Joey spud

I went to use the air con in my Avensis last weekend and although the compressor engaged it wasn't really doing cold air. It's not been topped up for about five years and then it was with a disposable DIY kit.
So my thinking was another DIY is called for here and yesterday ordered one off Amazon from a company called Thompson's ltd for £47. 

Sure enough my gas content was indeed on the low side and with half a can added it's now colder that a witches tit.

And as I had some gas left I topped up the AC on the Granvia too although it was already fairly good.
Anyway I'm well impressed with this company. The parcel turned up in under 24 hours the hose and fittings are nicely made and they included a good "how to /idiots guide" for checking existing pressure and adding the right amount of top up.

Aye so that didn't last long 😂


Drove into my estate tonight,  past my neighbour who was out walking his dog and gave him a wave as always. 
As I was getting out my car he was just arriving back home too and he said "You know you've nae back number plate?"
Ah cripes! They were quite dear too and there is only one supplier (Demon plates) that's worth their salt that makes them. A boy on the Rover FB pages knocks them up but both sets I've had off him have been shite. One had faded lettering like his printer ink was low and the other set were full of air bubbles. 
Anyway, about 10 minutes later there was a knock at the door and it's my neighbour with my plate in his hand. He'd gone out in his car for some messages and noticed my plate at the end of the road outside the swing park, lifted it and turned back. That was really nice of him and has saved me about £40! 
There's only a wee chip on one corner and some grazing where it's sclaffed across the road but nowt too noticeable.
One good deed does deserve another you know. This morning my wife got a call from her sister who works with our neighbour 2 doors down the other side of us and she'd tripped over a laundry bag handle (she works in a hotel) and broken her wrist in 2 places. The rest of her family were at work so my wife went and collected her from work and took her straight to A&E. 

No manufacturer would ever show a brochure pic like that now, instead they are all pictures of beautiful people driving along coastal roads or in sanitised urban landscapes. Sigh.
I've been really enjoying this thread, pure escapism and a triumph for shiters everywhere.

Tres bien, Muy buena, tidy darts 👍
Not a bad result, I am glad work has not been too busy as I have been following with interest on my IPad  while working on my laptop. I would love to do a trip like this. We stopped in Angouleme when I drove to Gibraltar in a Cortina and had the best meal ever in a very ordinary looking restaurant there. I drove from Angouleme to Jaen  in one day, I would love to do it again one day. I am really enjoying the updates, scenery, food etc. all fantastic and a fantastic experience you will remember forever.

Good Luck Mr B

Get a load of this place man

 

 

The very, VERY young me... Having passed my test... Perved over the glossies (ooh err) for the Pick Up.
Muchho Pengoes for brassic Vickers fitter apprentice 😕
Bought a MM1000 van.....
🚙💨

I worked for a Pug/Talbot dealer in mid Eighties and I can't recall ever needing to pull the head off of one of these engines or touch the bottom end come to that. The cam/tappets rattled but continued functioning just fine 
They are tough simple units and their unique raspy engine note is all part of their character much like the trump from a Morris Minor's tailpipe. 

What a time to be alive etc. You put a good old shift in today.

Aaahhh this is blissful

I did. Several times.

This image gave me a wry smile.

Will be crossing into France soon. Done about 360km so far today

Possibly not a wise plan on this journey I'd guess...
Also, 1118cc engines are a smaller bore than the larger engine, meaning LLLLAAARRGGEE clamping surfaces for the head gaskets, and a very tough bottom end for the engine size.  IIRC the largest size of this engine (1592cc?) has essentially the same crankshaft sizing and fabrication method, meaning the 1118 is hugely under-stressed.

I worked for a Pug/Talbot dealer in mid Eighties and I can't recall ever needing to pull the head off of one of these engines or touch the bottom end come to that. The cam/tappets rattled but continued functioning just fine 
They are tough simple units and their unique raspy engine note is all part of their character much like the trump from a Morris Minor's tailpipe. 

Back home after a fun* day yesterday. The camper worked great as a camper last night.
In all honesty it was not thad bad, apart from the idiot in the AA call centre, everyone else was grand.
So why am I thinking of going back down next week for something completely different?

I've got an engine to pick up from Ripon. It's 2 hours drive away in a 2017 VW transporter with cruise control, air conditioning, a fridge, a bed and a toilet in the back and I still can't be arsed. Don't be like me, be liek bollox

I worked for a Pug/Talbot dealer in mid Eighties and I can't recall ever needing to pull the head off of one of these engines or touch the bottom end come to that. The cam/tappets rattled but continued functioning just fine 
They are tough simple units and their unique raspy engine note is all part of their character much like the trump from a Morris Minor's tailpipe. 

I worked for a Pug/Talbot dealer in mid Eighties and I can't recall ever needing to pull the head off of one of these engines or touch the bottom end come to that. The cam/tappets rattled but continued functioning just fine 
They are tough simple units and their unique raspy engine note is all part of their character much like the trump from a Morris Minor's tailpipe. 

I worked for a Pug/Talbot dealer in mid Eighties and I can't recall ever needing to pull the head off of one of these engines or touch the bottom end come to that. The cam/tappets rattled but continued functioning just fine 
They are tough simple units and their unique raspy engine note is all part of their character much like the trump from a Morris Minor's tailpipe. 

I worked for a Pug/Talbot dealer in mid Eighties and I can't recall ever needing to pull the head off of one of these engines or touch the bottom end come to that. The cam/tappets rattled but continued functioning just fine 
They are tough simple units and their unique raspy engine note is all part of their character much like the trump from a Morris Minor's tailpipe. 

Just refilled the tank. We're doing just under 45mpg. I thought it might be a bit rich but it's clearly not too bad.

Filled me grits earlier when I got stuck in a traffic jam and we got VERY hot.

Seems to be OK when you're rolling along but traffic jams are a problem.
I figured the electric fan must have carked it. Stopped in the services for a look.

Hmm what's going on here? Followed the extra wires (all properly clipped in btw) and found this!!

'Kinell man, I was shitting myself and all I had to do was press a button. 
Tell you what though, I was glad about those reassurances that you can boil these up like a school dinner carrot and they just don't care. 
Anyway we didn't quite boil up and as soon as we got rolling again it all cooled down.