What's made you grumpy today?

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

The valve stem repair kit I did a few weeks ago, was done successfully…. At the first re-inflation, one didn’t seem to hold air, and the other seemed to have a seal issue but working with the little valves and then re-sealing the other with some more LocTite stuff (akin to the stuff which came with the kit, but more) seemed to sort it (our theory was the half in/half out of the garage might have affected the setting time of the perfect indoor workshop that it’s probably intended to be done in).

That was all good and well. This Saturday… the TPMS light was on.
Just yesterday, I went to fill up the tyres, checking each time to see which one it was. My bed was front right, which was slowly (like once a month) deflating because of my damage to the valve but was fine, it took air in so wasn’t as pressing as the rears were.

I was wrong, filling that back up didn’t turn off the light. Tried the other side. Nope. So signs pointed to a problem with my work…
The rear two… are not just not taking air in. Not from this petrol station heavy duty machine, and then when I tried my trusty old boot 12v inflator… Sealing it in, the pressures were up at around 30psi, it showed that. But when I turned it on to inflate… the dial went right the way around on both. No idea if it was actually taking in air or not but still, major red flag.

Four new TPMS sensors… I tried asking Toyota locally if they would programme ones, if I bought four genuines online (from Swindon’s online dealer who runs a site), got them fitted at a tyre shop then brought it to them to programme. Nope - must all be done by them. They supply around £90 a sensor. Swindon people around £80. Swindon people no longer ship to NI (Nooooooo!).

I think it might be time… for the first time on this car to just go and get some aftermarket sensors - and if THEY have any issues in coming years, then I’ll go sink the money into the genuine’s. When I do… genuine sensors sourced.. fitted some tyre shop and programmed by myself using that ‘Carista’ app which they reckon can do Toyota sensors.

What a **** show, four perfectly good sensors written off by me using stupid cheap alloy dust caps… seizing on, hacked off and boom, big bill. One that, to be honest, does need sorting now as who knows the predictability of the repair job or the remaining two original stems.

The place that sorted my puncture a few months ago do aftermarket sensors £50 per wheel… I may go and give them a shout this week. ‘Hamaton’ is the brand, never heard of it… but if it has anything stamped on it it’s above the lowest-of-the-low I suppose, and they even have a generic global website - bonus points.

I feel for you with the alloy valve caps. I always thought they looked good and would have bought some for my car - I'm talking some years ago now, when I was still on the tools - but had a Mini with the caps seized on and had to fit new valves to sort it. Of course back in those days that was a simple thing to do, but it put me off ally valve caps for life. I bet someone makes coloured plastic ones?

 

[StevenRB45]

I'd say be careful...given my cars TPMS fault was down to one of the TPS sensors being replaced with an aftermarket one.

This then refused to talk to the car... because.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

I'd say be careful...given my cars TPMS fault was down to one of the TPS sensors being replaced with an aftermarket one.

This then refused to talk to the car... because.

There is a lot to be said for abs sensor based systems, arguably there is no difference in how long they take to detect the fault and no expensive sensors to replace when the tyre shop brakes one

 

[The Panda Nut]

You hear these sort of stories quite a lot don't you. The ones about people being charged ridiculous electricity/internet/water/etc with little chance of challenging these big providers. It scares me and i try not to think about it.

Its all taxing. Ive just had to tangle with Anglian water. Ive changed Rachels stop tap, and then had to recut the tap seat and replace the tap again, twice, because of gravel coming down the pipe. Its now impossible to turn off the stop tap again. Apparently its my fault.....

I fail to see how gravel can get into the pipe through my 15m of alkathene pipe.

Further more They say its my resposibility from where pipe starts from the meter (which is leaking like a drain) rather from tge ONLY TAP that would havve been therexwhen the house was built. The meter and stop tap in the road post dates the house by 50 years, so they seem to have arbitarily changed their supply tap from inside the property to in the road when they installed the meter. Research is required.....
I have said Im fed up with buying new stop taps. Do we have to go to court to resolve this..... I hope not. They are coming to look within a week. Fingers crossed its at least clear where the geavel is from- or if its iron from aging mains pipe.

Their stop tap leaks like a drain at my own house. Its been leaking for over 35 years. They came and repaired a burst in my drive 10 years ago. They wanted to install a meter. No wayJose. I allowed them to install a new tap where the pipe was repaired, no doubt they will claim its now the point where my responsibilty starts. I have burried the whole thing in concrete. I know where it is and they dont so any arguments, and i wont tell them. It will allow me to isolate the supply so I can install a new section of pipe at some time. The supply pipe is shared with my neighbour and where it branches off I dont know. Who owns what will be a debate no doubt.

