The grumpy thread

[maxxo]

Loft tank has been removed so it’s all off mains pressure now which is shockingly bad

ive managed to improve it a fair bit by turning the stop cock fully on. Which has made it better

i think the issue is the boiler is too far from the shower, it’s distance causing the wait to heat up

just doesn’t seem to get all that hot, but it’s acceptable enough now and just one of those things

[High Jetter]

24 minutes ago, maxxo said:

Loft tank has been removed so it’s all off mains pressure now which is shockingly bad

ive managed to improve it a fair bit by turning the stop cock fully on. Which has made it better

i think the issue is the boiler is too far from the shower, it’s distance causing the wait to heat up

just doesn’t seem to get all that hot, but it’s acceptable enough now and just one of those things

I would have thought the hot water alone would be too hot for a shower without at least some cold mixed in, unless you like super hot showers. My Mrs likes hers hotter than me, but she doesn't have it on max - and that's from a hot cylinder.

[Datsuncog]

16 minutes ago, maxxo said:

i think the issue is the boiler is too far from the shower, it’s distance causing the wait to heat up

I had a similar issue in a rental fitted with a gas combi; there was about a 15m run of pipe between the boiler (installed on the ground floor) and the bathroom taps (at the back of the first floor outshot - so pipes went all the way up two floors into the attic, then right across the width of the house, then all the way out to the very back of the house and down into the bathroom).

It just meant there were always a few litres of cold water sitting in the pipes which had to flow through before any heated water would appear at the tap. It took even longer to arrive because the taps were modernish aerating ones designed to cut down on water consumption. So I basically just washed my hands in cold water all the time as I was too impatient to wait for it to go warm.

Very tiresome, and not much we could do about it. Hopefully you've adjusted it to be a bit better, and you'll get used to it!

[myglaren]

Mine is like that.  I have an electric shower but contemplating one run from the (new) combi when it eventually fails.

[DavieW]

Why not walk on the perfectly good pavement on the other side of the road? At least he'd be facing on coming traffic. Arsehole. 

[maxxo]

It will be very interesting to see how bills compare

i used to just use the heat in the cylinder generated from the central heating being on, and if the immersion was on 20 mins would do nicely for a shower

ive got a hunch they’ll be increased

time will tell

i love absolutely stinking hot baths and showers personally, it has to be almost scalding 

[Sir Chocolate Teapot]

Last week, 5 working days ago, online booked 2 new tyres for fitting today at midday with nation tyres ( halfords owned I believe ) I turn up 15 mins early and hand over keys, 30 mins later to be told sorry we do not have your tyres in stock, computer says yes but physical check says no. " we will contact you when they are in stock" What a waste of 2 hrs of my life.

Why these days do you have to order online for best price, physically turning up in shop and checking if they have stuff in stock and asking price costs more,   just why ?

Halfords / national tyres computer system shame on you.

[comfortablynumb]

MK2 son wanted 2 235/50x17's for the ex @MVX11VJag, was going to get partworns but apparently they're an unusual size.

Our local one man band tyre place, who usually has everything, said he could source 2 new ones, but they'd be £130, and take a couple of days.

Next day hes on the phone, got them in, when do you want them fitted?

Service like that, I don't bother with the nationals

[andyberg]

Trying to book my son’s driving test. Jesus h Christ it’s painful. No dates for literally 9 months and then when we try to book the website crashes. FKN bunflaps. 😡😡😡😡

[EyesWeldedShut]

1 hour ago, andyberg said:

Trying to book my son’s driving test. Jesus h Christ it’s painful. No dates for literally 9 months and then when we try to book the website crashes. FKN bunflaps. 😡😡😡😡

Try looking over the bridge a bit? Test waits in Wales are (allegedly) about 8 weeks shorter than in England?

[andyberg]

3 minutes ago, EyesWeldedShut said:

Try looking over the bridge a bit? Test waits in Wales are (allegedly) about 8 weeks shorter than in England?

Good shout. All he needs to do is get on the system so he can access the cancellations apparently 🤷‍♂️

[sheffcortinacentre]

4 hours ago, DavieW said:

Why not walk on the perfectly good pavement on the other side of the road? At least he'd be facing on coming traffic. Arsehole. 

Becuz I is entitled oin it.

[r.welfare]

4 hours ago, Sir Chocolate Teapot said:

Halfords / national tyres computer system shame on you.

I always use F1 Autocentres in Basingstoke, usually the cheapest and haven’t ballsed anything up for me.

[FakeConcern]

We were at one of our BTL properties yesterday to fix a dripping tap and the tenant was at home as her son wasn't feeling well. She is a lovely person and we get on well with her so we were concerned and asked her to let us know the outcome of some tests being done. She's just let us know that he has leukemia, I don't know what exact type, but fuck me it puts your troubles into perspective.

There is no god.

[Rust Collector]

12 minutes ago, FakeConcern said:

but fuck me it puts your troubles into perspective.

