I walked to town and back. It’s six weeks today since I broke my ankle and I can hear my nurse friends yelling, “Too soon! Too soon!” But all is well.
I’m wearing a rigid clamshell brace that holds my ankle more securely side-to-side than the fracture boot did while still letting my foot flex. Last week I had a neighbor drop me in town for an experimental walk home. Though the ankle “talked” to me a bit coming up the last slope, walking was glorious.
Lord, I’ve missed this! Nothing helps me feel more healthy, sane, alive, and creative than walking.
Appears I’ll be doing a lot more of it, too. Want to or not.
—–
As I was getting ready to walk to the post office, the mechanic called. “Car’s running just great!” he said. “I thought I’d bring it over to you and you could drive me home to see for yourself.”
“Wonderful.”
“Yeah. It only sputtered once since I did the work. But it didn’t die.”
“Um … sputtered?”
“Only once. It’s running fine now. Probably something with the throttle position sensor.”
“And the service engine light?”
“Well, that went off, but after the sputtering, it came back on. Running real smooth right now, though.”
It seems even after three tries, he still doesn’t grasp the concept of “intermittant.”
—–
He’s going to pull the new parts out, put the old ones back in, and bring the Xterra home to me later this week.
I’m going to park it for the summer. Come September or October I’ll have one more try at fixing it, probably with an independent mechanic recommended by a local reader of this blog. (But yes, JB, I’ll be sure to ask if he has an oscilloscope. I’m done with both slavishly following computer codes and shooting in the dark.)
—–
Thank you all for being so generous with your advice. There are still a few vehicle things we haven’t tried yet, but they’ll wait. I just don’t have the energy, cash, interest, or skill to keep pouring into this problem right now.
When I realized that this fifth attempt had failed as decisively as the previous ones, the #1 thing I felt was relief.
I can now cross Xterra worries (and Xterra expenses) off my list.
I’m lucky. Where I live, I can handle 90% of everything I ever need to do on foot — now that I have feet again! For most of the rest, there’s a bus stop half a mile from here. And there’s even a dial-a-ride that will pick you up at your door, though I gather actually using it requires as much advance planning as a small military campaign. For the rest — vet visits, medical emergencies, Costco, toting big packages to or from the PO — I hope my friends and neighbors will be tolerant of me until I can deal with the vehicle again.
—–
Today is good. Today I feel as if a 10-ton weight has been lifted from my shoulders.
It’s ridiculous how hard these last couple of months have been. I don’t mean to weep, wail, and play drama queen. We all have times like this in our lives where we get hit with one thing after another. And all my little hits have been what Commentariat member Jolly might refer to as “duck bites.”
Right now, I can think of several people I know and cherish who’ve been hit — and hit again and again — by real tragedies, by life-threatening illnesses, by economic or legal disasters.
Nothing in my life — knock wood — has hit that hard. Even in breaking my ankle, I did it “right” — getting a minor break to a lesser bone and having friends who helped me hugely. The worst of everything is that Robbie is probably not going to make it through the year, perhaps not even the summer. But then, he’s 14 and he’s been getting creaky for ages. Even Robbie dying, though sad, is a normal part of life.
But I tell you, ever since the lovely day when I both broke the ankle and learned the Xterra’s problems were not going to be easily ended, it’s been one cr*p thing after another. An example: While I was still barely able to stand, I spent a week reeling with sudden attacks of vertigo. Imagine how much that helped me get around! (The vertigo is nothing harmful. It just could have been timed better, you know?) That’s what it’s been like. For weeks. One minor new problem after another. Not to mention the depression, ennui, stiffness, and aches and pains of forced idleness.
But now … I can walk. And nurse-friends, don’t tell me I shouldn’t be doing it yet. Because for life, health, and sanity, it’s the best possible thing.
Only problem now is (this being such a small town and me living in such a cozy neighborhood) fending off all the neighbors who see me limping up the hill and stop to offer rides.
