#coolant level low

[hometowne-auto-repair-and-tire]

Has the engine temperature light (which resembles a thermostat) appeared on your dashboard? Did you notice a green, pink, red, orange or yellow puddle near your car? Have you been told that your vehicle’s coolant level is low?

If any of these are the case, then you might have a coolant leak. This can occur when parts – such as the radiator, water pump, thermostat or heater hoses – need to be replaced.

The cooling system prevents a car from overheating. So, if it has low coolant, make sure to have it checked out by an automotive expert.

[steves-auto-repair-va]

Getting your car cooling system ready for winter

As the cooler months set in, many are beginning to think about upcoming family gatherings, festivities, and tasks that need to be completed before the end of the year. 

In the midst of the holiday season, car maintenance can be overlooked.

Many changes occur with the drop of temperatures. It’s important to make sure that your vehicle is ready.

[geweke-kia]

DOES YOUR KIA NEED A RADIATOR REPAIR?

RISING ENGINE TEMPERATURE

When the radiator stops controlling the coolant’s temperature, the heat inside your engine will rapidly rise. Your first warning of this will usually be the temperature gauge on your instrument panel shooting up into the red. 

A Kia’s engine should ordinarily run between 195 and 220 degrees. If it rises above 220 degrees, parts inside the engine will rapidly start to break down; you might notice ticking sounds, a loss of engine power, and steam rising from under your hood. A car with an overheating engine can only go for a quarter of a mile before risking catastrophic damage, so never drive for long if you suspect overheating because of a failed radiator. 

LEAKING COOLANT

If the coolant flowing through your radiator and engine leaks, the entire cooling system can no longer function properly, and your engine will rapidly overheat. So if you notice the temperature rising, check below your car for puddles of brightly colored, sweet-smelling fluid. 

You can also check under your hood for signs of a leak. The coolant reservoir will be lower than expected, and you might notice patches of discoloration on various engine parts where the coolant has dripped or spurted and then boiled away. Leaks can sometimes stem from radiator caps or hose connections. 

CORRODING OR RUSTING RADIATOR 

Over time, radiators can start to rust. This is more likely in particularly humid or cold climates, or when your car is left to rest without being used for prolonged periods. When you visually check your radiator, check the caps and fins for signs of corrosion or rust. 

Radiators can also sometimes rust internally if aging coolant loses its rust-prevention qualities. In this case, the coolant inside the transparent reservoir will begin to turn rusty brown in hue. A technician at your local dealership may be able to use special products and processes to destroy external and internal rust. But if the rust is extensive, you might need a new radiator.

HOW YOUR KIA DEALER CAN INSPECT YOUR RADIATOR 

A technician will first check your coolant and flush it if necessary. They’ll then remove the radiator cap and check for excessive debris, and also examine the fins for any external clogging. To test the proper functioning of your radiator, they’ll also run a series of pressure checks on the fan, cap, thermostat, pump, and other essential parts. 

Have your radiator inspected, repaired, or replaced today at Geweke Kia. We’ve been providing the drivers of Yuba-Sutter and Lodi for 25 years with great vehicles and great customer service. 

[platypusundercover]

May i request something for Argenti and boothill. For each of their scenarios, theyre being reckless on behalf of others as usual and get seriously injured. Their eyes closing, believing fully that theyre going to die. Only to open their eyes again to reader gently caring for their wounds and teafully scolding them.

@dragon-anon

Thank you for the request !! Went a bit crazy with Boothill here, it's like twice the size of Argenti's... First time writing reader-insert, I don't know if it fits well with my usual style but I tried my best. I hope this meets what you were looking for ! Please let me know what you think :D

Argenti

The chase for Idrilla brought him every corner of the Galaxy, from the most beautiful of villages to the war-ravaged plains. Beauty was in life, in the seed turning into a flower and in the first cry of a newborn. For as much beauty as there was in life, and equal amount could be found in death. In the leaves falling in autumn to the sweet smile of a loved one ready to depart.

Was he ready to depart? He didn’t think so. Yet it was not his choice anymore. He reassured himself with the fact that he wouldn’t fall to the Omen of Evil. He pressed a few buttons to enter your location before sitting in the command chair of the One and Only.  He could feel the warmth of his blood coating his shirt and vest, sticky under his fingers. Yet he could only think of one thing… How he wished to see your face one last time, to witness beauty once again before dying.

When he reopened his eyes, he met a vaguely familiar ceiling. His head felt like it was filled with fog and nothing made sense around him. As his mind processed all the sensory inputs one by one, a gasp caught his attention. You were sitting beside the bed, his arm in your hands, eyes alert, although they were red and puffy as if you had been crying. He looked at you without saying a word. His emerald eyes roamed your face, your lips, you nose, your eyebrows, then stopping on your eyes.

He sighed with a gentle smile and closed his eyes again. If this was to be death, then he’d accept it. He had seen you one last time, what a blessing.

“Argenti?” You whispered, voice cracking.

He reopened his eyes and moved his head in your direction. You exhaled shakily.

“Thank the Aeons you’re alright.”

You leaned and put your elbows on your knees, his hands still in both or yours. You had just finished treating the minor cuts. You leaned your forehead against the back of his hand.

“I thought you were dead…” Your throat was tight, chest heavy with tears threatening to fall again. Freely now.

Argenti blinked.

“Am I not?”

“Of course you’re not!” You looked up, alarmed. “I found you bleeding all over your ship and I’ve been taking care of you for the past 2 hours!” The tears finally fell down your cheeks. “When I received the ping from your ship as it got close to the station, I was so happy I went out to wait for you at the docks.” You swallowed a new wave of tears. “But you didn’t come out. So, I called for you and you didn’t answer. I forced my way inside and- You- you were-” You sob. “There was blood everywhere. Never do that again. Please.”

The knight took a deep breath, your tears somehow guiding him out of the fog of his senses. The hurt in your voice pierced his heart. He can’t begin to imagine how he’d feel if he had found you in a similar position. He turned his hand to grasp yours.

“I’m so sorry.”

Boothill

Well, fuck. He was sitting in an alley after a chase with some IPC goons, and usually it was to catch his ‘breath’ and celebrate. Now though… his vision was clouded with warning messages. Oil leak, low battery, low coolant level, stuck fans, foreign object in ammo tank. He recognized only a third of them but it was pretty clear, he was not in the best shape. His eyes unfocused and refocused on loop, trying to make sense of his surrounding. He looked down, one of his legs was clearly busted, by some kind of shrapnel round. Bastards.

Another error blasted his vision, this one larger and redder than all the others. The countdown made it obvious what this one meant. He was going to shut down, and in a back alley like this, hiding behind the trash cans, the math was simple. He was going to be tossed by the garbage bots like any other piece of trash and that’ll be the end of his tale. Fucking hell. He didn’t even get close to his goal… What does that make him? What about his promise? What about his family? No one will be there to remember them now… Well, not no one. There was still you. He smiled, content with the thought of you carrying some of the tales of his home and his daughter. Aeons, he missed her so much…

His systems partially came online. He could hear first. The noise of screws and metal and fluid pumping. Then he could smell. The hot soldering iron and motor oil. The he could see. You, running around, grease on your gloves and cheeks, goggles firmly posted on your nose, completely ignoring him. So, he hadn’t been trashed. Not yet. He was held upright hovering off the ground by the port on his back, supplying his body with all the energy it needed. He tried to talk but his voice box must have been removed or disconnected because no sound escaped his mouth but a quip of static. That’s what made you turn around from the soldering iron to face him.

You removed your goggles and the look on your face would have silenced him if he was talking. You were glaring at him, clearly mad, your eyebrows furrowed, eyes swelled. You stayed silent as you went to dig into his torso once again, putting in the fan you just finished fixing. He didn’t try to move and do anything, he knew why you were mad, and didn’t want to aggravate his case.

Once it was snug into place, you retracted and closed Boothill’s chest panels, screwing them back on. The silence was heavy. You ran back to your monitor and he kept staring at you, although it didn’t garner any reaction from you.

You typed a few things and Boothill could see the telltale lines of logs of a full diagnostic running in front of his eyes. He closed them. Then he saw a list of his systems in green, all online. That must include his voice box.

“Hey Doc.” He tried, voice still recalibrating after the shutdown. “Got a bit bruised up there, huh?” He joked.

