Water, how wrong can you be?

Water is an absolute necessity. However problems associated with water are cunning, and problematic. We Easterners get very confused concerning water when traveling in the South West.  Once we were fortunate to attend a Chuckwagon Dinner hosted by the Sons of The Pioneers.  In his monolog the MC said, "YOU might be from Arizona if you do not associate bridges with water!"  We had noticed that was true, seeing many bridges with no water under them.

Once  driving near Ajo (A-ho), AZ I spotted a sign, "Danger no parking, flood Zone".  Imma southern boy, I looked around and saw only sandy dessert and not even a spring or creek, I would have rolled my eyes but I have read a lot of Louis L'amour books and vaguely remembered cattle drives and flash floods.   Also figured no one puts up these signs in the heat for the fun of it.. :-O. 

Water is unpredictable. Just ask someone looking for a leak on a roof.  Or a leak in the plumbing of your house.  It is hard to find the source in many cases. Thank goodness water once again has deceived me. 

This rough drawing is our Cummings diesel engine. It is located under our bed in the rear of the coach. To get to the engine I lift the bed and see the engine.  So a few days ago looking for my engine coolant problem I raised the  bed and at the left side I saw water dripping from a spot between the valve cover (pink) and the Head (orange). I closed the engine compartment and lowered the bed. Considering my options. I made a blog entry about it.
(The engine is mounted with a slant to the front so the water naturally followed the line)

Since the shop is not open on Saturdays and I could not take it back to the mechanic, I told Sherry I need to know more about the leak. I might can re-torque the head bolts or something.

After an hour (looking and working under the bed is very tight, I learned to appreciate the work the mechanics had to do).

In the meantime Friend Hank texts and volunteers to help. As a matter of fact he said, "With God's help, we can fix it."  I thought with that help, how can I lose.  But thanks Hank!! For even thinking about us! 

Using a paper towel to ID hidden water I found water all along the side of the engine (really scaring me, it wasn't just one place, I thought.) I continued along the valve cover (see red arrows) and found to my DELIGHT we had a small 1/4" water line that had deteriorated and cracked. WONDERFUL I thinks!

It was no fun but now I wasn't looking at $2000 but $20 and a few hours of labor to reroute a new hose. Tired but happy, we no longer have water dripping from the engine.

To tell the truth I was dreading moving out of our home again while the work was done, now I don't think that will happen.

Nite Shipslog

PS: What I am trying to say is, water problems are very tricky, this time I was fortunately fooled by the path of water.

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Above the '46 Dodge and  Below, the amazing, resilient Corvette.