May 2009
Why Call a Tow Truck When You Have a Leatherman Micra
I forgot to bring the toolbox, but fortunately my Leatherman Micra was on my key ring.
I live 125 miles from the Sacramento Airport and was driving my sister-in-law there to catch a plane. My trusty 1994 Volvo had just received a timing belt replacement and was running great. We were on schedule with a little time to spare before flight departure.
As we turned off the freeway onto the airport access road, the engine quit. I coasted onto the shoulder and stopped, got out of the car and lifted the hood. To my surprise, no, shock, the camshaft timing pulley had come loose and wore a hole in the plastic timing belt cover.
No tools except the little kit that Volvo includes with the car; nothing there of any help.
After looking, thinking, saying bad things about my mechanic, and thinking some more, I came to the conclusion that the camshaft pulley could be placed back on the camshaft and the bolt tightened (the bolt had not fallen out). Since the timing belt stayed on the pulley, the timing was still in sync.
So far, so good. But where was the woodruff key that kept the pulley from turning on the shaft. Gone, yes lost, on the highway.
Ahh, I think you are coming to the same solution that I did. Open your Leatherman Micra flat blade screwdriver and slide it into the keyway. It's the right width, only narrower. Now, for the painful part . . . snapping the blade off.
I tried to start the car. No luck. Is all lost? Must I call the wrecker? Did I ruin my Leatherman for nothing? No, think for a minute. The camshaft turns at half the rate of the crankshaft. Maybe if I take out the screwdriver blade and turn the engine over by hand one revolution, the camshaft pulley will be properly aligned. But first, how to get the screwdriver blade out of the pulley? Use the tweezers. They worked perfectly!
After turning the engine over and again aligning the camshaft pulley, I replaced the screwdriver blade and IT WORKED!
Drove all the way home without any problem. The mechanic was apologetic and amazed that the Leatherman Micra screwdriver blade saved the day.
I regret that I didn't keep the blade in case of future mishaps.
Mike P.
Groveland, CA
OK, you voyeur, you. Enough of reading other people's stories. It's time you told your own tale of gripping heroism or even just neat DIY'ism. We know there's a Shakespeare in you somewhere. Don't make us use the Steens to find it.