|
ENGINE: 1,299,986 Miles and it has died. The motor lost oil pressure. I turned off the motor about a dozen times and restarted it and the pressure came back but for only a mile or two and then dropped back to nothing. It finally just dropped out and died. R.I.P Million Mile Van.
The radiator cracked and was replaced in July 2004 but the hoses were still the originals. My first serpentine belt reached 502,979 miles before I changed it. I still have it as a trophy belt. :o) I used Valvoline 10W-40 motor oil and change it every 10,000 to 20,000 miles. The longest I’ve went between oil changes is 55,000 miles. It used a quart of oil or more every tank of gas. I usually waited for the oil to turn black before changing it.
TRANSMISSION: The million mile transmission finally called it quits on June 9, 2010 in Chicago. Reverse gear went totally out and drive gear would slip over 45-50mph. I was able to slowly limp it home 250 miles from Chicago to Toledo at 40-45mph. It went 1,211,650 miles before losing reverse gear. 1,211,950 miles to make it back home to be rebuilt.
REAR END: Still the original rear end. It screams at me going down the road so I’m sure it’s life is coming to the end also but she’s still holding out for now.
TIRES: The last few years my favorite brand of tire is the Kelly Safari. It rides nice and seems to have longer life. I haven’t kept track of the miles on the tires so I can’t say for sure but seems to me I’m buying new tires less often now and that certainly works for me. :o) --- They have quit making the Kelly Safari tire...so I now have Firestone Transforce HT tires. I’ve only driven about 200 miles on them so I don’t have an opinion on them yet. :o)
UNITED STATES AND CANADA: The Million Mile Van and I have been in all 48 continental states and 3 provinces of Canada. Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. Alaska and Hawaii were on the to do list but we never made it to those two states.
ROADKILL: With this van I’ve hit 2 deer, a dog, squirrels, ground hogs, raccoons, birds, bats, rabbits, frogs, snakes and many many already dead road kills,,,skunk is the stinkiest by far. I still haven’t hit an Armadillo, moose or bear yet. :o)
|
