23 January 2011
A Mechanical Miracle
25/01/11 14:27
Usually the miracles I share in this newsletter are healings of some sort, but last week I experienced a mechanical miracle. God loves us and even cares about things like our vehicles! This story is rather technical, but those who understand engines will appreciate it.
Last year my son, Evan, and I bought a 1987 Volkswagen turbo diesel Jetta. He will use it for university next fall. It had a rebuilt engine that ran well, but the original injector pump was still on it. I service all my own vehicles, so when the pump began to leak last week I installed a replacement. I hadn't worked on this diesel before, so I followed the manual, however the instructions were not clear. (It’s a long story but I'll spare the details) I started the car with the new pump. It ran OK but I needed to adjust the timing as recommended. I did so and when I restarted it there was a loud banging. I knew what it was right away; the valves had hit a piston! I stopped it quickly, and checked by using a wrench to turn the engine. Sure enough, it fetched up solid, a valve against a piston. This is a disaster. It destroys an engine.
I went to the Internet and found a much clearer description of setting the timing. I had been out by 20 degrees or more! Now one cylinder had zero compression, meaning a bent valve or broken piston! I started again and it ran on three cylinders and smoked like crazy. I felt heartsick and had a few choice words. I've worked on lots of engines and I knew this meant we would be junking the car.
Just then Evan came home from school and I told him what I had done. We have no money for another car. I said " we need a miracle, come and pray with me." We laid hands on the motor and I said "Lord we are your children, and you love us and give us favor, as our heavenly Father. You know we need this car. Please restore it in Jesus name." Then, just as I do in healing ministry when I tell people "do what you couldn't do before", I started it up and ran the engine. It was terrible, steadily missing and pouring out smoke. Then it started sputtering in and out, then ran steadily on all four. Eventually the smoke stopped. When we cranked it again the bad cylinder had compression!
Now the car runs better than it ever did. The whole car is better, even the transmission! It was always difficult to get into second gear, and now that works as smooth as butter! We are amazed and rejoicing every time we drive it. We have no explanation except that God does mechanical miracles!
Blessings
Terry Somerville
Last year my son, Evan, and I bought a 1987 Volkswagen turbo diesel Jetta. He will use it for university next fall. It had a rebuilt engine that ran well, but the original injector pump was still on it. I service all my own vehicles, so when the pump began to leak last week I installed a replacement. I hadn't worked on this diesel before, so I followed the manual, however the instructions were not clear. (It’s a long story but I'll spare the details) I started the car with the new pump. It ran OK but I needed to adjust the timing as recommended. I did so and when I restarted it there was a loud banging. I knew what it was right away; the valves had hit a piston! I stopped it quickly, and checked by using a wrench to turn the engine. Sure enough, it fetched up solid, a valve against a piston. This is a disaster. It destroys an engine.
I went to the Internet and found a much clearer description of setting the timing. I had been out by 20 degrees or more! Now one cylinder had zero compression, meaning a bent valve or broken piston! I started again and it ran on three cylinders and smoked like crazy. I felt heartsick and had a few choice words. I've worked on lots of engines and I knew this meant we would be junking the car.
Just then Evan came home from school and I told him what I had done. We have no money for another car. I said " we need a miracle, come and pray with me." We laid hands on the motor and I said "Lord we are your children, and you love us and give us favor, as our heavenly Father. You know we need this car. Please restore it in Jesus name." Then, just as I do in healing ministry when I tell people "do what you couldn't do before", I started it up and ran the engine. It was terrible, steadily missing and pouring out smoke. Then it started sputtering in and out, then ran steadily on all four. Eventually the smoke stopped. When we cranked it again the bad cylinder had compression!
Now the car runs better than it ever did. The whole car is better, even the transmission! It was always difficult to get into second gear, and now that works as smooth as butter! We are amazed and rejoicing every time we drive it. We have no explanation except that God does mechanical miracles!
Blessings
Terry Somerville