What's made you grumpy today?

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I was told by a plumber a long time ago to make a habit of turning the gate valves off and back on once a month. Keeps them supple. And never open them fully, once turned a couple of turns, you'll get no more flow, so leave them there.
Which reminds me, I should exercise mine, as it is a some time since they were last done.

Yes, I've been told to do this too. But, damn it, I keep on forgetting and then I think "Well, it's been maybe 2 or 3 years since I last did it so maybe I should just leave it alone - on the "let sleeping dogs lie" principal". The only one that really worries me is the stopcock where the mains come into the house.

We had a new kitchen fitted by a friend who does John Lewis kitchens a few years back and after he'd finished we noticed, next day, that the mains stopcock was leaking in this way. As the whole kitchen was new I decided not to "fiddle" and called him back. Turns out he'd already tightened the gland on it when her turned the water back on so just as well I hadn't started "fiddling". The whole sink unit had to be stripped out to reach the compression fitting on the stopcock and a complete new tap fitted. Took him the best part of a day but at least he knew exactly how he'd fitted the units so no damage was done - and I found out how to switch off the stopcock out in the pavement - went right out and bought myself one of those long "T" handles, just in case!

 

[dave]

these were less than half this price pre virus, good gloves dont disintegrate like the standard ones, but

https://www.eurocarparts.com/p/triple-qx-powder-free-nitrile-gloves-orange-med-qty-100-543774043

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I'm grumpy because it's been raining all day. It's never stopped from the moment I first got up and it's still hammering down now. Back garden is flooded and it only does that when it's really heavy prolonged rain.

However "they" (who are "they", anyone know?) say that all clouds have a silver lining and today's silver lining is that at last, after nearly 6 months of looking for it, I've found where the water leak is in my conservatory roof! It's right at the apex where it joins the house and is something to do with the lead flashing. I could just flood it with silicon sealant but I think I'll ring my pal David who is a roofer to trade as there's quite a chance I might fall off the roof! Baking tin under it in the mean time, listening to it going plink plink!

 

[MaxHeadroom]

I get a leak from somewhere on my main roof, but it has to be hammering down with the wind in a very specific direction, but not the usual prevailing wind direction thankfully - so luckily it doesnt happen too often but when it does its a pain

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I get a leak from somewhere on my main roof, but it has to be hammering down with the wind in a very specific direction, but not the usual prevailing wind direction thankfully - so luckily it doesnt happen too often but when it does its a pain

Aye Max, water leaks, whether in cars or your roof, can be an absolute pain to find and eliminate. It took quite a while to find the leak in Becky's rear hatch. Posted here: https://www.fiatforum.com/panda/461837-water-leaking-into-boot.html?461837=#post4352274 but it was easy compared to the leak in my roof last year. We'd had a slight drip from a join in the gutter at the rear of the house for some time and I'd been keeping an eye on it whenever it rained. Then, one day, it REALLY rained - came down in buckets. So I went out into the back garden and looked up at the gutter only to see water apparently overflowing the gutter between the edge of the roof and the inner edge of the gutter - very strange I thought. So I went upstairs and lent out of the bathroom window only to realize the water was actually coming out of the soffit! Crikey! That doesn't look good! Went up into the loft but it all looked pretty dry to me. I started off across the road to borrow my friend and neighbour's long ladder but Mrs J spotted what I was up to and she forbade it! So I called my roofer pal.

It took him two visits to sort it. What it turned out to be was that about half way up the pitch of the roof is my soil pipe vent which sticks up through the roof with lead flashing under the tiles. What was happening was that moss was growing under the tiles and forming a "dam" which was allowing the rain water to overflow the lead flashing and get under the tiles and roofing felt where it was then running down between the felt and sarking. This worried me a lot as our sarking is not wooden planks but a composite material which doesn't look to be at all waterproof. He dismantled a number of tiles around the vent pipe and cleared away all the moss and accumulated detritus then slotted the tiles back into place. I couldn't have done that as it involved climbing about on the roof so I'm very glad I called him. Depressingly he says it'll probably happen again - but not for a number of years - and he's thinking about how we might fit a different type of seal to the pipe altogether. Also depressing is that, when looked at from inside the loft, one of the sarking panels, where the water had been running down on it's outside, is bowing very slightly. My pal says not to worry about it as the tiles sit on battens and the felting is still intact so no water can get in. It's been like that for over a year now and no water leaks seen so I'm sure he's right, just looks a little strange though.

 

[MaxHeadroom]

Hmmm

This is a very interesting discussion - I had an inkling that the water was coming from under the lead flashing here too - but have never considered that moss or other crap might be forming a dam.

I just thought perhaps there wasn't a large enough 'skirt' of lead around the chimney breast (I'm sure its to do with the chimney) I had a new cap-stone put around the chimney pots (like you, I don't care for heights even though I work on Airbus A330s and need to get up to the tail quite often which is about the height of a 3 storey house - going up a ladder is a white-knuckle experience).

