Ukraine Refugee Assistance

I'm short on time due to some appts I have before work today, so I'm going to type this out "old school".  I may be in later with video's + photo's etc.  But for now:

What the hell is going on in these photos???

"If a driver is seen at the bar the night before a race then he'd better be drinking what he's chasing:  Virgin Mary's"

- Carroll Smith.  Lead Engineer, Shelby's GT40 Program.

I don't drink the night before a big drive.  Not a track event, and certainly not a Ukraine run.  It's not that I'll party all night, but Mr. Smiths words have stuck with me and I now consider it bad luck.

Well, there I was...  Friday, night and I'm working the second shift.  This normally means I get off at midnight, but around 9pm my office-mate and I noticed we were the last ones in the building.  After a quick investigation we both shrugged and decided to depart early as well.  This put me home around 9:30 which means Mrs. Hungary was up and the kids were not.  Naturally, we're busy with "life things" but we also work opposite shifts so catching a free evening together was something of a rarity.

and, naturally, since we had a bottle of wine on the shelf we decided to drink it in front of the TV.

(dun dun DUN!)

Fast forward to the next morning and I was up at 5:00am, and out the door before 5:30.  The truck was put together using all its old parts on Thursday morning, and on Friday I had it loaded up, taken off the battery tender, started, and moved into position.  Things were ready.

Except by now you know it can't be that easy.  Saying my last goodbyes, I got to start the truck and "click".

WHAT???

I check my battery gauge... it's right in the sweet spot.  So I turn the key again, and "click".

Oh, what the heck???

I check my battery connections and both are good.  I check grounds, and then I check the connection to the starter (a bit difficult as there's a tight rubber boot over it).  Everything is tight and secure.

"click click click click click click..."

No matter how many times I turn the key, or hold the key in the "start" position, all I get is "click".

Once I got a quick "wirr" but it bogs down and stops.

Thinking quickly, I get a 1x1 length of wood and my ball peen hammer.  I set the wood on the starter and give it a few good wacks.

"click"

"click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click click"

Mrs. Hungary is looking concerned.

"Well, the way I figure is we've got two options" I say.  "we can take the Mazda orrr...."

"What's the second option" she asks.

"Honestly, I don't know" I respond.

And just like that, we're taking stuff out of the truck and stuffing it in the Mazda.

See?  Drinking the night before ='s "bad luck" (I once had two beers the night before a track day?  Yup, worst trackday EVER), but no time to dwell on that now...

This is where teamwork makes the dream work.  I have 20-minutes of driving until I hit the motorway, and to run the motorway I need to purchase a "vignette".  Naturally this was all prepared for the Toyota, but not so much for the Mazda.

Now we've also lost time during the troubleshooting and the repack and I do NOT want to get to the border any later than noon or I run the risk of missing our drop time.  I certainly don't want to waste time on my computer or phone buying new vignettes for Hungary and Slovakia...  Luckily Mrs. Hungary saves the day.  While I tear off in a fit of spinning tires and flying gravel, she's in and on the computer doing the paperwork.  Before I hit the M-way, I've got both confirmations of purchase sent to me via e-mail.

I do love it when a plan comes together.

Next up is a LONG easy pull down the motorway.  Normally this means struggling to keep her at 130kph in the Toyota (about 78mph), but not in the Mazda.  Instead I'm allowed to be rather.... "generous?" with my interpretation of speed limits (read:  I am FLYING)

Unfortunatly the M-ways dry up about 2-hours out from the Slovakian border, and it's all I can do to keep the Mazda from hitting its bump-stops on these rough roads.  I don't know what the weight rating is for an RX-8, but I'm pretty sure I've exceeded it.

At the border, it's the same song and dance it usually is.  And that is mostly spent with me trying to figure out what the process will be this time.  The only big hangup is I had to one-line my Toyota's info on my import paperwork and write in the Mazda's.  This required a phone call to Vikki with the customs agent to clear up.

After the paperwork was sorted, I had to go outside and find the vehicle inspectors.  There are three of them that need to stamp my slip, and I find them huddled together and smoking near one of the shacks.  I quickly discover that one of them speaks english,which makes this kind of fun because one of the other guards recognizes me

"AMERICAN BOOOOOOOOOOYYYYY" he sings when he realizes he's seen me before. And at first I thought he was making fun of me, but then I think he must be singing Estelle's song "American Boy"

He asks where my other vehicle is and through the translator I'm able to explain that it wouldn't start this morning so I had to take the Mazda.  The english speaking guard is interested and asks about the Mazda's engine, how fast is it, etc, and since I'm super early in our crossing I'm able to spend a bit of time joking with these guys

"yeah, much faster in the Mazda, but it can't carry as much stuff!"

