the test drive

Yesterday evening's van transaction was quite an adventure. It turns out the vehicle has been mostly sitting for the last two years, and apparently needs a tune-up (something the seller didn't mention earlier). The van did fine during the test drive other than an issue with the brakes that requires them to be pumped twice before they engage, but once it was back at the seller's house, it didn't want to start again. So the seller taught me his elaborate starting ritual: rapidly pump the gas pedal for about 10 seconds, pull out the choke (on the floor next to the parking brake) 1/2", THEN turn the key... which is apparently the only way the van will "reliably" start, but even that wasn't working this time. Out came the jumper cables, and she roared to life. The seller theorized that the van just needs a new battery... or possibly there's a problem with the carburetor... but a rebuilt carburetor is one of the spare parts that was offered as part of the sale, so after a few moments' hesitation, I went for it. Once I got her back to Redmond (where I'm temporarily staying) from her previous home in Seattle, parked her, turned her off, then decided I should move her to a spot where she wouldn't be sitting on a slope... but she didn't want to start again. I'll have to see how things pan out before deciding whether or not to take her to the Kitsap Peninsula this weekend.