Ok that’s Crimbo out of the way, the world can return to “normal”.
I hope you had a good time, and got your hearts desire contained in the wrapping paper.
I had a reasonable time, great dinner with the neighbours, ate too much went home and fell asleep during Wallace and Grommit, but I have it on DVD so I didn’t miss too much.
I don’t tend to do “Religion” I don’t have many problems with “God” as such: it’s religion I have problems with.
But anyway I don’t “do” religion, so on to other things.
I know I said I wouldn’t be back until tomorrow, but this “tale” has pissed me off.
But what I do “do” is idiots, a friend of mine’s car had a puncture while at work, she called out the rescue services, who duly arrived and did the usual intake of breath, because she had the forethought to fit locking wheel nuts.
This gets a bit complicated so bear with me, the “key” for the nut was missing, it was there before because she had the car serviced at a Vauxhall main dealer two months previously, and I presume the “technician” removed the wheels as part of the service.
So, the breakdown guy couldn’t change the wheel, but recovered the car to the said main dealer.
The guy at the Vauxhall garage said that they couldn’t change the wheel because-yes-the key was missing, they also said that all four tyres needed replacing and that there was a bad oil leak from the front of the engine (very precise). All in all the cost would be about £700.
So, Christmas Eve I took the lady to the so called Garage with my little compressor, and inflated the tyre, I then went to have a word with “the man”, I explained to him in simple terms that the locking wheel nut could be removed with a socket and a hammer, which he agreed, but didn’t bother to tell my “female” friend.
I also explained that the key for the locknut was probably in the “technicians” toolbox and had anybody asked him, the answer was a blank stare, I then went on to explain that the oil leak could probably only come from either the “rocker box” cover, which if removed during the service to adjust the valves, could have been refitted badly, or the that the oil filter was badly fitted, or that the head gasket was leaking. As the car runs perfectly I doubt the last has happened.
And was again greeted with a red faced blank stare.
So I drove the car back to my friend’s house and will remove the wheel nut as described earlier, I have given my friend the web address and she has purchased four new tyres “which will be needed, not immediately but better to be safe than sorry”, for £160 fitted, and I will investigate the oil leak myself.
Total cost probably less than £200, some £500 less than the quote from the main dealer.
It seems that “Rip off Britain” is still in full swing, it seems that garages are still treating the feminine sex as an excellent target for outrageous profit because they presume the “ladies” are ignorant of mechanical matters, and so are a lot of men.
So, just a bit of advice to the mechanically disadvantaged, when you take your vehicle to a garage, find someone who knows what they are talking about to go with you and always ask for the parts removed, which the garage says need replacing.
A bit of advice for the garages, stop FIRKIN ripping people off, play fair, if you do then you will get repeat business, and recommendations, a short term profit will not solve your cash flow problems, it will only make them worse in the long run.
Angus
Showing posts with label first cars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label first cars. Show all posts
Friday, 26 December 2008
Sunday, 30 November 2008
No Cars today
Sorry but there will not be any “old” cars today.
It’s me, tomorrow would have been “our” 37th Wedding anniversary, as you may know “Mrs Angus” is no longer with us, and thinking about the times we had on our travels is too painful.
And just to cheer you up even more there will be no blog tomorrow, you will be able to have a rest from my inane ramblings for 24 hours.
But don’t get too used to it, I will be back in full flow on Tuesday.
So, instead of cars, today I will spout about “odds and sods”.
This is from Kablnews
Lib Dems call for new NHS data security rules
After a year or so the Lib Dems are calling for new NHS data security rules, there are two things to think about, why has it taken them so long to make a noise about this subject, and, they haven’t got a hope in hell of the Gov listening.
The loss of data in the NHS is now on a scale that dwarfs the loss of common sense in her MAJ’s Gov.
They are incapable of stemming the tide of disappearing information on US, because no matter how sophisticated the Computer systems are, no matter how good the firewalls are, no matter how up to date the anti-virus is, the data is processed by people, they are not being hacked, but they are “losing” physical devices-CDs, Data Sticks and Computers.