It seems to me, that without due consultation the water industry have determined what they will do and what they will not, everywhere using their own intterpretations, riding roughshod over their historic responsibilites. I feel a need to ask a few pertinent question and demand responses in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act. Its all a big PITA. Another stop tap will be fitted tomorrow and I suppose a letter is needed so further action can be taken if required, and to ask for the cost incurred already to stop the gravel gumming up our works. I wonder who pays the bill if I dig up our supply pipe and it is, as I strongly suspect, in good condition. The assumption they incorrectly make is that it will be me. After half a career wading knee deep in legislation covering multiple industries H&S I intend to put my exerience to work looking in detail at where all their statements of 'fact' originate. As I already know the water legislation is very vague I am not just accepting its correct as of now. I know one thing. If a corporate organisation has closed all pertinent issues properly, or addressed a raft of issues and loop holes relating to law in these circumstances, it will be unusual. In over 20 years, I challenged, electrical comanies, water companies, highways authorities, health trusts the highways agency the environment agency and the HSE and a couple of Trades Unions on their interpretation of the law. All were quoting legislation as if they owned it. I hope I dont find my interpretation skills let me down for the first time on this. As a rule of thumb things under the need to be reasonable, and reasonably applied. You cannot row against this basic principle. You cannot impose something thats impossible or which is nor reasonably practicable, even unfairness will cause them problems dealing with the under dog. Lets hope they find & sort this out under their own steam and that a supply of tea and chocolate biscuits does its usual trick. If it doesnt, that wont be a first, but it will be a rare thing.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

There is a lot to be said for abs sensor based systems, arguably there is no difference in how long they take to detect the fault and no expensive sensors to replace when the tyre shop brakes one

That was just another of the reasons why I stayed with Seat/Skoda when looking to replace my Ibiza.

 

[The Panda Nut]

Staying main stream, even if it costs more seems now to be essential. At least this is relatively a minor problem. As a safety issue it does not make car makers look competent, and certainly not good. What is their safety engineering actually worth.......

 

[StevenRB45]

There is a lot to be said for abs sensor based systems, arguably there is no difference in how long they take to detect the fault and no expensive sensors to replace when the tyre shop brakes one

Indeed and I've probably said most of it at one point or another....

 

[PuntoHowTo]

That was just another of the reasons why I stayed with Seat/Skoda when looking to replace my Ibiza.

I belive that VW make a set of alloy valve caps that you can buy for most of their brands if you are willing to pay the price tag (£30 last time I saw some) and they are probably made so that they don't weld themselves to the valve, that being said my golf has the standard rubber and brass valves that all cars for the last 50 years have had and they are less likely to weld on anyway with dissimilar metals and no current passing through them to enhance galvanic corrosion between the two. With alloy caps, valve stems and alloy wheels all being grounded to the car, I would presume there is more potential for galvanic corrosion between different alloys in the caps and valves, but also the potential for similar metals bonding especially if cranked down hard as people tend to do with these caps, when they are worried about the local kids pinching them.

stick to black plastic caps and not only do you never worry or for that matter care, if local kids help themselves, but they are stupidly cheap and will never weld themselves on. Function over form in this case.

 

[SB1500]

I'd used the cheap little metal ones on my Panda's, DS and Avensis over time, tough to get off but nothing a little spanner tool thing wouldn't get off. I was just lucky that I got away with it with those. Being CCP internet specials from eBay, these were no doubt the lowest of the low quality.

I bought the genuine Lexus ones, silver looking but completely plastic. No more issues. I can imagine that higher quality alloy ones from competent manufacturers would be made better (at a cost), probably plastic inside where they meet then alloy covered or something. Fair enough, though if plastic is good enough for Lexus it'll be good enough for me now!

 

[StevenRB45]

I feel like I've got slightly lower standards...I've got 3x silver plastic ones which I assume came with the sensors.

One of the them is black plastic...this came from a knackered bike inner tube I had lying round in the shed when one went for a walk .

 

[The Panda Nut]

I feel like I've got slightly lower standards...I've got 3x silver plastic ones which I assume came with the sensors.

One of the them is black plastic...this came from a knackered bike inner tube I had lying round in the shed when one went for a walk .

Ive been down the stick caps route. I used my dremmel and a super fine cutting disc and cut up both sides they released after this.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Youngest boy and his family came over for their evening meal Sunday. Youngest grandson - shouldn't say it, but he's my favorite - brought his radio controlled dune buggy for grandad to fix and Mum brought the hoover, which wasn't working either! The buggy was quite easy, just a loose wire. Few minutes this morning with the soldering iron and it was romping all over the living room again. The hoover, Dyson upright actually, I've fixed before. I really don't like it. To it's credit, it does make a good job when working as designed to do, but, in my opinion it's far to complicated with so many moving parts and quite narrow airways. This time it was a combination of granddaughter's long hair, horribly clogged filters and the electrical connection between the main body and the powered brush module. Took nearly two hours as I decided to strip most of it down, thoroughly clean and blow everything through with compressed air - that was a bit of a silly decision as I've run out of dust masks and now my throat isn't feeling too good! Luckily the electrical connection was easily remade by slightly bending one of the connecting blades. Although I blew out all the filters and it's sucking very well as a result, it really needs a set of filters.

