The new news 24 thread

[artdjones]

4 hours ago, Jazoli said:

Going for a 'blast' down the motorway does nothing to help a regen, the cooling fans constantly running would have meant the van was trying to regen, and you turned it off mid cycle, and ragging it in gear does nothing to help, I don't know why people are not told this stuff, they will regen quite happily around town but on multi-drop vehicles end up getting turned off mid-cycle, if only the manufacturers would fit a big red warning light on the dash saying 'do not turn engine off, regen occuring' a lot of these problems would go away.

My Doblo used to ping the light up for dpf stage 1 blocking, but I learned to recognise the signs that it was regenerating (fan on, slightly higher idle, smell) and would never turn it off until things went back to normal, even driving past my front door and round the block for 3 or 4 miles. After that, no problems, but that's not very practical in the middle of a delivery round. It's surprising the Mail haven't tried out lpg vans.

[somewhatfoolish]

Turbo Boost obvs?

1 hour ago, wuvvum said:

What's the button on the side of the gear knob?

[Cavcraft]

6 hours ago, catsinthewelder said:

I'm fairly sure that the disappointing van you drove was made at Luton. 

All the Renault Traffics, Nissan NV200s and Fiat Talentos are presumably now made at whichever french factory made the hightop versions (which wouldn't fit through Luton).

The new Vivaro and it's French and Toyota brothers doesn't have a hightop version so solves one problem.

We used to have Vivaros at work but switched to Renault Traffics as the new one looked a bit small.  Sounds like we dodged a bullet.

 

The NV is a nice little van.

[Yoss]

8 hours ago, catsinthewelder said:

I'm fairly sure that the disappointing van you drove was made at Luton. 

All the Renault Traffics, Nissan NV200s and Fiat Talentos are presumably now made at whichever french factory made the hightop versions (which wouldn't fit through Luton).

The new Vivaro and it's French and Toyota brothers doesn't have a hightop version so solves one problem.

We used to have Vivaros at work but switched to Renault Traffics as the new one looked a bit small.  Sounds like we dodged a bullet.

Thanks, that was what I was wondering. It's just the old ones have this nice badge on. 

And the new ones don't. Maybe they are ashamed of the new ones. To give it more credit than I did yesterday I had it again today and had to go and put some diesel in it. This involves a short  40mph section which is where I noticed the cruise control was set to 31mph! I dialled it up to 45 and it felt much perkier even at lower speeds. I'm not used to these modern* toys. 

5 hours ago, wuvvum said:

What's the button on the side of the gear knob?

It is not a button at all. It looks  like one, it looks like a release knob on an auto doesn't it? I saw it and tried it but it's merely cosmetic. Just a moulding in the gear knob. I was as disappointed as you are. 

[Yoss]

9 hours ago, Jazoli said:

Going for a 'blast' down the motorway does nothing to help a regen, the cooling fans constantly running would have meant the van was trying to regen, and you turned it off mid cycle, and ragging it in gear does nothing to help, I don't know why people are not told this stuff, they will regen quite happily around town but on multi-drop vehicles end up getting turned off mid-cycle, if only the manufacturers would fit a big red warning light on the dash saying 'do not turn engine off, regen occuring' a lot of these problems would go away.

See, I didn't know that and I don't get told that. I suspect our fitters don't know that either. It explains what it was doing. Either way diesel is really not suited to what we do. It's about a mile to the start of my delivery then I never do more than a couple of hundred of yards at a time, usually less, then a mile back again. Total of 6 - 7miles a day. The newer vans are petrol for this reason but electric would be perfect for this work. These vans replaced bicycles. 

[Ghosty]

9 hours ago, catsinthewelder said:

whichever french factory made the hightop versions (which wouldn't fit through Luton)

I think that's Sandouville (Renault Trucks). Went there with Junkman in his R16 in 2019 (Sandouville was built originally to make R16s) to ask for a look around while we were holidaying in the area.  They wouldn't let us in as there was something new in development that was under embargo (that'd be the now-current Trafic?). 

[bunglebus]

https://www.motorsportauctions.com/category/329/Historic-Rally-Cars/listings/44743/BRAND-NEW-MST-2020-MK2-on-70-plate.html

[Split_Pin]

9 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

https://www.motorsportauctions.com/category/329/Historic-Rally-Cars/listings/44743/BRAND-NEW-MST-2020-MK2-on-70-plate.html

WOULD (given half a chance)

[SiC]

3 hours ago, Yoss said:

See, I didn't know that and I don't get told that. I suspect our fitters don't know that either. It explains what it was doing. Either way diesel is really not suited to what we do. It's about a mile to the start of my delivery then I never do more than a couple of hundred of yards at a time, usually less, then a mile back again. Total of 6 - 7miles a day. The newer vans are petrol for this reason but electric would be perfect for this work. These vans replaced bicycles. 