You refused to look at him as you approached to reattach his missing legs; its hinges, reconnecting the compressed air tubes for the joint, then latching the cable for the captors. Your eyebrows were scrunched together still but not in anger anymore it seemed. You turned back to your monitor, staring at it for a few second as if the recompose yourself and before you could click to start the automated joint test, he talked again.

“Thought I was going to be tossed like garbage, honest. Glad I ended up here instead.”

You pursed your lips and approached again, checking the execution of the synthetic limb as it was responding to commands to bend, flex, and turn. All seemed to be working great. You reattached the metal panels there too to cover the joints and sealed it shut, like you did for the torso a few minutes before.

“Aah c’mon, you gon’ ignore me now?” You stopped in your tracks. “I know the gear’s expensive but I’ll pay you back I sw-“

“I don’t care if it’s expensive!” You blurted out, a mix of anger and sadness in your voice.

Boothill stayed silent and as you returned to the monitor one final time, you hit a key and the mechanical arm holding him afloat lowered, gently putting the cowboy down on the ground. You lowered your head and grasped the edge of the desk with your hands, tears finally spilling over your cheeks.

“I don’t care about how much your spare pieces cost; I don’t care if you scratch the brand new panel I installed 2 weeks ago.” You explained, voice strained, finally looking up at him. “What I care about is not having you almost die on me every month or so. Why are you so reckless?” Your anger wavered. “Why do you have to disregard your own life like that? I am trying my hardest every time to make you stronger, but you always manage to find more trouble.”

You breathed deeply and looked at him in the eyes. His face was painted in remorse.

“Aeons, and then what? What happens if I’m not here to scrape you off the pavement and piece you back together, huh? Then what? That’s it?” You sobbed.

He took long strides over to you and took you in his arms, in a hug. He had always been reckless, that’s true. He couldn’t just stand by when witnessing the shit some officers would let fly. He had to do something, damnit! But he didn’t expect this to affect you so much… His heart dipped.

“I promise, I’ll be better.”

© platypusundercover - 2024 || Request rules

[urlocalmultigroupfan]

fallout (pt 2)

pairing: bang chan x female reader

summary: you work with skz in chernobyl. everything is fine....until it isn't.

tags/warnings: gruesome and horrific material, explosions, gory kind of? sorry if i missed anything.... still putting it together.

a/n: oh my god. nothing to say haha

The fallout was everywhere—unseen, but inescapable. The reactor fire roared on, sending a plume of radioactive smoke spiraling into the night. Emergency personnel swarmed the plant, their uniforms hurriedly wrapped in improvised protection. You stood near the triage station in the east wing, Chan by your side, the weight of the situation pressing heavily on your chest.

“Minho’s out there,” Chan muttered, his voice tight. He scanned the room, as if he could will his friend into view.

You gripped his arm gently. “He’s tough. He’ll come back,” you said, though your words felt hollow.

~

Hours later, Minho staggered in, his gait unsteady. His protective gear, smeared with soot and streaks of what looked like chemical burns, was hastily removed by the medics. You rushed over as he collapsed onto a stretcher, his face pale and glistening with sweat.

“Minho!” Chan knelt beside him, his hand finding his friend’s shoulder.

“Hyung…” Minho’s voice was faint, his lips cracked. “I’m fine. Just... give me a minute.”

You glanced at the medic, whose grave expression betrayed the truth. “How bad?” you asked quietly.

The medic hesitated before answering, keeping his voice low. “He’s been exposed. His suit was compromised. We’re seeing acute symptoms—nausea, dizziness. Likely high-dose radiation exposure.”

Chan’s breath hitched, and you saw the worry flash across his face.

“Minho,” you said, leaning closer. “You need to rest. Let them help you.”

“I had to stay,” he murmured, his words slurring slightly. “The coolant tanks—needed opening.” His eyelids fluttered, and for a moment, you thought he’d pass out.

“You’ve done enough,” Chan said firmly, his voice steady despite the tremor in his hands. “Let them take care of you now.”

~

The hours dragged on. Minho’s condition worsened faster than anyone expected. By morning, his skin had taken on a reddish hue, blotchy and raw in places. You stayed with Chan as much as you could, offering silent support as he refused to leave Minho’s side.

“Why didn’t he call for help?” Chan asked aloud, though it seemed more directed at himself than you. “Why didn’t I stop him?”

“Because he wouldn’t let you,” you replied softly. “You know how he is. He’d never let someone else take the risk.”

Chan exhaled shakily, his eyes fixed on Minho. “And now he’s paying for it.”

You placed a hand on his arm, grounding him. “We’re not giving up on him. Neither should you.”

~

Later that evening, you found yourself in the lab, running samples taken from the site. The radiation levels were far worse than anyone anticipated, and you could feel the weight of the knowledge bearing down on you.

Chan appeared in the doorway, his exhaustion evident in the dark circles under his eyes. “Any progress?”

“Nothing good,” you admitted, sliding a report across the counter. “If this continues...” You hesitated. “Minho might not be the only one.”

Chan walked over, his hand brushing yours as he picked up the report. His silence was heavy, and when he finally looked at you, there was a resolve in his eyes you hadn’t seen before.

“Then we’ll stop it,” he said firmly. “Before it gets worse.”

And as you looked at him, you believed him—even if the odds were stacked impossibly high.

[snowe-zolynn-rogers]

Pairings: None

Word Count: 2,835 Words

Summary: Eclipse's found family finds him.

Warnings: Robot Gore, Injury, Amputation, Cursing, Near Death, PTSD, Panic Attack, Trauma, Surgery, Sibling Bonding, Angst with a serving of Fluff, Bathing Together (platonic, neither have bits down there), SFW Tickling, let me know if I should add anything else.

Found Family

Eclipse groaned pulling himself from the ball pit. What was left of him, at least. His left arm had had the hand ripped off and his right leg was missing from below the knee, his internals were attempting to pour out the deep gashes of claws in his stomach.

His right side upper faceplate had been ripped off along with right eye having been torn from its socket and wires. There was a deep gash down his left leg, leaving the limb half numb. And his chest and back had most of its casing mauled off, leaving his scratched endo and frame exposed and vulnerable.

He’d barely finished crawling his way from the ball pit before he saw a figure standing over him like a sadistic god and the blue he saw told him that this wasn’t the best person to find him this injured.

“So ya fucked up?” Moon asked, crouching before him and Eclipse glared with his remaining eye, this was all Moon’s fucking fault and Eclipse seethed at him.

“I went to kill him and he tried to destroy me!” Eclipse crackled out his half-broken voice box.

“Sad little worm, huh? Welp.” Moon stood up, slapping his thighs as he did so. “That’s a problem taken care of. I’m gonna go out and celebrate. You try to die quietly if you can.” Moon patted his aching head and Eclipse growled to keep him off, attempting to grab Moon’s hand and bite it since it was all he really could do at the moment. But Moon was quicker and got his hand away.

“Hey everyone, I’m buying shots! It’s celebration time!” Moon called through the daycare as he left to the upper level of the daycare as everyone followed him out of the daycare, shutting the lights off as he did so, leaving Eclipse in the darkness with just the ceiling of glowy stars illuminating barely to the top of the play structures.

Eclipse’s engines whirred on high as Eclipse used his remaining hand and the forearm of his left arm to crawl his way away from the ball pit and to the security desk, dragging and pulling down the emergency med kit and haphazardly dumping it on the ground with his right hand so he could get the contents.

His first grab was an ACE bandage, which he tried to put on his stomach with his one hand to some success. It looked sloppy as hell but his insides would stay inside. Eclipse’s processors whirred on max, fans turning slowly because they were half broken so they couldn’t fully cool him down and coolant was leaking out of him, having made a trail from the ball pit to the security desk already.

Eclipse secured the ACE bandage and then began packing gauze into his right knee where it had been ripped off and used another ACE wrap to keep pressure on it so the oil lines wouldn’t be leaking out. He repeated the same process to his left wrist and sighed as he rested one of the instant cold packs onto his processors, relaxing into the feeling of the cold pack helping his half-broken fans to cool him down.

Eclipse saw errors flashing that coolant and oil was low and critical machinery was damaged. Of course it was, he had lost body parts! He growled in annoyance at his creator. They had basically torn him to shreds and Moon didn’t give a single damn about it.

