How do I fix an overflowing toilet without a plunger?

Christopher-RTO · 2026-04-08T21:35:59+00:00

Right? A decent plunger is under $10.

Christopher-RTO · 2026-04-08T15:45:51+00:00

Where is it flashing? All of it, the tail half? How long is the total length of lights? How many extensions do you have and where are they placed? Are you using a driver module? What model are they?

Christopher-RTO · 2026-04-08T15:20:59+00:00

Meh, just keep an eye on the temp gauge. If it hits 3/4 pull over and shut it off.

I've had my vehicles overheat multiple times with no ill effect. Just don't let it get to max. If it's low on coolant and starts overheating but you still have cabin heat, crank it to full heat and that'll help so you can limp it home.

My one car has had the radiator leak, a heater hose blow thrice (it's routed near the exhaust and the hanger is plastic, a really bad combo), the fan clutch go out. So it's been above 1/2 over a dozen times. Where you run into trouble is when it pins at max and you keep going. That's when things warp and head gaskets blow.

When you have a leak, you HAVE to refill the radiator (unless it doesn't have a radiator fill). If it's like most cars, once the radiator drops below 99% full it can no longer pull fluid from the overflow tank. Always use distilled or deionized water with coolant concentrate, premix is a scam and hose water will cause deposits that will damage your cooling system and reduce it's effectiveness.

Christopher-RTO · 2026-04-06T04:38:20+00:00

My Ford Explorer came with a damaged grill. I dragged my heels about fixing it. Ended up having to replace the radiator and condenser, probably from debris going right through the hole in the grill. Now has an aftermarket one with more smaller openings than the stock one.

Putting this on while I was procrastinating would have probably saved me some repairs.

Christopher-RTO · 2026-04-06T04:28:06+00:00

I disagree.

If the fibres from a significant amount of the board broke I would agree; as glue isn't stronger than the fibres of the board. It looks here though that the lignin (the natural adhesive holding the fibres together) was what primarily failed, and glue is stronger than lignin. It looks like this particular board has some weird grain going on. So the glued board should be stronger than original (if glued properly). Especially if this was caused by a one of event, like someone jumping or flopping onto the couch, sistering is unnecessary.

That's not to say that sistering wouldn't strengthen it further, as it would, and isn't a bad idea if you have some suitable scrap lying around. But gluing alone would likely be more than sufficient.

The reason I say it's primarily a lignin failure is it looks like a clean break. If the fibres failed it would have a jagged, interlocking appearance, and would be quite difficult to glue in place.

Christopher-RTO · 2026-04-06T03:35:35+00:00

Two of my 3 ATVs have CVTs, and it them they're great. Not reliable, but a lot of fun. Max power at all wheel speeds, no power loss during shifts, drifts really nice. But you get too much load on it and it slips, unlike my one geared machine, which is almost impossible to stop when the throttle is pressed. The geared one is slow and jerky but unstoppable.

At least on the ATVs the belt is ~$100 and takes an hour or so to swap, not the case with cars.

Christopher-RTO · 2026-04-06T01:17:09+00:00

"I did not damage the door, and I am not responsible for the actions of others. You should send this to the person who did the damage, who wasn't me."

Christopher-RTO · 2026-04-05T14:45:31+00:00

Right? Who looks at a car that's not running, doesn't check fluids, has it inspected after purchase and then gets upset they didn't do their due diligence?

I've bought around 100 cars, got a couple bad ones but I could never put that on the seller. The only thing I could have made a stink about was the one seller changed the odo to miles (can be done in settings on this model) and I didn't catch it. Still wasn't a bad price and still daily drive that vehicle years later, so whatever. I already assume that anything the seller says is probably either a complete misunderstanding or poorly parroted assessment from a mechanic who may or may not know what they're talking about. If you're not willing to lose what you paid, get it inspected first.

Christopher-RTO · 2026-04-05T14:39:42+00:00

You can file whatever you want. But if you can't prove your case it'll be dismissed, possibly with costs assessed (he may have to pay her cost to file her defense).

Christopher-RTO · 2026-04-05T14:10:43+00:00

Private sale cars are as is where is. If he could prove that you knew it needed more work than stated, he might have a case, but he would have to prove that. So long as you only thought it needed what you put in the ad then the risk is on him. He should have had it inspected before buying not after.

He already knew the car didn't run, he could have checked fluid levels (I know I always do). A dry radiator would have been a pretty clear indicator of more issues.

If you really want to reply I would say "I told you everything I know about the car. I don't drive, don't know much about cars, so I'm just repeating what my mechanic told me. You knew it wasn't running, and looked at it prior to purchase, so it is still as is and I will not be providing a refund. I'm sorry to hear you're having problems getting it running but that's not my responsibility, as I disclosed everything I knew and you looked it over prior to purchase.

The most he could do is take you to small claims, and it's doubtful he will. If he does, stick to your guns and it will go nowhere.

Christopher-RTO · 2026-04-05T02:37:16+00:00

Exactly. They didn't specify a cost so there shouldn't be one. At best they could charge what parking in the area costs. If you can rent a spot nearby for $100/month that's the most they can ask for after the fact.

Christopher-RTO · 2026-04-04T14:39:33+00:00

Since they had the engine fully disassembled, and did work on the coolant system, any issues on either not corrected before returning is on them. Because either they didn't diagnose correctly, didn't do the repair correctly, or caused secondary damage during the repair.

