3 Months Full Time...

[Cy_5th]

...and I think I am doing ok. Can't really say though. I'm getting great rest.

What I am thinking to all you experienced, how many months, years so I can say I can continue on. My real concern is just when things will eventually break down in the vehicle or the need of maintenance inside van. I did opt for warranty. But still, small print stuff, anyway. I can wrench to a degree.

What I am trying to learn now is to do my own oil change. Also From the looks of vids out there for my Promaster, it is doable. Used to change my own in college with an old school stang.

Well back to the three months in, so I have a good support group which is my sister basically. That helped a lot.

I have a routine now which includes where I stay when I work at office. I am utilizing my work's facilities: shower and gym- cheaper food at cafeteria.

I have routine when I work remote near where I eventually will socialize (which is important to me) that night. This is when I get off the grid. Ill can venture off ( I have four days of off grid well three). Have to travel back to near where I work. They will be ok if I work remote on the Monday no big deal but I don't use that until I have to.

I have a STRICTER budget now. Can't splurge like I used.

So far the routine is working but its really early to say, right?

That begs the question. How long till you know you got this.

I have to make this work!

I really have to thank my parents we went on a lot of road trips pulling into rest areas, getting stranded in a snow storms, car camping, casino parking lot dwelling, The vehicle was just nothing special Buick Regal in the 80s, a long Benz old school turbo diesel in the 80s/90s Then they switch the an SUV where all the casino fun and getting stranded in snow. I would just stay in the car while they gamble or hit the arcade. My outdoor lifestyle before all this.

Anyway, I'm afraid of when stuff starts to break down I will be stressing because of the cost
Good thing it's a new van so. But still. I have to learn to fix what I can lol. There will be some fine print in the extended service warranty that it won't cover, go figure.

I hope I can check in 3 months from now to let y'all know if I gave up or continuing on.

 

[WanderingRose]

Sounds to me like you are doing pretty well.

Having traveled 3-4 months at a time, twice most years for the past 17 years, I have to say I learn something new most trips.

Confidence comes from doing, managing, adapting, learning, continuing on, so while there are degrees of expertise I would say you are pretty well broken in at this point.

Hope things continue to go well for you, but there will be issues and difficult days, which are all part of it.

 

[INTJohn]

What I am trying to learn now is to do my own oil change. Also From the looks of vids out there for my Promaster, it is doable. Used to change my own in college with an old school stang.

Changing oil on a Promaster is basically same as anything as you remove the plug from the oil pan and gravity does the work.

Changing the oil filter is another animal as this is very unorthodox compared to any other vehicle I’ve ever owned. Oil filter canister is on top of the engine slightly on the passenger side and sorta difficult to locate in the shadow of the air intake apparatus.

The filter itself is within a canister that takes a 24mm wrench to remove. It is impossible to attach a conventional wrench to the 24mm “nut” and make any kind of movement to loosen (or tighten) and I ordered a 24mm flex head ratchet wrench for 25ish bux or so to preempt the inevitable necessary oil filter change.

If you remove the air filter apparatus that’s right there when hood is opened it’s probably a lil easier but I haven’t resorted to that and don’t anticipate needing to.

The first time removing the oil filter is abit like learning new dance moves but then it’s a piece of cake.

INTJohn

 

[Cy_5th]

Oil filter canister is on top of the engine slightly on the passenger side and sorta difficult to locate in the shadow of the air intake apparatus.

The filter itself is within a canister that takes a 24mm wrench to remove. It is impossible to attach a conventional wrench to the 24mm “nut” and make any kind of movement to loosen (or tighten) and I ordered a 24mm flex head ratchet wrench for 25ish bux or so to preempt the inevitable necessary oil filter change.

INTJohn

Thanks John, I just popped the hood and took a picture of what I think it is and what you described. I will probably do the same as far as wrench.

This is the filter right? Middle of the pic above the oil refill cap.

So the wrench fits over that nut looking protrusion and that is where I fit the wrench which loosens the canister and out comes the filter.

 

[INTJohn]

Thanks John, I just popped the hood and took a picture of what I think it is and what you described. I will probably do the same as far as wrench.

This is the filter right? Middle of the pic above the oil refill cap.

So the wrench fits over that nut looking protrusion and that is where I fit the wrench which loosens the canister and out comes the filter.

Yep. The black nut with the spider web. That takes a 24mm wrench. That is the top of the canister and the filter will be attached to that top.

WARNING! That canister and top is made of plastic. Do not use a 15/16” wrench on it or a 31/32”. If you strip that you will be driving to a Dodge Dealer. Also, do not over tighten as again it’s plastic.

There are lotsa vids on changing that filter and what you need to do to separate old filter from the cap and snap on the new one. It’s not a big deal. Important thing is to place the new O ring seal in the proper groove then reattach the cap.

INTJohn

 

[maki2]

No one likes to have car repairs, but that stressor does not suddenly appear. I bet you have always had it since you first owned a car and were dependent on one to get you to work on time. Remember that you have already been dealing with that concern and that this is just a variation on it. One that however makes you feel a bit more vulnerable because your shelter is now part of your vehicle. But you have already managed to live with that worry and you are going to do OK. You will keep up with the maintenance and you will drive safely.

 

[rruff]

Changing the oil filter is another animal as this is very unorthodox compared to any other vehicle I’ve ever owned.

Ya, what was wrong with the metal canisters you could take off and put on by hand?

Anyway, after I spent a bunch of money for a Fumoto valve, a real skid plate with an access door, a special wrench to remove the plastic (?!) filter housing, some latex hose, and another doohickey that lets me drain oil out of the filter first... I can drain my oil into the 5 qt jugs, with little mess.

I'm debating spending $50 for a metal housing to replace the plastic one which will surely break...