The new news 24 thread

[Jim Bell]

43 minutes ago, Broadsword said:

Calling @Jim Bell I’m trying to send you a PM, but it says you can’t receive messages. Is your inbox full?

It's not man no. I send and receive all the time. Imma try and send you one, see if you can reply. 

[TrabbieRonnie]

Happy New Year one and all...

Have spent today washing Rosie the Trabi (and an obligatory run up and down the local lanes), a very calming experience, and a good use of my unexpected day off I think.  However, this activity has resulted in a wee splurge on TrabantWelt's website... they have started doing reproduction bumpers (an earlier and much prettier version, it's a Trabbi thing!), which I spotted while ordering the replacement wheel cylinders I actually went on for (brakes are sticking on one side).  340 eurosheckles just like that!

Anyway, Rosie's bumpers will go from this:

 

To something more like this...

 

Which, I'm sure you'll agree is VERY noticeable and WELL WORTH the money!  Yes, I may have a problem... don't buy a Trabant!*

 

 

 

 

*but do, obviously.

 

 

[clayts450]

After oversleeping somewhat catastrophically (hence signed note from Mum for SVR meet today), I decided to get to the bottom of the ever-present brake lights which afflicts the 420 at present.

Looked like a straightforward job, slightly adjust the stop light switch which sits behind the fusebox on the driver's side (naturally in quite a tight space) and pushes against the brake pedal.

How ever much I adjusted it (either stupidly tight against the brake pedal, or floppily loose) the brake lights steadfastedly stayed on. Pulled the switch itself out and checked for resistance - exactly as you would expect : nothing with the switch depressed (brake pedal off), good reading with it off (brake depressed). 

I suspect there must be some electric-kery going on somewhere as also noticed that neither rear fog light works, so will now have to carefully check all the wiring.

Have bought a six quid replacement switch off the bay just in case, but that was a straw-clutching moment of weakness.

[stuboy]

Got some money for xmas so put it towards buying some better seats for the mondeo..

 

Shortly I'll be giving my old cloth seats away 

[xtriple]

I knew what was in the packet from Kyle for Christmas so hadn't opened it. Today I did...

 

Yes the sily bugger bought me new plugs for the car and then gift wrapped each one individually.

[anonymous user]

Never travel by train after a bank holiday.

The rail network is certainly getting its money's worth out of the rolling stock today. Just travelled livestock class from Bridgend to Cardiff, now on an alternative route via Bristol Temple Meads, due to cancellations on the Parkway route, but at least have a seat (for people with no legs). ETA Barnstaple sometime today.

[MikeR]

just walked to the Dr's to apply for my Prescription charge exemption form ....  should just get rubber stamped ..

what gets  me ,  is I could of been told about this weeks ago  by support staff at the hospital  ... instead I find out about it on Google ...

wonder is dental work is covered ?

[loserone]

Yes.

 

Edit: No.  Some types of exception certificates do, but not these ones.

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/exemption-certificates/medical-exemption-certificates

[chadders]

Probably not:

The cost of NHS dental treatment

People in certain groups are entitled to free NHS dental treatment, including those under 18, those under 19 still receiving full-time education, pregnant women or those who have had a baby in the last 12 months, and those on qualifying low-income benefits.

Otherwise, there are three standard NHS price bands. You should only pay once for each course of dental treatment. 

The bands cover:

Band 1 is £22.70  Examination, diagnosis (eg x-rays), preventive advice, a scale and polish if needed, application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant. Urgent care, even if your appointment needs more than one appointment to complete.

Band 2 is £62.10  Everything listed in Band 1, plus further treatment such as fillings, root-canal work and extractions.

Band 3 is £269.30  Everything listed in Bands 1 and 2, plus crowns, dentures and bridges.

These costs apply from 1 April 2019 and are part of the Department of Health uplift in dental charges, which started in April 2016.

[loserone]

Use the checker service to see what you're exempt from: https://services.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/check-my-nhs-exemption/start 

[lesapandre]

 The Daily Northerner reports:

"Renault in experimental 'run flat' tyre test fiasco - driver turns to drink in disappointment."