I hope the vertigo does not return. That’s a wild card one prefers not to see at the top of the deck.
Not a peep from me, Claire. 🙂 I told you that you would know when it was time. I remember when I was first able to walk any distance after my ankle broke. It was wonderful, even though I was very glad to get home and into a chair at the end.
Sorry to hear about Robbie. I’ll be thinking of you…
And yes, the vertigo is troubling. Let me know if I can help.
You did say that, ML. And you and one other medical expert were my absolute mainstays through all the ankle woes. I don’t know what I’d have done without you. So thanks for not beating up on me now. 😉
And yep, Jim, vertigo attacks when you can barely hobble anyhow is definitely … ironic to say the least. But not to worry. There’s nothing serious behind the vertigo and as long as I watch myself I’m fine. Got over that a couple of weeks ago, thank heaven.
Nothing wrong with walking now. (And doesn’t surprise me if you’ve been doing it, either. :-))
Of all the minor problems listed, “ennui” is the hardest to cope with.
If you prefer four wheels under you – have you thought lately about the Rhoades car? (It won’t have codes to contend with.)
Pat — It’s a relief to have the approval of both our resident nurses. 🙂
And you are SO right about the ennui. Being forced to stay physically idle led to a mental lassitude that made it hard to do anything at all. Or even think about doing anything. UGH!
But one thing I have been doing is looking at alternative vehicles. For sure! The Rhoades Car has a problem that most of the alt vehicles have: it’s not designed for year-round use. It’s open to the weather. I don’t know why so many alt vehicles are, but they all seem to be designed for Florida or something.
As soon as you get into vehicles that are weather-tight, then you start talking $12-$13k base price, which is too much (especially when you consider that most of the vehicles in that range aren’t highway-legal though they may be otherwise street-legal).
Which then leads to mainstream electric or hybrid cars … which leads nowhere for my budget. (Used Nissan Leafs are now being dumped on the market en masse, but even those are pricy.)
I’m still holding out for the Elio, though the more I see of what’s available, the more I doubt it’ll ever have that $6,800 price tag.
[I don’t know why so many alt vehicles are, but they all seem to be designed for Florida or something.]
Ah ha! The obvious solution is to move to Florida. 🙂
To me the basic transportation solution (outside of walking and bicycles) is an old but not too abused Honda Civic. Amazing how those things can last.
So… vertigo is bad? I’ve had it forever, when standing up too quickly, or something like that. Just starving the old brain of blood pressure, or something of that sort. Nothing to worry about!
Claire,
I don’t know anything about the ELF except that I have seen a couple wizzing around my County seat. They were going the speed limit without peddling and looked cool.
Priced under $6,000. they say.
http://organictransit.com/product/elf-standard/
Here ya go Claire:
http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/5020748956.html
🙂
Reminds me of my old Geo Metro that ran amazingly well but had a dent on every body panel. When I sold it I wanted the ad in the Oregonian to read, “Runs well, looks like Hell” but they wouldn’t let me because it was too racy for them!
There’s something to be said for reliable but ugly beaters. The yuppies in the fancy new BMWs and Audis tend to give you lots of room on the road…
Tahn, now that’s one I hadn’t run into. In fact, the whole concept of “organic transit vehicle” is a new one on me. $6k is still pretty expensive for a pedal-power vehicle, even with an electric assist. But that thing is worth a second look. Thanks!
Paul — Move to Florida, indeed. Believe me, I’ve thought about it. In fact, I’ve thought about moving to Panama or Nicaragua — even warmer. But I’m here for the duration.
As to the vertigo, while you’re right it’s nothing to worry about, it’s not that “oh, I got up too quick” sensation. (I know that, also.) No, this is the real, from the ears, OMG I move my head two inches and the whole world won’t stop spinning vertigo. Whole different thing. Wouldn’t wish it on anybody, but it’s just a matter of adjusting to it.
But that Honda? Okay, I love Hondas, too. But I’d call that buying trouble. Yes, they last. But not forever. And when they start to go … Well, let me tell you about the $400 1984 Subaru I had this one time …
These are interesting:
http://www.velocityvelos.com/
Located in Cottage Grove, Oregon. Maybe I should take a look…
Well. That’s interesting, too, Paul. But feature-to-feature, Tahn’s Elf looks like both the better deal and the more practical vehicle (e.g. for carrying cargo or passengers).
Claire, I’m not the one to give you advice of a mechanical nature. I’ve done a bit of that sort of work, but only on my own stuff, and with a variety of results. (I think you have a computer problem, but as I said, what do I know?)
However, I have lived long enough that I figure my experience should be listened to, even if my advice is to be salted before taken.
I have found it to be almost a truism that is it cheaper to fix a vehicle than to buy a different one. If the vehicle is exhibiting only one symptom, it is a rare thing for the fix to be more than the value of the vehicle. If, for example, the car is running rough, stopping occasionally, wont start sometimes, backfires, etc., that’s one symptom, or at least, symptoms of only one problem. If it also shakes when it get above 40mph, veers to the right when you apply the brakes, smokes, leaks oil, windshield leaks; those are OTHER symptoms, and may indicate it might be time to replace the vehicle.
Seems like to me you have symptoms of only one problem.(IMO it’s a computer problem)
My advice: Find a Nissan service dept. and get the car to them. Explain to them that you will not settle for the shotgun approach. If they replace a part, and it doesn’t fix the problem, take it back off, because you won’t pay for anything that doesn’t fix the problem. Stop wasting time with this mechanic and the other one, and go directly to the factory trained guys who are expected to know what they are doing.
My guarantee: It will be cheaper than buying another(different) set of problems.
Bob
Or get one of these:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cudeag10U7Q
In winter, wear a poncho. 🙂
No really, these look like fun, although a bit odd to watch. I like the idea of a workout with no pounding. There is another kind that is bigger and gives you the upper body workout too but they just look too strange to my eye.
Bob — Thank you. FWIW, I agree with your analysis that this is ONE problem — which could be anything from a $20 sensor to the ECM itself. You’re also absolutely right that it’s probably cheaper to fix one vehicle than to get another.
That said, if it is the computer, even a local shop wanted $1,100 to fix that. A dealer? I gasp to think what they’d charge. If it ever gets fixed properly, the Xterra is only worth $2.5-$3k. So is it worth it to spend $2k (or whatever) to keep it running? I don’t know.
Also, the nearest Nissan dealer is 75 miles from here. If not an insurmountable barrier, that’s at least an enormous logistical challenge — entailing yet more expense. We’re talking about diminishing returns here.
Clearly I have been wasting time with mechanics who don’t know what they’re doing. Mea culpa. That’s why I’m just going to STOP for now. The thought of doing anything more on it at the moment, let alone trying to get the Xterra to some far-off dealer and facing a repair of unknown scope and cost is just too much.
For now … no new vehicle. But if I do get one, I’ll aim for one whose value (and likely lifespan) is worth its cost. Having owned old beaters before, I’m more inclined to go with some alternative, budget-minded easy-maintenance type vehicle than another car with 150k+ miles on it.
Paul — fat freakin’ chance! LOL!
Workout be damned. I can get that walking. I’m interested in carrying cargo and dogs — preferably in nice, heated dryness.
http://hpm.catoregon.org/?page_id=73
If your vertigo is persistent, you might actually have loose ear “rocks”, which can be put back in place with simple head maneuvers.
http://indianapublicmedia.org/amomentofscience/otoliths-ear-rocks-and-the-epley-maneuver/
“Ear rocks, also known as “otoliths,” are tiny pebbles of calcium carbonate in our inner ear that help keep us balanced.