It's getting very old now and I'm hoping she buys something a bit more easy to work on next. Parts are pricy too. D'you think I could talk her into a Henry maybe?

Off for a nice shower now as I'm covered in a fine grey talcom powder like dust. Hoping also that it may help clear my airways in the steamy hot air. How stupid of me not to wear a mask. Just glad I used the airline outside. Sun shining brightly and warm enough to get outside with a sandwich and cup of cupaccino while I read my book.

 

[bugsymike]

Youngest boy and his family came over for their evening meal Sunday. Youngest grandson - shouldn't say it, but he's my favorite - brought his radio controlled dune buggy for grandad to fix and Mum brought the hoover, which wasn't working either! The buggy was quite easy, just a loose wire. Few minutes this morning with the soldering iron and it was romping all over the living room again. The hoover, Dyson upright actually, I've fixed before. I really don't like it. To it's credit, it does make a good job when working as designed to do, but, in my opinion it's far to complicated with so many moving parts and quite narrow airways. This time it was a combination of granddaughter's long hair, horribly clogged filters and the electrical connection between the main body and the powered brush module. Took nearly two hours as I decided to strip most of it down, thoroughly clean and blow everything through with compressed air - that was a bit of a silly decision as I've run out of dust masks and now my throat isn't feeling too good! Luckily the electrical connection was easily remade by slightly bending one of the connecting blades. Although I blew out all the filters and it's sucking very well as a result, it really needs a set of filters.

It's getting very old now and I'm hoping she buys something a bit more easy to work on next. Parts are pricy too. D'you think I could talk her into a Henry maybe?

Off for a nice shower now as I'm covered in a fine grey talcom powder like dust. Hoping also that it may help clear my airways in the steamy hot air. How stupid of me not to wear a mask. Just glad I used the airline outside. Sun shining brightly and warm enough to get outside with a sandwich and cup of cupaccino while I read my book.

I think Dyson over rated, fragile and over priced, plus I was not impressed when he got a Queens Award for Industry and promptly closed UK operations and moved most of work abroad!
I have a Hoover 2100Watt which although feeling it's age like me , does the job, it's easy to press the button and empty into the dust bin, but the paper filter I bang on the kerb to shake the dust out, occassionally I buy a replacement paper element.
Like you I have tried high pressure air line and blow dust everywhere, a bit like in the late 60s blowing asbestos dust out of brake drums and getting tonsilitus the next day!

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I think Dyson over rated, fragile and over priced, plus I was not impressed when he got a Queens Award for Industry and promptly closed UK operations and moved most of work abroad!
I have a Hoover 2100Watt which although feeling it's age like me , does the job, it's easy to press the button and empty into the dust bin, but the paper filter I bang on the kerb to shake the dust out, occassionally I buy a replacement paper element.
Like you I have tried high pressure air line and blow dust everywhere, a bit like in the late 60s blowing asbestos dust out of brake drums and getting tonsilitus the next day!

Ah yes, that never forgotten metallic taste. And the black snotter in the hanky - or whatever

 

[bugsymike]

Re my other issues with hip, leg and back pain. I spent ages to get through to my GP Health Centre, receptionist doesn't make appointments, but as I don't use a mobile she entered my details and request to see a Doctor onto some internet site!

I have just had this reply " Please DO NOT reply to this email address as it will NOT be delivered to your healthcare provider.
Dear Mr ......,
Thank you for your request. The doctor has advised a routine appointment to further discuss your concerns. We are currently waiting for more slots to be added. A member of the admin team will contact you to book either a telephone or face to face appointment as appropriate as soon as they are available. If your symptoms should change or worsen in the meantime and you are concerned, please contact the surgery directly for further help and advice.
Patient Services Team"
Funny I thought I had just contacted my surgery directly to ask for a GP appointment. All they forgot to add is, "if you choose to die before hand make sure to cancel any appointment".

 

[The Panda Nut]

Re my other issues with hip, leg and back pain. I spent ages to get through to my GP Health Centre, receptionist doesn't make appointments, but as I don't use a mobile she entered my details and request to see a Doctor onto some internet site!

I have just had this reply " Please DO NOT reply to this email address as it will NOT be delivered to your healthcare provider.
Dear Mr ......,
Thank you for your request. The doctor has advised a routine appointment to further discuss your concerns. We are currently waiting for more slots to be added. A member of the admin team will contact you to book either a telephone or face to face appointment as appropriate as soon as they are available. If your symptoms should change or worsen in the meantime and you are concerned, please contact the surgery directly for further help and advice.
Patient Services Team"
Funny I thought I had just contacted my surgery directly to ask for a GP appointment. All they forgot to add is, "if you choose to die before hand make sure to cancel any appointment".

