The new news 24 thread

[Six-cylinder]

3 minutes ago, bunglebus said:

then began a clusterfuck involving the RAC taking over 6 hours to attend despite repeated phone calls chasing them up - FIL had driven it to work but left it in a dodgy spot after it stalled and my Mrs ended up sat in the car waiting for the RAC at the time they were supposed to attend - they missed that deadline by over two hours. In the end I drove up in her Lupo and she drove that home, I took the Suzuki followed by the RAC man. He couldn't change the belt so fitted a temporary battery, I had to stop a couple of times to let the engine cool as there was no water pump drive.

Typical experience with the RAC, this year I am trying the AA in spite of being a lot more expensive. Last year I broke down locally and ending up calling for Autoshite help, the service was first class and I was home in half an hour on the end of a rope!

[bunglebus]

Only really experienced breakdown service twice - both RAC, both took many hours longer than it should. Last time was a hired Pug van in Scotland that broke down on the way home in the morning - we were left all day in a Tesco car park until once again many ranty phone calls saw us picked up in a knackered taxi and dropped at a hire car place at the airport. Good job we didn't need anything out of the van as it didn't get back to Essex until about 10 days later

[Merryck]

On 2/1/2022 at 9:41 AM, reb said:

Looks like I'll be doing just that, as the union doesn't work on Sundays.

I would actually welcome being let go as they've failed to train me on anything but a role that isn't actually necessary most of the time so I don't get any shifts. I'm fairly sure it's because I told them I'm autistic, hence my desire for union involvement. I don't think they actually expect me to bring a rep even though they know I'm in a union.

In the meantime, they've given me 1 (one) whole 6 hour shift this week. Which once you take the half hour break into account is worth an astonishing £49. Utterly pointless.

You're officially diagnosed with Autism? I recall you mentioning ADHD on the mental health thread - if these are both official diagnoses then remember that these are protected characteristics. By law they have to make 'reasonable adjustments'. If they haven't made any reasonable adjustments, or you can successfully argue that what they're doing is due to your Autism or ADHD (which as neurodivergencies are counted as a disability) then they're breaking the law.

I don't know the details of your job or your employer, but you should be well protected by the law here. Make sure you inform your union of your diagnosis and remind them that it's classed as a disability and you're protected under the Equality Act.

In the eyes of the law if they're trying to get rid of you or make your life hard because of your Autism then it's as serious as them trying to do it to someone because of their ethnicity or religion.

[wuvvum]

3 hours ago, MJK 24 said:

That’s Mercedes 190D pace

🚙💨💨💨

Only the 190D 2.5 can match that kind of searing acceleration though.  A 2.0 would be left choking in the Maxus's's exhaust clag.

[juular]

22 minutes ago, Merryck said:

You're officially diagnosed with Autism? I recall you mentioning ADHD on the mental health thread - if these are both official diagnoses then remember that these are protected characteristics. By law they have to make 'reasonable adjustments'. If they haven't made any reasonable adjustments, or you can successfully argue that what they're doing is due to your Autism or ADHD (which as neurodivergencies are counted as a disability) then they're breaking the law.

I don't know the details of your job or your employer, but you should be well protected by the law here. Make sure you inform your union of your diagnosis and remind them that it's classed as a disability and you're protected under the Equality Act.

In the eyes of the law if they're trying to get rid of you or make your life hard because of your Autism then it's as serious as them trying to do it to someone because of their ethnicity or religion.

One hundred percent this @reb

Don't go without representation.  A lot of employers count on you being by yourself and being outnumbered and intimidated, and especially in the case of mental health issues, overwhelmed.  In that situation they tend to bend the rules and alter the narrative to suit themselves.

With representation they'll need to be on their best behaviour. Not only will the meeting then be witnessed / noted, but if they step out of line they will be held to account for it. 

And yes, absolutely, autism and ADHD puts you firmly in the category of needing reasonable adjustments by law. 

[Fumbler]

I felt the need to differentiate between a Laser Doppler Vibrometer and a Leyland DAF Van in my assignment...

...Just to avoid any potential confusion

Edit- added this helpful sentence.

[barefoot]

Had my carburettor fiddled today by my favourite carb bloke. After about ten minutes, the swift exchange of a crisp twenty and like Trigger's Dolomite, my Scirocco is transformed.

[reb]

Just finished the job interview, I think it went quite well! The technical section was interesting* because I'm much better at solving problems than explaining them but apparently I did well in it. I should find out tomorrow afternoon if I've got the job or not!

[reb]

Well, I found out today instead, I got the job!

[High Jetter]

1 hour ago, reb said:

Well, I found out today instead, I got the job!

Bloody well done that man! That and an AS calendar marks the start of a better year for you, hopefully.

[SiC]

On 2/2/2022 at 11:53 AM, Fumbler said:

I felt the need to differentiate between a Laser Doppler Vibrometer and a Leyland DAF Van in my assignment...

...Just to avoid any potential confusion

Edit- added this helpful sentence.

We had a Polytec Laser Doppler Vibrometer at the last place I worked. Got told in no uncertain terms during training for it that we were to not point it at "sensitive buildings". 

Really cool technology.

[AnnoyingPentium]

9 hours ago, bunglebus said:

YRP... same ending as my Granda's old Fiat Punto.