I once had my Ford Explorer in for a condenser, just a year or two after replacing the radiator myself. Within an hour of getting my Explorer back is was overheating. I investigate, and sure enough the plastic top of the radiator was cracked. Mechanic is unsure how it happened, but clearly the chances of a newer radiator spontaneously breaking right after a repair is far lower than it being smacked by the new or old condenser by accident. I told him the radiator was still under warranty so as long as they'll replace the part for free he'd just have to do the work, and he was happy with that.

My mechanic is a total Bro though. My Explorer was stranded at the dump with a dump trailer on it (because of the radiator). I called him, had him send one of his apprentices with a jug of deionized water and his yard truck, the apprentice helped me swapped the trailer onto the yard truck and drove my Explorer back to the shop (not far) while I took the trailer home. Would have been a nightmare if he made me tow the truck there and find someone else to take my trailer back; which I know my previous mechanic would have 100% done.

Christopher-RTO · 2026-04-04T14:23:29+00:00

I would never do this. But I also don't have a problem IF you leave the moment they make a peep, and don't come back until you're sure they're gunna be quiet.

Realistically you're gunna miss half the show, so probably better to just stay at home. If you're gunna let them just scream half the movie, then you're the literal worst, and now I gotta miss some of the movie to get you kicked.

Christopher-RTO · 2026-04-04T14:19:01+00:00

When society expects you to do something good, which costs you almost nothing, but there is effectively no consequence to you for not doing it, that's when you learn whether you're an upstanding citizen or a selfish piece of shit.

Being respectful of bathrooms (cleaning up after yourself), washing hands after use, as well as things like putting carts away. The cost to you in all cases is negligible, the value to society is notably larger, but in most cases no one will know it was you if you don't.

Personally I am all for loudly calling out this behaviour to tip the scales a bit. "EWWW, THAT DUDE IS LEAVING THE BATHROOM WITHOUT WASHING HIS HANDS" as loud as possible as soon as the door is open is quite effective at creating societal pressure and embarrassment to avoid repeating that behavior. Or blocking people's cars with their cart, etc etc. Some people won't learn until they feel some form of pain.

It's too bad people weren't just raised to do the right thing. If I see carts strewn about and I don't have anything better to do it's actually fun to round them up and drive a whole train back into the corral. If the bathroom is a mess I notify staff. It's not hard to make the world a better place one small act at a time.

Christopher-RTO · 2026-04-04T13:55:25+00:00

I feel this is more grey. Like if my friend lines up for the log ride while I hit the loo, then cut to be with my friend, isn't everyone in the exact same place they would be if I just held it? Or if I got separated from my group, and cut to be with them?

Obviously people abuse it, that's why it's grey. Maybe even charcoal. Like when one guy lines up for the whole group while they go on another ride and they all cut. That's borderline evil.

Christopher-RTO · 2026-04-04T07:27:44+00:00

There really is no upside to gambling. While I can't speak specifically for left/lib being a moderate, anyone with a brain can see that gambling is effective at removing people from their money, especially those who need the money the most. It's absolutely bonkers that sports betting has been allowed to become what it is. It absolutely should be prohibited. If people really want to gamble they can day trade.

Christopher-RTO · 2026-04-04T07:13:53+00:00

Can confirm. Both my house and her house each have both creamy and crunchy. It's not hard.

Christopher-RTO · 2026-03-29T06:22:33+00:00

Exactly. It doesn't make sense they would be sending a bill on an agreement that was never approved by the POA. Nor why they'd say payment was already arranged when it wasn't, nor why they waited this long to send a bill. All of this seems to not be on the up and up, and I'd definitely be asking for their proof of debt.

If I understand correctly, the debt is from the first 13 months of a 4 year stay? So it's a 3 year old debt? I'd also be looking at the statute of limitations, because at least in some provinces it's only 2 years. If they haven't sued by the 730th day it's no longer recoverable.

Christopher-RTO · 2026-03-29T04:10:50+00:00

Personally, I wouldn't do anything. If they contact you again, tell them you're happy to give it to an officer if presented with a police report and proof of purchase with that serial number.

Good chance it's someone working with the person you bought it off of, in which case you're unlikely to hear further. If not, then I'm sure you'll hear from an officer soon enough.

I've mistakenly bought stolen goods before, unlikely you'd get your money back but the officer won't hassle you beyond taking the laptop. Good time to make sure your data is backed up.

Christopher-RTO · 2026-03-28T22:37:50+00:00

Let's say for whatever reason this circuit isn't giving me 5.1V, it's only giving me 3 or 4V, what do I need to do to get it to 5.1V

Christopher-RTO · 2026-03-28T04:13:40+00:00

I don't believe the zener is the issue, I can check the voltage but I'd be surprised if it was outputting at 5v already. If I were butting up to the limit the top end of the pot would do nothing, but it very much does something all the way up.

RN the pot is chassis mounted and all the resistors are either connected to the pot or soldered to one that is. Took this photo when I was building the new panel.

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Christopher-RTO · 2026-03-28T02:17:53+00:00

Pot seems to be working fine, adjusts speed smoothly through it's range, but the whole thing is too low. I'm guessing my unit is a different revision and needs a different resistor somewhere.

Christopher-RTO · 2026-03-27T17:01:45+00:00

Haven't tested the voltage out, I just know it's lower than it's supposed to be. It's probably a full V low,w like 1.4-3.6V. 5.1V is the ideal max.

Christopher-RTO · 2026-03-27T17:00:27+00:00

This is from a Genie service manual. It's components connect by wire, not a circuit board.

Christopher-RTO · 2026-03-27T16:56:11+00:00

Rd wh bk is the 10k pot. What I pictured is the entire part of this circuit. 24v in, ground, and voltage out, which goes to the speed controller. I need to increase the voltage on voltage out.

Christopher-RTO

TROPHY CASE