That sort of thing.

I'll say that when they were "inspecting" this car, they were more "looking" at it than they were trying to find hidden compartments or anything.  I think they enjoyed it, and it was fun for me as well (I do get a few more "American Booooooooooy"s from the non-english speaking guard, and I respond with a chuckle each time)

Anyhoo, tire kicking over time to get on with business.

From the border it is a legit 2-minute drive to the courier that will take our stuff to Dr. Julia.  But first I have to call Vikki because we had two plans going forward.  The first was if we knew where Dr. Julia would be.  She's just evacuated from Avdiivka and her next assignment isn't known yet.  That brings us to our second plan which is to send everything to Vikki's place in Dnipro as a hold-over until the dust settles.  This is what we decide to do.

Quick note:  This has the added benefit of keeping everything together as in addition to all of this, the remaining $545usd from our fundraiser was sent to Vikki in cash to purchase a list of meds that Dr. Julia sent her.

Inside the courier's office the lady is very nervous.  I can say "I'm American" in a lot of languages (Ukrainian included) but not much else.  The look of relief she gave me when she saw we had all our papers and instructions pre-printed or screen-shotted (is too a verb), almost made me laugh out oud.

I was only able to carry in about three boxes though, so when she made a motion like "all this is going to Vikki?" I had to show her our list of tires/etc that was still in the car (and she got nervous all over again)

It took me about three more trips, but eventually I got everything to the loading dock. 

So what does it cost a person to ship via private courrier, 5 tires (one mounted and inflated), 2 jacks, a tire iron, an air compressor, and a box of medical supplies?

$23 (which I was happy to pay out of my own pocket)

Man, I love this place.

After that it was off to a grocery store to pick up some things for myself.  I got two bottles of vodka to send off to a friend for his help in the donation drive (he's not on GRM), I got some candy for Mrs. Hungary and the Hungarlings, and I 100% forgot to pick up some packets of beet-horseradish paste for me (luckily I still have the one that Vikki sent me from last time).

ah well.

Heading out, is just as easy as getting in, and before 11pm I'm already back home (again, generous liberties were taken)

It's no "Ghost Camaro", but man was it cool to make a run in something quicker than a 90hp brick  

(I will admit that it needs some stiffer springs if we're going to make this a habit...)

By Monday morning I'm already getting messages from Vikki: "Our stuff has arrived!  I'll pick it up after work!"

In reply to Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) :

I'm making cold cuts tomorrow and this is 100% going on them 

All the contents of those packets are delicious and good taste with meat or sausages 

The chocolate though?  I gave that stuff to Mrs. Hungary and the Hungarlings 

Actually, the chocolate was meant for them - sorry, i forgot to add the inventory list 

In reply to Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) :

We have landers in Dipro

There were several massive attacks (drones and missiles) on the city over the last week. 

Unfortunately, there were hits in residential areas and residential buildings, people were injured and two people died. 

Very often (i'd say almost always) these attacks happen at night - all the people at home and sleeping  

Bill, thank you for all that you do and for your stories - i love that 

I have something to add  a little later 

It was really the fastest delivery and the fastest border crossing!!! EVER!!! 

VikkiDp said:

In reply to Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) :

I'm making cold cuts tomorrow and this is 100% going on them 

All the contents of those packets are delicious and good taste with meat or sausages 

The chocolate though?  I gave that stuff to Mrs. Hungary and the Hungarlings 

Actually, the chocolate was meant for them - sorry, i forgot to add the inventory list 

On the day of the drive, Mrs. Hungary made me lunch meat sandwiches with the stuff on them.  it was DELICIOUS (and spicy)

I figured the chocolates were for the family, but even still they demanded I have a little too.

VikkiDp said:

In reply to Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) :

We have landers in Dipro

There were several massive attacks (drones and missiles) on the city over the last week. 

Unfortunately, there were hits in residential areas and residential buildings, people were injured and two people died. 

Very often (i'd say almost always) these attacks happen at night - all the people at home and sleeping  

I really look forward to the day that this is no longer a thing.  Mrs. Hungary and I are already planning and preparing.  Easter run is happening in late April.

Someone locally is going to try to host a food drive to collect baby food and diapers as well.  We're not stopping until the war does.

VikkiDp said:

Bill, thank you for all that you do and for your stories - i love that 

I have something to add  a little later 

It was really the fastest delivery and the fastest border crossing!!! EVER!!! 

I can't wait to hear your side!

I started editing a small, silly video.  If it turns out ok, I'll upload it to youtube and share with you guys

I didn't want you guys to think I was slackin just because it was a quick drive.  Prep for April's run started the day after I got back

As promised, I went forward with the shock install.  I have the starter on order locally but it won't be in until Friday so I thought this would be a good use of time.

