So I finally got around to replacing the control arms on the Volvo. I started on the driver’s side and the frame bolts loosened easily, but the ball joint clamp bolt refused to budge. I tried using PB Blaster and then a propane torch but only succeeded in setting fire to the rubber ball joint dust cover. I struggled with it for three hours! and only succeeded in rounding off the hex heads. For a break I tried the passenger side. That came off fine and was replaced in 15 minutes!
It was getting late and so I called George and asked him if he could loosen the bolt for me. He said sure, bring it down. But…
It wouldn’t start.
It sounded like last winter when the engine was just rolling over. So we did the same gag, Steph drove the Pathfinder and we towed it down with my static rope and steel carabiner trick.
He called this morning with bad news. It was so flooded that liquid gas poured out when they pulled the plugs. Then they put the compression gauge on and 4 out of 5 cylinders read 0 PSI. Diagnosis: The timing chain jumped a link and the valves have been destroyed.

Oh, great.