The Marco Polo Group / Olive Tree Publishing

Angels on the Highway

After we had Al Roberts tweak our carbs, he had mentioned that his family was hosting a VW show in a small town called Iona, on Cape Breton Island. That was fantastic, as we wanted to head that way anyhow. So off we went towards the Celtic Island, looking forward to the culture and music.

On our way we were faced with a tremendously slow vehicle, (and we thought we were slow), well, we went to pass this guy and it happened that we were going into an up hill grade and had two lanes. We moved to pass and up we went. I noted suddenly that the gas petal was unresponsive! It just flopped to the floor and we were running at full throttle!!! Yikes. Thankfully we were going up hill, but something had to be done. Adrenaline was pumping as I said to Tracey... We're running at full throttle and I can't stop it!!!"  "Oh no"... she says what do we do?" I said, "Ok, when we get to the top of the hill, I'll pull over and slam on the brakes, then you'll have to get out, run to the back, lift the engine lid and push the accelerator bar up... cus it's stuck down for some reason!!!"

So we get to the top of the hill and I yell over the sound of the screaming engine.... "OK... you know what you gotta do?"

"No" she yells back!!!

Well, we pulled over and she jumped out, ran to the back of the bus, just when I remembered the right thing to do.... turn the key off!!!!

The engine backfired like crazy, banging and firing off like a gun blast!

I walked to the back and could not see why the accelerator bar was stuck! Engine oil had blasted it's way through the gaskets, spraying a light peppering of oil against the inside of the back tires. Thinking it was significant and perhaps that I'd blow a valve, and not being able to see why the accelerator was stuck, we decided we'd better use a life line and call a friend... (CAA).

Just then, a VW Jetta pulls over, out pops a VW mechanic who says, "Hey, what can I do to help?"

Sticking his head in the engine compartment, he quickly sees the problem. A clip had fallen down off the left hand air breather over the carberator and was keeping the accelerator bar from returning to normal position.

After a little while, as the engine was flooded, we were on our way again! Amazing... anytime we need help... presto --- there it is. We were on the side of the road for less than 2 minutes!

Thanks to .... names to follow as soon as I find my book.