How Gertie Got Her Groove Back

As Mitch and Colin sat down at the end of the day to wrap up the details on Ludwig, I was fully expecting them to co-create a to-do list for Ludwig like in years past. Opening the conversation, Colin offered to stay another day to consult on Gertie. Unbeknownst to me, they had been discussing Gertie prior to the infamous spring--> (boing!) --> engine case incident from the previous day. After discussing the issues, consulting Mitch's notes, and a quick trip to the engine compartment, Colin suggested Gertie's engine wasn't as dire as we suspected.

Please understand that I had completely accepted the solemn idea that it might be a year or two before I'd drive my our beloved Gertie once again. We were under the impression she needed a major engine rebuild before driving her again. To hear that there was a chance she would be road-ready in 24 hours was more than I could comprehend. Seriously.

Eager to get the first nerve-wracking solo drive out of the way, Tater Tot and I were largely absent from the day's events revisiting our local favorite places. (By the way, Tater Tot's first words to Ludwig while climbing in to her seat were, "I missed you, Ludwig!")  And I had so much nervous excitement about the remote possibility that Gertie might soon be on the road that I couldn't bear to stick around the garage.

Apparently, for the chunk of the day I was absent there were many hoses replaced, wires checked, an MPS inspected, and some other things I missed. Shortly after our return, she was ready for her first test drive. When they returned Colin happily suggested I take her on a test drive, but I abruptly replied "no" and something about "tick-tock". We were creeping up on the end of the day and I was freaked out that he would have to leave before she'd be road ready. 

Then they worked on this thing in Colin's hand for I don't know how long. What was it? I don't know. I was too anxious to be paying close attention. But I do know it has a bunch of copper parts, and the were having a hard time adjusting it. I can also share that consults on Gertie require a lot more manual reading than Ludwig. I suspect it's because of her complicated little fuel injected engine.

Then Mitch repacked Gertie's hubs with grease.

Tater Tot watched.

I ended up going on a test drive with Colin later on after all. In case you are curious, Colin also gives helpful driving tips to decrease wear on the VWs. He also offers invaluable tidbits about how to not be driven mentally insane by the worry that accompanies having two old ACVWs as our only sources of transportation.

Don't worry, there's more to come. When Colin leaves, the work really isn't over. He's actually more of a consultant-catalyst.