We finally had a serious snowstorm! I was looking forward to getting my big old snow blower out. We had over a foot of snow to clear! I bundled up real good and finally got the beast running, producing a lot of foul smelling smoke in the process. Unfortunately every time I tried to get the snow eating gizmo to do its thing, the motor would die. I pulled that starting cable over and over until my arm was about to fall off. It always started, but died soon after. I finally gave up, and with a heavy heart, pushed the machine back into the garage. By then I was too tired to shovel, thank goodness my daughter came to the rescue and cleared enough of a path to get out.
The following day the temperatures dipped to ungodly numbers and stayed there all week. The car froze solid and refused to budge. Talk of a catch 22! The blower is stuck in the garage, and I cannot get it out to get it fixed as it is blocked by the car that is stuck in snow.
After several days, of waiting for the snow to melt or the car to thaw, I gave up and called the CAA. They jumpstarted the car, I immediately drove it to a service station where they suggested I change the battery and oil which I did with great results, even the radio which was supposed to be shot, started working again! (FYI Volkswagen does not make block heaters for their Passat).
Then the snow blower repairman came to pick up the beast. I explained what the problem was. He too started it without problem and got it to his truck. To illustrate my point, I asked him if he could try to work the snow blowing mechanism. He agreed, and started the mechanism without problems. Talk of being embarrassed! I still don’t know what I did wrong, but it obviously was not the machine…
Now can we finish with winter and start spring? PLEASE????