What needs upgrading is the brains of the people handling these devices, they must be taught not to leave the bloody things in Pub car parks, on Trains, in Toilets or any other place they are going to, in fact they must be made NOT to take the damn things out of the building. The useless pillocks.
And talking of Pillocks-from the Register is this little gem about someone who really should know better. An Essex police officer who inadvertently forwarded an aged internet hoax is now dealing with hundreds of calls and emails from concerned women - the hoax looks more genuine now that it comes from a proper police address.
Detective Constable Simon Lofting sent the mail on to senior officers to check if it was genuine but it got forwarded on.
The story warned women not to accept business cards from strangers because they could be coated with "Burundanga" - which is "four times greater than date rape drug". The hoax mail first circulated in May this year, according to Snopes - one of several debunking sites which warn the story is false.
The name “Wooden Top” seems appropriate.
And finally from the BEEB Labour urged to overhaul benefits, not again, haven’t we just had an “overhaul” how many bloody times can you do the same things?
I think this is just a “cunning plan” to divert our attention away from the total balls up Labour has made with the economy.
More old cars next Sunday, I promise.
See you Tuesday.
Angus
It’s me, tomorrow would have been “our” 37th Wedding anniversary, as you may know “Mrs Angus” is no longer with us, and thinking about the times we had on our travels is too painful.
And just to cheer you up even more there will be no blog tomorrow, you will be able to have a rest from my inane ramblings for 24 hours.
But don’t get too used to it, I will be back in full flow on Tuesday.
So, instead of cars, today I will spout about “odds and sods”.
This is from Kablnews
Lib Dems call for new NHS data security rules
After a year or so the Lib Dems are calling for new NHS data security rules, there are two things to think about, why has it taken them so long to make a noise about this subject, and, they haven’t got a hope in hell of the Gov listening.
The loss of data in the NHS is now on a scale that dwarfs the loss of common sense in her MAJ’s Gov.
They are incapable of stemming the tide of disappearing information on US, because no matter how sophisticated the Computer systems are, no matter how good the firewalls are, no matter how up to date the anti-virus is, the data is processed by people, they are not being hacked, but they are “losing” physical devices-CDs, Data Sticks and Computers.
What needs upgrading is the brains of the people handling these devices, they must be taught not to leave the bloody things in Pub car parks, on Trains, in Toilets or any other place they are going to, in fact they must be made NOT to take the damn things out of the building. The useless pillocks.
And talking of Pillocks-from the Register is this little gem about someone who really should know better. An Essex police officer who inadvertently forwarded an aged internet hoax is now dealing with hundreds of calls and emails from concerned women - the hoax looks more genuine now that it comes from a proper police address.
Detective Constable Simon Lofting sent the mail on to senior officers to check if it was genuine but it got forwarded on.
The story warned women not to accept business cards from strangers because they could be coated with "Burundanga" - which is "four times greater than date rape drug". The hoax mail first circulated in May this year, according to Snopes - one of several debunking sites which warn the story is false.
The name “Wooden Top” seems appropriate.
And finally from the BEEB Labour urged to overhaul benefits, not again, haven’t we just had an “overhaul” how many bloody times can you do the same things?
I think this is just a “cunning plan” to divert our attention away from the total balls up Labour has made with the economy.
More old cars next Sunday, I promise.
See you Tuesday.
Angus
Sunday, 23 November 2008
OUR FIRST CARS-2
The Herald had gone to the great parts department in the sky and we had our Vitesse.
The Vitesse was a totally different beast, it had a 2 litre straight six engine, the prop shaft, diff and rear drive shafts had been beefed up, new bonnet with double headlights and an overdrive (fifth gear). The heater was improved and gave out the equivalent of Two matches, still no power steering, still couldn’t see out the rear window, but it did have a radio.
The engine was the same as that fitted to the Triumph 2000, a large saloon that was used by the police until the 2000 PI came in.
