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rusty_vw_man

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Everything posted by rusty_vw_man

  1. There is - they measure it for you free of charge and offer to change the belt if it fails their test, but you pay for this bit. I may be cynical, but I wouldn’t trust me local dealer to ask me to get my wallet out regardless of any measurements. I have a very late model one, which as it turns out has a later style narrow belt fitted, which apparently is not as prone to disintegrating if you use the correct spec oil and regularly use it longer distance so it gets nice and hot. Apparently the worst thing for them is short cold drives. As it’s 7 years old shortly it’s going to get moved on anyway as company car allowance has a maximum age limit.
  2. Two long days of cutting, welding and setting fire to things (mainly underseal, the sleeve of my overalls and my angle grinder that self combusted) I have done it: and better still it actually works: despite knowing that there is a shed load of new steel in there replacing the rusty scraps and it being so much stronger I always get the fear when I first lower it down. It needs a touch of filler and the seam line reinstating on the side, but I have plans to paint it this summer so it’ll do for now. Wing is also crusty throughout, especially the return lip so more to be done in that as well. Also welded up the front step, the missus was underwhelmed by the gaffer tape that kept the water out. No pictures of that, it was a ropey old repair to start with, and I haven’t improved the look of it, although it’s now water tight without the tape! New step section needed, but again, it’ll do for now. As an aside, if you’re slicing open packaging to get to your welding consumables, using a brand new Stanley blade, try and avoid just stabbing it with all your force into your index finger….
  3. Hmmm, one is not like the other: still searching for that elusive solid bit that I can weld some new bits to:
  4. It’s a common grot spot isn’t it - made some temporary’s repairs on the other side 4 years ago. This side has been done a few years before I got it by a professional. I have been keeping half an eye on it so it’s not a total surprise, but it is worse than I hoped it might be.
  5. Time for a wash, but the jet washer dislodged a little chunk of paint, and then a little bit more: hmmm, looks a touch rusty underneath, and a bit of filler/fibreglass, which wasn’t me. I’ll just give it a quick brush over and put some rust killer on: Not sure rust converter works on air. Let’s just check round the back: Oh ffs. my trailing arm appears to be held on by a few scraps of rust and some strings of underseal. Luckily I can buy a new mount all neatly fabbed up in 4mm steel, so just need to do a bit of cutting, welding and swearing and it’ll be like new. Probably best leave it in the jack for now!
  6. I have a secret hankering for a Chevy suburban: it’s like a car and a van and a hearse all in one. It actually has a boot larger than Lichtenstein. Fact. Think of all the shit I could fit in there, I’d be the envy of the local council tip recycling centre….
  7. Mr Citroen decided on the C3 Picasso that the bits of metal below the rear lights would be best as part of the boot lid, giving it little wings: these mean that there are four sharp corners at exactly 5’11” from the floor. They have caused bleeding more than once. Why they couldn’t have just kept these as part of the rear hatch, or made the boot open a little further I will never know. At least when suffering from the mild concussion they give me from time to time I can forget I drive it.
  8. Van is behaving fine so not much to say. However, took the modern (7 year old C3 Picasso) for an MOT and it failed. Since pretty much new the rear discs have looked like rusty shite, but each year have passed. This year the tester him say no - passed the brake efficiency tests, but not the visual have they been recovered from the sea test. Was a bit peeved until I found the pads had got a bit* thin metal on metal. Passed efficiency and no noises. Probably was due a change! Disc was a little crispy as well Modern cars are so much simpler - discs come with sealed bearing pre installed, no faffing around with grease, and bearing drifts, just out the box, on and do up the nut. Could get used to this. MOT man charged me a £20 partial retest for the pleasure of looking at the car from a distance and saying he could see they shiny new bits. Not sure how u feel about that, but a pass is now achieved…..
  9. General consensus seems to be if it’s been off before your in with a shot, if it’s original it’s probably at one with the shaft. Sont think you’d get the dugga dugga in there unless you have a fancy 90 degree one.
  10. If you haven’t seen it this is a handy if slightly optimistic run down http://www.vw-resource.com/housing.html
  11. This is the one where the fan nut had become as one with the shaft. Having to drop the engine to sort this led to a quick engine swap with the van whilst it was out (as you do): Happy days.
  12. It all depends if you can get the fan nut off in situ. I wish you all the luck, it is possibly the most annoying job to complete, as everything is about 5mm too big to clear what you want it to. I have managed once with engine in, and once with engine out. I would start engine in if doing it again, with engine out as plan b. Good luck!!
  13. They were doing them 12 years ago at least, so it’s not a recent marketing gimmick.
  14. When I lived in Lewisham I used to use the original one in Deptford arches all the time. MOTs and air con re-gas is all they did. About the only thing I miss about London! Spotless premises, fair tests and they definitely failed people (well at least they did me!). You knew where you stood though as there was never any conflict of interest with the test. I think they should all be like this to be honest. They also did early to late hours and courtesy cars, so it couldn’t be easier to get a test. They had a load of lanes, so I suspect it made money by shear volume.
  15. Citroen Bering pickup anyone?! It’s in a fetching red oxide primer, with overspray on everything. The only real question is why?
  16. Every time I read this thread 2 things happen/ 1) I get sad about my own abilities at welding and bodywork. 2) I look at ones for sale and dream. Keep up the good work!!
