Edmunds CarPool

Wednesday, March 22, 1:15 p.m. -- I leave Denver slightly ahead of my Mopar mechanics, who will be driving to Las Vegas for a huge Mopar event during this weekend. They want me to go ahead, assuming I'll have problems and they'll eventually catch up (no faith, man!). Purchase offer number one happens as I am filling up in Denver.

Wednesday, March 22, 1:45 p.m. -- I'm starting the serious climb into the mountains and suddenly the Challenger begins lurching and coughing, like a asthmatic old man trying to scale Mt. Everest. I pull over but the car doesn't die and idles smoothly. I pull back on the highway and it goes right up to 70 mph no problem...for about 30 seconds, then it starts sputtering again. Bottom line -- there's a fuel supply problem that plays a various role in how the Dodge runs from Denver to L.A. It never completely kills the car, but it sometimes holds my speed down to between 40-60 mph.

Wednesday, March 22, 3:30 p.m. -- I've stopped a few times to let the Challenger "recover" from its fuel issue. By letting it sit for about 10 minutes and/or keeping it above 1/2 tank the fuel starvation issue is almost a non-issue. It lurched its way over Loveland pass, then I filled it up in Dillion and charged over Vail pass with nary a hiccup.

Wednesday, March 22, 5 p.m. -- I pull into the Glennwood Springs Lodge parking lot about 45 minutes ahead of my rolling pit crew, despite several stops to put more gas in the car and/or let it "rest" when the surging starts. While waiting for them I replace the fuel filter and note a flow of rusty, mud-like fuel that drips out of it, confirming my theory that the fuel system on this car is infested with crud. The only real fix will be a removal/cleaning of the tank and the replacement of the fuel lines, but that isn't going to happen as the sun sets in the Rockies. My friends pull in just as I'm tighting the final hose clamp. Purchase offer number two happens in the parking lot of the Glennwood Lodge. I fire up the car and charge out of Glennwood with the Challenger feeling like it has finally earned those "R/T" emblems.

Wednesday, March 22, 6 p.m. -- I'm about 30 miles out of Grand Junction when I scan the gauges and see the alternator needle clearly resting on the discharge side. I've had the lights on for a few minutes and keep thinking the voltage regulator will magically compose itself and send the needle back to the "C" side. It doesn't, but I make it to Grand Junction and find the local Checker Auto. My Mopar crew arrives about 20 minutes later and by then I've swapped the voltage regulator...to no effect. Car still won't charge. But my guys brought along an extra Chrysler alternator (I get the impression they aren't surprised by this latest mechanical failure) and within an hour we've swapped the alternator, plus replaced the flasher unit for the hazards (I'm starting to think I might need them -- now that it's dark outside...). Purchase offer number three, from a guy in an Escalade, happens in the Checker parking lot. We fill up together and head out into the wilds of Utah together at around 7 p.m., but within 30 mintues I've lost sight of them behind me. The Challenger is easily maintaining 80 mph and I start to kid myself into thinking the fuel issue is resolved.

Wednesday, March 22, 9 p.m. -- I was almost conviced the fuel issue was gone, but about 20 miles past Green River it starts in again. This is the same 108-mile "no services" stretch of Interstate 70 where our long-term, 14,000-mile Honda Pilot stranded me, and my family, three years ago when its timing belt snapped. I've let the tank go below halfway because the car seemed to be running so well. Now I'm paying the price with an average speed of 35 mph. My guys quickly catch up and then take up position behind me with the flashers on their Dodge Ram and camper going full tilt (though mine are working now, too). I lurch it into Salina, Utah at 11 p.m., which is our planned night stop. My friends are carrying their hotel, but I still have to find one. I fill up with gas first and then decide I can go on the extra 25 miles to Richfield and stay at a Super 8 I've used before.

Wednesday, March 22, 11:30 p.m. -- I'm in Richfield and the Challenger has run so well that I decide I can make it the 40 miles to Beaver, Utah. In Beaver, with the Dodge still running great, I decide St. Goerge doesn't seem that far at 100 miles away. This same line of thinking takes me through a corner of Arizona and Mesquite, Nevada and on to Las Vegas by 4 a.m. (where purchase offer number four takes place). This is where my support crew is stopping (when they get here much later in the day), so I'll get no more benefit from them whether I stop in Vegas or not. Plus I've made the Vegas-to-L.A. drive so many times I feel like I can do it in my sleep...though that isn't technically the method I'm planning.

Thursday, March 23, 8 a.m. -- The cell phone rings and my friend asks "are you on the road already." I respond with "yes, and I'm just coming into San Bernadino." He is happily surprised and glad to hear I've pretty much made it to L.A. without incident. The car only sputtered once, during the climb up Cajon Pass as I was going through Victorville. I'm lucky enough to travel the entire east-to-west span of the L.A. roadway system during morning rush hour! Oh joy!! But by 10:45 I'm home in Ventura County with my wife wondering why there's a big purple car in her driveway. A few hours later it's washed and tuned up, and after her first drive she wants to know when she can use it to take the kids to school.

Firday, March 24, 8:45 p.m. -- I've spent the day at Triple A and the DMV getting the car inspected and the title transferred. I've also pumped about a gallon of various fuel cleaners through it, but the surging problem persists. Tomorrow morning I will install a new fuel pump, but the realistic side of me knows a fuel tank removal is in my future. Oh well, both the car and I made it home in one piece. And if I look at it from the right angle I can almost convince myself it's a concourse show piece. Maybe someday it will be...