The grumpy thread

[Jazoli]

Stick a jerrycan in the back and run it from full to empty and keep track of the miles till it actually runs out, hell I get 350 miles out of the 50L in my old 2.0 golf.

[High Jetter]

1 hour ago, captain_70s said:

Woke up this morning with a fucked back.

No idea what I did, presumably I slept funny or something. Attempted to go to work and managed 2 hours before I had to go home. Not even 30 and I'm already infirm, fucksake.

That's shit. Had it myself, in my 40's. Rested, on floor next to our bed. Then had staff go sick so had to go out on van, lifting 20Kg bags. Fixed it for me, but you may have different problem.

[Talbot]

2 hours ago, captain_70s said:

Woke up this morning with a fucked back.  No idea what I did,

Carrying eleventy-hundred kilo car batteries up and down from street level to your flat perhaps?

Not even joking.  Carrying a large flooded lead-acid battery up and down stairs, especially ones with a turn in them can absolutely bugger you up. 

[High Jetter]

Yea, I binned an exercise regime like that.

[captain_70s]

1 hour ago, High Jetter said:

That's shit. Had it myself, in my 40's. Rested, on floor next to our bed. Then had staff go sick so had to go out on van, lifting 20Kg bags. Fixed it for me, but you may have different problem.

I went to work on the off chance that a bit of movement would free things up, not so...

1 hour ago, Talbot said:

Carrying eleventy-hundred kilo car batteries up and down from street level to your flat perhaps?

Not even joking.  Carrying a large flooded lead-acid battery up and down stairs, especially ones with a turn in them can absolutely bugger you up. 

My car batteries aren't bad, 'cause they're smol for smol cars. My 3 ton trolley jack on the other hand is a killer...

My upper back/left shoulder is already fucked for reasons unknown and any working with my arms above horizontal results in stabbing pains. I've had a sore lower back before from lifting shit I probably shouldn't have lifted but this is midway up my back on the right side. A new one on me, and I've done fuck all in the way of anything all weekend so Christ knows how I've caused it.

Handily it barely hurts at all if I'm not moving, but I keep feeling the odd pang of pain which makes me tense up subconsciously which then causes my back to hurt which causes me to tense up more and then I end up doubled over taking deep breaths trying to unseize myself. Cannae be fucked with it and am hoping that a good 9 hour stint lying down in bed will help...

[New POD]

9 hours ago, captain_70s said:

Woke up this morning with a fucked back.

No idea what I did, presumably I slept funny or something. Attempted to go to work and managed 2 hours before I had to go home. Not even 30 and I'm already infirm, fucksake.

Let's hope for a swift recovery. 

Unlike my wife's back and shoulder pain.  After a year of massive pains in her back and shoulder the route cause was found to be calcific growth in the bone above the shoulder joint. 

Cured by a steroid injection within a week.  She had been to see doctors, has scans, seen the NHS physiotherapist, a private chiropractor,  had paid for a private physiotherapy, eventually referred to a different physio, who had an x ray  on her shoulder and the cause had been an extra bit of calcium that had grown like a stalectite into the joint, and inflamed the nerves, causing all the back pain. 

Good luck. 

[New POD]

8 hours ago, Rovorsche said:

A wonky fuel gauge is making me grumpy.
From the number of MOT warnings about shiny tyres and skinny brake pads this is probably because the car has
spent years scatting about with a fivers worth in the tank and the sender is worn out.

When I go to work its a 100 mile round trip.
The Prepare-to-walk light comes on at 200 miles so filling up every other trip.
I went for 250 miles, off the gauge for the last 40 miles.

Specs sites say it has a 50L tank, 250 miles is 40 Litres.

I bought an ICE car and have range anxiety, probably be fine, probably...

 

 

 

 

One of my mk2 cavaliers had a shit fuel gauge.  I  used to fill it up every 200 miles, but know that 250 was safe.  

