Car doom.

[featherynscale]

Asmodeus is going in for a check-up tomorrow, and almost certainly some repairs. He's developed a grinding noise, almost identical to the grinding noise you get when your brakes are going out, when you've let them proceed past squeaking into full-on metal-on-metal grinding. The difference is that he is making this noise on acceleration, not braking. Also, he's having some transmission issues around the clickover point from 4th to 5th.

The car gods, if they are kind, will intervene so that the need for a new transmission is forestalled and the grinding sound be easily resolved. Of course, a) I'm not sure who the car gods are, and b) I have no idea what makes the grindy-grindy sound when you hit the gas (fuel pump? usually that goes clicky-clacky, not grindy-grindy, and yet, what else is likely?). So I'm not real optimistic about the whole thing.

On the other hand, I'm not about to become a member of the Great Unhorsed without some sort of struggle.

Comments

[greektoomey.livejournal.com]

In contrast to "unwashed," which suggests never having been washed, doesn't "unhorsed" imply that one was, at one time, horsed?

I only ask to determine whether I am one of the Great Unhorsed against whose company you intend to struggle, or if I belong instead to a smaller (and more exclusive) host, the Scant Non-Horsed.

[duane-kc.livejournal.com]

If Asmodeus is a front-wheel-drive, I'd just about bet on the half-shafts or universal joints being the problem. Does the noise get worse when rounding a corner?

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

Unhorsed, in my usage, implies that you've lost your horse. I have no issue with the idea of a car-free lifestyle, or those who choose to live that way, but in my town, it is simply not a feasible choice. Therefore, the struggling. If I have no car, I have no job, and so on.

You're more horse-free, I think.

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

Hrm. I just had the half-shafts and associated joints replaced last year. They sounded very different when they went (sort of CLACK! CLACK! CLACK!). If we're doing the prognostication lottery on the issue, my money's on a belt.

[greektoomey.livejournal.com]

The Scant Horse-Free, outriders to the Great Unhorsed.

That has a nice ring to it.

(Also, I realize the necessity of automotive conveyance in your sprawl-of-residence; mostly I'm just trying to enjoy a little linguistic frolic. Management would like to thank you for your indulgence.)

further self-indulgence

[greektoomey.livejournal.com]

I love the smell of linguistics in the morning. Smells like... victory.

Re: further self-indulgence

[featherynscale.livejournal.com]

Carry on, carry on. :-P

[duane-kc.livejournal.com]

Hmm. If a belt's out of alignment enough to make a grinding noise, there's usually going to be fraying or damage around the circumference at the edges.