I went in to Dash today with the goal of making $200. I came out shy because of the car. Well, sort of. I was pulling into Cafe Zupas to pick up an order and a guy coming out started to dart out towards me, so I nailed it to avoid him hitting me, and bumped a bit going into the drop curb at the entrance to the lot. The car started playing up right then. I could not keep it running at an idle. So I got my delivery and headed north with it. I was able to keep it going with a foot on the brake, a foot on the accellorator, and a hand on the gear shifter. But by the time I made the first of two deliveries, I could not keep it going anymore.
I thought maybe I busted the oilpan and was running the engine to death. Was not sure though. I was not going to stop in some stranger’s driveway and try to figure it out there, though, so I went on a possible suicide mission and drove it with all it had to O’Reilly’s in Smithfield. The clerk there has helped save my butt before with the Honda, and what do you know? He was in. He came out and put a machine on to test it and decided I was misfinring in the 1 and 3 cylinders. I called up our oldest, who is both the previous owner, and a mechanic himself, and showed him the diagnostic screen, and he came to the exact same conclusion. Said I needed a new coil pack, and presto. So I ordered that tonight for it to arrive tomorrow around 10AM. Got a ride from our younger son home, and will get one tomorrow with some tools in hand. It appears it is 4-6 bolts and a wire clip to change it. If this works, well, I am happier than you know! But we will see. I figure it is going to work, and I am back to work tomorrow.
Life happens. I wish it was easier, but this is what it is, and if it is just a matter of spending $100 on parts and doing some easy labor myself, then I will call it a very happy thing. I will have an advantage over the old part, which is apparently an Amazon part, in that I will have a lifetime warranty.
I did not get my goal for today, though I was well on my way for it. But I did get a bit more than I would have on a regular day because I was able to work later.
I am frustrated. I talked to a grandmotherly lady who was also Dashing, and she expressed to me that she would not do it if she made less than $25 an hour, and that she usually makes $35 or so. I make $16! What is the difference? Why am I not making better money? Is it the options that I am not opted in for? I need to find out. Time to Google!
Oh, and the wipers gave me crap again today, but I did find out from our oldest that it has been an ongoing issue. Ha!