Reliable 17-Year-Old

When an automobile has passed its expiration date, an owner should expect breakdowns at the most inconvenient moments.

Yesterday the right rear tire went flat from a nail puncture, and the shop declared the nine-year-old tire too old to repair. Three hours and $300 later, the 1997 van had two new rear Michelins that will outlive their host.

Today on a sweltering afternoon the engine temperature gauge rose to the red line. The dashboard emitted loud repeating beeps, and steam began to rise from the hood. I was able to park the car on a side road and call for a ride home. Coolant spilled into the gutter. Could this be the old car's last gasp?

[Update - 7/24: the local mechanic said that a hole in the radiator prevented him from testing other parts of the cooling system. I okayed a $500 replacement radiator knowing that the car might have to be scrapped anyway. Like the new tires, it could all be money down the drain.

The hole (center of the photo) was caused by pressure
build-up from fan failure.

Overheating was triggered by a bad relay switch ($200 fix) that caused the fan to stop working. The vehicle has been now been restored to its normal self and is as reliable as any other 17-year-old car. Ultimately the results weren't bad, but I won't put away the new-car brochures just the same.]