The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
You say it all here. My heat felt thanks to her and all the A&E staff. I hope they are not affected too much long term. Thank heavens we have such wonderful people in this wonky world.
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What's made you grumpy today?
You say it all here. My heat felt thanks to her and all the A&E staff. I hope they are not affected too much long term. Thank heavens we have such wonderful people in this wonky world.
Update on the wasp nest. Immediately following the wasp man's departure last Monday, and with his advice not to go near it for at least 3 hours, That evening I just slung everything (garden chairs, compost bag, hose reel etc) back into the shed and locked the door. Today, as there's been no sign of wasps all week and as we're waiting for my boy to ring to confirm they are all home and safe after driving up from Devon overnight, I decided to occupy myself sorting out the shed. I'm very glad to be able to report not a live wasp to be seen, needed a hand shovel for the dead ones though! So indeed £40 + a "good drink" - money very well spent. Rather a strong smell of paraffin still lingering though.
Anyone familiar with the saying, "Any 20 minute job is just one broken bolt away from a 3 day ordeal".
It's true, it took three days. :bang: In my case it was a broken exhaust pipe speed nut on my 05 Jeep 4.0 engine. Throw in an exhaust pipe mounting system designed by a sadist and a 16 year accumulation of rust, I'm surprised I was just grumpy.
I needed to replace the rear main seal. Pretty common for a 16 year old Jeep. A given for the 4.0. My Jeep has been marking its' territory like an old Harley or BSA. In order to replace the seal, one needs to drop the pan. To drop the pan, the exhaust pipe must be removed. The exhaust pipe consists of three catalytic converters and two O2 sensors. It's also heavy.
Besides needing to machine a socket for clearance on the rear exhaust pipe two bolts, I needed to spring for a set of wobble extensions. I ended up cutting the one bolt with the broken speed nut with an abrasive panel cutter. That was absolutely no fun.
Once the above was dealt with, it was an hour to do the seal. I'll get the pan back on tomorrow but the exhaust is going to have to wait at least a week because the pipe fasteners are Mopar 4.0 specific and had to be back ordered.
I think that when I'm done with all the work the Jeep needs, I'll park it out front with a For Sale sign on it.
It's true, it took three days. :bang: In my case it was a broken exhaust pipe speed nut on my 05 Jeep 4.0 engine. Throw in an exhaust pipe mounting system designed by a sadist and a 16 year accumulation of rust, I'm surprised I was just grumpy.
I needed to replace the rear main seal. Pretty common for a 16 year old Jeep. A given for the 4.0. My Jeep has been marking its' territory like an old Harley or BSA. In order to replace the seal, one needs to drop the pan. To drop the pan, the exhaust pipe must be removed. The exhaust pipe consists of three catalytic converters and two O2 sensors. It's also heavy.
Besides needing to machine a socket for clearance on the rear exhaust pipe two bolts, I needed to spring for a set of wobble extensions. I ended up cutting the one bolt with the broken speed nut with an abrasive panel cutter. That was absolutely no fun.
Once the above was dealt with, it was an hour to do the seal. I'll get the pan back on tomorrow but the exhaust is going to have to wait at least a week because the pipe fasteners are Mopar 4.0 specific and had to be back ordered.
I think that when I'm done with all the work the Jeep needs, I'll park it out front with a For Sale sign on it.
Leave a pot next to the sign, people may take pity and leave donations.:devil:
The original Land Rover was designed as an alternative to the original Jeep. It seems Jeep have then responded by copying Land Rover's legendary need for regular maintenance.
I have a friend with a Suzuki Carry van. It is due its annual service.
Has he looked after the parts list from before? Of course not. So once again we get the choice of oil filter and plugs.
Oil filter, two sizes. I told him he needed to crawl underneath, not difficult, no need to raise the van, and read manufacture and part number off the current one. Had to be told three times, while he kept trying to choose on price on Euro website instead. Having the cheapes one, that leaks immediately, is not a saving. Having it on my drive, with no oil filter, and Euro being a 90minute return trip, tends to delay finishing the job somewhat. At last, filter determined.
