General Dilemma time

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General Dilemma time

Joined
Dec 16, 2008
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Location
Wolverhampton
Howdy peeps, hope all is well amid this nightmare.

Bin tryin to decide if I'm keeping 'Ole Blue' or the C4GP Exclusive - with all it's bells n whistles n air suspension n flappy paddles n stuff.

There's somethin about 'ole blue' that I just can't shake off.

I can't scrap it, I've spent far too much keeping it alive an it's bin me mate for too long, we've bin places and (how's this for a Fiat ad) IT HAS NEVER LET ME DOWN.
You wouldn't kick an ole dog wud ya?

I've tried to sell it but it ain't going - HELP!

What am I to do.

She (typical woman) says: 'It's too old an battered to be any good, so just phone the scrap man' That's the same she that bought her Nissan Note because the colour was nice and shiny - AND it cost me a tranny van! You can imagine what I had to say about that.

Anyway chaps n chapesses, keep well during this nightmare.

George
 
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Hi George,

Whatever happened to the Multiplop? It's been about 6 weeks now and i'm already missing mine. kicking myself really as I was furloughed for 3 weeks and I'm sure even my bodgery skills could have welded on a new cross member onto my own multi instead of letting it go for scrap.
Anyway, not that there anything wrong with my Civic, but a Multipla is well, indespensable.

Possibly when all this lockdown nonsense is over I could figure out a way of taking a trip upto brum.

Cheers, Bill.
 
I've just spent 10mins writing a long reply and when I hit the submit button, it said I wasn't logged in - logged in and lost everything!

Hiya Bill.
Ole Blue is still here. I'm gonna flog the Citroen. I don't fancy keeping it and it costin me a fortune for a new clutch or somethin worse.

I'll keep you all informed.

Keep safe and be lucky

George
 
Well, it's happened. The ugly little bugger smiles again.

Had an eventful few hours today and it's rapidly turning into a saga.

Sorned the Cliterus at last and exchanged my insurance back to the bug.

I'm with eSure and the process was seemless. Eezy peezy.

AND there was a bonus... (It's almost like they're Ugly Bug lovers themselves cos they didn't charge me for the exchange AND I got £79.50 back.

My insurance is not the cheapest I could find but it does include...
Fully Comprehensive Ins for me an 'er-in-doors.
Full UK + European Breakdown, hire car,
Bonus protection, Key cover, Legal liabilities blah, blah, blah.
And change out of 500 squid (nearest cheapest offering the same was over £700)
Anyway, big grin day today (well broad smile anyway)

Ranting on like an old washer woman - where was I? Oh, yeah,
Got the Clit sorned, did a check on the DVLA and it's still showing as taxed, (so the SORN hasn't kicked in yet) but tried to get the bug taxed anyway.
No surprise that it wouldn't do it, when it was still showing sorn on the site (then realised it would be because you haven't taxed it yet - numpty)
Messed about for a while and tried to tax the bug again, thinking, it must have gone thru by now...
This time DVLA came back with 'Registration or Document number not recognised'...
Checked out the contact details for DVLA, got the number, recorded message saying 'only essential workers can get thru, lurgy virus, etc'.
So phoned my eSure, really helpful lady but couldn't do anything because it's down to the DVLA!.
Here I am, Bugsy is raring to go an we ain't going nowhere.
Thinking maybe the system will update overnight so can get the ole gerl rented tomorrow.
From 2 good working sheds to shanksy pony in the click of a mouse button, who'da thunk it.
Later.
George
 
Well, it's happened. The ugly little bugger smiles again.

Had an eventful few hours today and it's rapidly turning into a saga.

Sorned the Cliterus at last and exchanged my insurance back to the bug.

I'm with eSure and the process was seemless. Eezy peezy.

AND there was a bonus... (It's almost like they're Ugly Bug lovers themselves cos they didn't charge me for the exchange AND I got £79.50 back.

