garyb1st said:
While reading Sarges Alaskan trip journal it occurred to me there are a number of checklist items that I'm missing. Things like Pex fittings and cardboard. Seriously, Sarge used cardboard to keep the elements out of his Jeep after a rock from a passing vehicle blew out the rear side window. Who would have thought?
That's the key, Gary. It's not a matter of trying to carry everything you may need to make a repair, but being able to look at the situation and improvise a fix with what you have at hand, enough to get by until you or a shop can make a permanent repair.
My ex-wife's Uncle Tom liked to tell about the time he was in Korea and the chopper he was riding in was shot down over enemy territory with about 6 ft. missing from one of the rotor blades. Once they were on the ground, he took his rifle and shot off a matching 6 ft. piece from the remaining blade, restoring the balance close enough to let them take off and get back to the base.
A lieutenant who was on the flight was livid and wanted to bring him up on charges for destroying government property (the second $10,000 blade). The base CO overrode him and instead gave Tom a commendation for the emergency fix that let the chopper and crew get home. It just depends on how you look at the situation.
That's the mindset you need to develop. If you have a water leak, you can either turn off the water, cap off the line, or use a pair of vice grip pliers to squeeze the line shut until you can make a permanent repair. A busted window can use a piece of cardboard or some plastic sheeting and duck tape to seal the opening until you can get the window replaced. I wouldn't use Eternabond for a temporary repair, that stuff sticks forever.
A few days ago my motorhome's 24 year old water heater stopped lighting. After some troubleshooting, I found the gas valve was getting the proper turn-on voltage, but wasn't letting the gas flow to the burner. I removed the valve and was able to partially disassemble it and use some rubbing alcohol to dissolve the gunk that was jamming it closed. It probably came from the mercaptin oil that's added to propane so you can smell a leak. I've since ordered a replacement online and with luck the old valve will continue working until the replacement gets here.
Same for a hole in the roof - I tore the edge of my motorhome EDPM roof on a tree branch about 5 years ago and there I did use Eternabond tape to patch it ahead of some arriving rain. It's still holding fine.