Date: 3/30/98
 
I have an old '73 GMC van that I have had for about 14 years. It is an old vehicle that has been constantly worked on for the last 14 years. Being an artist and doing shows everywhere I've had to maintain my vehicle constantly. Most of my weekend jaunts average between 350 to 650 miles round trip to and from shows. And being a straight-line vehicle I travel non-stop, and only stop at gas stations and eat.
 
Scenario: I left for Monterey CA with about a half ton of pottery for a show. On the way back I made one stop in Los Baños to fill up. I drove non-stop until I got to Highway 99 and Central Avenue exit. I slowed down to traffic speeds for about one mile and my temperature gauge quickly showed the engine was getting hot. I drove back to Johnny Quick gas station and noticed my radiator cap is loose. I had lost all of my antifreeze. It was bone dry. The station attendant gave me water since the water hose was broken. He handed me 4 gallon pitchers of water successively, after the 5th pitcher he had a smile on his face. Well 4 1/2 gallons of water is what it took. I'm pretty sure I lost my water some miles back. What I am not certain of is, would I have made it all the way back without water? Highly unlikely. The air kept the motor cool even though it had no water in it. Once I stopped, it got hot. Maxilube kept it sliding until it was time to stop.
 
Sincerely,
Ronald Nagata
Riverbottom Pottery
Sanger, CA