C2SEA

This is the opposite direction that we went, but shows what the canal looks like

I played around with the MPV in the snow today…the 4wd works great but the ground clearance sucks. Theres a bit over 8″ clearance between the bottom of the rut made by the wheel to the bottom of the gouge made by the skid plate. I still have over a foot of heavy snow in my back yard, so its good and stuck in picture below.

So here is the estimated cost of gas:

6000 miles (more or less with side trips)
20 MPG -maybe?
2 Vehicles
3$ per gallon
5 people

(6000 X 2)/20 *3 =  1800/5 = 360$ on fuel, per person

So it looks like its going to 4 or 5 people going on the trip. The plan will be to have two vehicles, which will provide redundancy.

Participants

1. Danny Gagne
2. Andrew Gagne
3. Dave Glinka
4. Nick Rainville
5. Steve Harrision (possible)

I decided to load up yahoo maps, to quickly lay out the route. This is just a possible route, we will probably drive through Banff and go through the rockies there.

I tightened the alternator belt and removed the AC belt in an effort to kill the deafening squeeling . The adjustment for tensioner pulley on the AC belt is frozen, and while liberal amounts of PB spray may eventually free it up, I can live without AC. Fortunatly its the first belt on the crank pulley, so it’ll be easy to replace if I’m ever motivated. One of the two belts must have been the source of the noise since its now as quiet as van with just a massive exhaust leak.

I also made an attempt to bleed the brakes, however the driver side bleed screw is stripped. I bled from the passenger side, but they seem to be about the same as before. I’m guessing the previous owner did the same, then left it at that. I’ll try the screw again with a large pair of vice grips, though I’m betting it’ll just rip the head off. Its a hollow screw though, so it should be easy(ish) to force out after.

Mazda seating innovations circa 1990

Backseat:

Center seat removed:

This last picture might explain the musty smell inside the van. I could clean it…or just cut out all carpet behind the front seats.

Day 1 Photos:

Day 1 Condition:

the engine smokes, the guy claims it’s due to a poorly installed valve cover gasket
there is a sizeable exhaust leak
the brakes barely work, supposedly just needs a bleed
the rear suspension is shot, the shocks have built in air helper springs that are deflated
makes a terrifying squeel on startup, might be belt or fan clutch or ?
the spedometer/odometer doesn’t work
half the interior lighting is out
radio doesn’t work
transmission “hold” light is flashing, according to danny’s read of the manual, this signals an electrical problem with the transmission
a bit of surface rust, missing trim, wrecked clearcoat, and cracked bondo

Per the Mazda owners manual: