April 2009
By Tues evening next week I am expecting to be redundant. Bad timing, as I go on a cruise for 10 days on Wed evening... Nevertheless, I am seriously considering taking the opportunity to visit the US for a few weeks in June, starting in Chicago at the Blues Festival. So, where to go after that?
I've scanned over the maps, and, working pretty much solely on whether I've heard of a place or not, created some outline itineraries, all heading vaguely south from Chicago and ending up back there. The long route goes like this:
Chicago - Kansas City - Smoky Hills - Salina - Dodge City - Wichita - Oklahoma City - Tulsa - Hot Springs - Little Rock - Lafayette - Baton Rouge - New Orleans - Biloxi - Hattiesburg - Tupelo - Jackson - Mobile - Birmingham - Chattanooga - Great Smoky Mts -
Nashville - Memphis - Lexington - Indianapolis - Chicago
That's around 4600 miles, which will be in the cheapest car I can get, using campsites and cheap motels for overnights and eating from trash cans :-) There are shorter alternatives, which broadly omit extremes (Dodge City, Biloxi etc)
Does anyone with knowledge of the area have any thoughts on the route, any must-sees or must-avoids? Read more
I purchased a second-hand component from a breaker - about £50 including postage. The part was supplied with a three month guarantee.
I had specified clearly by original Web request/e-mail/telephone what was required,and retain records.
The component that they sent was not the correct one.
They sent another component when I told them. This was the correct one, but unserviceable. Not I have two parts, one incorrect but OK, one correct but U/S.
I have now decided to buy a new component, rather than wait about for more wrong/US ones to be sent. I want to return the one(s) they have already sent.
The breaker wants me to pay for return post, as well as a 25% "restocking charge", for the faulty component.
I do not think this is right - the component is faulty, so there should not be a "re-stocking charge" - they should not sell it to someone else. As they guarantee the part, why should I pay postage?
I have not yet asked them what to do about the wrong (but good) part they sent.
What should I do? Read more
most breakers who do a service by post that sells second hand goods tell you
you will be responsible for the return of faulty goods postage
There was no mention of this in my contacts with them.
This component is U/S due to being worn out. It is not a "gone off" issue.
Hi all,
Got a set of 18" 10 spoke alloys, just over a year old. One of them has a patch of corrosion under what appears to be a lacquer or plastic layer.
Is it worth just picking the coating off and then keeping on top of the corrosion as I can see it spreading if I just leave it as is.
The lacquer doesn't coat the spokes themselves, just the outer rim.
Thanks,
Read more
I bought the car 2nd hand last year (4 years old) but had the new wheels put on as part of the deal - the last set were corroded really badly.
I'll try the dealer, see what they say.
I was hoping that by catching it early I might save having to go down the specialist restore route.
Cheers,
the metro again
had head gasket changed car runs ok
for some reason car was over heating with thermostat in
without thermostat car dosnt overheat. fan comes in just before it gets to max temp on
temp gage
this morning tried new thermostat and still car over heats with stat in
fan dosnt come on have changed fan swith new stat as well
could there be a problem as having stat in causing head gasket going in the the first place without stat in car runs ok and when gets hot fan comes in
hope you understand what i mean
you help thks
header given a less vague title again! It would help us (as well as you) to give a brief description of the problem in the header, rather than something like "help please desparate".
1. It saves us having to edit it.
2. It gives people a clue as to the question you're asking.
Thankyou
Read more
I hope you bought a different make. I never fit a stat without testing it in boiling water first. Regards Peter
Hello there,
I recently recieved the renewal papaerwork for my car insurance broker. Reviewed the docs and gave the company a phone call. Verbally agreed to renew based on a revised price and left things like that. My insurance by the way expires at the end of the month so I had 5 days before it officially kicks in.
Now I've had a change of plan and have decided to cancel the insurance before it is scheduled to kick in as I intend to sell the car before then. I called the insurance broker and they have told me that I must pay a £40 fee due to cover their admin fees so far because I've verbally agreed to proceed with the insurance.
My question, do I have to be forced into paying this fee? Read more
Whilst I agree with mustangman that many insurance companies are following the "RyanAir" way of charging - low headline rates & high fees for any amendments, in the case of car insurance there is some justification:
Lots of (most?) people do not bother to check out alternative insurance providers & costs until the day of renewal. They then "verbaly agree" ie BUY over the phone and renew, thus ensuring they are covered. They THEN, shop around.
