The new news 24 thread

[dollywobbler]

I can't remember the last time I bought my wife a birthday card. Not sure I ever have. We decided very early on that cards are a bit of a waste really. And presents. We still have nice birthdays and festive times.

[Ghosty]

That's alright if you know she doesn't care!

Less said the better anyway.

[Mally]

My wife always reminds me.

[Pillock]

I can't remember the last time I bought my wife a birthday card. Not sure I ever have. We decided very early on that cards are a bit of a waste really. And presents. We still have nice birthdays and festive times.

 

We always buy cards.

The most garish, awful, tacky cards in the world. The ones where it's a struggle to keep a straight face as you're paying for it.

 

Last year I think I found one in a shop with so much glitter it looked like it had been made at playschool. And a picture of an owl covered in plastic jewels, but no reason for the owl or mention of it. Just a random owl.

 

We then post pictures of cards on facebook and let friends vote for the most awful one. She won the competition with a 3D pop-up monstrosity.

[DeeJay]

Dolly,

 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3mX3m-4m-6m-9m-Waterproof-Outdoor-Tent-Garden-Gazebo-Party-Tent-Marquee-Canopy/252968388978

 

 

 

 

 

Hold "functions" as a sideline.

[captain_70s]

I sold it to a lad I know who used it for work everyday up an down the A14 outing and 5000 miles on in 6 months, the shock managed to kill the oil pump and shag the engine. He couldn't find a replacement so traded it on for a Astra, it ended up on eBay and the garage won it and that's where it's sat 3 years since.

There seems to be a curse whereby any Mk1 Alto which is owned by a shitter meets it's demise once it leaves the fold...

[cobblers]

I was gonna say the sample size of two is not significant, but when there's probably 5 mk1 altos still on the road it's quite a good sample size.

[stuboy]

Definitely not. Sodding weather. Paddled my way to the garage and fitted some interior lighting to the 2CV instead. 

 

Naturally, the wiring is a complete disaster area, but it does work.

where from??

[phil_lihp]

Bummer.

 

 

The lights I should have known about, no big drama.  The rear light has tape on it, hopefully some red lens tape will sort it for now as replacement light units seem ridiculously expensive, I could not get the rusted screws out of the numberplate light so they'll need drilling out I guess.  The towbar is currently unbolted for painting and the socket was smashed to pieces so I just strapped it up underneath, obviously that is not good enough so I'll probably just remove it entirely for now.  I can't see what I would ever tow with it, it's slow enough as it is.

 

I really thought I had dealt with the major rust on this van, oh well.  Will have to wait and see what my mechanic says about the cost!  Trouble is, it is already in for a list of work, one rear wheel keeps locking up under heavy braking and there's a horrible knocking from underneath which I think is the propshaft.  Hiaces may be reliable but 18 years of abuse as a roofer's van has certainly taken its toll.

[mercrocker]

Bummer.

 

van mot.PNG

 

The lights I should have known about, no big drama.  The rear light has tape on it, hopefully some red lens tape will sort it for now as replacement light units seem ridiculously expensive, I could not get the rusted screws out of the numberplate light so they'll need drilling out I guess.  The towbar is currently unbolted for painting and the socket was smashed to pieces so I just strapped it up underneath, obviously that is not good enough so I'll probably just remove it entirely for now.  I can't see what I would ever tow with it, it's slow enough as it is.

 

 

 One good use for a tow bar and (admittedly, working) electrics is to make use of a trailer board and completely ignore overpriced rearlight units and seized bulbholders!

[twosmoke300]

Knocking may well be the rear diff upper mount - easy to change but pricey

[phil_lihp]

He's going to have a poke at it this week while it's on the ramp.  Having just spent a lot of time and money converting the interior and having windows fitted, I am starting to feel a bit overwhelmed with this van, I'm hoping the mojo returns soon because it's meant to be a bit of fun and it's definitely not at the moment!

[Cavcraft]

Just asked a breaker's for a price on two seats, a carpet and a front bumper for a 15 year old Suzuki Ignis.

 

£150.

 

One hundred and fifty fucking quid.

[Matt]

Just asked a breaker's for a price on two seats, a carpet and a front bumper for a 15 year old Suzuki Ignis.

 

£150.

 

One hundred and fifty fucking quid.

 

You're not alone in that. I'm about done with eBay breakers for my 15 year old Suzuki too. 

[phil_lihp]

Certainly leaves room for negotiation.  I asked a Toyota specialist on eBay for a rear light, steering column lock and digital clock for my Hiace off one of their breakers.

 

£200!

 

I declined.

[Six-cylinder]

Every second-hand car part I try to buy from a professional seems to cost 3 times what I was expecting.

[dollywobbler]

Helped a friend with a service on his Golf Mk3. What a SHIT design. Inlet manifold off to change the plugs, stupid, STUPID HT leads that don't want to come off, and inlet manifold bolts that then don't want to go back in. Awful.