Eclipse hadn’t been able to get a single hit in on them. It had all simply been a blur after they had admitted that they made him and to them attacking him like he was a glorified punching bag. Eclipse hadn’t had a chance to even defend himself and the thought of it, even now, was terrifying.

He shuddered just thinking of the sound and feeling of his wires and endo creaking and cracking when his creator had snapped his right calf off the knee joint and torn it off of him. And the agony of having his left hand ripped off at the joint had been horrifying. The sick crunch the joint had made had made Eclipse throw up. He wasn’t even aware he could throw up, but he had at that sound of his endo crunching and snapping.

Eclipse felt lightheaded, his breaths were coming slower and he knew this was some kind of a panic reaction. Of course he would have a panic reaction. He had succeeded at getting his creator to take out the directives but at what cost? His body nothing more than scrap metal? His mind in shambles and panic? It didn’t feel worth it. Maybe he wasn’t worth a chance.

This train of thought absolutely didn’t help the panic. He was shaking. Why was he shaking? Was the daycare shaking? No, it was him. What was this? Eclipse hadn’t ever felt panic before, not this badly. It felt worse that when he was waiting for Moon and Sun to come kill him. It felt like it was all-consuming and crushing him.

The dark didn’t help either, he hated the dark just like both of his predecessors. He knew there weren’t monsters, there weren’t, but the dark was…scary. It felt like emptiness, like being abandoned again. And it felt cold. He light lights, the stars on the ceiling just weren’t enough light. Especially since solar models didn’t have very much eyesight in the dark. It felt like being stuck into a black box with holes poked in for air but even the air felt like it wasn’t enough.

----------

Blood Moon had finally gone prowling around with Stitchwraith. A joy! Prowling with their acquaintance! It was a ball to finally be out of that bunker place! Blood Moon had begun their prowling in the main entrance and were now going through the daycare, which had its lights off for some reason.

Blood Moon liked the dark, it was a warm place to them, it was comforting, but the sound of staticky sobs coming from the lower daycare wasn’t all that comforting. It was quite annoying actually. They hated crying! Hated it! It was weak!

Blood Moon wanted to snuff out that incessant sobbing and the annoying attendant the crying undoubtedly came from. So they went down to the lower daycare and sniffed around for it. Thankfully, they didn’t have to look for long, finding the sobbing’s source was a curled up and mangled Solar? Was this Solar? No, the dents on the rays and the scratches on the faceplate weren’t present. Could this be…?

----------

Stitchwraith followed Blood Moon to the sound of crying and gave a small gasp seeing the torn down frame of the animatronic they had been slightly amicable with, at least for gaming they had been. But what the hell did Eclipse deserve this for? To be torn to shreds and left to die? He hadn’t even done anything too bad yet, he hadn’t killed anyone at least.

“Eclipse?” Stitchwraith asked, crouching by him but it seemed to go unnoticed. Was Eclipse having a panic attack? “Eclipse, hey.” Stitchwraith knew they’d get hit but they had to shake Eclipse by the shoulder to even get a slight bit of a response.

Once they did shake Eclipse’s shoulder, Eclipse whipped his left arm at them, which was missing it’s hand and was instead bandaged with gauze and an ACE bandage. The hit from Eclipse’s forearm connected with Stitchwraith’s faceplate but didn’t so much as put a scratch on them from how weak Eclipse seemed to be.

Eclipse looked up at them after, eyes wild with panic and pain, breathing going a mile a minute and extremely defensive and scared. Stitchwraith felt Blood Moon tugging on their cloak and waved their hand off to keep Blood Moon behind them. Eclipse was a more pressing matter than answering Blood Moon’s question at the moment.

“Eclipse, it’s Stitchwraith. I need you to breathe slowly for us.” Stitchwraith instructed him. Eclipse’s motors shuddered as he tried to take slow breaths for Stitchwraith. “You’re safe. Can you point to what’s scaring you the most right now?” They asked. Eclipse wordlessly pointed his shaky right pointer finger up at the lights.

“Blood Moon, go turn on the lights.” Stitchwraith instructed the twin hellions, who scampered off to go do just that at his request, the lights turning on row by row until the daycare was illuminated completely, which looked to ease some of Eclipse’s panic.

“Are you able to tell me what happened to you or is it too hard right now?” Stitchwraith asked.

“Creator…mauled me…” Eclipse’s voice was staticky and a weird echoed pitch but he could decipher it still.

“The person who made you mauled you?” Stitchwraith asked to confirm and Eclipse nodded softly. “Why did they do that?” Stitchwraith asked.

“Went to get…directives out…” Eclipse admitted.

“Your creator is a bunch of bull. That’s really all you went to do and he left you like you’re in a scrap heap?” Eclipse nodded and Stitchwraith bristled with annoyance at the audacity of Eclipse’s creator. That was downright cruelty for absolutely no reason. Eclipse didn’t deserve to be mauled over a simple ask like that. The way Eclipse’s simple ask was treated was absolutely bullshit.

“How about this, if you let Blood Moon carry you, I’ll fix you.” Stitchwraith reasoned. Stitchwraith would carry Eclipse back, give Eclipse probably couldn’t walk with a missing leg and fragile machinery desperately trying to escape Eclipse’s frame, but their arms still hurt from Blood Moon using them as a scratching post this morning as if the small bot was a damn cat.

“Okay…” Eclipse agreed and looked to Blood Moon as the red and white faced bot came scampering back down to the lower daycare and sat on the floor, looking over the situation with their head tilted to the side in confusion.

“Blood Moon, you’re going to carry him home. I need to repair him.” Stitchwraith told them.

“Aaaawwwwww, why do we have to carry the Sunman!?” Blood Moon began their usual spiel of complaining about the simplest of tasks. This bot could pick up a full cement truck but complained at picking up an animatronic that probably barely weighed more than them.

“Because our arms still hurt from being used as scratching posts. Now pick him up and be careful. Make sure you keep his stomach level, his internals are trying to be externals.” Stitchwraith sighed. Blood Moon whined a bit more but inevitably picked Eclipse up and thankfully held Eclipse as though he were some princess. It was embarrassing for Eclipse, sure, but it kept Eclipse’s insides inside him.

“Okay, come on, back home.” Stitchwraith told them and began leading Blood Moon back to their bunker and into his lab, instructing Blood Moon to gently place Eclipse on a table so he could work on him. He had most of the parts from misships and scrounging but he knew full well Eclipse would look different than he used to.

“I’m going to turn off your pain sensors but just stay awake and talk to Blood Moon for me while I work on you.” Stitchwraith told Eclipse as he got the necessary parts and tools together to fix him.

“Blood Moon?” Eclipse asked as Stitchwraith turned off the bot’s pain receptors and began to patch up and put on a replacement left hand for Eclipse.

“Yes, unholy creator?” Blood Moon sat like a cat in the chair near Eclipse’s legs.

“I’m not your creator, I never made you. That was…the original me. Before the backup in your head, before I was even a spot on the wall.” Eclipse grumbled.

“So you didn’t make us but you are an Eclipse.” Blood Moon cackled.

“I don’t know what I am.” Eclipse admitted. “I may as well have been made in a fucking petri dish in a lab. I have no clue who I am or what I am, just that I’m here and apparently my name is Eclipse and I’m the asshole everyone hates.” Eclipse huffed as Stitchwraith finished up the hand replacement and moved onto Eclipse’s right calf and foot replacement.

“You are…like us? A copy?” Blood Moon asked.

“An incomplete copy, yes. With directives and pasted memories from other points of view and a creator that rips out my directives and leaves me to the mercy of people who will just let me rot in a hole.” Eclipse was angry but he wasn’t panicking at least.

“We are incomplete as well. Memories from other people and bloodlust enhanced with less free will. Bullshit it is.” Blood Moon grumbled. Huh, odd that the two who hated each other agreed. Eclipse sighed and put his head back down on the table.

Stitchwraith finished replacing his lost calf and foot and moved onto Eclipse’s mauled open midsection and began patching the endo cage that contained Eclipse’s insides that had been ripped open. It was easier here because it was taking out the broken bits of old endo and welding in new pieces of the endo. He was also replacing broken innards as he came across them.

