The new news 24 thread

[GrumpiusMaximus]

Lol! An expert in plant life for sure.

More like pond scum.

[mrbenn]

It's just a travelling middle finger up the arse of conspicuous consumption.

 

Brilliant. Having that if you don't mind!

[mrbenn]

I’m a grumpy fucker today, I can assure you.

 

You're not alone. I'm thinking of starting a club.

[wrenchvolt]

I passed 2 cars broken down on the hard shoulder on way back from Smoll Kent Meet on Sunday. Both sparkling new Mercs. As miserable prole I was overcome with extreme smugness.

[Guest]

A week in as a campsite warden and I'm loving every minute. From laying slabs,to cleaning toilets to parking and connecting up these things..

 

 

 

A massive difference from life before last week, a huge leap in the dark but never looked back yet. Weather has been awesome and at 17:01 in the evening I'm on holiday until 09:00. I leave for work at 08:58.

[davehedgehog31]

A week in as a campsite warden and I'm loving every minute. From laying slabs,to cleaning toilets to parking and connecting up these things..

 

IMG_20180515_113423.jpg

 

 

A massive difference from life before last week, a huge leap in the dark but never looked back yet. Weather has been awesome and at 17:01 in the evening I'm on holiday until 09:00. I leave for work at 08:58.

Brilliant! Glad your leap of faith had worked out nicely.

[beko1987]

Every year when we stay in a caravan park I always want to work there!

 

Which site is it? We could all book ourselves in on one specific week next year and have sf19! We may even pre warn you about it...

[xtriple]

As no one has jumped in and bought the Bentley (none of the millions of messages I was expecting     ) I 'think' I am going to fix it. I just can't scrap the bastard, it is too good by far to do that. I must admit it was a proper 'downer' and I have been really pissed  off about all this, there are a few other things going on in my life as well which I could REALLY do without at the moment, just all add to the joy....

 

So I need a 'garage buddy'. Anyone local ish that fancies helping for a few days/weeks, repair a Bentley? I really cannot afford to just let the specialists do it - £6K is a lot of dosh which I ain't got (got some, not all) so a friend would be a real help. I can do a most things (eventually) but scrabbling around under the old heap is not going to happen again in this life!

 

It also needs recovering from Exeter back to here and then getting in the garage... which will be fun!

[Kiltox]

I thought panhard said he would have it? He will have some spare cash as of Saturday

[richardmorris]

Good luck.

[cort16]

Good luck xtriple . Once you fix it sell the bastard!

 

Edit. Maybe you could rope in a Mobile mechanic to help you with the heavy lifting

[Guest Hooli]

As no one has jumped in and bought the Bentley (none of the millions of messages I was expecting     ) I 'think' I am going to fix it. I just can't scrap the bastard, it is too good by far to do that. I must admit it was a proper 'downer' and I have been really pissed  off about all this, there are a few other things going on in my life as well which I could REALLY do without at the moment, just all add to the joy....

 

So I need a 'garage buddy'. Anyone local ish that fancies helping for a few days/weeks, repair a Bentley? I really cannot afford to just let the specialists do it - £6K is a lot of dosh which I ain't got (got some, not all) so a friend would be a real help. I can do a most things (eventually) but scrabbling around under the old heap is not going to happen again in this life!

 

It also needs recovering from Exeter back to here and then getting in the garage... which will be fun!

 

I wish I was closer, I'd jump at the chance to do that. It's kind of not practical from up here though.

[clayts450]

Possible incoming on Sunday - quite a way away but been having a good convo with the seller and will firm up with them on the phone tomorrow. Possible debut collekshun caper...

 

Seller has been dicked around by the usual idiots making ludicrous lowball offers to tow it away for scrap. Not on my watch. This one is well worth saving. We've had to email due to my daft working hours.

 

ME: I am very interested in buying at the advertised price, but live some distance away (Nottingham) and I wouldn't be able to come to view/buy/drive away until the weekend, most likely Sunday. I'll give (partner) a call tomorrow to discuss. I know it can be very difficult to have to say goodbye to a car you've had for such a long time - they become part of the family don't they ?

