shots tonight i got one in the bullseye, with enough @ss to put the arrow almost clear though. From the deck I thought I missed and lost another arrow. The red 'V' in the middle of the yellow is the 'nock'(is that the right term?) of the arrow.
Anyhow, this is the view of the target from the deck, around 35 yards. Yeeeeee Haww!
Speaking of shooting stuff, while typing this a fishercat just went by in the woods. It screamed bloody murder a couple times. I tried getting a video of it, but when I went out it moved out to the woods.If you've never heard a Fisher, it sounds like a pissed off banshee being f*cked by a demon on fire... It makes the hair stand straight up on the back of your neck and grown men say "WHAT THE F WAS THAT?!?!?!"
Just the sound alone makes you wish you had something more ballsy than a tennis ball slingshot sitting on the counter to scare it away. (Which works pretty well btw)
That means we need to use a leash on snoopy at night until one of the neighbors gets rid of it... yes, the neighbors say a fisher will 'take down a dog'... I don't believe it, but they swear its true and shoot fishers on sight. Yay 2nd Amendment!
-40.
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