“We’re in the same boat then. I…I could remove it. I think. I have the original’s pasted memories too, I’m sure I could sift through and take out the bloodlust.” Eclipse told him, watching Stitchwraith more than Blood Moon now as Stitchwraith was working of Eclipse’s faceplate, fixing the wires and socket and putting in a new eyeball and replacing the half of the faceplate that had been torn off.

“Take out? You can take that out?” Blood Moon asked.

“I think so. I could try at least.” Eclipse told them, sighing now as the only thing left was his body casing, which was something easy and much less surgical. It was akin to putting on a new outfit to animatronics, especially daycare animatronics, who sometimes had to take off their casing to clean it after days in the daycare.

A calm quiet settled in the lab as Stitchwraith got Eclipse into a purple and white casing, replacing the ribbons on Eclipse’s wrists with new purple ones that weren’t stained with coolant and oil and laid out new pants and a new shirt for Eclipse to get dressed into.

“Alright, go get clean. I have a sanitizing station here, it’ll get you clean. Blood Moon, you need to get cleaned too.” Stitchwraith told him, helping Eclipse stand up and turning back on his pain sensor since there wouldn’t be as much pain to feel. He could fix minor things like Eclipse’s half-broken voice box later. What was important was getting Eclipse to feel better and not take an entire day just to fix him. Plus he didn’t have a new voice box for him just yet.

Eclipse struggled sitting up, his endo aching from what a human would consider bruises. He could feel the stiffness in his new parts and his eye was still adjusting, making him blink that eye more, which was uncomfortable but bearable because he had full sight back again now. He just let Stitchwraith help him to his feet, grateful for the help from his brother? Cousin? Acquaintance, Eclipse was going with acquaintance with the weird family tree he didn’t want to deal with.

Eclipse was passed to Blood Moon so the smaller bot could help him along and Eclipse happily used them as a sentient cane for his new stiff foot and calf that was making him limp a bit  with how little the new ankle could move yet. Blood Moon supported him, which was surprisingly actually helpful.

“But brother goes in the cleaning tube.” Blood Moon and maneuvered the both of them into the tube, helping Eclipse get off his dirty old clothes and Blood Moon threw off his mud covered clothes and stayed with his brother so they’d both get cleaned like Stitchwraith asked.

Blood Moon giggled at the sanitizing mist and roared with laughter at the brushes that came to scrub off the worst grime. Eclipse only needed the sanitizing mist to heat the coolant and oil on him enough to drip off into the drain in the floor. But Eclipse liked seeing his little brother laugh. It was nice to have this moment.

Eclipse never got to have this with…the others. But it felt nice to watch his brother laugh at the brushes going after the ticklish spots on his back. He kind of liked this, it made him feel warmth bloom in his chest that one of his siblings wasn’t scared of him or wishing him death or even leaving him to die.

Once Eclipse was clean, he left the tube while Blood Moon was still giggling up a storm getting scrubbed because he rolled in dirt from what it seemed like. Eclipse pulled on the new clothes and smoothed his hands over them, they were actually comfortable and not itchy like his old clothes. He liked being here. It felt like home.

[probablyasocialecologist]

Building at great height requires a massive amount more material than a typical high-rise. The upper storeys of super- and megatall buildings – which often include hundreds of metres of unoccupiable ‘vanity’ height – are buffeted by ferocious wind loads, with any sway at all introducing enormous destabilising forces into the structure below. They are home to hefty services that raise water, coolant, people and air to great heights, and these heights must be offset by deep underground foundations. ‘If you’ve ever seen any Revit models [of London high-rises, there is pretty much as much concrete in those foundations as there is above ground,’ says Natasha Watson, an engineer at Buro Happold who leads the firm’s efforts to measure and reduce embodied carbon in its projects. Even in areas  with firmer ground than London, Watson explains, the awe-inspiring physics of skyscrapers has a huge material cost.

In an industry that is chronically lacking in transparency around its ecological, social and labour impact, it is difficult to find good data on the carbon footprint of skyscrapers. But the assessments that are available bear out the physics. Watson and her colleagues’ modelling shows that the efficiency of structural material usage, by floor area, drops above just three storeys. According to a 2015 study commissioned by the CTBUH, the whole life emissions of both energy use and materials for a 120m concrete and steel structure are nearly five times higher than those of its 60m equivalent. Who knows what the cost becomes at 600m? 

It is not yet possible to avoid this cost by using less ecologically destructive materials. Although some 100m-tall timber buildings are beginning to appear, they are nowhere near the 600m ‘megatall’ mark. According to Watson, finding a sufficient volume and quality of reused steel and concrete structural components for such a large, high-performance building would also likely be challenging.

Even at city level, the huge carbon cost of skyscrapers fails to outweigh any potential benefits that they might achieve from restraining urban sprawl. A study in npj Urban Sustainability in 2021 showed that the most carbon-efficient way for cities to grow is by developing densely built low-rise environments. The carbon cost of taller buildings is greater than carbon savings from restricted land use. This means that high-density low-rise cities such as Paris are more carbon-efficient than high-density high-rise cities such as New York. 

[hottpinkpenguin]

Reasons, Ch.1 - Cassian Andor series

Female reader insert Summary: You're a droidsmith on Ferrix when a handsome stranger walks in one day with a hopelessly damaged droid. You agree to take on the repairs for the stranger, a decision that will change the direction of your lives forever. Word Count: 1,735 Content Warnings for: canon-divergence

“So… what exactly happened?” you asked, raising a skeptical eyebrow at the customer. He had the look of a hunted man, his dark eyes darting around your repair shop as if he expected the walls to jump out at him.

“I told you already,” he replied briskly, pushing the droid towards you. “He fell in a… hole. Of sorts.” 

You looked down at the oil-soaked pile of scrap that had at one point been a droid. It was completely motionless on the counter between you and the customer, oil seeping out from under its red plates. 

“Uhuh… a hole… of sorts.” You couldn’t imagine what type of hole could cause a massive degradation of the droid’s central coolant system, but then again, as your father always said, money is money, doesn’t matter where it comes from. 

You looked back up at the jumpy customer again. His eyes were so dark you couldn’t see his pupils in them, his hair disheveled and falling in front of his eyes. Roguishly handsome with the paranoid energy of a criminal. Just your type.

“Can you fix him or not?” he demanded. You detected a hint of desperation in his voice as the man inched the droid forward another few inches. “If not, I’ll take him somewhere else.”

You snorted as you turned on your headlamp and bent over, inspecting the droid more closely. A groundmech salvage unit, you noted. 

“You won’t find anyone else who’ll work on a droid in this condition, I guarantee you that,” you replied. You tested one of the exposed wires at the droid’s ocular sensor: no current. Probably meant the whole internal circuitry was fried. 

“This’ll be an expensive fix,” you noted to the customer with the dark eyes as you continued your inspection. He didn’t react, just shot an impatient look over his shoulder at the shop door. 

“And this is a discontinued model.” You switched off your headlamp, standing up to eye level with the customer. “Might take a few weeks. Parts will need to get shipped in from the Outer Rim.”

“That’s fine,” he replied, running a hand over his beard as he surveyed the droid. “I can pay, whatever it costs.” 

You nodded, pursing your lips. “Yeah, everyone says that. I’m talking more credits than most people make in a lifetime, a few thousand at least. Honestly, this droid is better off as scrap.” 

The dark-eyed customer fixed you with a hard stare. You narrowed your eyes in response, your hand flicking towards the blaster you kept strapped to the underside of the counter in front of you. 

“He’s not scrap,” the man uttered, his voice dropping low. “His name is B2. And like I said, I can pay. Doesn’t matter the cost. Just get it done.”

You studied the man the way your father had taught you, soaking in the details you’d overlooked when he first walked in. There was a faint scar at his hairline above his right eyebrow: a blaster shot, and an old one, based on how faded the scar was. He was dressed in unremarkable clothing, practical and weathered. His hands were splayed out on the edge of the counter, steady and relaxed, although you didn’t doubt that if you moved for your weapon he’d outdraw you easily. The nervous energy that had kept him on tenterhooks since he’d strode into the shop was gone; he held your gaze with a cold and calm detachment. 

After a few moments, you nodded your agreement, lifting the droid and placing it on the workbench behind you. 