Ive had contact with the pysio centre re knee pain. This has been developing over quite a few years. The web site is a work of web art! I expect you could find out how to row across the atlantic if you moved your finger too quick
Finding stuff that directly relates to my issue is less simple and easy to find myself approaching the seychelles.... I will follow the system carefully and see how it goes tho. Now i need to do various exercises several times a day. As it can take 30 minutes to be able to lie down flat each time, and wait for neck, back and shoulders to allow me to open my eyes when the pain subsides this could take a while. I suppose the good news is it may be, I can recover. I cant tell which symptoms apply from the web site. At least may be not all of them, as listed. (Result) Watch this space.

 

[PuntoHowTo]

. All they forgot to add is, "if you choose to die before hand make sure to cancel any appointment".

Of course that’s implied. Or they will send someone to your funeral to tell you off about missed appointments and how much it costs the nhs each year.

I am having significant issues with my hips right now. I have to go through phases of being on really strong pain killers and I am supposed to be having a CT scan of my lower back which I’m still waiting for.
The main problem for me is life tends to get in the way of chasing these things up all the time, I have to work to pay the bills so I end up struggling on in pain.

From my hip MRI, I think I will be lucky if I don’t need two new hips before I’m 60.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I think Dyson over rated, fragile and over priced, plus I was not impressed when he got a Queens Award for Industry and promptly closed UK operations and moved most of work abroad!
I have a Hoover 2100Watt which although feeling it's age like me , does the job, it's easy to press the button and empty into the dust bin, but the paper filter I bang on the kerb to shake the dust out, occassionally I buy a replacement paper element.
Like you I have tried high pressure air line and blow dust everywhere, a bit like in the late 60s blowing asbestos dust out of brake drums and getting tonsilitus the next day!

To be fair to it, every time I've "fettled" it, it is as good as my wonderful old Electrolux upright was. The Electrolux was very simple though. Just one motor which both provided the suction and drove the belt to the brush bar with a renewable paper dust bag which cost peanuts for 5. Also had a foam after filter which was washable and dried very quickly.

The Dyson has separate motors for suction and brush bar with electric connectors to the brush bar. Complicated cyclone dust collector with inbuilt fine mesh filter and two other renewable filters, one of which is washable but it's a pain in the backside - life's too short to be washing filters! I also find that blowing out the cyclone tubes with compressed air a couple of times a year makes a big difference to how it works. Then there's two switches for separately switching on or off the two motors but also the switches are interlinked so when you first switch on both motors start but you can then choose to switch off the brush bar and leave just the suction motor running. All works on "trip" type switches which I'm amazed haven't yet given any bother. Finally the airways are quite small bore so get blocked by long hair.

Makes me really appreciate my Henry!

 

[porta]

Re my other issues with hip, leg and back pain. I spent ages to get through to my GP Health Centre, receptionist doesn't make appointments, but as I don't use a mobile she entered my details and request to see a Doctor onto some internet site!

I have just had this reply " Please DO NOT reply to this email address as it will NOT be delivered to your healthcare provider.
Dear Mr ......,
Thank you for your request. The doctor has advised a routine appointment to further discuss your concerns. We are currently waiting for more slots to be added. A member of the admin team will contact you to book either a telephone or face to face appointment as appropriate as soon as they are available. If your symptoms should change or worsen in the meantime and you are concerned, please contact the surgery directly for further help and advice.
Patient Services Team"
Funny I thought I had just contacted my surgery directly to ask for a GP appointment. All they forgot to add is, "if you choose to die before hand make sure to cancel any appointment".

That’s exactly what I got…ever since the US healthcare group ‘modality’ got there hands on it it’s been ‘two weeks’ that turn into four
As for the booking system, it only shows two weeks and it is ALWAYS booked out…the only option is to go back to GP reception and back to square one ffs

 

[The Panda Nut]

That’s exactly what I got…ever since the US healthcare group ‘modality’ got there hands on it it’s been ‘two weeks’ that turn into four
As for the booking system, it only shows two weeks and it is ALWAYS booked out…the only option is to go back to GP reception and back to square one ffs

This entire system is it seems aimed at ensuring the elderly dont ever see a doctor or nurse unless dumped ayt hospital by an ambulance. I can see exactly why they need to triage requsts but this system is not a great way forward. Im not at all sure a physion will do good for my knee. Its getting on towards 70 years old and its been getting slowly more painful for at least 10 years. Ive arrived at the point where its a problem and they system says physio. Ill go as its the first contact and I hope it works, but this alas is most likely due to wear and tear. My dads knees were his undoing in the end and left him bed bound. I dont want to arrive in the same place.

Eliminating people from the first step of the process may save money, but it will cost lives.