We’ve had a few things happen to family friends recently that have been stark reminders not to waste time feeling upset about things that are fairly inconsequential. Can’t think of anything worse than losing kids, or kids losing their parents, and we’ve seen people we care about go through that in the past few years. Life can be incredibly cruel for seemingly no reason at all.

Hope that things turn out ok for the kid.

Edited February 4, 2025 by Rust Collector
Autocorrect…

[artdjones]

10 hours ago, FakeConcern said:

We were at one of our BTL properties yesterday to fix a dripping tap and the tenant was at home as her son wasn't feeling well. She is a lovely person and we get on well with her so we were concerned and asked her to let us know the outcome of some tests being done. She's just let us know that he has leukemia, I don't know what exact type, but fuck me it puts your troubles into perspective.

There is no god.

Childhood leukaemia has a quite high survival rate these days. Not that that's much comfort in the early days of being diagnosed, as there's no settled information about what the real situation is.

[scdan4]

14 hours ago, FakeConcern said:

We were at one of our BTL properties yesterday to fix a dripping tap and the tenant was at home as her son wasn't feeling well. She is a lovely person and we get on well with her so we were concerned and asked her to let us know the outcome of some tests being done. She's just let us know that he has leukemia, I don't know what exact type, but fuck me it puts your troubles into perspective.

There is no god.

My daughter was diagnosed with am leukemia December 23.

Died in May.

 

If there is a god it's an evil little shit 

 

ETA 

Sorry. Perhaps not helpful and Maybe I should be more positive, but it's a horrible journey they've got ahead of them.

Not all leukaemia is equal, so hopefully they'll be 'lucky' and escape the worst aspects it can throw at you 

I wish them every bit of luck they can find. 

Young lives against cancer, teenage cancer trust, latch and 2wish have been so supportive to us we'd not have survived without, so please encourage your friends to seek help from the charities. 

The NHS were impeccable for us, but concentrate on the patient and disease, not the clusterfuck it causes in anything it touches. 

❤️

[Lord Sterling]

Bollocks! MoT for Vectra is tomorrow and just today, the power steering has decided to stop working. I suspect it's a pipe as I topped up the reservoir a few days ago as its been losing PS fluid slowly but surely. 

I'm in Birmingham about to top up the car with rubbish to take to the tip for Ma Sterling. I phoned up the garage who advised me to leave the car with them as soon as I get back as my MoT is early doors tomorrow. 

[autopaul]

Jesus Christ on a bike. Have you seen the prices for a "full/interim" service.

Makes my eyes water looking at these prices. Although they don't seem to charge more for oil, as my T5 takes about 7l and the Scirocco just over 4.5l. But an air filter to be fitted is up to £70, yet it's £80 more.

 

[artdjones]

7 minutes ago, autopaul said:

Jesus Christ on a bike. Have you seen the prices for a "full/interim" service.

Makes my eyes water looking at these prices. Although they don't seem to charge more for oil, as my T5 takes about 7l and the Scirocco just over 4.5l. But an air filter to be fitted is up to £70, yet it's £80 more.

 

Having your brake fluid changed for £40 isn't terrible.

[Popsicle]

23 minutes ago, autopaul said:

Jesus Christ on a bike. Have you seen the prices for a "full/interim" service.

Makes my eyes water looking at these prices. Although they don't seem to charge more for oil, as my T5 takes about 7l and the Scirocco just over 4.5l. But an air filter to be fitted is up to £70, yet it's £80 more.

 

As a comparison to doing it yersen, using Mann filters and correct spec 507 oil, my Caddy costs me £18.57 for an oil & oil filter and £52.20 for oil, air, fuel & pollen filters.

[autopaul]

2 minutes ago, Popsicle said:

As a comparison to doing it yersen, using Mann filters and correct spec 507 oil, my Caddy costs me £18.57 for an oil & oil filter and £52.20 for oil, air, fuel & pollen filters.

Yes just done the Scirocco. 507 Oil with a tin engine flush was £18, oil filter was £7, fuel filter was £9, air filter I think was about a tenner.  Fuel filter on the T5 was £30 though as it's bloody massive. Hourly labour rates it what bumps it up. But still a lot for an "interim service"

[cobblers]

28 minutes ago, artdjones said:

Having your brake fluid changed for £40 isn't terrible.

LOL there's not a fucking chance that they are doing anything other than slurping a bit out of the reservoir with a turkey baster and topping it back up with fresh. 

 

[Chas4545]

16 hours ago, FakeConcern said:

We were at one of our BTL properties yesterday to fix a dripping tap and the tenant was at home as her son wasn't feeling well. She is a lovely person and we get on well with her so we were concerned and asked her to let us know the outcome of some tests being done. She's just let us know that he has leukemia, I don't know what exact type, but fuck me it puts your troubles into perspective.

There is no god.

I  agree about God,  but you might say a little prayer that its chronic myloid leukemia, which is eminantly treatable with a high chance of "normal" lifespan. A miracle set of drugs called TKIs, brutal  to be on but life saving.