“Check back in two weeks,” you told him as you opened the ledger you used to keep track of your customers. “Name?”

The dark-eyed man hesitated before he replied. “Andor. Cassian Andor.” 

You nodded, jotting his name and the droid’s model and serial number on the ledger. 

“Alright Cassian. Two weeks. I’ll be able to give you a better estimate once I can take this guy apart and look at what’s going on.”

Cassian held your gaze for a moment before he turned and left. Your eyes followed him out, noting the way he looked both ways down the street before darting out of the shop. The door clanged closed behind him, leaving you and the silent droid alone in the dim light of your shop.

----------

Two weeks to the day later, and the bell for the shop door rang, interrupting your concentration. You looked up to see a familiar pair of dark eyes. 

“How’s my droid?” Cassian asked you. His voice sounded thin and watery, and you noticed dark purple circles under his eyes.

“Better than you, it looks like.” 

Cassian chuckled, but the smile didn’t reach his eyes and slid off his face as quickly as it arrived. 

You motioned for Cassian to walk around the corner of the counter and follow you to the backroom. He did so, his movements smooth and cat-like. You turned on the bank of lights that illuminated the large, cluttered workroom. Your re-programmed pilot droid turned shop assistant X8 chirped at you by way of greeting. 

You led Cassian to a table towards the center of the room, where B2 was tipped on his side with his red body plating removed. 

“I thought you fixed droids, not stripped them,” Cassian observed. Even through the exhaustion, you could hear his attempt at humor. You laughed a bit louder than the weak joke warranted. Cassian smiled in response, a bit warmer this time, and for half a moment he didn’t look so haggard.

“Your droid had a tear in the main coolant coil,” you told him, pointing to a piece of corkscrew-shaped machinery protruding from B2’s central console. “Soaked pretty much everything, so it needs entirely new circuitry. It overheated without coolant and melted through the lubricant tubing. Hence the oil. None of that is too expensive and I’ve got plenty of spare parts. The labor time is what’ll cost you on that end.” Cassian’s expression was serious as he followed your explanation with interest. “But this is a problem.” You held up a flat, dinner-plate sized chip, its surface riddled with metallic wires running through it like veins. The chip was stained dark from the lubricant oil that had coated it, and one edge of the chip was warped from where it had melted. 

“The binary processor,” he commented, his eyebrows knitting together.

You nodded. “You know droids?” Not many people would recognize a binary processor, especially not a half-ruined one. Buried deep in most droids’ mainframe architecture, detaching a binary processor was something only skilled technicians were able to do. 

“Not enough to fix this guy,” Cassian replied, looking down at the disassembled B2. Worry and sadness flickered across his face.

“How much?” he asked after a moment. “How much will it cost?”

“Cassian, these things are worth more than Kaiburr out here.” You handed the ruined binary processing chip to him. He took it gingerly, turning it over and inspecting it carefully. “Take my advice. Scrap it.”

Dark anger flickered in his eyes as he looked up at you.

“I’m not paying you for your advice,” he hissed. “I’m paying you to fix my droid.”

“You’re paying me for my expertise,” you corrected sharply. “And I know droids. This one’s a lost cause. You’ll pay eight times its worth just for that one processing chip.”

Cassian slammed his hands down on the workbench, rattling B2’s disassembled parts and making you jump. X8 squeaked in shock behind you.

“You don’t know what this droid is worth.” Cassian advanced on you, an accusatory finger pointed at your chest. You cursed yourself for leaving the blaster at the front, backing away from him until your backside bumped against the wall. “Name your price and I’ll pay, or I’ll find someone else who will be happy to take my credits!” Cassian was so close you could see flecks of hazel in his irises and feel his breath fan over your face. 

You hesitated, watching as the anger began to dim in his eyes. After a moment, he backed away from you, his hands up in a conciliatory gesture.

“I’m sorry,” he stammered as his gaze dropped to the ground. “I’m… uh-”

“Exhausted,” you volunteered. He nodded heavily, running a hand over his face as if he were trying to wipe away the fatigue. 

“I just… I need him fixed. Please. If you’re able.”

You bit your lip as you considered his request. You’d be able to fix the droid, although you’d be lying if you said you didn’t resent the time and energy it would cost you. Certainly not worth the unremarkable model. 

“Why’s this droid so important to you?” you asked softly. 

Cassian’s expression glazed over like ice as he looked at the heap of parts he was so passionate about resurrecting. “He’s family,” he offered after a few moments of quiet.

You’d met plenty of customers who were dependent on their droids, but it was unusual in Ferrix to find someone soft enough to actually be attached to one. Life on Ferrix was hard, and it didn’t leave a lot of room for sentimentalism. Apparently, Cassian Andor was the exception to that rule. 

You sighed, already knowing that your mind was made up. 

“I’ll fix it,” you said. “I think it’s crazy, and I don’t want to know where you get the credits. I can’t afford to keep this droid at the top of my list, it’ll set me back too far on the other customers. If you can give me a few months and pay me in installments, I’ll do it.” 

Cassian gave you an almost-smile, his shoulders relaxing down from his ears. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me, just pay me.” 

He nodded gratefully. “When do you want the first payment?” 

You did a few calculations in your head, quickly running through the anticipated costs as well as your unusually long customer list. 

“Two months.” 

Cassian swallowed his disappointment: he’d clearly been hoping for a faster turnaround. 

“I’ll be here,” he replied, somewhat deflated. He turned to leave. 

“One month,” you called out after him, a small and insistent voice in your head screaming that two months is too long. 

He paused, halfway turning back towards you with the first real smile you’d seen since you’d met. “One month,” he agreed.

This time when he left, he shut the door softly behind him.

*read chapter 2 hereIf you'd like to be tagged in future chapters, please let me know

[askroahmmythril]

RMN Entry Poses

So someone recently asked what I'd have as the entry poses for my various Robot Masters. Had to think about it for a bit, but here's what came to mind :

SERIES 1

Vegas - The room goes dark, a spotlight then illuminating Vegas Man. He pumps his arm, his slot wheels spinning. As they come to a stop, he grips the brim of his hat in readiness.

Bow - An arrow is fired from the forest canopy above, landing directly at Mega Man's feet as a warning shot. Bow Man then drops down, knocking another arrow and testing the tension of his bow by pulling the string back a couple of times.

Glass - Slowly drifts down in a column of light, landing in his ready spot. His head tilts upwards, arms spread, as though beseaching the heavens as light glitters across the glass parts of his armor.

Met - A crate falls into the room, breaking open and revealing what at first looks like a normal Met helmet. It pops open, looking normal enough, but then the arms and body emerge, revealing it to be Met Man. Once fully standing, he spins his pickaxe, resting it over his shoulder, his other fist pumping in readiness.

Devil - Devil Man swings dynamically into the room from his Devil Chain, landing in his ready position. He does the rock 'n roll sign with his hands, giving a couple of headbangs with an energized grin.

Origami - Emerges from behind one of those ninja-style camouflage mats he was using to hide against the wall. He quickly folds the mat into a crane that hovers in his hand. A note that goes beyond the whole "entry pose" thing, Origami Man believes in getting in the first attack : that crane immediately flies your way as the battle begins.

Fruit - A large spherical watermelon is seen where the robot master would usually be. It shakes a couple of times before splitting open, Fruit Man jumping out of it. He gives a big cheerful smile and a victory sign, very "cheerful mascot."

Disco - Is initially seen at DJ turntables in the background of his room, but then jumps from his booth to his starting position, doing a stylish spin and ending in the classic disco point pose.

SERIES 2

Quartz - The entire screen goes sepia tone, the music slowing down. A bubble of normal coloration appears in the "ready" spot, Quartz Man flashing into place, the bubble spreading out until the room is normal again and the music is back to normal speed. He tilts his head in a sort of "I'm better than you" snobby way, one finger out giving a "tsk tsk" wag.

Oracle - Is seen at an altar in the background, trying to divine the future. Without looking back, she levitates over to the ready position. She remains slighly levitating, the tip of one boot barely floating above the level of the ground, hands held out to her sides, Psychic Force flames floating above both hands, her eyes closed as a shimmer goes across her tiara.