Last night I could hear a slow drip into a pre-positioned bowl in the attic, so the wind must have been swinging around a bit. But I bet when I go and look there will only be a dribble of water there - it always sounds worse than it actually is. It's just annoying that I can't locate the actual ingress.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Hmmm

This is a very interesting discussion - I had an inkling that the water was coming from under the lead flashing here too - but have never considered that moss or other crap might be forming a dam.

I just thought perhaps there wasn't a large enough 'skirt' of lead around the chimney breast (I'm sure its to do with the chimney)

like you, I don't care for heights even though I work on Airbus A330s and need to get up to the tail quite often which is about the height of a 3 storey house - going up a ladder is a white-knuckle experience).

Our's is quite a new house Max, built nearly 40 years ago by a big national company. My friend did comment that they could have been a bit more generous with the lead flashing when it was built! Cost cutting no doubt.

There was a time when I would scamper up and down ladders with gay (can I say that?) abandon. One of the most dodgy was climbing up lamp posts to hang hanging baskets when I looked after the gardening/grounds maintenance squad. I also had a couple of very high hedges to cut which I used to do by simply leaning the ladder against the hedge and climbing up it - swayed about a bit but, somehow, I never fell off! Then there was the ivy on the wall - probably 14 to 16 ft high around the Scotch Whisky Society - which had to have it's ivy covering "coiffured" every year. Now I'm terrified just standing on the kitchen steps to hang the Christmas decorations!

 

[SB1500]

Having to book the DS into the dealer I got it from to look at a stupid parking sensor fault that comes on and off....... I can't stress how much I hate taking my car to anybody for stuff like this. It's been five years and no paying mechanics with the exception of tyres....

I really wish I knew where to start in regards to these stupid electronic things - which are cool to have - but I fear this is going to be the life story.


.....perhaps they'll strike me a deal where it doesn't cost me any extra to take back the Panda since they seem to be having 'some difficulty' in finding a buyer ......... hmm

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I really wish I knew where to start in regards to these stupid electronic things - which are cool to have - but I fear this is going to be the life story.


.....perhaps they'll strike me a deal where it doesn't cost me any extra to take back the Panda since they seem to be having 'some difficulty' in finding a buyer ......... hmm

There's one or two things, like cruise control for instance, which I do like but most of the rest I really could do without.

Oh yes, go on, see what they'll do for you with the Panda and come back to us please.

 

[MaxHeadroom]

Such is the joy (or not) of owning modern cars

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Having to book the DS into the dealer I got it from to look at a stupid parking sensor fault that comes on and off....... I can't stress how much I hate taking my car to anybody for stuff like this. It's been five years and no paying mechanics with the exception of tyres....

I really wish I knew where to start in regards to these stupid electronic things - which are cool to have - but I fear this is going to be the life story.


.....perhaps they'll strike me a deal where it doesn't cost me any extra to take back the Panda since they seem to be having 'some difficulty' in finding a buyer ......... hmm

I think to some degree the problem may be related to its Frenchness as has been pointed out many times on here the French tend to not put as much R&D into their cars when it comes to the way the car is wired using little or no wrapping on wires and little protection against water ingress usually resulting in odd little glitches here and there.

Generally speaking the parking sensors on a Citroen are likely to be much the same components (usually Bosch) that every other car on the road uses. The parking sensors are very simple and the control unit and the sensors are sealed so that really only leaves faults with the wiring, unless there is physical damage to the sensors.

I know when I damaged one of the sensors on my car that part of the system detected the fault and switched off.

 

[SB1500]

I suspect it’s the wiring tbh. As all sensors, front and back work fine most of the time. Wet weather doesn’t specifically affect it. I was wondering if the ceramic coating on it might be messing with it , so at lunch time I put some bug and tar remover over all 8 sensors to see if it magically cures it, but I’m not hopeful.

For the record I will jokingly tell them I’d take the Panda back if it wouldn’t cost me any extra. As it’s been there since July surely that’a a long time for a business trying to flip it to be stuck with it. Still, doubt they’d make it worth my time since id definitely not pay to go back lol But if it were free who knows what bad decisions I could make?! Lol

 

[PuntoHowTo]

If you have front sensors, then they can occasionally pick up aberrant signals from the sensors on other cars causing them to go off, usually if your not moving or in slow moving traffic.

If they are triggering while you’re moving at speed then you definitely have a problem as neither front or back sensors should work above a certain speed which will be in the hand book.

As for taking back the panda, it would probably cost you a few grand all in as the trade in on your Citroen will be well below what you owe on it

 

[SB1500]

If you have front sensors, then they can occasionally pick up aberrant signals from the sensors on other cars causing them to go off, usually if your not moving or in slow moving traffic.