My insurance is not the cheapest I could find but it does include...
Fully Comprehensive Ins for me an 'er-in-doors.
Full UK + European Breakdown, hire car,
Bonus protection, Key cover, Legal liabilities blah, blah, blah.
And change out of 500 squid (nearest cheapest offering the same was over £700)
Anyway, big grin day today (well broad smile anyway)

Ranting on like an old washer woman - where was I? Oh, yeah,
Got the Clit sorned, did a check on the DVLA and it's still showing as taxed, (so the SORN hasn't kicked in yet) but tried to get the bug taxed anyway.
No surprise that it wouldn't do it, when it was still showing sorn on the site (then realised it would be because you haven't taxed it yet - numpty)
Messed about for a while and tried to tax the bug again, thinking, it must have gone thru by now...
This time DVLA came back with 'Registration or Document number not recognised'...
Checked out the contact details for DVLA, got the number, recorded message saying 'only essential workers can get thru, lurgy virus, etc'.
So phoned my eSure, really helpful lady but couldn't do anything because it's down to the DVLA!.
Here I am, Bugsy is raring to go an we ain't going nowhere.
Thinking maybe the system will update overnight so can get the ole gerl rented tomorrow.
From 2 good working sheds to shanksy pony in the click of a mouse button, who'da thunk it.
Later.
George

Are you using the document ref number half way down front page on right hand side?
 
Hi, yeah, I got the numbers right but apparently the DVLA now have a new style V5 and the system doesn't recognize the old numbers. You can pay the DVLA £25 for a new log book if you like or just do as I did...
I went round the post office this morning and got it taxed without an issue.
For the last 4 or 5 years I've paid my tax via direct debit so have never had to fill in a form, I do my MOT, Insurance and DVLA just keep taking the pennies.
That system is great if you're blessed with a brain like mine - I'd forget me own name if it wasn't on a label round me neck!
So, the ole bugs back on the road and the Cliterus C4GP is up for sale.
Nice to be back among the gang.
Later
George

P/S I need a flexible down pipe for the bug, where's the best place to get one - Fiat says 'this part is no longer available',
oh and just for a giggle I asked how much was a new catalytic converter....
if you are sitting comfortably and have a nurse on stand-by, I'll continue....
We don't keep one in stock but can get it in 3 or 4 days, that'll be £1400 plus vat please.
I musta fainted cos he'd hung up when I came round.
Still, that's not a bad part to buy for a shed that's worth oh, say £500 wringing wet.
 
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P/S I need a flexible down pipe for the bug, where's the best place to get one - Fiat says 'this part is no longer available', oh and just for a giggle I asked how much was a new catalytic converter.... if you are sitting comfortably and have a nurse on stand-by, I'll continue.... We don't keep one in stock but can get it in 3 or 4 days, that'll be £1400 plus vat please. I musta fainted cos he'd hung up when I came round. Still, that's not a bad part to buy for a shed that's worth oh, say £500 wringing wet.

I just sold a used Bug catalytic convertor on ebay for £25 inclg p&p!!
Might be selling a flexible downpipe which I was going to keep for my own bug. Would you like to make me an offer?
 
Hiya mucka, as long as your name ain't Fiat Oldbury, I'm sure we can come to some arrangement.
I'm ok for a cat, but do need a flexi pipe (the first bit of the pipe from the manifold).
According to the ebay gang they are ranging around the 35 quid mark for a new one, what sort of coin was you thinking about?
George
 
Update on 'Ugly Ole Blue'...
MOT time on 4th July so whilst having my exhaust looked at I thought a quick MOT wouldn't hurt . . .
So, popped next door to the MOT station to see if they could do a quick test...
Yes, no probs George, we're a bit quiet so bring it in...
A little while later and the tester said, 'sorry George, I can't pass that, the n/s rear jacking point has collapsed'
Was invited to enter the pit to be shown the offending item...
Collapsed wasn't the right word, it was crushed!
Dunno how it could have happened, but it looks like it has rolled off a jack and folded the jacking point under itself.
He pointed out the usual drop links but all else was ok.
On a side note, before the test, outside the garage, I went round and checked all the lights, good, all in order, enter garage for test, 5 mins later tester calls me in and said 'front o/s side light out, front n/s dip light out and n/s rear indicator out, if you've got your spare bulbs with you can change them'
I was GOBSMACKED!
Even the tester said 'I just watched you test your lights and was amazed to see 3 blown bulbs not 5 minutes later, I've never seen that before'
So, last weekend, I sorted out the jacking point, fitted a pair of good, expensive, German drop links. Back for retest on Tuesday and it passed...
But, during Wednesday I heard that horrible 'tinkling' sound - similar to worn out drop links, inspection showed torsion bar rubbers need changing (again) these bugs are worse than wimmin for wantin attention!
Ah well, more dirty hands.
George
 