Coolant - Lowers into the center of the room in a harness, hoses hooked up to his back ports, filling him with his chemicals. He detaches from them, leaping to his starting position. As he turns his cap backwards, his inner mixing blades spin to stir his coolant chemicals together.

Soap - Dashes in directly over Mega Man's head, skating into position with the soap generated by his feet. Once in place, he opens the washing machine panel on his chest, tossing in a detergent pod, slamming it closed and giving a grin and a thumbs up as the washing machine spins up, filling with soapy water.

Abyss - The room goes fully dark. After a moment, a few eerily glowing lights appear in the "ready" spot, Abyss Man's purple highlights, and his eyes, showing up as yellow with no pupils. The room lights return to normal, Abyss Man in place. He stares toward Mega Man, holding out his mirror, but then his head and eyes tilt more to where he's staring menacingly toward the actual player, staring forward out of the screen, his shoulders shaking slightly as though he were doing a menacing, low laugh.

Arc - Wildly streaks into the room, jumping from wall to wall before bounding into his ready position, leaving crackles of electricity as he goes. Upon landing, he leans backwards, arms spread, mouth open in a shout, basically a "gathering power" type pose, arcs of electricity flowing around him.

Gear - An elevated gear platform lowers, Gear Man riding it down as it spins its way back down into its dormant position in the floor. He plants his cane on the ground, mustache giving a twitch as his back gears give a quick spin and flurry of sparks.

Fae - Makes a couple of sweeping flights across the room, leaving trails of pink pixie dust as she goes. She lands in the ready position, holding out a storybook in one hand, the pages rapidly turning. Once they stop, she taps the book with her wand, making it vanish, giving a coquettish giggle.

[rengineer]

How many iterations of the sentry did you have to make to perfect them?

" Well, perfectin' the sentry wasn't somethin' that happened overnight, " Engineer began, his tone taking on a thoughtful drawl. " There were plenty o' iterations to get it where it is now — every level, every function, built on the last through a good deal of trial and error. "

" Y'see, these sentries go way back to my granddaddy, Radigan Conagher. He laid the groundwork for the design — brilliant man. But what I'm workin' with now? That's been rebuilt, improved, and tuned to fit the fightin' we do today. My pa, though, decided not to stick to those designs. Don't ask me why; fella was always been eccentric. He'd painted a face on his sentries — for fun, I s'pose. "

" The Level 1 model was all about simplicity — semi-automatic firin', single-barrel system. Had to fine-tune the motion tracker so it wouldn't waste ammo on tumbleweeds or shadows. That took some work. Early prototypes? They'd lock onto anything that moved, includin' teammates. Let's just say I went through a few repairs on account o' friendly fire. Level 1 sentry, it's designed to deploy fast — give dem enemies something to chew on and hold the line. Simple, sturdy, and gets the job done. "

" Them retractable rear legs? Key to keepin' it stable. Gunpowder explosions from each round generate recoil — a force that'd send it tumblin' like a drunk Demo if it weren't for those legs absorbin' the momentum. That's what we engineers call inelastic collision mitigation. But when you upgrade to Level 2 or 3, that recoil ramps up, so the legs extend further, givin' it a wider base to keep it steady under heavier firepower. "

" Now, compared to my pa's sentries, there's a heap o' differences. Them old models, well, they were somethin' special for their time, but they didn't have the modular design or upgrade paths we've got now. Back then, the sentry had a more basic motion-tracking system — heck, I even took one apart once, just to see what made it tick. Lemme tell ya, it could shoot on its own if somethin' wandered into its line of sight — thanks to them sensors or tracking systems. But the rotation? That had to be done manually. Ain't like what I've got here. This thing? It covers a lot more ground, shoots anything that steps into its perimeter — automatic, no need for no manual control. Took me a few months to get it right, but that there was one o' the biggest upgrades from them old designs. "

" Level 2 was where things got real tricky, " he continued. " Dual rotational minigun barrels and a cyclical ammo feed system — that required a whole new way of connectin' the main power supply to the ammo housing. The first few models didn't last long under pressure. Overheatin' was one of the main issue — those dual barrels'd warp or jam without proper ventilation, so I added a coolant system to circulate fluid through the barrels and keep 'em from burnin' out. "

" Level 3? That's when rockets came into the picture — target-guided, too. Addin' that rocket arm meant reworkin' the rear housin’ to handle the extra weight and firepower. But the hardest part? Power balance. Had to make sure them rockets could fire while keepin' the barrels operatin' without a hitch. Blew up more than one o' these tryin' to get it right. "

" These sentries were top-heavy, so I had to make a few adjustments during the iteration process — see why my pa didn't stick with them designs. I had to use heavier steel for them legs, get that center of gravity as low as I could — while makin' sure it don't add too much weight to the buildin'. Ain't easy carryin' this whole contraption across the battlefield, y'know? "

" But every iteration brought me closer to what you see now. Ain’t perfect — still gotta keep a close eye on it to fend off sappers and keep it in good repair — but I reckon it's the most reliable thing on the battlefield. "

With a grin, he added, " So, if I had to put a number to it? I'd say at least a couple iterations. But perfection’s an ongoing process, y'know? Always somethin' to improve. "

[orangerosebush]

Prime example of screenshots of articles being less-than-ideal means of understanding news. "Every single one [sic] needs to adapt to this immediately".

Yet in the first paragraph of the screenshotted article, it is explicitly stated that "the [PBR] design [incorporated in the HTR-PM plant] can’t be adapted to existing nuclear reactors around the world, but could be a blueprint for future ones".

PBRs, or pebble-bed reactors (PBR), are a relatively "new" reactor design in which a large number of low-energy-density “pebbles” are used as fuel; these "pebbles" contain a small amount of uranium surrounded by graphite, which can slow the nuclear reaction and withstand high temperatures in crises. According to the article, necessarily, "old" reactors cannot adapt to PBR design, and research is still being conducted into optimizing PBR design (such as the referenced work of Zhe Dong and other researchers at Tsinghua University)

Below is the text of the article, as well as a link to an unpaywelled version of the article. Additionally, I have attached a citation of the paper by Zhang et al. 2024 ("Loss-of-cooling tests to verify inherent safety feature in the world’s first HTR-PM nuclear power plant") wherein the pebble-bed reactor (PBR) design and a loss-of-cooling test are explored in more detail.

(Also, "they intentionally turned off the cooling and the reactor cooled itself down, no problem"...

1) Vastly oversimplifies the tests

and 2) Doesn't do justice to the effort undertaken by Zhe Dong and other researchers on this project.

Conversely, here is how the cooling tests are described in Zhang et al. 2024.

"To confirm the presence of inherent safe reactors on a commercial scale, two natural cooling tests were performed on the #1 reactor module on August 13, 2023 and the #2 reactor module on September 1, 2023. During the entirety of the tests, the reactor modules were naturally cooled down without emergency core cooling systems or any cooling system driven by power. Although the feasibility of realizing inherent safety has been shown by the safety tests carried out on the test reactors of 45-MWt AVR17 and the 10-MWt HTR-10.18 The inherent safety at a commercial scale, such as the 200-MWt reactor power level, has not been verified before because the major bottleneck of decay-heat removal is managing the power level."

Paper citation:

Zhang, Z., Dong, Y., Li, F., Huang, X., Zheng, Y., Dong, Z., Zhang, H., Chen, Z., Li, X., 2024. Loss-of-cooling tests to verify inherent safety feature in the world’s first HTR-PM nuclear power plant. Joule. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2024.06.014

News article text:

"A large-scale nuclear power station in China is the first in the world to be completely impervious to dangerous meltdowns, even during a full loss of external power. The design can’t be adapted to existing nuclear reactors around the world, but could be a blueprint for future ones.

All modern nuclear power plants rely on powered cooling mechanisms to take excess heat away from reactors or, in the event of an emergency, human intervention to shut the plant down. Water or liquid carbon dioxide are often used as coolants, but these typically rely on external power supplies to function.

If these systems fail, then the reactors can become too hot and lead to explosions or overheating, causing the plant to literally melt from the excess heat. This was one factor in the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan in 2011, where a loss of both standard and emergency power systems led to a meltdown.