[gm]

fun and games at the petrol station today - I'd got all the way through inserting my card, typing in my pin, taking my card out, picking up the nozzle...

then discovered something was not quite right

I patiently waited for another pump to become available and got my fuel, whilst watching another customer do exactly the same as I had just done  

 

[goosey]

Place I went to to get my Alternator checked had just finished fitting 2 new sills and a rear wheel arch to an M reg Astra Diesel. I spoke to the old boy owner who was collecting it who was a really sound bloke, he had it from new and said it was the best car he’s ever driven, he was off to get the repairs painted and blended in.

[Yoss]

1 hour ago, goosey said:

Place I went to to get my Alternator checked had just finished fitting 2 new sills and a rear wheel arch to an M reg Astra Diesel. I spoke to the old boy owner who was collecting it who was a really sound bloke, he had it from new and said it was the best car he’s ever driven, 

But as it seems he hasn't driven anything else since 1995 that's not saying much is it? Fair play to him for keeping it going though, thoroughly approve. 

[somewhatfoolish]

2 hours ago, SiC said:

We had a Polytec Laser Doppler Vibrometer at the last place I worked. Got told in no uncertain terms we were to not point it at "sensitive buildings". 

Really cool technology.

Was it OK to point it at gregarious and outgoing buildings? 

[goosey]

10 minutes ago, Yoss said:

But as it seems he hasn't driven anything else since 1995 that's not saying much is it? Fair play to him for keeping it going though, thoroughly approve. 

Yeah I thought that too,

But I decided to keep it to myself as I didn’t want to spoil his day. 

[Agila]

On 1/30/2022 at 2:16 PM, chancer said:

Had a FTP on friday, van lost all electricity. Fine one minute, dead the next. Thought turned to alternator or battery, but on inspection found this

Battery negative terminal has multiple strands broken and looks pretty messy. Anyone had any experience of issues like this? Plan is to renew the terminal tomorrow as its only a couple of quid. Cant find mutimeter to check output from alternator. Typical

Yes. On a rover 400 1999 1.6, the battery wasn't clamped down properly and could move about the wire virtually snapped clean through like yours. New earth strap and the car was spot on.

[vulgalour]

Has anyone else been smelling burning rubber in slow moving traffic?  Not very strong, and never for very long.  I did think it was the Princess but after finding no signs at all of any rubber getting hot or worn on the car, and the fact it happens really randomly in the journey, I have to assume it's something outside.  Maybe it's a new car thing?

Been really bugging me though.  Every time I smell it (or hear someone else's squealing brakes), I think the car has broken something.

[chancer]

32 minutes ago, Agila said:

Yes. On a rover 400 1999 1.6, the battery wasn't clamped down properly and could move about the wire virtually snapped clean through like yours. New earth strap and the car was spot on.

Funny you should mention battery not being clamped down. I hadnt been using the van much so had taken the battery out and boosted it on the charger. Forgot to clamp the battery and first drive out, and first roundabout the battery light came on. I have renewed the terminal but the problem still remains, although not quite as bad as it was previously. I have given up, and selling it on as spares or repair. I had already ordered a new vehicle to replace it thankfully. Sad to see the van go though, ive had it 11 years and its been utterly depandable in all that time

[SiC]

5 minutes ago, vulgalour said:

Has anyone else been smelling burning rubber in slow moving traffic?  Not very strong, and never for very long.  I did think it was the Princess but after finding no signs at all of any rubber getting hot or worn on the car, and the fact it happens really randomly in the journey, I have to assume it's something outside.  Maybe it's a new car thing?

Been really bugging me though.  Every time I smell it (or hear someone else's squealing brakes), I think the car has broken something.

Modern diesel burning smell? Or a DPF regenerating smell?

[vulgalour]

Do those things smell like burning rubber?  I was following a Range Rover that was fairly new and the thing STANK.  I don't know what was going on with it but it was putting some really acrid odours out the exhausts... not burning rubber though.

[GMcD]

It's not weed your smelling is it?

I don't smell rubber but constantly get huge wiffs of weed(or smells like it) round these parts, either on foot or in the car when pottering in traffic. I assume it's folk vaping.

Before anyone jokes...no it's not me smoking it. 

 

[vulgalour]

Doesn't smell like any of the surprisingly diverse varieties of weed I've smelled so far locally.  Vaping though.  I could do without the sticky clouds of strawberry that you end up in when people are chuffing it out.

[PhilA]

1 hour ago, vulgalour said:

Doesn't smell like any of the surprisingly diverse varieties of weed I've smelled so far locally.  Vaping though.  I could do without the sticky clouds of strawberry that you end up in when people are chuffing it out.

Winter diesel not playing nice with modern diesel emissions systems?

Phil

[barefoot]

I once read a book where the protagonist kept smelling burning rubber. It was a warning that she was about to suffer a stroke...

[Cord Fourteener]

I've been driving my Mondeo mk4 estate since October, it's never missed a beat. But I've learned that what won't go in the back probably isn't carrying worth carrying. 

In fact what won't go in with ease and with room for more things probably isn't worth carrying.

[paulplom]

Anyone smell burning rubber during sex? No? 

Maybe that's just me then.

[AnnoyingPentium]

44 minutes ago, barefoot said:

I once read a book where the protagonist kept smelling burning rubber. It was a warning that she was about to suffer a stroke...

I always thought it was smelling burnt toast before a stroke.

[paulplom]

An old Billy Connolly joke from when he used to be funny in about 1990. He used to be my favourite comedian till he made that joke about that poor Ken Bigley who had his head cut off. About as funny as cancer. He can foad imo.

https://www.scotsman.com/news/uk-news/crowd-angered-connollys-get-it-hostage-joke-2506645