I'd already linked to the correct plugs, NGK same as OE. But then he wants to complicate that too, by trying to choose between two Bosch alternatives, with no determinng detail, or NGK palladium ones. FFS, just get the ones I linked to.
Has he looked after the parts list from before? Of course not. So once again we get the choice of oil filter and plugs.
Oil filter, two sizes. I told him he needed to crawl underneath, not difficult, no need to raise the van, and read manufacture and part number off the current one. Had to be told three times, while he kept trying to choose on price on Euro website instead. Having the cheapes one, that leaks immediately, is not a saving. Having it on my drive, with no oil filter, and Euro being a 90minute return trip, tends to delay finishing the job somewhat. At last, filter determined.
I'd already linked to the correct plugs, NGK same as OE. But then he wants to complicate that too, by trying to choose between two Bosch alternatives, with no determinng detail, or NGK palladium ones. FFS, just get the ones I linked to.
A gent in my town has a Willys Jeep, 53 years younger than mine. It's a gem. I've repaired Jeeps of that vintage and they are so much easier to deal with. They were designed to be field repaired, not fixed with a credit card.
I've been thinking of getting rid of mine because it rarely sees 3K miles a year since 2016, when I bought the Ural. The license fees are getting higher in Illannoy. And I really don't need four cars anymore.
(Shh! I may be bringing home another motorcycle next week)
I don't know much about Jeeps, although I did once work on one and was amazed to see the exposed universal joint on the outer end of the front axle (to enable steering to take place). Until then I'd only ever seen the "Skulls" the Landys use. Personally I'd be looking for a "Series" model if I were ever to buy one because I know nothing about the later "trendy" new Land Rovers but have heard various less than complimentary remarks from some who have worked on them?
PS do keep us informed about the new Bike won't you?
PS do keep us informed about the new Bike won't you?
I should know Monday afternoon.
Thanks, I'm looking forward to it.
If I win the bid, I WILL be getting that LOOK from the other half.
The Jeep is still being a dick but is becoming less of one. I ran it for about ten minutes without the exhaust to warm up the oil and impress my neighbors. Let it sit overnight with a towel beneath the rear main bearing and not a drip, so that's a good thing.
Pulled both diff covers yesterday for fresh stink lube. Rear is perfect, front may be a candidate for a rebuild. It will be sold before I tackle one of those again. As it was beastly hot and humid yesterday, I got as far as cleaning up the surfaces and applying RTV sealant. Then the missus and I took a 50 mile ride with the Ural.
I'll finish those up today and back it out of the garage so I can pick up every tool I took out of the boxes, then get the mower and Ural into the garage because it looks like rain all next week.
And vacation is over.
Pulled both diff covers yesterday for fresh stink lube. Rear is perfect, front may be a candidate for a rebuild. It will be sold before I tackle one of those again. As it was beastly hot and humid yesterday, I got as far as cleaning up the surfaces and applying RTV sealant. Then the missus and I took a 50 mile ride with the Ural.
I'll finish those up today and back it out of the garage so I can pick up every tool I took out of the boxes, then get the mower and Ural into the garage because it looks like rain all next week.
And vacation is over.
I won the bid on the bike. No pics until I pick it up later this week, but I'll whet your imaginations.
It's a 1975 Honda CB750. Looks like it could be an F. Now here's why I got it so cheap, sitting in place of the SOHC Honda power plant is an 18hp Briggs & Stratton IC flat twin running through a 3 speed lawn mower transmission.
I was ready to duck when I told the missus I won it but she just said that it sounded like something I'd either build or buy.
It's a 1975 Honda CB750. Looks like it could be an F. Now here's why I got it so cheap, sitting in place of the SOHC Honda power plant is an 18hp Briggs & Stratton IC flat twin running through a 3 speed lawn mower transmission.
I was ready to duck when I told the missus I won it but she just said that it sounded like something I'd either build or buy.