My patience, though, is less than stellar these days and I had no interest in wasting time with rusted hardware:

I got one of the washers in this one's hardware kit a bit mixed up.  Luckily taking it back apart was as easy as 1-2-3, and I got things corrected in short order.

Second verse, as they say, was "same as the first" and pretty soon I had the truck set back on the ground with Bilsteins on all four corners:

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day, but hopefully I can spare an hour to stuff that starter.  If it's not the issue (and I think it is) then I need to know now so I can allot the time to troubleshoot it.

If it IS the starter, then I need to make an appointment to have those steering components changed, and the front end aligned.  I've got some uneven wear on the driver's side tire and I figure I'll do it all at once.

Good times.

(future edit:  Bilsteins = "blue and yellow".  Very fitting, I think )

In reply to Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) :

Damn, I'm late!

Old-school Toyota starters click when the little copper contact ears inside the solenoid wear out. Way back when every little town had their own starter and alternator repair shop, you could buy new contacts from them and be on your way for a few dollars. I'm not sure that is the case anymore. If so, definitely do that - even if you do replace the starter, you can keep the old one on the shelf as a spare, since the quality of new/reman aftermarket stuff is ... less than consistent.

In fact you will probably want to verify that your new starter actually has new solenoid contacts in it. Sometimes the "remanufacturing" process consists of an underpaid worker bench-testing the unit and then slapping a sticker on if it passes, rather than actually breaking it down and replacing all the wear items.

Yes, I am cynical. I have reasons.

DarkMonohue said:

In reply to Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) :

Damn, I'm late!

Old-school Toyota starters click when the little copper contact ears inside the solenoid wear out. Way back when every little town had their own starter and alternator repair shop, you could buy new contacts from them and be on your way for a few dollars. I'm not sure that is the case anymore. If so, definitely do that - even if you do replace the starter, you can keep the old one on the shelf as a spare, since the quality of new/reman aftermarket stuff is ... less than consistent.

In fact you will probably want to verify that your new starter actually has new solenoid contacts in it. Sometimes the "remanufacturing" process consists of an underpaid worker bench-testing the unit and then slapping a sticker on if it passes, rather than actually breaking it down and replacing all the wear items.

Yes, I am cynical. I have reasons.

You and I think a lot alike, sir.

I was unaware of the contact issue, but I had plans to 100% tear this thing apart and see what's the what.  With the above info, I'm betting we can 100% find contacts out there in the world to replace these with.

That being said, I trust new off-brand parts only as far as I can throw them.  My plan was to drop this starter in to get it running (and I have no idea what brand this will be, not being familiar with European/Hungarian brands and all), repair the original starter, and then swap it back in (placing the off-brand part on the shelf for emergency use only).

But this right here?  This is how I end up with a garage full of parts for vehicles I don't even own anymore

Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) said:

This is how I end up with a garage full of parts for vehicles I don't even own anymore

Hey, if you need a pair of carbs for a Volvo 122, I'm your man...

I've never owned a Volvo.

DarkMonohue said:

Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) said:

This is how I end up with a garage full of parts for vehicles I don't even own anymore

Hey, if you need a pair of carbs for a Volvo 122, I'm your man...

I've never owned a Volvo.

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 🤘🏼

Where it all started...

I remember I had been working inside our new house the week or so prior and it was so COLD inside that my fingers were going numb as I was shoveling.  I took my gloves off for what must have been the third time that day, and blew on my hands to warm them back up and I thought "there are people walking across the border with their KIDS in this weather!"

The stories were so crazy, as they came out of Ukraine.  Evacuation corridors were shelled, children were hiding in the subways from aerial bombardment.  15 days from now, a clearly marked theater full of children in Mariupol will be hit with an aviation bomb... 

I don't think any of us really knew what we could possibly do to help, but I think we all knew we had to do something.

Well, here we are guys.  And we've certainly done "something".

Thank you all for making this possible. 

Hi everyone!!!

The main news is Dr.Julia got all the stuff today!!!

But one thing at a time, and i'm just gonna add a little bit from my side to the Bill's story 

It seemed for us both we'd thought of every possible scenario - we're really well prepared 

A few days before the trip, I texted Dr.Julia to clarify - are there any changes to our shipping plans? 

Ummm... she replied - maybe.  Because things change so quickly, there's a chance they'll have to change their locations. And she wasn't sure if she'd stay where the delivery was scheduled or pick it up on time. 

Okay, no problem!!! we quickly discuss a backup plan(plan "Dnipro" - all the stuff goes to Dnipro and then to the East) with Bill and agree to keep in touch with Dr.Julia in case of any changes.