 

 

SELLER: The car belongs to my partner who has had it from new   He did only a few miles in it till he met me ten years ago and mileage went up. It’s old but drives lovely. Give him a call in the morning would be happy to talk. Will be sad to see it go but just not being used now at all and we have a newer car

[Ghosty]

After working in aviation since being a flight engineer in the RAF in the 1960s, due to a lack of forthcoming work and the determination to seemingly work himself to death in absence of anything else (he doesn't drink, has no friends, all his living family aside me and my mum live down under, and he barely leaves the house any more despite being in extremely good shape and not looking a day older than 55), Old Man has applied for a job as a caravan fitter. Part time with a view to more hours if it's worth it.

 

This could be interesting, he's 70 in August.

 

If they won't take him I've suggested he volunteer his time to the Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester, which takes up a section of Queens Road bus depot in Cheetham Hill.
His mum used to work in the cafeteria there and he's from Newton Heath so it's a place fairly close to him.

[Ghosty]

Also, a box full of ignition components came today (only been waiting 10 days), and the Prelude is now running again. It started mysteriously stalling as soon as I'd turned the key, but taking the dizzy cap off, checking everything and reseating it restored full functionality.

 

(hint: if a car with a Honda D/F series engine is listed as non-running, and stalls when starting, buy it and replace the ignition parts. The coil/rotor arm/distributor cap will be knackered).

[They_all_do_that_sir]

After working in aviation since being a flight engineer in the RAF in the 1960s, due to a lack of forthcoming work and the determination to seemingly work himself to death in absence of anything else (he doesn't drink, has no friends, all his living family aside me and my mum live down under, and he barely leaves the house any more despite being in extremely good shape and not looking a day older than 55), Old Man has applied for a job as a caravan fitter. Part time with a view to more hours if it's worth it.

 

This could be interesting, he's 70 in August.

 

If they won't take him I've suggested he volunteer his time to the Museum of Transport, Greater Manchester, which takes up a section of Queens Road bus depot in Cheetham Hill.

His mum used to work in the cafeteria there and he's from Newton Heath so it's a place fairly close to him.

Generational thing.

 

My oul man has worked full time since he was about 14. In all the time I've been alive he took one period of sick and that was because he could literally not leave his bed.

 

He got an early retirement package when he was mid 50s and lasted about 6 months at home before he cracked and got another job. He's now mid 60s and has no intention of retiring. Fitter than me and looks not a day over 50.

 

Having a purpose, a reason to get up and out the door keeps age at bay* - my grandmother in law looks after my wife's young cousins, school runs etc and at 80 she's full of energy. She says herself it keeps her going.

 

*caveat is a shitty job you hate will only add years on to you!

 

Sent from my F3211 using Tapatalk

[mercrocker]

We have a couple of fitters at work that stayed on, they do between 1-3 days a week - paid accordingly - depending upon their inclination.   I think the pair of 'em would wither away at home all week.   They both say the work keeps them fit enough to play golf five or six times a month (they both do full 18s - none of this 9 hole stuff) as well as paying their green fees.   I have waited all my working life to be able to retire and although it wouldn't be in my current job I can quite easily see me keeping something going. 

 

Another thing is that blokes in their 70s very often watched their old man work, retire and pass away within a short time and I am sure some of them feel that the only way to prevent this is to put off full retirement.   There might be something in that....

[bub2006]

It's true about the generation thing. A chap I'm friends with who lives in duffield is approaching 75 ish. Officially retired 15 years ago after working since 14 in the building trade. Works for himself now and he a s strong as an ox. I've seen him hook a thick paving slabs on his shoulder and carry it up a ladder to cap off a chimney. He has said by his own admission that when he can't work it will kill him off. He has no wife or children,lives in the house he was born in and never moved out. His brother is the only relative he has but he is also the same and they work together. Sadly he has realised his eyesight isn't getting better and he is on about hanging up his van keys. He used to race sidecar outfits through the 70s to 90s. Still has one in the garage but he knows he won't ever race again and modern rules and regs means the outfit won't see the track again.

[Parky]

Shall I take it to the bridge? Roffle it at £4.20 per ticket? Sell at £250.00?

Renault Clio (1997) 1.2, Manual, 5 Door. 78k, Cat C.

