Car Trouble...

Ever had one of those lives when you know everything and everyone
conspires against you?

I've been in Madrid for most of the last week and have to go to Seattle
on Sunday. Got back on Friday night and as-per-normal called the
'chauffeur service' from the plane; by the time I got through heathrow
the car was waiting... with very dull headlights. Chauffeur chappy said
"we had to jump-start it". Oh Dear.

I drove off and switched the lights onto fullbeam; the engine died-
given this is a diesel ZX with a mechanical fuel pump that's pretty bad
news since the engine died 'cos there wasn't enough voltage to keep the
fuel solenoid open.

Of course I go into panic mode and decide I have to park somewhere,
anywhere, where the car won't be towed away whilst I think. I drive off
on the A4 east and find somewhere to park. Turn the engine off and then
check it won't start again. Of course I don't have breakdown
insurance... Try to sleep in the car and realise I'm not 20 anymore.
Look at the Holiday Inn and walk towards it, see a cheaper hotel further
away and go there.

Following morning call my BIL who comes to take me somewhere to buy a
battery (I suspected a cell had died). Got a battery and fitted it,
drove home. Turned engine off; wouldn't start again... oh well the
alternator's fucked then.

Pulled the alternator off and had a look; brushes were worn down; 160k
miles does that I suppose. Phone autopart shops who want 100+ for an
alternator; no one sells brushes or the combined brush/regulator thing.
Cunts.

Ended up getting an old alternator from the garage, removing the brushes
from that, using a dremel to cut them down to a suitable size and
fitting them to the alternator from the ZX. All fixed now[1] and I'm
ready to go to the states tomorrow.

Sometimes I really wish I was dead^w^w didn't know how to fix stuff 'cos
it would be so much easier if I wasn't so tight fisted and was willing
to pay others to fix stuff.

Right... got to practice my presentation... God I'm pissed off.

[1] I think; fair chance it'll die again soon I reckon. I've fucking
had it with shite old cars.

 

Do you have the option of getting a company car?

If so a 1.4 TD supermini would really cost **** all in tax, then when it
does go wrong someone else pays.

 

Yes, but then I'd have to give up a more than reasonable cash
alternative (they pay me not to have a car) and a 'green incentive'
where they pay me not to drive the car that I don't have to work.

I'm more likely to give up on cars altogether tbh; I only drive the
fucking thing to the airport; which is the problem.

 

Ahh, we get the cash difference between what the car costs, and what our
allowance is.

except our allowance is shit so there's not much left over.

 

I know the feeling. The gas-converted Rangie is playing up again.
Possible worn cams or some such mechanical thing. It's now at Gas-Tech
in Huntingdon being looked at, after a few days at another garage who
just shrugged and can't fix it.
Seems our luck with shite old cars is bad. My Passat blew up, my Rover
coupe has starting problems. Only reliable vehicle I have is the XJR and
I'm buggered if I'm commuting on that.
*sigh*

 

If you don't own a car, and the company requires you to go to the airport,
a taxi will surely be a legitimate expense?

 

Yeah. It's shit being a West Ham fan.

Seems reasonable.

 

I can't claim for cabs but can for the parking I use.

The cab ride would be 100 miles each way so prolly more than 100 squid
(**** knows).

I think it would be cheaper to work out how to carry more luggage on the
bike...

 

No, 'cos they pay me to have a car; I'm 'meant' to own a car as part of
my contract of employment.

 

This seems more and more common (people not selling replacement brushes,
that is) and my dad was bemoaning just this about washing machines the
other day...

S'right, though. Thruppence-ha'penny for a couple of little bits of
graphite wiv springs attached versus hundreds of pence for entire new
motor.

Grr.
--
| Wik -UKRMHRC#10- 2003 R1150GSA -DC#1 -'FOT#0 'FOF #39 - BOD#12 BOB#12
|# You don't believe me | "Experience is the worst teacher.
|That the scenery | It always gives the test first
|Could be a cold-blooded killer. | and the instruction afterward."
***** human response from wik at blueyonder dot co dot uk *****

 

That was exactly how I felt; as people become less capable of fixing
stuff and more willing to pay exorbitant fees, on credit, to others they
are simply being ripped off. It was bad enough when they started
combining the brushes and the regulator as a single item but the
alternator as a single assembly FFS!

BMW still sell brushes as a separate part for their bike alternators
FWIW

 

was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

That's because it allows them to turn comparatively expensive,
well-trained mechanics with a proper brain into brainless, dead cheap
spotty yoof "unit changers". Given the amount of dosh it costs to
repair an alternator if you have to bill it at normal workshop rates
it makes a lot of sense to just lug it down to the local motor factors
and buy an exchange unit for 60-odd quid.

Yes, but then again these aren't "unit type" alternators either,
they're designed to be disassembled by your average spanner monkey.

 

Well the K100 one looks pretty similar in design to many car alternators
it's been my 'pleasure' to **** around with over the years.

 

When the Guzzi starter went fritz, I took it to the local
auto-electrician who reconditioned it for £60. As opposed to the £320
for a new unit.

Most things *can* be repaired if you know who to take it to. The
question then becomes is it economic long term?

 

Andy Bonwick wrote

We have a very fine old established one in Brentwood.

 

Andy Bonwick said...

<Avid Merrion/Craig David mode>

Can I get a rewind? Thass proper bo, that is!

</AM/CDm>

 

Using the patented Mavis Beacon "Hunt&Peck" Technique,
typed

I have, of late, been buying the odd power tool from Screwfix, made by a
Dutch outfit called Ferm.

Not bad tools and a not bad price, and tools with bigger motors (Cut-off
saw, SDS drill etc) come with a three year warranty and a spare set of
brushes included. Quite impressive.

 

That's not all that high, the scary fact is that where I work there are
at least 5 layers of management before you hit anyone allowed to make
decisions... and another 3 or 4 from there.

I know that.

What I was wondering is does he have an opt back in to a car scheme
option, in many companies if you've opted out there is often no opt back
in policy, or some kind of waiting period.

If I opt out ISTR some kind of rule that I can't opt back in for 2
years.

 

which is a more reasoned version of what I wanted to say; something
along the lines of "getting so annoyed doesn't do you any good [1], just
change your reaction to events like this and accept you'll need to spend
some cash on your car every so often."

[1] yes, yes a bit rich coming from me of all people. Mr "nearly have a
heart attack because the bus is late" :-(

 

And that is one reason I would not work for them