It had two Stromberg Carbs with “dashpots” that had to be topped up with engine oil every week. The problem, with the Vitesse was the ignition circuit; it was basically the same as the Herald-points and a condenser.
But it didn’t like the damp, which wasn’t a good thing in England.
The other problem was the battery; it held enough charge to turn the engine over for about thirty seconds and then would go flat.
So if you owned a Vitesse you became very knowledgeable about the ignition. I can still remember the firing order-1, 5,3,6,2,4, and the points gap-0.012” and the plug gap-0.025”
Another problem was the brakes. It actually had discs on the front, but when you got the old girl up to speed, the stopping distance was about as short as an oil tanker.
But that wasn’t too much of a problem unless there were other cars in front of you.
We loved it, and expanded our travels, and headed north and northwest.
We found many interesting places, one of which was Henley, and spent our summer Sundays touring about, pub lunches, walks, having picnics and meeting people.
Like the Herald it was a “magnet” and attracted attention wherever we went.
It went like a rocket and was I suppose the “poor mans’” E-Type. It certainly wasn’t as pretty and it didn’t have a top speed of 150. But it would see off most of the other sports cars on the road.
We only had one “hairy” moment that was when we were on our way back from Wales; we were on a dual carriageway and had a tyre burst at about seventy. The radial tyres on the Vitesse were much better than the old cross plies on the herald, and I managed to keep her straight, but it was a “brown trouser” moment.
Winter Sundays were usually spent on maintenance; the Vitesse was a high maintenance car.
Time went on and along side the Vitesse were the Dolomite in all its forms, the 1300 FWD, and the 1500TC as well of course as the Stag.
And as we got a bit older we moved to saloons.
That really is our “first cars” story, but if you want I will continue the saga, with our “later” cars.
Angus
The Vitesse was a totally different beast, it had a 2 litre straight six engine, the prop shaft, diff and rear drive shafts had been beefed up, new bonnet with double headlights and an overdrive (fifth gear). The heater was improved and gave out the equivalent of Two matches, still no power steering, still couldn’t see out the rear window, but it did have a radio.
The engine was the same as that fitted to the Triumph 2000, a large saloon that was used by the police until the 2000 PI came in.
It had two Stromberg Carbs with “dashpots” that had to be topped up with engine oil every week. The problem, with the Vitesse was the ignition circuit; it was basically the same as the Herald-points and a condenser.
But it didn’t like the damp, which wasn’t a good thing in England.
The other problem was the battery; it held enough charge to turn the engine over for about thirty seconds and then would go flat.
So if you owned a Vitesse you became very knowledgeable about the ignition. I can still remember the firing order-1, 5,3,6,2,4, and the points gap-0.012” and the plug gap-0.025”
Another problem was the brakes. It actually had discs on the front, but when you got the old girl up to speed, the stopping distance was about as short as an oil tanker.
But that wasn’t too much of a problem unless there were other cars in front of you.
We loved it, and expanded our travels, and headed north and northwest.
We found many interesting places, one of which was Henley, and spent our summer Sundays touring about, pub lunches, walks, having picnics and meeting people.
Like the Herald it was a “magnet” and attracted attention wherever we went.
It went like a rocket and was I suppose the “poor mans’” E-Type. It certainly wasn’t as pretty and it didn’t have a top speed of 150. But it would see off most of the other sports cars on the road.
We only had one “hairy” moment that was when we were on our way back from Wales; we were on a dual carriageway and had a tyre burst at about seventy. The radial tyres on the Vitesse were much better than the old cross plies on the herald, and I managed to keep her straight, but it was a “brown trouser” moment.
Winter Sundays were usually spent on maintenance; the Vitesse was a high maintenance car.
Time went on and along side the Vitesse were the Dolomite in all its forms, the 1300 FWD, and the 1500TC as well of course as the Stag.
And as we got a bit older we moved to saloons.
That really is our “first cars” story, but if you want I will continue the saga, with our “later” cars.
Angus
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