A relatively new kind of reactor design, called a pebble-bed reactor (PBR), has the advantage of being passively safe, which means that if power for cooling systems is lost, then the reactor can safely shut down by itself. Rather than use highly energy-dense fuel rods like many other reactor designs, PBRs use a large number of low-energy-density “pebbles” as fuel, which contain a small amount of uranium surrounded by graphite. This can help slow the nuclear reaction and withstand high temperatures.

This lower energy density means any excess heat will be spread out over all of the pebbles, and so will be easier to transport away using natural cooling processes like conduction and convection, says Zhe Dong at Tsinghua University in China.

While small working prototype reactors have been built in Germany and China, no full-scale PBRs have been shown to work and be passively safe – until now. Dong and his colleagues have demonstrated that the system works with a full-scale nuclear plant, the High-Temperature Gas-Cooled Reactor Pebble-Bed Module (HTR-PM) in Shandong.

“Up to now, every commercial reactor except HTR-PM has had an emergency core cooling system,” says Dong. “However, due to the inherent safety, there is no emergency core cooling system in the HTR-PM plant.”

To test this, which became commercially operational in December 2023, Dong and his team switched off both modules of HTR-PM as they were operating at full power, then measured and tracked how the temperature of different parts of the plant went down afterwards. They found that HTR-PM naturally cooled and reached a stable temperature within 35 hours after the power was removed.

It is rare to be able to test a working power plant fully by removing its cooling power supply, says Mamdouh El-Shanawany, formerly at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Because the emergency cooling system doesn’t depend on any complicated technology, it is very safe, he says.

Other countries might want to look into adapting this technology for their own future reactors, but we will first need more extensive measurements about the plant as it cools down, such as pressure and higher-resolution readings, says El-Shanawany."

[dellsservicecenter]

From Engine to Electronics: Proper Diagnostic Techniques for Resolving Maserati Problems

Maserati, the epitome of Italian luxury and performance, is renowned for its stylish design and high-performance capabilities. However, like any high-end vehicle, Maserati can encounter a range of issues, from engine troubles to electronic malfunctions. Proper diagnostics is crucial in maintaining the health and performance of these sophisticated machines. This article will guide you through the common problems Maserati face and the proper diagnostic techniques to resolve them.

Common Maserati Problems

1. Engine Issues

Maserati engines are marvels of engineering, but they can develop problems over time. Common engine issues include:

    Misfires and Rough Idling: This can be caused by faulty spark plugs, ignition coils, or fuel injectors.

    Overheating: Often due to a malfunctioning cooling system, such as a failed water pump or a clogged radiator.

    Oil Leaks: These can originate from various seals and gaskets, leading to low oil levels and potential engine damage.

2. Transmission Problems

Maserati transmissions are designed for performance but can experience:

    Slipping Gears: This could indicate worn-out clutch plates or issues with the transmission fluid.

    Delayed Shifts: Often due to problems with the transmission control module or low fluid levels.

3. Electrical and Electronic Failures

Modern Maseratis are equipped with advanced electronics that can sometimes fail, including:

    Dashboard Warning Lights: These can indicate issues ranging from simple sensor failures to serious engine problems.

    Infotainment System Glitches: Problems with the touch screen, navigation, or audio system are not uncommon.

Diagnostic Techniques

1. OBD-II Scanner

The On-Board Diagnostics II (OBD-II) scanner is an essential tool for diagnosing Maserati problems. It can read error codes from the car's computer, providing insight into various issues.

    How to Use: Connect the OBD-II scanner to the port located under the dashboard. Turn on the ignition and follow the scanner’s instructions to retrieve the error codes.

    Interpreting Codes: Each code corresponds to a specific problem. For example, P0300 indicates a random/multiple cylinder misfire, while P0128 points to a coolant thermostat issue.

2. Visual Inspection

A thorough visual inspection can reveal obvious issues such as leaks, damaged components, or worn-out parts.

    Engine Bay: Check for oil leaks, loose connections, and the condition of belts and hoses.

    Undercarriage: Inspect for fluid leaks and damage to the exhaust system.

    Electrical Connections: Look for corroded or loose battery terminals and wiring issues.

3. Multimeter Testing

A multimeter is useful for diagnosing electrical issues in a Maserati.

    Battery Voltage: Measure the voltage across the battery terminals. A healthy battery should read around 12.6 volts when the car is off and around 14 volts when running.

    Sensor Checks: Test various sensors, such as the oxygen sensor or mass airflow sensor, to ensure they are functioning correctly.

4. Compression Test

A compression test helps diagnose internal engine problems such as worn piston rings or valves.

    Procedure: Remove the spark plugs and insert a compression gauge into each cylinder. Crank the engine and note the pressure readings. Low or uneven readings indicate internal engine issues.

5. Professional Diagnostic Tools

Maserati dealerships and specialized repair shops use advanced diagnostic tools that can access proprietary systems and provide more detailed information.

    SD2/SD3 Diagnostic Systems: These are specialized tools used by Maserati technicians to diagnose and program vehicle systems accurately.

    Diagnostic Software: Tools like Xentry or PIWIS can interface with Maserati's electronic systems for comprehensive diagnostics.

Addressing Common Issues

1. Engine Repairs

    Misfires and Rough Idling: Replace faulty spark plugs, ignition coils, or fuel injectors. Regular maintenance and using high-quality fuel can prevent these issues.

    Overheating: Ensure the cooling system is functioning correctly by checking the water pump, radiator, and thermostat. Flushing the coolant system periodically is also recommended.

    Oil Leaks: Identify the source of the leak and replace the necessary seals or gaskets. Regularly check oil levels and change the oil according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

2. Transmission Solutions

    Slipping Gears: Inspect and replace worn clutch plates and ensure the transmission fluid is at the correct level. Consider a fluid change if necessary.

    Delayed Shifts: Diagnose and repair issues with the transmission control module or solenoids. Regular transmission servicing can prevent many of these problems.

3. Electrical Fixes

    Dashboard Warning Lights: Use an OBD-II scanner to identify and address the underlying issue. Reset the warning lights after repairs are completed.

    Infotainment System Glitches: Perform software updates and check for any loose connections or faulty components. In some cases, a complete system reset may be required.

Conclusion

Proper diagnostics are essential for maintaining the performance and reliability of your Maserati. By using the right tools and techniques, you can identify and resolve issues promptly, ensuring your luxury car continues to deliver the driving experience it was designed for. Regular maintenance and timely repairs are key to keeping your Maserati in top condition, from the engine to the sophisticated electronics.

[iamrupalihere]

Mechanic Guru Asks: Car Mythbusters - Fact or Fiction?

The internet is a treasure trove of information, but it can also be a breeding ground for myths and misinformation. When it comes to car care, separating fact from fiction is crucial to keeping your vehicle running smoothly and avoiding costly repairs.

Here at Mechanic Guru, we're busting some common car care myths to empower you with the knowledge to make informed decisions for your car.

Myth 1: You only need to change your oil every 5,000 miles.

Fact: Oil change intervals vary depending on factors like your driving habits, oil type, and car model. Consult your owner's manual for the recommended service schedule. Modern synthetic oils often allow for longer intervals (sometimes up to 10,000 miles), but severe driving conditions like frequent stop-and-go traffic might necessitate more frequent changes.

Myth 2: Using higher octane gas gives your car more power.

Fact: Octane rating measures a fuel's resistance to knock (premature detonation). Unless your car's engine is specifically designed for high-octane fuel, using it won't provide any performance benefits. In fact, it can even be a waste of money, as your engine won't be able to take full advantage of the higher octane. Always stick to the octane rating recommended by your car manufacturer.

Myth 3: Topping off fluids is always a good thing.

Fact: Overfilling fluids like oil or coolant can be just as detrimental as running low. Overfilled crankcases can put stress on engine seals, while overflowing coolant reservoirs can lead to leaks and overheating issues. Always refer to your owner's manual for proper fluid levels and filling procedures.

Myth 4: Revving your engine before driving warms it up faster.

Fact: Modern engines with fuel injection don't require aggressive revving to warm up. In fact, it can put unnecessary stress on the engine. The best approach is to simply start your car and allow it to idle for a minute or two before driving gently until the engine reaches operating temperature.

Myth 5: You can skip tire rotations if your car has all-wheel drive (AWD).

Fact: Even in AWD vehicles, tires wear unevenly due to factors like cornering and individual suspension components. Regular tire rotations (every 5,000-7,000 miles) are essential to maximize tire life and maintain proper handling for all-wheel drive vehicles as well.