It is, to relate a well known ruse, like buying a dress from M & S on a Saturday morning, wearing it for a do that night, then returning it on Monday saying it isn't suitable. Well, M & S may not object, but I sure would & I don't see why my insurance premiums should increase because of this common & deceitful practice.
tinyurl.com/cmxvjv
and video here
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/8014380.stm
How well is your handbrake functioning?
Read more
I'm sorry for the individual, but the sight of a Smart floating away fills me with joy.
You know how it is - getting on a bit - feeling the heat and cold more. You think all the best DIY savings were in your youth 40+ years ago...
Then a quote from a Fiat dealer - £340 to fit new locks. because Fiat don`t supply single locks and you have to buy a `lock set`. Then there`s labour - and this is cheap, up North labour.
What to do? So back to the scrapyard that`s been there since youth and you still strip parts yourself. You start to strip a passenger door - wanting that side for the likely pristine tumbers..
The heat (yes this week) is on your head, you feel a shiver too - as you do these days as a draught blows by.
Yes, reluctant to admit it but frailer... frailer than doing this aged 17yrs and the body shudders at recollections of ageing clients being admitted to residential and nursing homes. How much longer.. can you do this?
Then, back to the reality of today and flat on your back as the pliers let go of the leverage on the circlip.
It`s off. Charged only £3 by the Gentleman in charge - as lock without key - or perhaps out of pity..
I`m going to leave the detail out here - about how I caressed the tumblers of a passenger side lock with tools and assembled a working lock to the cars existing key and fitted to barrel and sheath on the drivers side... Smooth as silk - the original having worn out (despite oiling) due to 50 door locking/unlocking a day - Home Care duties.
Up and down, crawling around the doors - scrapyard and drive.. I literally had to lay on the sofa most of the next day...
But only £3 cost - following a £340 quote or £130 (approx forgot) for parts... or even £7 for another scrapyard lock with a key (but different key and worn drivers side tumblers)
So what`s your own biggest percentage saving DIY?
Regards
Read more
>So what`s your own biggest percentage saving DIY?
97%
Quoted £68 by Peugeot dealer to replace washer motor on 106, bought one (off a Sierra) from a scrapyard for £2.
I saw an article in one of the weekly auto magazines saying that Honda are going to stop development of diesel engines in 5 years. I only had a brief look and I can't remember which mag it was.
Anyone else see this?
If it's true then I'm really surprised. The 2.2 in our CR-V is a lovely engine. Read more
I don't think its the technology that makes them "gutless", but the choice of output. After all there are plenty of gutless diesels. The Lexus that swept by me out of a corner some while ago was a hybrid: I wasn't flat out but it was an impressive turn of speed that was mustered.
Peculiar problem, when I select Auto climate control when the engine is cold the electric cooling fan cuts in straight away, the only way to stop it is to select the "Econ" setting. Its probably one of the temperature sensors, but which one? Anybody out there have any ideas. All suggestions gratefully received Read more
Thanks guys for the info. The electric fan sounds a bit noisy when the engine is idling, maybe its because I haven't used the AC over the winter months, but if you say its quite normal I'll go with that. Thanks again
the problem is when you either go to pull away or when your driving there is no power like petrol starved then if you keep the gas on suddenly it will start to pick up, really dangerous at junctions it just wont go, get it on the motorway and it will gradually get up to full speed but you can feel it judder every so often, ive changed the petrol filter, air filter, plugs,..... any ideas ta dave. Read more
The cat and or silecer is known to clog on this model.
Check the ehaust gas flow at the tailpipe if it is at all resticted this will be the problem
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Whatever you do, go to Memphis, have a huge meal at your local Waffle House, then head straight for Graceland! Absolutely a must-see; bring plenty of money for CDs, t-shirts and other tacky Elvis souvenirs. If you were to do Memphis, I'd also recommend Tupelo, Miss.--Elvis' hometown, where you can see the shotgun shack he lived in as a child. Tupelo is about 90 minutes southeast of Memphis, and it's as Southern as you can get (culturally, not geographically). I've done all of the above and loved it.