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
Do they still sell irons ?
Not commuted in ages but need to start going in one day a week for 5 hours until I can get a new laptop.
Not bothered about that but actually got to commute and so for the first time In about 18 months spent a bit of time in the car on my own.
Now want new speakers, a sub and an amp as I find the lack of bass/sq disturbing. Given it's dad wagon 99% of time stereo is down anyway..but while it goes loud enough to make all the mirrors go blurry the lack of sound quality and muddy bass was a bit of let down.
Clearly spent far too long listening to my earphones at my desk
Makes no sense at all given I have no long term plans for the car and I'm commuting short term...but still eyeing gear up.
Slightly amusing moment as I sat in traffic playing with the EQ when I realised that clearly last time I played with it I'd had exactly the same problem and set it at the very edge of what the speakers can take and any more immediately distorted.
Not bothered about that but actually got to commute and so for the first time In about 18 months spent a bit of time in the car on my own.
Now want new speakers, a sub and an amp as I find the lack of bass/sq disturbing. Given it's dad wagon 99% of time stereo is down anyway..but while it goes loud enough to make all the mirrors go blurry the lack of sound quality and muddy bass was a bit of let down.
Clearly spent far too long listening to my earphones at my desk
Makes no sense at all given I have no long term plans for the car and I'm commuting short term...but still eyeing gear up.
Slightly amusing moment as I sat in traffic playing with the EQ when I realised that clearly last time I played with it I'd had exactly the same problem and set it at the very edge of what the speakers can take and any more immediately distorted.
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I don't know if this should make me grumpy or not.
The last box of parts, the mondo expensive cats, arrived for the Jeep yesterday. I already have plans for the weekend that does not involve me touching tools. My hiatus from air travel ends Monday after three weeks and at least the next two weeks involve being on planes.
So, it may be some time before I am able to put the Jeep back together.
The last box of parts, the mondo expensive cats, arrived for the Jeep yesterday. I already have plans for the weekend that does not involve me touching tools. My hiatus from air travel ends Monday after three weeks and at least the next two weeks involve being on planes.
So, it may be some time before I am able to put the Jeep back together.
The story of 4WDs everywhere. Sitting partially dismantled.
In a village outside Swindon, there's an old Land Rover, used to be on the road, and used occasionally, now on the drive and looking like it has not moved for some time. Across the top of the windscreen is the slogan, "One life - live it".
Apparently not happening there though. Must be a disappointment every time he enters or leaves the house.
Traffic yesterday. So many people, all with no idea how to get where they're going. Slow and dithering. Outward journey, all minor A roads, 2hr30m. Return, with little traffic, 1hr45m.
When the full-sized articulated truck ahead pulls gently away from you, and disappears, that is too slow!
When the full-sized articulated truck ahead pulls gently away from you, and disappears, that is too slow!
Yup. Well, almost. Our Audi A4 Quattro never gave us a lick of trouble as far as the 4WD was concerned. Sensors on the other hand, sheesh. My wife's current ride is a loaded Jeep Renegade Limited, which is a Fiat 500L in Jeep clothing. So far, so good.
Once I'm done with the Wrangler, I need to replace the shift motor on the transfer case of the Chevy. Which IMO, nothing electric has any right be there.*
*My constant argument with our Engineer Staff. "Yeah, great. Wonderful. Have you jerks thought about what happens when it fails in the field? Are you the ones going to have to fix it?" Then I'm told I have a bad attitude and I get to show them how bad it can really get.
*My constant argument with our Engineer Staff. "Yeah, great. Wonderful. Have you jerks thought about what happens when it fails in the field? Are you the ones going to have to fix it?" Then I'm told I have a bad attitude and I get to show them how bad it can really get.
What I call the "aren't we clever" syndrome. So much clever technology, for the sake of it. Some of it can enhance the operator experience, or protect us from the idiots, but so much is just cleverness for its own sake. Like social media, or mobile phones, can do so much, but not 'necessary'.