Stay Informed, Stay Empowered

By debunking these common car care myths, you're equipped to make informed decisions for your vehicle. Remember, Mechanic Guru is always here to be your trusted source for car care knowledge. If you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to leave a comment below or visit our website for more resources!

[spaced0lphin]

All These Moments Will Be Lost in Time

“I don’t understand… why aren’t you attacking me?” asked the small Jedi, huddled in the cave. It was very small; only half the size specified by the neural net identifiers. Still, it wore the specified robes, and had a Jedi weapon on its belt. Its nose made a strange sound and the small Jedi reached up, wiping at it. It must be leaking coolant.

BXD-731 hesitated, computing the question. The squadron’s typically ever-present tactical stream was still offline. Nothing but the driving rain and booming thunder filled his auditory processors. This was making it difficult to converse. Sensors indicated that continued exposure to these elements may cause extensive chassis damage. BXD-731 approached the lip of the cave.

“Uh, well… the war is over, Jedi,” replied BXD-731. “Uh, I don’t know who won.”

“Rewire and Longshot just… they just…” It said, hiding its face in its hands. BXD-731 logged the distress indicator and waited for follow-up information. After a probable response window had elapsed, the droid asked, “Uh, this rain may damage my circuits. Can I come in?”

Thunder crashed overhead. The small Jedi’s second probable response period timed out. “Okay, I’m going to come in there.”

The cave was adequate shelter, with low moisture levels and a slightly higher temperature. BXD-731 stooped down and stepped through the torrential run-off serving to disguise the place from view. It was a good hiding place from the weather.

Searing light overwhelmed his photoreceptors. 

“Get rid of that,” said the Jedi, its voice shaking.

BXD-731 jerked his head back, away from the humming weapon. “Ah! I can’t see!” Proximity alarms blared at the front of his priority processing queue. “Get rid of what?”

“The blaster!” 

BXD-731 lifted his arms, the blaster clattering to the ground. The humming faded, along with the light. 

“Good. Don’t try anything.”

“I don’t want to fight you, Jedi,” reiterated the droid, folding his limbs together and inward. “Uh, I don’t think I ever wanted to fight.”

The small Jedi’s face returned to its hands. Now that he was up close, BXD-731 identified the Jedi as a subadult human female. Subadults, he knew, were very valuable to most organic societies. They were usually accompanied by adults for protection. He tilted his head – a habit formed in the time since his last macro memory wipe – to elicit more information.

The Jedi – she – was leaking coolant again, and her whole body was shaking. Organic behaviour identification protocols suggested she might need assistance. His last order received was to cease hostilities. So, until he received orders directing otherwise, BXD-731 determined that his priorities should default to that of civilian management.

“You should repair that,” he said, gesturing to her eyes. “Coolant loss leads to system failure. Where is your nearest maintenance facility?”

“This is it,” she mumbled.

BXD-731 tilted his head the other way. Organics had many needs, and this cave only fulfilled two at best. “Your deployment had several troop transports.” He nodded, a gesture useful for emphasis. “You should return there! They will help you.”

“I… can ‘t.” she tucked her knees up to her chin.

BXD-731 noted the similarity to his own stasis posture. “Are you having problems with your power supply, too?” he asked.

She studied his faceplate with an expression he couldn’t classify. “They’ll kill me.”

“Your own troops will kill you?”

“They shot my Master,” she explained, hugging her knees tight. “I got away.”

“Oh.” BXD-731 tried several ways to parse this intel, but none of it matched known Republic military stratagems. Then again, it didn’t match Separatist military stratagems for commanders to destroy droids for just answering questions, either; and that happened all the time.

“Why are you alone?” she asked.

“I was separated from my squadron. Uh, when the ceasefire was ordered, I tried to return, but interference from the storm blocked all my communications. They should be working now, but they’re not.”

“I saw piles of droids back that way,” she said, gesturing off into the distance with her chin. BXD-731 turned his head in the direction indicated, but there was only a rock. She must have meant a long way away. “Piles?”

“You’re the only one I’ve seen walking around.”

“Oh...” HIs head hung forward on its central axis. Wherever possible, BXD-731 always avoided looking at the damaged and dislocated chassis parts of other B-1 droids. When presented with it, the stimulus was hard to ignore, however. It drew his attention, and it was common.

“I guess we’re all alone,” he said. “SRN-260 and I were going to socialise. Um, well, I guess I’m free now.”

“Something’s different. Something really bad happened,” she said. “Longshot was my friend,” she added.

“Well, uh, the war is over. That’s different. Maybe your Clones malfunctioned?” BXD-731 wondered. But, something was different. He observed the rate of rain had increased, but there was another layer to the sound. He devoted extra power to sensors. Four distinct sets of footprints were moving through the trees. “Uh… don’t answer right now,” he said, lowering his vocal module output to just above minimum. “Um… can I pick up my blaster?”

“Yes,” she said. "I hear them."

[cliffandthekid-archive]

☮☮ (If Starscream must suffer for 3 days then so will Cliff >:3 enjoy)

Y'know, after getting over the initial panic, he might go so far as to say this isn't so bad.

Might.

Getting to give a stunned Sierra the same sort of all-encompassing hug he prefers to use on Arcee? Fantastic. Amazing. Definitely the best part of this odd situation so far.

Becoming light-headed in the Nevada heat and almost falling over after standing up because he didn't realize his coolant/water levels were low? Not so much...

[theonyxranger]

if youre comfortable/have the time, what would you say r the top three things for a car owner to know about their car?

Okay, I thought about this for a bit because that's not as easy a thing to answer as you might expect, even if everything I'm about to say seems fairly obvious.

1. Learn how to check your fluids.

All non-electric vehicles have a variety of fluids that are used in different ways. If you have access to your owner's manual, you can use that to easily find and check your fluid levels. If not, a quick google search of your year/make/model will give you those answers as they're all vehicle specific. The most important ones are going to be oil, coolant, and brake fluid.

Checking your oil is usually very simple. If you've driven the vehicle within the last ten minutes or so, simply locate the oil dipstick in your engine bay with your engine OFF (usually a bright color, often labeled OIL) and pull it out. Wipe off the excess oil, stick it back it all the way, pull it back out and see where on the dipstick the oil stops. As long as the level is between the minimum and maximum marks on the dipstick, often marked with cross hatching, you do not* need to add any oil. If it looks dark or smells burnt, you may be due for an oil change.

*we'll come back to this.

Brake fluid and coolant are often in clear reservoirs visible in the engine bay. Both typically have MAX and MIN markers on the reservoir and, like your oil, so long as the level is between those two marks you do not need to add any fluid.

However! (This is where we come back to what I said before) if you notice your fluids are low and you ARE concerned, it's never a bad idea to start checking more often to make sure the level isn't dropping. If it is, add some and take your car in for an inspection!

2. Learn how your car is supposed to sound/feel when everything is working as it should

This won't be as long as the last one, I promise.

One of the most common causes for mechanical failure, in my experience, is ignorance. If you don't notice, or know, that your vehicle isn't behaving/braking/turning/sounding the way it's supposed to, why would you have any reason to take it in for inspection? Why would you expect to go for an oil change and find out your brakes are grinding? Or your tires are worn bald? Or your struts are blown?

If you know your car well enough to recognize when something changes, or isn't quite right, you're far more likely to catch it before it becomes a safety hazard (or savings hazard.)

3. Know your vehicle's limits

This one may seem like an odd one, but hear me out:

Your car can only do so much. At the end of the day, its one job is to get you where you need to go safely and reliably, and it's designed to do that in a specific way under a specific range of conditions.

If you take care of it, it'll take care of you. But a 2011 toyota corolla isn't going to do that in 13 inches of snow with a windchill of -5. A 2007 mazda mx5 isn't going to do that in a downpour with 30+ mph winds. A 2014 honda odyssey isn't going to do that in a panic-brake scenario with a uhaul trailer hitch and trailer hooked up and brakes that haven't been replaced in 50,000 miles on 9-year-old factory tires.

I know this was probably a lot more than you were looking for and it definitely wasn't coherent, but it took a solid 40 minutes for me to figure out what to say here and I hope it helps