Ask me how I know ........

[comfortablynumb]

26 minutes ago, cobblers said:

LOL there's not a fucking chance that they are doing anything other than slurping a bit out of the reservoir with a turkey baster and topping it back up with fresh. 

 

Funny, that's what I immediately thought when someone mentioned £40....🙄

[alcyonecorporation]

Dear Client, 

You owe me £a lot, and you are two weeks in arrears. I am sick of your excuses. My landlord is sick of your excuses. 

I made myself *ill* getting that work done at the speed you wanted. 

You have a week before I send a HC bailiff round. 
I've done it before, and I had my payment that same hour. Do not make me do that. I do not want to do that. 

Stop fucking me about. I am SICK TO FUCKING DEATH of living to hand to mouth. 

[richardmorris]

3 hours ago, autopaul said:

Jesus Christ on a bike. Have you seen the prices for a "full/interim" service.

Makes my eyes water looking at these prices. Although they don't seem to charge more for oil, as my T5 takes about 7l and the Scirocco just over 4.5l. But an air filter to be fitted is up to £70, yet it's £80 more.

 

Don’t know if they’re any good or not but f1 auto centres seem reasonable value. And they’re about £30 a tyre less than kwik fit or merittyres for Goodyears.
https://www.f1autocentres.co.uk/car-servicing/book-service

[BorniteIdentity]

Being a diligent chap, I'm fiercely organised (bordering on anal) about ULEZ etc.  So much so that I use the Auto Pay function and - beyond that - even added a ULEZ compliant car to my account JUST in case something should ever go wrong.  (I'd rather deal with an errant £12.50 fine than get a PCN).

I added my son's car on the off-chance that I'd need to use it and everything's been fine so far.

Last month, I sold my Saab (added to database despite compliancy) and added the A2.  

Or so I thought.  

It turns out, I hadn't - and TFL have now billed me £270 for the privilege of three days' enjoyment* of driving between W1 and Sterling Corner.

I called the Helpline* who said they couldn't help.  

I've now had to file representations to TFL and hopefully they can see that A) I removed vehicles when I said I did, B ) It's not my intention to cheat the system as there's a record of prior 'Good behaviour' on file.

 

If these aren't overturned I make a solemn pledge to you all that I will only ever take the smoke bilging sierra into London henceforth and kill every bastard one of London with the delicious free emissions.

I fucking hate life atm.

[Rust Collector]

9 minutes ago, BorniteIdentity said:

Being a diligent chap, I'm fiercely organised (bordering on anal) about ULEZ etc.  So much so that I use the Auto Pay function and - beyond that - even added a ULEZ compliant car to my account JUST in case something should ever go wrong.  (I'd rather deal with an errant £12.50 fine than get a PCN).

I added my son's car on the off-chance that I'd need to use it and everything's been fine so far.

Last month, I sold my Saab (added to database despite compliancy) and added the A2.  

Or so I thought.  

It turns out, I hadn't - and TFL have now billed me £270 for the privilege of three days' enjoyment* of driving between W1 and Sterling Corner.

I called the Helpline* who said they couldn't help.  

I've now had to file representations to TFL and hopefully they can see that A) I removed vehicles when I said I did, B ) It's not my intention to cheat the system as there's a record of prior 'Good behaviour' on file.

 

If these aren't overturned I make a solemn pledge to you all that I will only ever take the smoke bilging sierra into London henceforth and kill every bastard one of London with the delicious free emissions.

I fucking hate life atm.

I think this camera enforced shit is all bang out of order. We got stung for £60 at Gatwick drop off the other week, as my mrs forgot to go online and pay later that day. If the cunts put a barrier up and made you pay to go in/out then you couldn’t forget and they would always get their fee.

I’m certain they want you to forget, as making a genuine mistake is much more profitable to them.

I can live with paying £60, but I can’t stand the thought of some cunt getting one over on me.

When I become Supreme Dictator of the World, we will put the heads of the folks who designed these systems on pikes. And then send them a fine for not paying for their pike session on the web portal, which isn’t clearly signposted.

[Lord Sterling]

Bollocks, looks like I'm technically without a car for a few days. Ah well.

Vectra failed the MoT on power steering issue (it popped yesterday) and track rod ends. 

There is a long list of advisories that involve corrosion on the underside.

So; to get it passed it's MoT will require the power steering to be repaired. I suspect this is a pipe issue rather than anything steering rack related as when it went pop, all of the fluid disappeared from the reservoir.

Track rod ends I've been aware of, then hopefully it'll get a fresh MoT. I don't know how long this'll take but it looks like I'll be taxiing to work and back for at least the first night.

Advisories on all tyres as they are wearing on the inner edge, they are the wrong size anyway so I'll be purchasing a full set of correct sized tyres.

The underside I'll be looking to get cleaned up and undersealed at least to slow the corrosion down.

I can't really use the Jag as there is still that horrible noise from the rear brake. It drives etc... but I'd rather not risk it.