According to the label on the windscreen of our A4, if the DPF warning light comes on, it says to keep the revs between 2k and 3k while driving. 

Can you sense when the DPF is regening? On our A4 I can tell when it is as stop/start is disabled, engine bay fans on full, incredibly hot when getting out of the car and I can hear a ever so slight roar when driving. 

[somewhatfoolish]

3 hours ago, Yoss said:

See, I didn't know that and I don't get told that. I suspect our fitters don't know that either. It explains what it was doing. Either way diesel is really not suited to what we do. It's about a mile to the start of my delivery then I never do more than a couple of hundred of yards at a time, usually less, then a mile back again. Total of 6 - 7miles a day. The newer vans are petrol for this reason but electric would be perfect for this work. These vans replaced bicycles. 

Why did they ever get rid of the bikes? I liked my bike, whizzing down hill when I finished, at risk of the marginal drum brakes not stopping me and becoming a bonnet mascot on the Council bin motor or whatever lumbering pantechnicon wheezed into my careening path. Green too, something people make a fuss about these days.

[Yoss]

5 minutes ago, somewhatfoolish said:

Why did they ever get rid of the bikes? 

You're gonna need a bigger bike, to paraphrase a well known film. This is an exaggeration as it was taken a week before Lockdown Christmas Armageddon but the job has changed and is much more packet based. 

[somewhatfoolish]

Need one of those butcher's bikes or a trike even!

[brownnova]

9000 now has a years ticket as of today.

Took it to the Saab specialist and asked him to give it the once over whilst he was Mot-ing it... he commented that for the age and mileage it was in very good shape.

Now the 9000 is sorted time to move the 900 on, oh wait there’s a lockdown... bugger. 

[Cord Fourteener]

10 hours ago, brownnova said:

9000 now has a years ticket as of today.

Took it to the Saab specialist and asked him to give it the once over whilst he was Mot-ing it... he commented that for the age and mileage it was in very good shape.

Now the 9000 is sorted time to move the 900 on, oh wait there’s a lockdown... bugger. 

We'll get there...

[Cord Fourteener]

Boy plans his future Autoshite garage

 

[Amishtat]

12 hours ago, Yoss said:

You're gonna need a bigger bike, to paraphrase a well known film. This is an exaggeration as it was taken a week before Lockdown Christmas Armageddon but the job has changed and is much more packet based. 

I worked for Parcelfarce until three months ago and we would have been crucified if anyone saw parcels in the cab. Still, as your pictures demonstrate, sometimes there's nowhere else to put them. 

[artdjones]

12 hours ago, Yoss said:

You're gonna need a bigger bike, to paraphrase a well known film. This is an exaggeration as it was taken a week before Lockdown Christmas Armageddon but the job has changed and is much more packet based. 

Even 30 years ago it was difficult most days to use a bike, as they aren't very stable with two bags of letters on. Many were just going out to their walk in their cars, leaving the second bag in the boot while they delivered the first bag. Even though it was against the rules.

[stuboy]

Who was looking for hanging dehumidifiers?? Ok there not poundland but box of 6 for 8 quid aint bad..

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07HXV8NWW/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_dyx-FbHXFQDBJ?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

[Angrydicky]

24 minutes ago, Amishtat said:

I worked for Parcelfarce until three months ago and we would have been crucified if anyone saw parcels in the cab. Still, as your pictures demonstrate, sometimes there's nowhere else to put them. 

Our local Parcelfarce man (top bloke btw) drives a LWB Sprinter, so much more capacity than a RM Partner.  It's unliveried, do PF drivers have to buy/lease their own vehicles or do PF not bother signwriting them anymore? He drives like a loon so I'm guessing he's not paying for it.

[Yoss]

24 minutes ago, Amishtat said:

I worked for Parcelfarce until three months ago and we would have been crucified if anyone saw parcels in the cab. Still, as your pictures demonstrate, sometimes there's nowhere else to put them. 

Indeed it is not allowed and I am perhaps foolish for posting that picture on an international highly influential social media platform.

I think my story is I only put them there whilst I rearranged all the packets in the back to make a bit more room for them! In reality the ones in the front are the ones I'm doing first so I'll get rid of them as quickly as possible. It's not ideal but I'm doing my best. I think they should thank me for going above and beyond. Actually our line manager is really good and does regularly thank me for what I do. I really don't envy their job as they get shit from both ends. Pressure from above to make us do more and pressure from us when we don't. If we have a problem we take it to them and it's not our problem any more. They start the week with a duty sheet which even by Tuesday is covered in tippex as they have to rearrange things due to sickness or accidentally putting the wrong day off down for someone. 

Obviously that was an exceptional day but it's still far heavier than it was this time last year. Our workload does go up and down directly in line with the lockdowns. I had quite a nice summer when the shops reopened but generally its been like Christmas every day since last March except for Christmas when it was like double Christmas. There was a time about 18 months back when I would only have about ten overweights (packets too big to go in the bags), and often less than that. I don't think it will ever go back to that now even if life does get back to some sort of normal. People will have got too used to sitting at home on their phones. I can't complain really, at least I know I have a secure job and I do generally still enjoy it except on the really stupid days. 

