Ghia On the Go Once Again

Third times the charm.

Jon and his mechanic, Michael had to change the fuel pump 3 times to get things to work.

The first time was on the day (Wednesday, September 19, 2007) Ghia sputtered to a stop at South Super Highway near Buendia. It was raining hard and I called AAP towing service. The truck arrived at around 3PM and by another hour, we had arrived at Panay avenue. We bought a new fuel pump at the closest auto suppy house and Michael changed the pump in an hour or so. By 630PM, Ghia was ready to roll.

After the tough day I was eager to go hme for a shower and a hot meal. I started Ghia and within a few seconds, I heard one of the fuses blow and Ghia smelled like an electrical short. Good thing I was still within earshot of Jon and I asked Michael to check the electrics out. He replaced one of the fuses and we checked if all the lights and wipers and horn worked. I had a short on one of my park lights. No biggie, we said and I was goping to bring back Ghia for a more complete electrical check in the future.

I headed home but didn't even make the corner. I called Jon and said that the new pump failed again. Good that I hadn't gotten that far yet. After Michael and Bai determined that the pump was indeed bad, we pushed Ghia back to the shop. It was already 8PM at night and we knew that the auto supply house was already closed. I had no choice but to leave Ghia at Jons so that the mechanics could work on it without rushing.

Thursday was bad for me as I had an AC meeting at APC until 6PM. I called Jon that I'd pick up Ghia on Friday instead.

Friday came along and by lunch, Jon said that he replaced the pump a second time and it was good to go. I took a cab from Magallanes headed towards Panay Ave. By he time I got to Cubao, I got a call from Jon and he said that Ghia's pump was acting up again and that he was putting in a relay. I told him that I'd go home first and I'll pick up Ghia the next day, Saturday.

Saturday morning, Emy brought me to school and I waited for Jon's text. By lunch he still had not called so I decided to go home first. I got home and rested for a bit and then headed to Jons by 6PM.

Ghia started up with one click. CJ and I took Ghia for an extended trip along the narrow streets near ABS-CBN not wanting to go too far. Everything seemed in order and I was pretty confident that all was good. CJ, Henry, Jon, EJ and I had an Inasal Chicken dinner before heading to the VWCP Informal meeting at Burger King, Timog. I stayed until 1130PM just shooting the breeze with some club members. After that I headed home. It wasn't raining but the streets were still wet so I decided to pass through UP, CP Garcia, then Katipunan.

Then it happened! As I got into the village, Ghia started sputtering again. I don't believe it, I said to myself. Luckily I was already inside the gate. Heaven forbid that I should stall outside again. Dang pump! I took my umbrella and started tapping the pump to see if it was just a fluke. Still nothing. I checked the fuses. They were all right. I called Emmy to see if she could drive while I pushed but I knew that that'll be a tall order. Aside from being about a kilometer and a half away, the road was on an incline. This is suicide for sure.

I called Jon out of frustration and told him the bad news. I could hear from his voice that he was disappopinted too. I suggested that we wait until morning to check things out. Out of the darkness, Noel (Emy's brother) called out to me. Saklolo! Emy called him and by God's good graces, he was at Don's place (a house away from where I stopped) for poker night. He suggested that we tow Ghia to the house where it'll be safer but we couldn't find a tow rope anywhere. Dang! I just said that we could push Ghia closer to Don's house, besides, I was comfortable that Ghia was safe inside the village and I asked Don's guards to watch over Ghia. Noel brought me home after that.

Sunday was raining hard all day and Jon said that the supply house was closed. He offered to tow the car to the house but I reluctantly said that we could work on Ghia on Monday instead.

By 230PM Monday, Jon, Sandy, Nong and Michael met me at MV Del Rosario where Ghia was. Jon bought a new pump (our third) and Michael took another 45 minutes to change the pump. It was drizzling and again, with the new pump, Ghia started with one click. I speedily brought it home and thanked the guys for the assist.

I let Ghia rest in the garage Tuesday. Aside from the rains, Emy let me use the Toyota while she took a cab to Maldita. Tuesday afternoon, I washed both cars which were really filthy by now.

Today, Hannah and I took Ghia for another try. All the way to La Salle, I was optimistic that the new pump would hold up. Once in a while, I thought Ghia would sputter and die but we managed to get to DLSU and APC without drama.

Ghia is in APC garage right now and we'll head on to Jons shop to check on Herbie this afternoon.

Wish us luck