They’re located deep inside the inner ear in a small pouch called a utricle. When we move our heads, the tiny rocks move around and bump into nerve cells. These nerve cells send signals to our brain that tell it which way the head is oriented. It’s one way we know up from down.
Dizziness or vertigo
But problems with ear rocks can be a cause of chronic dizziness or vertigo. Occasionally the little pebbles fall out of the utricle and can get into another part of the inner ear canals. When this happens, the brain senses that we’re moving much more than we really are, resulting in sensations of unsteadiness or dizziness.
These mini “rock slides” can be caused by head injury or viruses and can even happen suddenly in some people, “
I haven’t done any Epley manuevers, but I did get a set of head movment things to do, when I had vertigo. Wasn’t a controlled experiment, as I also did a course of antibiotics and took meclizine. Not sure about moving otoliths; there was something about that, but it had more to do with getting them to just find a spot to settle into, rather than migrate back into the utricle. I think it was also partially to just acclimate to the specific sensation, and learn to ignore it. Yeah, not so helpful, but I got over it quickly, but I don’t know which thing worked, specifically.
Meclizine was interesting. I found that if I kept mentally active, I didn’t get drowsiness, but if wanted to nod off, it sure made it easy. YMMV.
The 1st night I had it, it was bed spins like I had gone on a major bender. I keep meclizine around now, just in case — it’s returned only twice (knock wood).
I’ve had a little too much experience with vertigo. If it’s not an inner ear problem (as suggested above), the next thing I’d suggest is going to a chiropractor.
I think I’ve mentioned the troubles I had with dizzy spells, so I won’t repeat it. But a dozen doctors looked at my xrays and didn’t see what took the chiropractor 5 seconds to spot.
Since I don’t even know most of the questions I won’t pretend i have any of the answers.
I compute the value of auto repairs with a CPE index – Car Payment Equivalent. Will Repair X exceed a reasonable number of payments on a replacement vehicle? Example: If New Car is $300.month and Repair X is $1500, will Repair X assure a minimum of 10 months of reasonable usage, using a 200% value modifier? (The value modifier is based on the hassle factor of selling/trading Old Car, buying New Car, arranging financing, possibility of problems with New Car, etc. New Car doesn’t have to be a zero miles car, just “new to you”.) If yes, do repair X. If no, evaluate New Car against temporary Repair Y for costs over Z months.
I use a 200% value modifier, which may change as the car ages. Emotion and psychology plays a role, you’ll have to decide how those factors impact the value modifier.
On a different note, and knowing nothing about XTerras, what about an engine transplant? Is there a commonly available non-XTerra engine that is a fairly painless swap? (This assumes the rest of the vehicle is problem free and has lots of life left.) Or, is is feasible to excise the Xterra and replace it with a 1960s – early ’70s 2WD American pickup? If very basic transportation is all that’s required, those are about as complicated as a rock and have nearly as few moving parts.
Alien — So systematic! I doubt that method of calculation would work for me, first because I consider $0.00 to be exactly the right amount for monthly car payments and second because I have zero idea how much an Xterra repair might cost.
I did think the X had a lot of life left — and its engine purrs like a kitten when something isn’t interfering with it. For the moment, I’m just going to set it aside and not think about it. I’m in the very fortunate position of not having an urgent need for a vehicle.
It may still turn out that a repair will be simple. But if I do get another vehicle, it won’t be something old. Old is good if you can (or want to) do your own repairs. I just want simplicity.
Yikes, so much vertigo going around. My sympathies to fellow sufferers and thanks for the info.
And Karen, it may or may not be “ear rocks” (what an awful term). Dunno. But the Epley maneuver induces such nausea I’ve never completed it. For me, it turns out mostly easier just to manage the vertigo until it drifts away on its own.
Here’s another option, though wouldn’t guarantee how much it might cost in the U.S.
http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2015/06/22/3670-pickup-truck-unveiled-in-india/?intcmp=features