As an aside, the omega has a great range, display on the dash, which can make me laugh.  When I was traveling to the East Midlands every Monday morning, after a weekend of pottering about, I would fill it up and it would tell me my range was 250 miles.  Over the first 50.miles, the range would go up 1 mile for every mile driven, and then over the next 60 miles, would co m e down by 55 miles, so that the range on arrival after 110 miles was 245 miles. When i drove back home on Friday the range on arrival would be 140 miles....if I filled up at that point, it woukd say the range was 500 miles...... proving that it was using twice as much fuel on short local trips as when on the open road.  

[bobdisk]

On 2/15/2021 at 8:53 PM, captain_70s said:

Woke up this morning with a fucked back.

No idea what I did, presumably I slept funny or something. Attempted to go to work and managed 2 hours before I had to go home. Not even 30 and I'm already infirm, fucksake.

I get a pain in the lower back sometimes, have done for years. When I feel it coming on I put on a weightlifters belt, about 4 inches wide, and do it up tight. That stops the worst of the pain for a week or so. Then I am ok for 3 - 6months, until I try to pick up something heavy, the wrong way.

 

[Angrydicky]

6 hours ago, captain_70s said:

I went to work on the off chance that a bit of movement would free things up, not so...

My car batteries aren't bad, 'cause they're smol for smol cars. My 3 ton trolley jack on the other hand is a killer...

My upper back/left shoulder is already fucked for reasons unknown and any working with my arms above horizontal results in stabbing pains. I've had a sore lower back before from lifting shit I probably shouldn't have lifted but this is midway up my back on the right side. A new one on me, and I've done fuck all in the way of anything all weekend so Christ knows how I've caused it.

Handily it barely hurts at all if I'm not moving, but I keep feeling the odd pang of pain which makes me tense up subconsciously which then causes my back to hurt which causes me to tense up more and then I end up doubled over taking deep breaths trying to unseize myself. Cannae be fucked with it and am hoping that a good 9 hour stint lying down in bed will help...

Can't you just leave the trolley jack in the boot of the Acclaim? Saloon, so hidden from thieving eyes.

Hope you feel better soon, Cap'n. Did my back in my old job and it's not nice, I'm careful how I lift things now.

[Talbot]

1 minute ago, Angrydicky said:

Can't you just leave the trolley jack in the boot of the Acclaim? Saloon, so hidden from thieving eyes.

-5MPG due to massive weight.   Maybe.

6 hours ago, captain_70s said:

Handily it barely hurts at all if I'm not moving, but I keep feeling the odd pang of pain which makes me tense up subconsciously which then causes my back to hurt which causes me to tense up more and then I end up doubled over taking deep breaths trying to unseize myself. Cannae be fucked with it and am hoping that a good 9 hour stint lying down in bed will help...

Sounds like you need to see someone about that.  Back problems are deeply unpleasant to live with.  See your GP.  Really.

[Wgl2019]

37 minutes ago, Talbot said:

Sounds like you need to see someone about that.  Back problems are deeply unpleasant to live with.  See your GP.  Really.

+1.

The difference that decent treatment can make to a recurring injury is massive. 

1st off you need to get to the root of the problem so seeing your GP is a good initial action.

If physio is needed (and if possible financially) I would find a private specialist in back problems. Having had both NHS and private treatment for a knee injury there was no comparison....

[Mally]

12 hours ago, captain_70s said:

Woke up this morning with a fucked back.

No idea what I did, presumably I slept funny or something. Attempted to go to work and managed 2 hours before I had to go home. Not even 30 and I'm already infirm, fucksake.

I  use those heat patches that you stick on your clothing. Some £1 shops sell them. Wear one at night, sometimes better in the morning.

Also Voltarol can work. I thought it was snake oil, but my wife used it.

When she died I inherited several tubes. It can have miraculous effect on some strains.

[barefoot]

My back is OK, but I'm grumping about my choke. Scirocco has a new carb & a choke that works, rather than pump the pedal before starting & keep blipping the throttle to keep squirting a bit in & keep it running. 