[Cavcraft]

New sticker arrived and was fitted within 5 minutes of getting home:

 

[Amishtat]

2 hours ago, Angrydicky said:

Our local Parcelfarce man (top bloke btw) drives a LWB Sprinter, so much more capacity than a RM Partner.  It's unliveried, do PF drivers have to buy/lease their own vehicles or do PF not bother signwriting them anymore? He drives like a loon so I'm guessing he's not paying for it.

If it's a white one it's probably a hire van, some drivers own their vehicles however. 

[Angrydicky]

1 minute ago, Amishtat said:

If it's a white one it's probably a hire van, some drivers own their vehicles however. 

Yeah, white 68 reg. He's had this particular one at least a year. At least the last six months with a big bollard-shaped dent in the nearside front corner of the (plastic) bumper.

[Amishtat]

1 hour ago, Yoss said:

Indeed it is not allowed and I am perhaps foolish for posting that picture on an international highly influential social media platform.

I think my story is I only put them there whilst I rearranged all the packets in the back to make a bit more room for them! In reality the ones in the front are the ones I'm doing first so I'll get rid of them as quickly as possible. It's not ideal but I'm doing my best. I think they should thank me for going above and beyond. Actually our line manager is really good and does regularly thank me for what I do. I really don't envy their job as they get shit from both ends. Pressure from above to make us do more and pressure from us when we don't. If we have a problem we take it to them and it's not our problem any more. They start the week with a duty sheet which even by Tuesday is covered in tippex as they have to rearrange things due to sickness or accidentally putting the wrong day off down for someone. 

Obviously that was an exceptional day but it's still far heavier than it was this time last year. Our workload does go up and down directly in line with the lockdowns. I had quite a nice summer when the shops reopened but generally its been like Christmas every day since last March except for Christmas when it was like double Christmas. There was a time about 18 months back when I would only have about ten overweights (packets too big to go in the bags), and often less than that. I don't think it will ever go back to that now even if life does get back to some sort of normal. People will have got too used to sitting at home on their phones. I can't complain really, at least I know I have a secure job and I do generally still enjoy it except on the really stupid days. 

No criticism intended, Royal Mail are a good company to work for in my experience and I've no doubt that your customers are grateful for your efforts. I miss my job. 

[Amishtat]

1 minute ago, Angrydicky said:

Yeah, white 68 reg. He's had this particular one at least a year. At least the last six months with a big bollard-shaped dent in the nearside front corner of the (plastic) bumper.

Speed dent.. 

[Jamie]

 

Done a terrible quick vid on the TT for those who are interested 👍

[rusty998]

Cacky front cataracts on the son's Clio was the order of the day as he's saved enough to insure it himself,  exhibit a 

Exhibit b

Masked up and ready for wet and dry paper,  600, 800 then 1200 got us to this stage, headlight on the right before the first pass with the hard pad on the Mop, 

We used this Meguiar's plastic polish as ive had it floating around the shed for year's, 

Passed both the headlights with the soft pad to get it a smooth as possible for the headlight coating that someone from this very parish recommend

I did the left-hand side to show the son what's what then made him do the right-hand side because that's how you learn in my book,

Before the final coating stage I masked up the surrounding  bodywork with paper so the over spray didn't go all over it, I completely forgot to take a picture of it all covered up unfortunately,  as it is cold outside I left the coating can in a bucket of hot water with a stone on the top so that it didn't float, dried and cleaned the headlights with soft paper then warmed them with my hot air gun before application,  a couple of coats passed over using the hot air gun inbetween to help it flash off and we have ended up with  a really nice result I think

Close up

I've done loads of plastic headlights in the past but never used to coating on them until now but I'm currently converted assuming it doesn't pickle up or go faded in a week or so that is,

I know Dollywobbler used some other type of polish for his headlights on the Daihatsu so you don't have to spend money on the Meguiars one but that coating is well worth the money in my opinion 

[Mr Laurence]

4 hours ago, Jamie said:

 

Done a terrible quick vid on the TT for those who are interested 👍

Nice video! I'd always assumed these show cars were cherished since they costs so much to build. Are most like this up close? The inside is great though! I wish more cars came with interesting interiors like that in colours other than black and grey.

[wuvvum]

5 hours ago, Cavcraft said:

New sticker arrived and was fitted within 5 minutes of getting home:

 

Now I need to get an "At least it's not a Peugeot" sticker made up for my van to restore equilibrium to the cosmos.

[Minimad5]

5 hours ago, Jamie said:

 

Done a terrible quick vid on the TT for those who are interested 👍

Don't powder coat the wheels, try take off the offending lacquer first, then buff the shit out of them & get your tame spray dude to throw some lacquer on.