Cainanite (imported) wrote: Wed Jul 24, 2013 5:02 pm My car may have just screwed up my trip to the MoM this year. As I was pulling into work, I lost all brakes. Big puddle of fluid under the car. If it costs too much to fix, I won't be able to afford to go. I couldn't be madder about this. I could NOT fix the car, and hang onto the money, but I need the car to get to the airport in Seattle. If I fix the car, I won't have the money. UUUGGGGGHHHHHH!!!!

Why does my life suck? I had such fun last year at the MoM. Best group of people I've ever met. I so want to go again, but now, unless the repairs turn out VERY cheap, I won't be able to go.

Sounds like you blew a brake line. Usually pretty easy to fix. Replace it, replace fluid, bleed the brakes, and done.

As well, could you get a friend to take you to Seattle?

Sounds good in theory, but as the car is quite old, it may be an issue. Also, my friends either don't have their passport, or don't have a car.

I could bus it, but looking at cross border bus trip fares will probably be as much as it will be to fix the car. I just don't know right now. I'm still stuck at work.

Seldom a panic issue, don't flip yet.

One way or another, you're getting there.

As Paolo says, we WILL get you to the MoM. You're just too much fun to have around....

Agree, I am in.

River

Car got me home... barely. I will take it into the shop first thing in the morning. I will hold out from despair until I know exactly how much it will cost.

Thanks for the concern guys.

My best guess for now is that there are enough of "us" who were with you at last year's MoM who can pool enough resources to preclude your being unable to get to the MoM because of the financial cost of proper car repair.

I am far more than willing to do my affordable share of such a pooled effort.

To me, your presence at the MoM is way beyond too valuable for mere mortal money to prevent your coming.

Meanwhile, a rusted out brake line is a classical cause, though I am quite certain that your car has a dual circuit breaking system with separate brake fluid reservoirs for each hydraulic brake circuit. That, to me, suggests a "master cylinder" form of failure as being plausibly more likely than a brake line failure.

However, as I am writing this, you may very well be approaching waking up for today and doing what is needed for getting the facts.

Actual facts are always, in my life experience, more accurate than serious errors are.

Then there is that notion of counting one's blessings?

Would you prefer that the brake system failure happened 80 miles from the MoM, or do you prefer learning about a brake problem when it may be a mere inconvenience instead of a severe catastrophe?

My grasp of engineering has given me a simple sense of actual reality. "If it is physical, it will fail."

For me, that suggests that I may not forever be trapped in this world of supposed trials and tribulations.

I do eventually expect to arrive at genuine freedom from any and every form of physical-physiological suffering.

I am in no hurry whatsoever to experience that freedom.

Addendum:

I have, on two occasions, experienced hydraulic brake failure while driving. On both occasions, having diligently maintained my vehicles' parking/emergency brake, I was able to complete the trip and get the hydraulic brake system properly repaired by using the parking/emergency brake.

Because even a dual hydraulic brake system has parts common to both brake circuits, I practice, from time to time, stopping using only the parking/emergency brake, so that I am already thoroughly familiar with how to works, and I drive so that I can almost certainly stop safely if I experience sudden and total hydraulic brake system failure.

People often honk at me for doing that.

I couldn't get in to see my mechanic today, but I have tomorrow off, and will see to it then.

For right now, I am going to try not to worry about it, and will try to focus my remaining energy on getting to the MoM however I can.

Somehow, I will see you all there. (I hope.)

I feel sure you will be here one way or the other, let us know the cost of fixing your car.

River