Welcome back to the fold, though George. A Forum Friend now too, I see. Doin' it in style! :) (y)

What could take three bulbs out in quick succession? Or do you think it was just 'their time'?
 
Welcome back to the fold, though George. A Forum Friend now too, I see. Doin' it in style! :) (y)

What could take three bulbs out in quick succession? Or do you think it was just 'their time'?
They have a specialist voltage surge device at the test station to knock out a few bulbs and so earn a bit more £
They forgot to turn it to "friend" before testing your multi

Cheers
Jack:)
Fellow multiplarista
 
Nice one Jack, I wouldn't put that past some test centres but the lads down my local are really nice guys and would rather point out problems than cause them.

WMF: I have no idea mucka, reckon they'd done their bit and went into retirement.
It really did bug me tho, whose ever had 3 bulbs go out at the same time?

Well, I've bin a Forum donator for a day or two and 'lurkin' around here since Neptune was a lad, thought I'd go the whole hog and join the clan proper like.

Ordered a new bottom pulley (again) and a new set of exhaust hanger rubbers, these are looking past their break by date.

Got to have a butchers at the spare wheel carrier too, have never used it and I reckon it's seized up.

Put some fancy LED reversing lights on at the weekend, some square ones I saw in Indespension, they looked amazing when I tested them before fitting, but disappointed with the lack of output after they where on. I've already got 2x 55w spot lights on and I think I'll need a relay to serve them because I think I might be pushing my luck a bit running them without relays. :eek: (well, they've only been on about two years) :cool:
I was thinking of taking the spots off altogether and just going with the LED's, coz they do ok on their own, and i wouldn't need to worry about a relay because they draw nothing.
Anyway, got to run, got a load of jobs to get done, I tried making a list - with the most important job at the top, after a while I was surprised to see how many 'important' jobs had jumped the queue and just how many jobs I had to do.
I think I might need a list that tells me which list the jobs are that I listed as important - or was that on the other list? :rolleyes:
Later
George
 
I told ya these Bugs was werse than wimin. :bang:

Out an about today, the fuel light came on. Not being far from Asda, I thought 'why not' and pulled in to put some juice in the ole girl. :cry:
All done, headed off to Blackheath on my way to Indespension on Nimmings Road. (They ain't cheap, but do have some quality items).

Got all done at Indispension, and headed for Bilston, went round a round a bout, and the bloody engine missed a beat, then the engine light came on with 'Engine Control Fault' on the dash.
Like every good Multipla driver I knew immediately the action to take to ensure the well being of my pride and joy. . . :idea:
Keep drivin!. :cool:

Happily, that technical analysis was spot on and in a mile or three the light went out. (y)
Strangely the little 'miss' didn't. :confused:
It only happens on the right hand turn on the crown of a doughnut, any other time it's fine.
I don't know how to accurately describe what's happening: it's a miss, it's a sort of 'not doing anything' for about 1/2 a second, maybe less. It's as tho the engine has stopped firing, even tho it's on the over-run on the doughnut. As soon as you swing left and chuck ya boot on the floor, it's off like a greyhound with his arse on fire.
Got me bugged I don't mind telling ya, other than that everything is ace. (still got me chamber music in the form of rattling torsion bar rubbers and that bloody rusty heap called a spare wheel carrier) but still going well.
Any body with any grey stuff left might be able to enlighten me as to the possible cause of the lag, miss, hesitation - call it what you will?
Cheers
George
 
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