If they are triggering while you’re moving at speed then you definitely have a problem as neither front or back sensors should work above a certain speed which will be in the hand book.

As for taking back the panda, it would probably cost you a few grand all in as the trade in on your Citroen will be well below what you owe on it

Yeah I have front and back sensors. It’s usually when I slow down and go into first either parking or in slow moving traffic when the system is kicking in. I reckon it’s wiring but I wish I knew what to do to test that theory. They never kick in when moving at speed.

Yeah I don’t think the Panda idea would work. I doubt they’re that desperate to get rid of it to take a hit! I’m definitely not going to pay a premium anyway to go back! Probably a notion I’d best get out of my head. Though all the years I went on about the beauty of the simplicity and never needing to worry about issues like this is biting me now! Lol (but I can laugh about it)

I noticed the dealership has sold about 5-6 other DS’s of various ages and specs since I bought mines (this is an ex Ford dealership now independent). I hope they know what they’re getting themselves into with all these used kitted out Citroen’s ? haha

 

[portland_bill]

Yeah I have front and back sensors. It’s usually when I slow down and go into first either parking or in slow moving traffic when the system is kicking in.

Usually front and rear sensors make different noises, have you got the two notes in your head yet? They can be very subtle, the difference between them. That would help to determine which end is squeaking.

Another thought is the reverse light switch. Is reverse close to 1st gear? If the reverse switch is not adjusted correctly, or there is a bit of slack in the selector mechanism, it could be momentarily switching the reverse switch as you move to first. Been a common problem ever since reverse switches were first fitted to gearboxes. (When first invented, you had a separate switch on the dash with a big warning light, and operated it manually)

Have you ever been behind a Sprinter van as they stop. Often their reverse lights will come on just before they move away, and flash again as they go to 2nd gear.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

Driving to work this morning in creeping traffic and a big lorry coming the other way splashed through a big puddle of water setting off the right front parking sensor as the water hit the front of the car.

Also as Portland Bill also pointed out about sprinter vans I often notice if i pick up interference from another cars rear parking sensors it’s almost always a van so maybe it I pay more attention I’ll notice it’s sprinters ?

 

[SB1500]

Usually front and rear sensors make different noises, have you got the two notes in your head yet? They can be very subtle, the difference between them. That would help to determine which end is squeaking.

Another thought is the reverse light switch. Is reverse close to 1st gear? If the reverse switch is not adjusted correctly, or there is a bit of slack in the selector mechanism, it could be momentarily switching the reverse switch as you move to first. Been a common problem ever since reverse switches were first fitted to gearboxes. (When first invented, you had a separate switch on the dash with a big warning light, and operated it manually)

Have you ever been behind a Sprinter van as they stop. Often their reverse lights will come on just before they move away, and flash again as they go to 2nd gear.

I think the switch is fine. The beep (which quietens the radio / music) seems to be the same as far as I can gather, but there's a visual thing on-screen showing the car in relation to the obstable. I must listen closer though to see if there is an audible variation, that'd be handy!


I've seen this with old vans yes! Now I know why

 

[dave]

Driving to work this morning in creeping traffic and a big lorry coming the other way splashed through a big puddle of water setting off the right front parking sensor as the water hit the front of the car.

Also as Portland Bill also pointed out about sprinter vans I often notice if i pick up interference from another cars rear parking sensors it’s almost always a van so maybe it I pay more attention I’ll notice it’s sprinters ?

not a lot of sprinters have them factory fitted so may be its crappy after market ones that do it

 

[SB1500]

Usually front and rear sensors make different noises, have you got the two notes in your head yet? They can be very subtle, the difference between them. That would help to determine which end is squeaking.

Another thought is the reverse light switch. Is reverse close to 1st gear? If the reverse switch is not adjusted correctly, or there is a bit of slack in the selector mechanism, it could be momentarily switching the reverse switch as you move to first. Been a common problem ever since reverse switches were first fitted to gearboxes. (When first invented, you had a separate switch on the dash with a big warning light, and operated it manually)

Have you ever been behind a Sprinter van as they stop. Often their reverse lights will come on just before they move away, and flash again as they go to 2nd gear.

I was just thinking ... could I be facing a battery drain issue? I hard wired in a Nextbase 522GW and rear cam to a constant live feed, even when the car is off... (I think this is a different one to the equivalnt I piggybacked the power from on the Panda). Could this be a similar phenomena to how the Panda would cut out the electric steering when the power was weaker? - as in, the parking sensors are the first to drop out when power gets low. As I noticed the start/stop rarely coming on these days unless I floor it , or am on a very long 1hr+ journey... Considering taking the dash cam out to see. But is this plausible?

 

[portland_bill]

not a lot of sprinters have them factory fitted so may be its crappy after market ones that do it

They're triggered by the reverse light switch, which is the issue with Sprinters. Even those without sensors will flash their reverse lights as 1st gear is selected. Any beep is just additional.