Problem Child

So, I started this morning eager to fix our car (Anacani and I). What was supposed to be a quick 10 minute replacement, turned into a 6 hour nightmare!

 

All I needed was to remove two bolts, sure they aren't easy to reach, but I figured I didn't need to remove the alternator and use a little wrench to get those bolts out. Well, it turned out the part I was to replace (EGR valve) was the original factory part (22 years old!).

 

The bolts were practically fused! I managed to remove one properly, but the other was stubborn and stripped. Now I had to remove the alternator. I tried everything! I tried to oil it, to use WD-40 to break up the rust. I even used vice grips, which worked for a bit, but just stripped it even more.

 

I had to bring in the grinder, so I made the bolt into a "screw" and tried to use a screwdriver, no luck. So I figured the vice grips AND the screwdriver. Boy was I ecstatic, it WORKED!

 

After I got the bolt to turn half way, I repositioned the vice grips, tried to turn it again, and SNAP! Broke the bolt, now it's closing in on the time I have to take Anacani to work.

 

So I decided to take the rest of the night off and start again tomorrow.

 

Photo provided by Anacani Carrera

Done