When your in a pinch

[Jack Houpe]

I originally wrote this as an email to my friends but thought it could be helpfully to others.

I brought my Renault R5 turbo car out to California to drive around the country side but the 1 year old or older fuel is giving me problems. The plugs fowled about 5 miles from my house so I limped it back to the garage and took them out, they were bad bad, I need to adjust for altitude on my program and get this fuel out of the tank. After removing the plugs I went down town to every auto parts store looking for a cross reference to the Champion BN2 plug. They all just said NO. I knew this to be a problem as I got the plugs many years ago from a German guy who had a R5 and an extra set of plugs. So I drove around to all the European and regular auto shops looking for a plug cleaner (sand blaster) no one had one and said they use carb cleaner and wire brush or buy new plugs. So I came home to my limited amount of tools here in California and found a cheap air nozzle which had a attachment for airing up basket balls or footballs. I took the end off with the needle and seen an orifice on the brass part that screws into the nozzle. I then drilled a hole big enough to squeeze a 1/4 plastic tube from our drip watering system, then bought the smallest bag of #60 sand I could buy which was 100 lbs. This is the best plug cleaner I have ever used. I have included pictures so you will believe me. I would not waste your time purchasing one and just make this. it was so easy and worked! I bet there is less than $5 in parts.

Of course you have to do it outside and not in the garage.

 

[Chris Kouba]

And you did it all in your slippers! Nice work Jack.

 

[Jac Mac]

Jack, I hope you drain the old fuel rather than try to use it in the car, its quite likely that its octane value has gone south in that 12 month period as well. If this is the case & you get some detonation, spark plug availability will be the least of your problems.

 

[Jack Houpe]

Chris, it was just after daylight here in Northern California, I was being lazy.

Jac, yes, I need to get the fuel out, I think I might just pull the line off the fuel rail and pump into a gas cans, should not be more than 8 gallons in the tank. You are correct, I don't need pitted pistons, broken rings, maybe my weed eater will work on it.

Sometimes the simplest things make you happy, I have bought tools in the hundreds that have not excited me this much. I guess I am getting senile.

 

[David Briggs]

Jack, where are you in California?
I am in San Diego. maybe we could get together?
Dave

 

[Jack Houpe]

David, we have a home in Ukiah, its 100 miles north of San Fransisco. I would love to get together but its a long way David, I think 609 miles. If you want to drive up and do some wine tasting come on up! Have plenty of room for you! Know all the great spots.