Alone, Again. (& My Van Home Won't Start)

I opened a MAILBOX! :
Nikki Delventhal
3827 S Carson St
505-25 Unit #3149
Carson City, NV 89701

BE MY FRIEND:
TikTok: @nikkidelventhal

GEAR I USE:
(using these direct LINKS also helps support Camper, RV & I! =))

Want to support us further? Send us a tip!
VENMO @nikkidelventhal

[serenawoods]

Thank goodness it happened at your family's house instead of somewhere well out in the forest or Bush country.

[Starrysong]

I'm just glad you had been visiting family, so you had some place warm to stay while waiting for your house to be towed.

[jimw]

So glad you were with family with this happened. Could not imagine being out in the sticks.

[ccat]

I have had a sprinter for 10 yrs . When it gets into the teens keep starter spray close by . You do not need much . Also sunshine helps .

[dannylarsen]

Such incompetence! How can information be misunderstood and conveyed so poorly? I was feeling your frustration and hope things eventually work out. You have a great attitude.

[fiestaadventures]

Here are a couple of tips for next time. You'll only be delayed a few minutes. If it's really cold and it doesn't start right away, STOP cranking immediately. Then pull off the air intake and spray in a small amount of starter fluid that is suitable for diesels. It's not generally recommended to use a lot of starter fluid on a diesel but a small amount should work. Your vehicle will likely start right away. If not, just do it again until it works. In the future, when you plan to camp in very cold weather, put a cold weather additive in your diesel. If you are in a cold area, usually filling stations that sell diesel will have product that is already winterized in their pumps. Not sure your battery was bad and needed to be replaced, it sounded pretty strong at the beginning, but yes always carry a jump box just in case you need to crank more than expected. I hope this helps. That was a LOT of trouble for something that is easily addressed. But then again now you have a video! I too am a diesel Sprinter owner. And keep up the good work, your content is wonderful!

[GroomLake-Gremlin]

Just judging on how well the van was cranking on the first couple of attempts, I seriously doubt the problem is(was?) your battery. Something else is going on, most likely related to the freezing temps.
Good luck Nikki!
Also, don't be discouraged by any negative comments about your Mercedes purchase. I dislike MBZ as a company, etc. (I own a 2011 Sprinter). It helps if you remind yourself that these vehicles hold their value for MUCH longer than the competitors.
"It's an investment"
True, but still annoying when it comes time to pay dealership repair rates to keep it running.
BTW: Need more Camper & Rodney!

[sarahmanning]

I'd stay away from going into anymore below freezing temperature situations unless you've been winterized completely for your rig. Cold weather is a big killer for old or low batteries, I've had it happen to my car several times so I stay on top of keeping an up to date car battery and not to mention the anti-freeze must be properly filled during winter. Thanks for sharing Nikki and glad everything turned out fine for you and your van.

[kathryndamron]

I so admire how you’re creatively working things out in your relationship. I love how you’re not giving up your dreams and neither is he. You young people so get things figured out. Glad you’re safe and sound.

[BT-xmne]

1 good thing is that it happened at your families house. Great i can't wate to see you and Justin back traveling together. I am glad he decided to continue. That sounds like a good even schedule.

[winterrose]

I’m glad you’re safe and you weren’t completely alone with no cell service and able to call for help. As other people have mentioned having additional support that might jump your car or make it so your fuel line doesn’t gel over in the cold temperatures. Glad you’re safe was so concerned❤❤❤

[HollywoodRebel]

Crazy, I know the feeling of being stuck waiting for a tow truck and them not sending the proper stuff and having to wait even longer. I can't believe you guys have been together for 2 years already.

[bm]

Add a splash of antigel right before you fuel so the incoming diesel mixes it. If the fuel filter is in a safe location, put a couple hand warmers inside a diaper wrapped around the filter.

[clauskohler]

Your battery is OK as long the engine cranks, it didn't start because of fuel starvation, but eventually battery died because of the number of attempts to start.

[capt_dunsil]

I love how you were able to stay mostly positive throughout your latest ordeal and the positive support of your family. Like you said, "It's not an adventure without a problem.". Great words to live by!
I wonder if Justin could have handled it as well...

[DevilDogs]

First time viewer. Since you added a fuel additive to your fuel tank, I have to assume you have a diesel engine. With the additive, I doubt your fuel gel up at zero degrees. In addition, there is a smaller heater inside your fuel filter bowl. That said, all diesel engines need heat to start. There are glow plugs in each cylinder to heat up the air for combustion and to start your engine. It might be worth it to check the resistance/ohms across your glow plugs (dealership). Second, I would strongly recommend installing an engine block heater. It's an option, it should be standard equipment with all diesels. It would have solved your "no start" problem in this case on the very first day. When cold, two hours before starting your vehicle, plug in your heater block. Even better, leave it plugged in overnight. It will start like its summer. As diesel engines age, the glow plugs lose their efficiency, thus making a block heater even more important. A future investment item. Good luck and safe travels. Joe

[largemarge]

We were in Central America for SCUBA and surfing.
In our one tiny village, we counted nearly twenty (20) sprinter-type vans down for repairs, some waiting for entire engines from Arizona and Florida.
.
An aside:
None of our caravan chums live and travel in vehicles newer than 1998.

[MissSothePeacefulObserver]

Sorry to see you had to deal with all of that, but glad it worked out. And also glad that you and Justin finally had the conversation that needed to be had. Never let anyone dim your inner light, or try to "change" you.
You love this life, and shouldn't have to give up a part of yourself to keep someone with you. So I'm glad he's starting to enjoy it, and willing to compromise with you too.
I think some of us were just worried about you self sacrificing too much for someone else, especially since women get into that pattern with relationships. We become the "caregivers" at our own emotional and mental expense, way too much. So I'm really glad that you and Justin are more on the same page now.
If you two can make this work, and are truly happy with each other, that's awesome. We always want you to be happy, no matter where life takes you.
Thank you for sharing your life with us. Its been very inspiring.

[andreaewert]

Yikes what an adventure but glad you were at your mom's and not out stuck in the wilderness!!! A good battery jumper/charger invaluable!!! ❤❤❤❤

[mitchell]

It's probably NOT the battery! At first, the engine was cranking over very well. it is probably something related to the cold. And try going somewhere WARM! And staying there! Good luck