Coming home from work yesterday afternoon, 100? outside, windows down, moderate traffic, I noticed a slight knocking sound under light load between songs. You know the one, lugging the engine in too high a gear (40mph, slight acceleration in 5th), the kind of sound most often easily remedied with a quick downshift. So I grabbed 4th, and started to wonder if it was someone next to me in traffic.

Coasted to a light, radio off, gave it a couple easy throttle revs - sounded fine.
Light turned green, eased into 1st, and there it was again. Still wasn't sure if it was me.
Before I could grab third, still gently accelerating, it started knocking. Almost intermittently.

Shti.

Fortunately, I was less than 50 yards from an Autozone. My oil pressure gauge died last month, and it had been a while since I'd checked the oil, so I figured/hoped I was just a little low and a quick top off would do me right. Dipstick was dry.

Fcuk.

Threw half a gallon of Rotella 10W30 into it, checked the dipstick, now perfectly full.
Checked it again to make sure. Yup. Full.

Backed out of the parking spot like nothing was wrong. Put it in first to head for the exit, definitely knocking. Definitely bearings.

Double fcuk.

Immediately rolled into shady, QuikTrip parking spot, called AAA. It was nice to ride home in an air conditioned vehicle.



Tentative plan of attack:

1. Saturday: See if mom can watch the little one so I can yank the engine, check bearing tolerances, confirm failure.
2. Sunday: Order replacement parts from Rock Auto.
3. Monday: Bum ride to work.
4. Tuesday: Bum ride to work.
5. Wednesday: Bum ride to work.
6. Thursday: Bum ride to airport, fly to Ohio, drown sorrows at DSM/EVO Shootout, then visit Delica importer in Toronto.
7. Following Thursday: Fly home.
8. Friday: Re-assemble and install engine.
9. Saturday: Laugh at how I foolishly thought this was the end of my off-road days.

Fingers crossed, gents.