So it was Friday, tomorrow is the run day - the truck is loaded, all the plans and all the instructions are ready. We really had no idea what could have gone wrong - but just in case we crossed our fingers, our toes.... mmm... and our legs  Every border crossing is roulette and always something new you don't expect.

The only thing i was worried at that moment was that the Bilsteins arrived on time, but not on time and Bill didn't install them in the truck.

The delivery day - i got the message from Bill - "i'm at the slovakian border now"

Whhhaaattt!!! Howww? So fast!!! How you did it? (my BIG eyes here ).

What did i get back? the photo of the Mazda, yeah!!! Really? at that moment i have no idea "Why?" and what happened with the truck.

I immediately texted Dr.Julia to ask what plan we were going to move forward with.  Plan "Dnipro" - she answered.

I'm texting Bill, but he's already on the Ukrainian side of the border and he's already don't have data services 

Instead, I get a call from Bill - he has some trouble getting through the border again. I'm already wondering - man, what is it this time?

Ohhh, thanks God!!! this time we got it all clear up very quickly!!! nothing too serious, just fill in new customs paperwork. No big deal 

*Bill, have a question - how did you do that? 

to be continued...

I got the second Bill's call about 30 minutes later. 

In my mind i'm praying and hoping that all went well at the border.

"I'm in Ukraine!!!" - i hear.

Ohhh, awesome!!! so glad to hear that!!! Welcome to Ukraine, Bill!!!

He's already in the post office and ready to ship all the stuff. We coordinate our plans and a little while later, I get an notification in the post's app on my phone  

The packages went to Dnipro!!!

Bill went to his home!!! without adventures(really???)... well... as far as i know 

*Anyway, i'm glad you enjoyed driving the Mazda and all the stuff for Dr.Julia was sent off   double benefit 

Early Monday morning(just note how fast it was!!!) i got a message - the stuff has arrived!!!

Great!!! I can pick it up after my work!!! no problem!!!

Here it is 

In reply to Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) :

"AMERICAN BOOOOOOOOOOYYYYY" he sings when he realizes he's seen me before

It made me laugh a lot!!! (sorry, man) 

No, it's not that song

This one 

this song from the 90's  it was very popular during the collapse of the USSR.

it's about a poor Russian girl trying to find an American boyfriend 

In reply to Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) :

when they were "inspecting" this car, they were more "looking" at it than they were trying to find hidden compartments or anything.  I think they enjoyed it, and it was fun for me as well 

Ha-ha-hhaaa!!! that's really funny - i'd like to see that!!!  

Boys are boys 

VikkiDp said:

In reply to Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) :

"AMERICAN BOOOOOOOOOOYYYYY" he sings when he realizes he's seen me before

It made me laugh a lot!!! (sorry, man) 

No, it's not that song

This one 

this song from the 90's  it was very popular during the collapse of the USSR.

it's about a poor Russian girl trying to find an American boyfriend 

https://www.youtube.com/embed/W7hAo28NCXc?rel=0

 

Oh, I am 100% downloading that and playing it if I see that guy again

I love it!!!

VikkiDp said:

*Bill, have a question - how did you do that? 

 

So, I got really lucky as there are Customs Broker offices in the same building and one of the ladies was walking by with coffee.  The border guard I was talking to pointed to her and gave me my papers and was gesturing like I should hurry up and catch her (which I did).  Once she saw my papers, she could see the error and submitted all new paperwork on my behalf.

Once done, I signed the documents and took them back to the guard

Super helpful lady though.  I didn't have any hryvna to give her (she didn't charge me for the service, but I thought I should buy her coffee or something).

Here she is, everyone:

I think her son may have liked the tires as much as she did 🤣

Cheers everyone!

DarkMonohue said:

In reply to Hungary Bill (Forum Supporter) :

Damn, I'm late!

Old-school Toyota starters click when the little copper contact ears inside the solenoid wear out. Way back when every little town had their own starter and alternator repair shop, you could buy new contacts from them and be on your way for a few dollars. I'm not sure that is the case anymore. If so, definitely do that - even if you do replace the starter, you can keep the old one on the shelf as a spare, since the quality of new/reman aftermarket stuff is ... less than consistent.

In fact you will probably want to verify that your new starter actually has new solenoid contacts in it. Sometimes the "remanufacturing" process consists of an underpaid worker bench-testing the unit and then slapping a sticker on if it passes, rather than actually breaking it down and replacing all the wear items.

Yes, I am cynical. I have reasons.

I have good news, and I have bad news about the starter:

The good news is I was able to inspect those contacts, and they are definitely worn.

The bad news is the new starter didn't fix the issue.  I think I know what the problem is, and am working on implementing a solution though.  Basically I'm wiring in a relay to pipe fresh juice straight from the battery to the starter solenoid.

Fingers crossed this works