[Kiltox]

Any kind of "breaker" where you can ask for X, Y part and they either have it on the shelf or check if they can take it off a car in their yard charges the fucking earth.

[320touring]

Helped a friend with a service on his Golf Mk3. What a SHIT design. Inlet manifold off to change the plugs, stupid, STUPID HT leads that don't want to come off, and inlet manifold bolts that then don't want to go back in. Awful.

Never get a Renault (esp Clio 17/82) then.

 

Much the same crap

[taxi paul]

To be fair the one I visit in St Helens is very reasonable. However I had to get 2 front speakers and an electric ariel from an eBay breaker. The price is steep. But what do you do . He was the fifth one I contacted and the first one who had them.

[panhard65]

My neighbour just brought his latest purchase round to waxoyl it.

He sold his Monte Carlo and imported this. It is a bit too mint for me though as the underside is just as good as the top.

 

[5speedracer]

My thighs are getting friction burns !!!

[DeeJay]

 

My neighbour just brought his latest purchase round to waxoyl it.

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He sold his Monte Carlo and imported this. It is a bit too mint for me though as the underside is just as good as the top.

 

Waxoyl shares just risen 50%.

[dave21478]

Aye, breakers prices are getting silly. I know they have a living to earn, but charging the earth for wee bits n bobs that would end up getting fragged with the remains of the shell isnt on, and they can FRO with the prices of big stuff. Eight hundred quid (plus VAT of course) for a gearbox? I assume its getting delivered to me by four indian guys carrying it on a gold plated sedan chair, then a couple of mechanics fit it while the Queen gives me a soapy titwank? No? oh that doesnt even include delivery? right. Delivery is an extra 80? How about no thanks, then?

 

And its an old rant, but fuck it.....notice how despite photos showing the oil-stained engine or gearbox or whatever it is lying in a muddy puddle outside a tin shed, they are all invariably and without exception "low mileage" and "mint" examples. Everything always seems to be just under 100K.....a cynical person might assume that perhaps fibs might be getting told.

I suppose it doesnt pay for them to tell the truth....ie "the car it came out of has 19 owners and 280k on the clock and looked like it hasnt seen a service for several years but it drove ok twice round the yard so its fine".

[Lacquer Peel]

Just asked a breaker's for a price on two seats, a carpet and a front bumper for a 15 year old Suzuki Ignis.

 

£150.

 

One hundred and fifty fucking quid.

 

I bought some bits from Sports Car Breakers (misnomer, it's mostly a selection of hatchbacks) near Edinburgh the other day, they came up with quite a strong price, I made a face and it was lowered. Happy enough.

[Matt]

Aye, breakers prices are getting silly. I know they have a living to earn, but charging the earth for wee bits n bobs that would end up getting fragged with the remains of the shell isnt on, and they can FRO with the prices of big stuff. Eight hundred quid (plus VAT of course) for a gearbox? I assume its getting delivered to me by four indian guys carrying it on a gold plated sedan chair, then a couple of mechanics fit it while the Queen gives me a soapy titwank? No? oh that doesnt even include delivery? right. Delivery is an extra 80? How about no thanks, then?

 

And its an old rant, but fuck it.....notice how despite photos showing the oil-stained engine or gearbox or whatever it is lying in a muddy puddle outside a tin shed, they are all invariably and without exception "low mileage" and "mint" examples. Everything always seems to be just under 100K.....a cynical person might assume that perhaps fibs might be getting told.

I suppose it doesnt pay for them to tell the truth....ie "the car it came out of has 19 owners and 280k on the clock and looked like it hasnt seen a service for several years but it drove ok twice round the yard so its fine".

 

Shout out to Michael Douglas Auto Salvage in Carlisle, they're great. I often get the feeling that coming up with a price for wee bits and bobs is more effort than the parts are actually worth.

[alcyonecorporation]

I bought some bits from Sports Car Breakers (misnomer, it's mostly a selection of hatchbacks) near Edinburgh the other day, they came up with quite a strong price, I made a face and it was lowered. Happy enough.

Your poker face game is strong.

[Cavcraft]

Any kind of "breaker" where you can ask for X, Y part and they either have it on the shelf or check if they can take it off a car in their yard charges the fucking earth.

 

Here, I kid you not, is the picture of the car they're breaking

 

[They_all_do_that_sir]

Here, I kid you not, is the picture of the car they're breaking

 

Breakers I contacted locally for a used power steering pressure switch for the focus wanted the same money as a new one.....ok so the new one is a pattern part but it's new......

 

Sent from my SM-A510F using Tapatalk

[dollywobbler]

Ferry booked for an Irish roadtrip next week. In the 2CV. Quite excited. I've never been to Ireland before. We land in Rosslare, attend a Toyota meeting near Cork, then make our way to Dublin and the ferry home. On the Welsh side, we head down to Pembroke, then land back in Holyhead.