The Return of Franky, Almost - Pt2

Day 2-3 - after yesterday's score draw we were up early and meant business. It had to be today. We got to the warehouse for 9am, 3 of us walk into the office ready to fight our cause and get the price we decided on after being offered nearly $1000. We'd done our maths and had our figures and as we walk in the guy at the desk handed over the payment slip and release paper for less than half of the previous.
Paid up and keys in hand, it was all up to Franky now, who was wrapped up and blocked in the corner. No sign of bees, mice or cockroaches but he was a mouldy and very grubby boy. The forklift came in to help us but a 5.7L V8 needs some guts to get going. We drew a blank, a no go and a dead battery so down the battery shop to test and recharge it. They needed 8hrs, that meant Franky had to wait until tomorrow for us and again a defeated 'almost' echoed between us.

Instead we made use of the afternoon, I had a guy lined up to help with the electrical issue we had before and a recommended shop to get a new inverter. Only problem was it was members only, Jelly and Esteban took on the security who stopped us on the way in, I B-lined head down straight through, grabbed an inverter for a great price and proceeded to the checkout to be denied service but my Español checked out and a lady flashed her members card and another problem solved much to the amusement of the team!

We got some lunch in ($20 for some eggs and veg, cheers Costa Rica!) and went back to Esteban's to thank him yet again for such great help and good company, a couple of beers and farewell hugs. Our Costa Rica Fixer. That night we wondered the city a little, ran a couple more errands and ended up on our favourite strip of grungey rock bars to make a plan of attack for the next day.

Up and at it with an upgrade on our free breakfast in the morning, taxi back to the battery store to get the bad news, battery is a dud. We tried but a new battery is piece of mind and theres a long road ahead. Back to the storage warehouse for the 4th and final visit, even security on the gate was giving us a fist bump and faith at this stage!

Battery in, first pop... Franky lives!!!! Instantly engaged and rumbled into action, now let's get out of here. Back to the hostel, load up, clean surfaces and a quick wash of our kitchen equipment. Buzzing to leave San Jose, quick zip into Walmart for some essentials and off to a date with an electrical specialist, turning heads at every set of lights. We're back, or so we thought hahaha!

We met Carlos and Susan towards the end of out last trip. Amazing ticos, keen campers and car electrics nerds. We stopped in to catch up with them and their ventures while

Carlos quickly fitted our new inverter. Super smooth turn around, lovely catch up and plans left to camp with them in a couple of weekends time. We go to start the engine and it splutters dead. Que paso!

His land cruiser struggles to jump it so back to the drawing board. Hood popped, dash off. All of us pulling at wiring and trying to discover a relay ticking over. It's an old alarm system. After another 2hrs of careful wire moving and dash popping we make the call to rip it out and try our luck, hoping is wouldn't immobilise the engine. This time Franky starts but only after 20mins of charge from the land cruiser. We let him run, kill the engine. Start again and he just about fires into life. Now let's get off our friends drive!

We thank them dearly and go to camp on the street in a fancy neighbourhood nearby with maybe the best pizzas in San Jose and warn Carlos that he may get a call in the morning and a rescue mission needed!

Almost out of the city, almost!