 

Thinking of scrapping it, but will put new exhaust and new MOT and tax to get you home if anybody wants it or will roffle.

 

The Good

 

Had the car 5 months and it's been a real champ. Handles and drives surprisingly well and is quite fun to drive. Tyres are OK and front disks have some life left. It always starts on the button and runs smoothly. My initial plan was to bung in fuel, oil and water and scrap when MOT runs out. The car ran well and I liked the drive. I decided to do some work on it so I would be happy to take it further afield on weekends.

 

Jobs Done

 

 

• Water Pump

• Tensioner Pulley

• Timing Belt

• Coolant Change

• Rocker Cover Gasket

• Throttle Body Clean, New Throttle Body O-ring and Inlet Manifold Gasket

• Spark Plugs

• Air Filter

• Oil and Filter + Sump Plug

• Fuel Filter

• New Exhaust (If I MOT it)

 

Drove it 170 Mile round trip to meet up in Maidstone and it didn't miss a beat. Never let me down and the speedo has claimed 98mph on a quiet stretch of the A41!

 

The Bad

 

• Bonnet sits wonky, might go on straight if fitted correctly, I don't know, never cared too much.

• Drivers mirror is hanging on by the spring.

• The clutch works with no judder or slipping, it's just either in or out.

• Sunroof leaks but not too much.

• Only front washer wiper works and the pump is activated by a push button (Column switch on the way out).

• Door and lock mechanisms require lubrication.

• Interior light/central locking unit needs cleaning with contact cleaner and new fuse to see if it will work.

• Some wheel arch scabs but nothing underneath.

• Chronic lacquer peel

• Many dings and scratches

• Bit of tappet noise from cold but goes after 30 sec.

• Power steering has air in system. Does not affect operation at all, just sounds like a small Bee Gee is trapped under the bonnet.

I had the pleasure of meeting this Clio last weekend and can confirm that it definitely has a bit of life left in it. A tweak of the bonnet hinge will see that straighten up ok, and with a bit of polishing and cleaning it should come out as a fairly decent little runabout. Wrench has done all the key stuff, anything left is cosmetic really.

[They_all_do_that_sir]

We have a couple of fitters at work that stayed on, they do between 1-3 days a week - paid accordingly - depending upon their inclination. I think the pair of 'em would wither away at home all week. They both say the work keeps them fit enough to play golf five or six times a month (they both do full 18s - none of this 9 hole stuff) as well as paying their green fees. I have waited all my working life to be able to retire and although it wouldn't be in my current job I can quite easily see me keeping something going.

 

Another thing is that blokes in their 70s very often watched their old man work, retire and pass away within a short time and I am sure some of them feel that the only way to prevent this is to put off full retirement. There might be something in that....

Frightening amount of people I've worked with over the years have snuffed it within a year of retiring.

 

Im sure its just coincidence, but there seems to be something in the idea that your mind can keep your body going for as long as it takes to achieve something, then give up as soon as that achievement is met....

 

If I ever retire ill have to take on a restoration of epic proportions, and train my mind to believe it HAS to be restored to concours condition

 

Sent from my F3211 using Tapatalk

[wrenchvolt]

Cheers Parky! The plan is to take it to the MOT station (I get a free re-test within 10 days) and see what they knock it on. I will cover her ears if they speak to roughly of her condition! If it's minor I will fix and re-test. I will price the wee beastie at the value of scrap (£90) + the cost of parts to get it through the test, and the cost of the MOT it's self. I estimate the car will owe me anywhere between £250.00 and £170.00 or £4.20-£2.90 on a Roffle.

 

All I'm interested in is seeing the car go out in a way I think it deserves, not crushed before it's time but given a bit of respect for the little workhorse that it is. I don't want to be out of pocket though  

[egg]

One of my grandad's fitted an entire kitchen for himself in his late 70s, so agree its good to continue to have a project of some type.

 

My dad is struggling with that, he walks the dog, and I'm not sure what else!

 

I'll have to work until I'm at least 70 though, no mega pension to rely on, and state pension age is only going one direction...