  17. Whoops, I obviously didn’t mean those that have a love for lurid coloured Pandas!
  18. Bonus points if they have an apprentice they bully, but call it banter.
  19. It’s all retirement flats round here, so we also have the joy of the blue badge brigade. I have nothing against the idea of blue badges, it’s an excellent scheme however, round here it’s abused by the old! So vehicle of choice is something semi prestigious, think small Audi. It is immaculate, apart from the parking injuries on all four corners, and the wheels that have done more miles running down the kerb than off. They drive at 10mph below the speed limit (which given its 20 round here now is painful). This however is not their defining feature - that comes into play when they need to stop. Stopping is achieved by parking on the nearest junction with double yellow lines. Despite the wheels being kerbed heavily, they come to rest about a foot from the kerb. For maximum points, complete instruction of the junction visibility should be achieved. Albert will then proceed to unpack a mobility cart or two, and him and Ethel will power off at a steady pace the 10ft they need to go to the shop. Parking wardens won’t touch them, and if asked to move they will either become strangely abusive, or weirdly deaf. National Trust stickers and a ‘please leave space for my mobility chariot’ stickers are often a good early warning. Front grills may still house an AA badge or an IAM badge they got 40 years ago They often congregate around the post office, the mobility shop and the tea rooms. Other than as a method to increase minor traffic accidents and make crossing the road harder, they do act as a constant reminder to live life dangerously, on the edge as the alternative is the blue badge and a shuffle for a reasonably priced cup of tea…..
  20. Yep - for bonus points it’s DMS Solutions, but you later find out he’s Darren Smith. Wonder how you came up with the name…..
  21. How about ‘the alternative’ driver. Their car is a wacky* extension of their personality* - think brightly coloured Citroen Cactus, a Nissan Cube or similar automotive follies. May also be a Mazda Bongo. Typically dressed in their own crazy* style, typically comprising of Peruvian yak herding gear (you know the stuff, rough natural fabrics). Alternatively may be dressed like it’s the 1930s, or in a lot of Barbour despite living in Coventry town centre. It doesn’t matter, it’s just important that they are dressed like loads of other people but consider themselves unique. Despite driving 50k miles a year in their diesel personality extension, they regularly attend anti oil and anti fracking demos. Often seen in farmers markets and Waitrose. Driving style is sensible, law abiding and boring. Like them.
  22. I mean, I assume it’s intentional like the VW harlequin range, but it’s quite a look….
  23. The London Black Cab: Vehicle of choice, well the black cab obviously. Polished within an inch of its life. Been to mars and back, doesn’t do above about 40mph . Driver is always a proper mockney (you know, a wannabe Cockney, but most likely born in Enfield or so other edge of London, some distance from the Bow Bells). Has patriotic* tattoos of George’s cross, and one of the big London Football clubs. Bonus points for a Millwall tattoo. Sovereign ring(s) are an important accessory. Driving style is erratic - has the knowledge so will use every side street possible in an attempt to demonstrate his prowess. Overall journey time is the same as just using the more normal route. Often has a lose understanding of what a no entry sign means. The natural enemy of the cab driver is the Uber driver, who must be blocked and shouted at whenever possible. Holds a firm belief they genuinely the downfall of civil society. Appears to fear nothing other than going ‘sarf of the river’ - especially at night. would typically be a winner at tall tale of the year award - he’s almost certainly had Ghandi, Winston Churchill, Mandela in his cab, possibly last week, and possibly just after he dropped if the queen mum.
  24. Bit of a niche coastal one, but the family tourist. Stead of choice* is something exceptionally large, at least a 7 seater or mahoosive estate, in which are a mere two sproglets. There is often a series of white outlines of the cars occupants on the back, and a yellow child on board sticker. Everybody is grumpy and in some stage of a mental breakdown. The children are screaming, partly because their headrest mounted iPads have gone flat. The mum is mumbling something about packages holidays in the Algarve rather than a poxy B&B in north Wales. The dad is a funny shade of red as he cruises the streets at less than 10mph looking for a parking space that doesn’t exist - he is like a human pressure cooker, and vents uncontrollably at anyone rude enough to hoot because they actually have somewhere to be. Very often spotted double parked with the hazards on, near a soon to be vacated space. Once the space clears all he has to do is gently encourage something the size of an oil tanker into a space big enough for a smart car. His wife often gets out to help* guide him in. The children help by continuing to scream. When the car is close enough to the space - I.e. one wheel on the pavement, with the nose sticking out everyone can finally get out. Opening the boot reveals mountainous volumes of holiday gear, all loose. All the poor chap (in his polo shirt and chino shorts) has to do now is transport it to a nearby hotel. His wife can’t help, she’s too busy trying to peel the kids out the back, who have suddenly decided they do actually want to stay in the car. Due to a failure to read the signs, a present from a parking warden often awaits upon return, which can provoke a gentle* discussion about whose fault it might have been. The man wonders if he is actually dead, and this is hell.
  25. The bin man Drives a council bin lorry. Life is not the same since he can’t smoke in the cab, but he can vape, no one’s going to stop him doing that. Unlike the lads doing the actual bin moving, he won’t get out the cab until it’s time to go home. As such, he might be just a touch ‘big boned’. As it’s job and knock, bins must be collected at the fastest speed possible, so taking corners should be done to get a 45 degree lean. He must accelerate aggressively slightly before his crew are actually all back in the cab. As he is an essential worker and COVID hero he has an inflated sense of his own importance, and feels that he has absolute right of way at all times, even if that does mean everyone has to wait, or poor little old Ethel has to reverse for the first time in her 40 year driving career. It’s quite a dull job, but he manages to keep awake by a mix of cheap energy drinks, and watching dubious things on his phone whilst slowly creeping down the street waiting for the lads to finish.
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