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2020/jan/02/alleged-drink-driver-arrested-on-motorway-had-no-front-tyres

[Wingz123]

1 hour ago, chadders said:

Probably not:

The cost of NHS dental treatment

People in certain groups are entitled to free NHS dental treatment, including those under 18, those under 19 still receiving full-time education, pregnant women or those who have had a baby in the last 12 months, and those on qualifying low-income benefits.

Otherwise, there are three standard NHS price bands. You should only pay once for each course of dental treatment. 

The bands cover:

Band 1 is £22.70  Examination, diagnosis (eg x-rays), preventive advice, a scale and polish if needed, application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant. Urgent care, even if your appointment needs more than one appointment to complete.

Band 2 is £62.10  Everything listed in Band 1, plus further treatment such as fillings, root-canal work and extractions.

Band 3 is £269.30  Everything listed in Bands 1 and 2, plus crowns, dentures and bridges.

These costs apply from 1 April 2019 and are part of the Department of Health uplift in dental charges, which started in April 2016.

This is peanuts compared with going private.

Checkup alone is £35

[anonymous user]

Finally on last leg of rail journey, I am unsure if my legs will recover enough to drive home.

[vulgalour]

Internet connected today, woohoo!  New house is proving a lot of work, in a good way.  In addition to the electrical tape waste pipe in the kitchen, the one under the bathroom basin is 'repaired' with brown parcel tape which also, astonishingly, doesn't leak.  House move went surprisingly smoothly, except for a puncture on the hire van a few miles after setting off.  Happily, the hire company replaced the flat tyre free of charge and the rest of the drive was uneventful.  In fact, of all the house moves I've done over the years this was by far the smoothest of the lot, and not just because I was wafting along in a BX.

Interestingly, the starting problem the BX had vanished after the long run.  The starting issue was bad again a couple of days ago but has once again vanished, so I really don't know what's causing it.  Either way, 300 miles of motorway slog seems to have mostly sorted it. Scariness of trying out a new MoT garage - I've got a good shortlist of recommendations thanks to a post elsewhere on the forum - later this month though, realistically, I can't imagine what would cause issues at test since I've not done that many miles since the last one and honestly, the car has been really well behaved.

So yeah, I'm now in Kent and it feels weirdly like being on holiday.  Princess will be arriving later this month, I hope, all depends on cost and who I can get to bring it down here for that one.

[lanciamatt]

It's bloody annoying when simple jobs go pear shaped. I've had new front discs and pads to fit on my thema for a month now. Attempted to fit them and the lower caliper carrier slider on both sides was siezed solid. Borrowed a small blow torch and managed to free them off.so a 40 min job turned into hour and half. But sorted now, pedal feels much better. 

[Skizzer]

Took the Accord Aerodeck for its MOT today.

Aw, poor Honda.

Still, it’s not a big job — there’s already a patch on one side, which needs re-doing, and the other side needs one too.  

Helpfully my regular local MOT man likes the car a lot so is happy to do the work, and for me to leave it with him while I’m away working so it gets done within the free retest period.  

Looking forward to getting this back in regular service. I’ve given up waiting for an insurance policy to come free so will just stick it on the FJ account and then enjoy its airy executive charms. 

[anonymous user]

Now on my way home, it's going to be a long day. It's very noisy with the hood up (stupid exhaust)

[tommotech]

After the 9N Polo had a new timing chain fitted last year it’s mainly been sitting around and doing the odd learner trip for younger T. That has stepped up over the last month and I’ve been using it for shorter journeys, quite a nice car to drive. However, last evening there was an FTP. It would crank, start and cut out straight away but no dash lights on at all. 
Main live supplies checked and fuses / relays with no obvious signs. Lives at engine management and instruments fuses meant getting the clocks out to check there. 
On removal the main connector didn’t feel quite right, outside of the connector was loose and pushing it home bought the panel to life. 
Further investigation showed the connector block pushes into the PCB, so I glued the plastic in place and soldered the pins back on the PCB, happy days a free repair!
 

