Stuttering through Oregon

The engine's cutting out and loss of power followed by a surge felt like a classic blockage in the fuel lines. But its low level tremolo and stuttering felt like a classic timing problem. The fact that the symptom was intermittent pointed to a subtler problem, given the interlocking sensors that control an electronic fuel injection system. I debated the options.

As we completed the descent into Oregon and rounded Grant's Pass, I decided to forge on. If the problem persisted a mechanic would have to look into it; if a mechanic was required time would be lost but the time was lost just as equally in Oregon as in California. And so on we went.

This part of Oregon is fairly flat and uninteresting although the engine problem ruled out any exploratory detours. Consigned to boredom, the pups went back to snoozing.

For longish stretches the engine turned normally, but every now and again it would drop out, stutter and surge. Each time it did, Fips would start up and give me his inquiring and worried look.

What's wrong?

I donno, Fipsie... donno.

By the end of the afternoon, the truck was acting up fairly consistently. We made it to the outskirts of Salem where we holed up in a Motel Six by the side of the freeway, in an area of gas stations, fast fooderies, warehouses and lots of traffic on chaotic intersections. Fortunately what was visible was of no interest to the pups who were more interested in ground smells.

I noticed some people hanging around an open motel room door drinking beer. A truck pulled into the lot and left soon thereafter. I didn't want to leave the truck unattended for too long and gave the dogs as much time as was feasible before chow and bed.

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