In the olden days, when I last had to use one of these devices, the drill was pull it all the way out, fire up the motor, slip the choke back in about half way, drive off and when you get to the main road / 30 odd miles am hour, tuck it away completely. Things don't appear to work like that anymore & when I took it back to grumble about a slow & uneven idle, my man with the spanners had the audacity to point a thermo gun thing at my inlet manifold & declare it 'not up to temp yet'. It appears that I am now expected to operate the choke knob and constantly adjust the mixture & the idle speed in a similar way to EFi until full operating temp is achieved. Presumably when I get back home again.

[Rocket88]

3 hours ago, Wgl2019 said:

+1.

The difference that decent treatment can make to a recurring injury is massive. 

1st off you need to get to the root of the problem so seeing your GP is a good initial action.

If physio is needed (and if possible financially) I would find a private specialist in back problems. Having had both NHS and private treatment for a knee injury there was no comparison....

Have you tried acupuncture?

[Cavcraft]

Bizarrely, as someone who has suffered with back problems for years on/off,  I'm lifting probably 20-50 batteries a day including some pretty big ones, one in each hand, as well as leaf springs and discs.  Had more trouble with my knees getting back up from the floor than my back.

[goosey]

A bloke who I have never met before from a unit on the other side of the business park were I work has just dropped off a power steering hose for me to “have a look at”. 
As he was walking out the door he said “I know you’re at bit of a Cnut  but there’s no one else I can ask”

I won’t get round to fixing that 

[chaseracer]

4 hours ago, Angrydicky said:

Can't you just leave the trolley jack in the boot of the Acclaim?

[Mally]

9 minutes ago, goosey said:

A bloke who I have never met from another unit on the other side of the business park were I work has just dropped off a power steering hose for me to “have a look at”. 
As he was walking out the door he said “I know you’re at bit of a Cnut  but there’s no one else I can ask”

I won’t get round to fixing that 

Thus re enforcing his belief.

What you should do is fix it fast, take it straight back to him and say "no worries mate call it a favour".

He will spend the rest of his life shooting down the people who told him you were a cnut.

[Tigerfox]

Garages dont do themselves any favours do they ?

Took the Picasso in for mot at 8.30, by 9.30 its online as passed with a advisory for rusty sills

They ring at 11.30 to say they had to weld a hole in the chassis leg and put some injector cleaner in to pass the emissons

Its my regular garage and i used to trust them fully, not so much now

 

[Mally]

Just now, Tigerfox said:

Garages dont do themselves any favours do they ?

Took the Picasso in for mot at 8.30, by 9.30 its online as passed with a advisory for rusty sills

They ring at 11.30 to say they had to weld a hole in the chassis leg and put some injector cleaner in to pass the emissons

Its my regular garage and i used to trust them fully, not so much now

 

Check the welded hole. If it's done and the price is reasonable, they have done it after the test and saved you hassle

[Tigerfox]

I could not have done the welding and have no problem them doing, it was only £120 all in. 

But you can see where the ordinary man in the street would feel ripped off getting a bill with a extra £75 on it

[Mally]

Yes £75 without telling you is not on.

I was thinking '£25 drive it away sir' is better than a fail and 'bring it back for welding next week'.

[Wgl2019]

1 hour ago, colc said:

Have you tried acupuncture?

Nope. Have chatted to a few people who have, they seemed to be impressed.

[chaseracer]

Worked for Domestic Management after her car accident.

[clayts450]

Heard a loud 'crack' whilst out cleaning the van on Sunday. Thought no more of it.

Got in van yesterday for a job, drove from Nottingham to Edenbridge. Strange rattling noise at front end not heard before. Thought it may be the sack trolley rattling against the bulkhead. Moved sack trolley, strapped it to the load bay. Rattle still there. Pulled into lay by outside Edenbridge - had a good prod around - nowt obvious. Van handling okay but rattling over bumps in the road. Drove home. Had daft idea it may be the speed limiter box rattling around (I pulled the fuse on it ages ago, but the box is still attached) - wedged it in good and proper, took for a run, still rattling.