[MikeR]

internet deliveries ... as soon as I have signed and put the box on the floor , the phone  dings to say a email has arrived , yep delivery conformation ......

[DodgeRover]

It's true about the generation thing. A chap I'm friends with who lives in duffield is approaching 75 ish. Officially retired 15 years ago after working since 14 in the building trade. Works for himself now and he a s strong as an ox. I've seen him hook a thick paving slabs on his shoulder and carry it up a ladder to cap off a chimney. He has said by his own admission that when he can't work it will kill him off. He has no wife or children,lives in the house he was born in and never moved out. His brother is the only relative he has but he is also the same and they work together. Sadly he has realised his eyesight isn't getting better and he is on about hanging up his van keys. He used to race sidecar outfits through the 70s to 90s. Still has one in the garage but he knows he won't ever race again and modern rules and regs means the outfit won't see the track again.

Doesn't the VMCC have a race class for it?

[Parky]

Cheers Parky! The plan is to take it to the MOT station (I get a free re-test within 10 days) and see what they knock it on. I will cover her ears if they speak to roughly of her condition! If it's minor I will fix and re-test. I will price the wee beastie at the value of scrap (£90) + the cost of parts to get it through the test, and the cost of the MOT it's self. I estimate the car will owe me anywhere between £250.00 and £170.00 or £4.20-£2.90 on a Roffle.

 

All I'm interested in is seeing the car go out in a way I think it deserves, not crushed before it's time but given a bit of respect for the little workhorse that it is. I don't want to be out of pocket though

 

I couldn’t see anything particularly bothersome from an MOT perspective. It looked pretty solid underneath, obviously I can’t evaluate things like bushes and ball joints or emissions levels but it certainly seems to have a sound structure. These things were pretty resistant to rust, Renaults of that era were all good in that regard.

[Shep Shepherd]

Obtained a pair of rear door speaker grilles from US eBay for The Volvo to match the front ones, which I took from The Wentworth before I sold it for spares back in 2015. Matching in design, but not in colour, mind:

 

 

Painted them using a can of Wilko satin black last night and fitted them this morning. They've turned out a lot better than I dared hope:

 

 

I think that my decision to use a decent can of paint instead of the pound shop stuff I normally use made a big difference to the quality of the finish

[Parky]

Frightening amount of people I've worked with over the years have snuffed it within a year of retiring.

Im sure its just coincidence, but there seems to be something in the idea that your mind can keep your body going for as long as it takes to achieve something, then give up as soon as that achievement is met....

If I ever retire ill have to take on a restoration of epic proportions, and train my mind to believe it HAS to be restored to concours condition

Sent from my F3211 using Tapatalk

My dad officially retired 7 years ago but is still working as a self employed handyman. He is super fit for his age and could easily beat me up if he so wanted. He couldn’t sit about doing nothing for more than about an hour without getting bored.

 

When I retire I will definitely take on a project of some sort. Maybe I will teach myself watch repairs or build computers or whatever the thing is in 20 years. Probably fixing brushless motors for electric mopeds or rebuilding service droids or suchlike.

 

Or just farming on an isolated planet, drinking blue milk, and telling my grandson not to keep going on about joining the Rebel Alliance

[worldofceri]

Said goodbye to our Golf yesterday.  Being VAGshite, it's had it's issues, but it still drives very crisply for it's 160k and feels strong enough for a good few more.  I can see why there are still loads of these mk4s knocking around.  Buyer is a colleague of my wife, so hopefully it won't blow up in short order.

 

 

You might notice it's got brand new plates.  This is because I've decided to become a number-plate-wanker and have transferred the original reg off it.  It's a Dollywobbler-approved six-digit job which, although it means nothing to me, I figure will make a good cover-plate for post-'01 shite.

 

Meanwhile, I'm still trying to shift the Omega and Saab, which no-one seems particularly interested in.  I've had them on Facebook, Auto Trader and on here.  I'm not going to bother with Ebay as it's just too damn expensive for selling a cheap car, so next step is a roffle...  brb.

[bub2006]

Doesn't the VMCC have a race class for it?

I honestly don't know,his eyesight also means perhaps it isn't in his best interests.

[Jim Bell]

A clutch of little ones huddling together for security.