The offending connector / pins  

 

Front row soldered, back row of pins were also ‘blobbed’ 

All good after deleting error codes for missing comms to Gateway (Airbag lamp was on)

Happy New Year All

[holbeck]

A2 dead, hgf. 

Decided I'm going to sack it off as I've found something more me. Collection next week. 

[anonymous user]

And finally home. Very few niggles. It has a noisy twin pipe exhaust, the stereo is an aftermarket Sony in demo mode which is very irritating when it's flashing away, passenger window doesn't work. It seemed a lot further journey home than I wanted, I doubt I'll be driving it that far in one go ever again. Unfortunately I have coffee'd up to stay awake, so probably won't sleep now.

[New POD]

10 hours ago, chadders said:

Probably not:

The cost of NHS dental treatment

People in certain groups are entitled to free NHS dental treatment, including those under 18, those under 19 still receiving full-time education, pregnant women or those who have had a baby in the last 12 months, and those on qualifying low-income benefits.

Otherwise, there are three standard NHS price bands. You should only pay once for each course of dental treatment. 

The bands cover:

Band 1 is £22.70  Examination, diagnosis (eg x-rays), preventive advice, a scale and polish if needed, application of fluoride varnish or fissure sealant. Urgent care, even if your appointment needs more than one appointment to complete.

Band 2 is £62.10  Everything listed in Band 1, plus further treatment such as fillings, root-canal work and extractions.

Band 3 is £269.30  Everything listed in Bands 1 and 2, plus crowns, dentures and bridges.

These costs apply from 1 April 2019 and are part of the Department of Health uplift in dental charges, which started in April 2016.

I broke my tooth earlier in 2019 and I had an emergency appointment under the NHS and IIRC the cost was standard at 36 quid. 

She pretty much replaced a triangular corner about 4 mm x 4 mm or 1/6 th of the surface area of the whole tooth. 

 

[brownnova]

12 hours ago, anonymous user said:

And finally home. Very few niggles. It has a noisy twin pipe exhaust, the stereo is an aftermarket Sony in demo mode which is very irritating when it's flashing away, passenger window doesn't work. It seemed a lot further journey home than I wanted, I doubt I'll be driving it that far in one go ever again. Unfortunately I have coffee'd up to stay awake, so probably won't sleep now.

Having done some long journeys in mine with the hood up and the noisy exhaust I can agree it can become very tiresome!! With the roof down however it’s excellent fun! 
Well purchased. They’re excellent cars... even if I’m thinking of selling mine! 

[Tenmil Socket]

6 minutes ago, brownnova said:

Having done some long journeys in mine with the hood up and the noisy exhaust I can agree it can become very tiresome!! With the roof down however it’s excellent fun! 
Well purchased. They’re excellent cars... even if I’m thinking of selling mine! 

I've been thinking of selling mine too...

[xtriple]

To anyone with an MX5 and thinking of selling, ust don't!

The little buggers are addictive and as soon as it's gone, you;ll be looking for another. I have had three and sold them all for valid reasons at the time, but I still want another. Even a sporty Merc doesn't fill the gap completely even though the SLK feels like a 'grown up' version with more toys, it is still not an MX5...

[brownnova]

Sadly mine just isn’t getting the use currently, and with baby_brownnnova on the way in June I can’t see that improving! 

My step son will probably disown me if I do sell though... 

[Skizzer]

I’m on a mission again.
 

Not a new car, just bringing home an old forum favourite.  Update later on at some point.

[HillmanImp]

8 minutes ago, Skizzer said:

I’m on a mission again. Not a new car, just bringing home an old forum favourite.  Update later on at some point.

? 

[MikeR]

thats 13 months MOT on the C1

 

it did 3.6K miles last year !!

[M'coli]

I like a palindromic odometer reading! For bonus points, why should I have re-set the trip meter 654 miles ago?

[chodweaver]

So the trip would read 0550?

That would definitely have put my aspi brain at ease.