Got the van up on axle stands - suspected drop links. Nope all fine. Checked everything else suspension related. All good. Hit front offside tyre with hammer - could still hear rattling. Wondered if brake pads rattling in caliper. Pulled wheel off. Brake pads fine. Had another look at the shock absorber. Hang on, what's this rattling around loose in the cup...

Motherlover....

Bottom of coil spring sheared clean off (that will have been the bang when parked up then). Am grateful that (a) happened when stationary and (2) the cup caught the bit neatly and it didn't go spearing into the side of the tyre at 70mph on the M1 or M25 yesterday.

Spoken to my local indie - earliest they can fit it in for replacement is next Tuesday. No van, no work. Bollox

(BTW the van drives fine, but I don't believe I should risk it - still, at least the rattle has gone)

[iainrcz]

Yet again, silly bollocks gets herself involved and I'm on the losing side.

She goes in my shed. Chucks the keys on the side. Something I never do.

So obviously assuming she isn't an idiot I lock up.

So now we have back door key and shed key locked in shed. Behind a fairly new £20 Squire padlock.

Can someone tell Clark's to start opening again and get her out of the way?

[captain_70s]

7 hours ago, Angrydicky said:

Can't you just leave the trolley jack in the boot of the Acclaim? Saloon, so hidden from thieving eyes.

 

7 hours ago, Talbot said:

-5MPG due to massive weight.   Maybe.

This. It's heavy enough that it makes a noticeable difference to performance/handling/economy when in the boot of a car with only 70bhp. I used to keep it in the boot of whatever car I wasn't using and just swap it between them, but I've got less spare sheds cars now.

One day, when this COVID garbage is done I'll have a garage to store shit in...

Still off work today, light stretching and movement deffo helping, being stationary/heavy work deffo makes things worse. Been cleaning the interior of the Acclaim.

[beko1987]

1 hour ago, clayts450 said:

Heard a loud 'crack' whilst out cleaning the van on Sunday. Thought no more of it.

Got in van yesterday for a job, drove from Nottingham to Edenbridge. Strange rattling noise at front end not heard before. Thought it may be the sack trolley rattling against the bulkhead. Moved sack trolley, strapped it to the load bay. Rattle still there. Pulled into lay by outside Edenbridge - had a good prod around - nowt obvious. Van handling okay but rattling over bumps in the road. Drove home. Had daft idea it may be the speed limiter box rattling around (I pulled the fuse on it ages ago, but the box is still attached) - wedged it in good and proper, took for a run, still rattling.

Got the van up on axle stands - suspected drop links. Nope all fine. Checked everything else suspension related. All good. Hit front offside tyre with hammer - could still hear rattling. Wondered if brake pads rattling in caliper. Pulled wheel off. Brake pads fine. Had another look at the shock absorber. Hang on, what's this rattling around loose in the cup...

Motherlover....

Bottom of coil spring sheared clean off (that will have been the bang when parked up then). Am grateful that (a) happened when stationary and (2) the cup caught the bit neatly and it didn't go spearing into the side of the tyre at 70mph on the M1 or M25 yesterday.

Spoken to my local indie - earliest they can fit it in for replacement is next Tuesday. No van, no work. Bollox

(BTW the van drives fine, but I don't believe I should risk it - still, at least the rattle has gone)

Sounds like the sort of thing the man from vosa would have a wet dream over finding on a normal stoppo... 

[clayts450]

15 minutes ago, beko1987 said:

Sounds like the sort of thing the man from vosa would have a wet dream over finding on a normal stoppo... 

Absolutely - just cannot take that risk

[jakebullet]

Super fast* internet is coming to my area! Which means the twunts are digging up and making a mess out of all the pavements. They've piled all this shit against my wall. Under the pile of shit is my internet cable, place odds now of it surviving useless twat and his mini digger?

It's a solution to a none existent problem. There's 60 meg from BT if you want it. Or you can have 300 from virgin cable. So why would you go with some 20 years too late start up that's bound to be shit?