Yup, salt went in lots of things from dishwash, shampoo, conditioner…you name it, it’s only purpose is to ‘bulk’ out very runny liquids for a more ‘luxurious’ feel. Now it’s glycerins that are more prevalent
What's made you not grumpy but not smile either today?
- Thread starter dave
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What's made you not grumpy but not smile either today?
Apart from the salt, which is why they say don't use for washing your car, some years ago in a VW pamphlet it mentioned the bacteria in screen wash can harbour legionnaires disease , which put me off blowing out jets.
The jets on my cabriolet create a very fine fan of Spray which cleans the screeen without going over the windscreen and into the car if the roof is down, it’s a clever piece of design but impossible to put any sort of pin it tool through to clean them, compressed air seems good only for compacting grit and grime into the narrow channels.Apart from the salt, which is why they say don't use for washing your car, some years ago in a VW pamphlet it mentioned the bacteria in screen wash can harbour legionnaires disease , which put me off blowing out jets.
So now they get put in an ultrasonic cleaning bath which does an amazing job of cleaning them out if recommend one for any home mechanic for cleaning up small parts, they’re very cheap now and mine heats the solution while it cleans.
Just be careful leaving things in too long as it will take the paint off if you’re not careful
I guess they're the same as on the Fabia. Gives a good mist, cleans the screen well, and seems to use significantly less fluid. Haven't had a blockage yet.
First time I came across this function was on the Rover SD1 facelift 1982. Grreat mist, unable to clear if blocked, blocked up easily.
At some time, the Fabia will need new front suspension arms or bushes. The anti-roll bar mounts are tight, but squeak in certain weather conditions, so could do with some lubrication. I see that all the front suspension bolts are angle-tightened, and 'use once', yet the bolts are not listed by aftermarket suppliers selling the arms or bushes. My local Skoda dealer has arms and bushes, but have never stocked the bolts.
I can't see why the sump plug needs replacing every time either.
Fabia threw the 'money light' on. Code says post-cat oxy sensor stuck lean. Live data seems fine after 40 mins, but takes that long before sensor responds.
Got a new sensor. Workshop manual diagram makes it look easy. Lifted bonnet. Exhaust is down the back. Pre-cat sensor is standing up, easy to reach. Post-cat is down there somewhere, I can feel it, but not see it. Not good for applying any spanner, especially to something delicate that may be tight. Might be difficult from below too, certainly if lying underneath. Might be easier on a lift.
I don't need this hassle. Garage at bottom of road will fit it Tuesday.
Got a new sensor. Workshop manual diagram makes it look easy. Lifted bonnet. Exhaust is down the back. Pre-cat sensor is standing up, easy to reach. Post-cat is down there somewhere, I can feel it, but not see it. Not good for applying any spanner, especially to something delicate that may be tight. Might be difficult from below too, certainly if lying underneath. Might be easier on a lift.
I don't need this hassle. Garage at bottom of road will fit it Tuesday.
The ibiza's top mounts creak a bit when going over the likes of speed humps but only when it's wet and only if both front wheels go over the hump together. I've seen comment about this on the Cupra Forum too.
Must ask my friend at AVW whether they always renew these bolts. As these cars age there will be more and more who either risk it or simply don't replace the bolts due to ignorance.
I noticed the front driveshaft nuts were replaced when the new gearbox was fitted back in the spring. They are self locking and look as if they destroy themselves when undone. I've been told they can be tightened if it's suspected they are loose but must never be slackened without fitting new ones:
OE Standard 12 Point Wheel Hub Nut - M16 X 15 VW Audi Seat Skoda 6Q0407396B
OE Standard 12 Point Axle Wheel Hub Nut - M16 X 1.5 VW Audi Seat Skoda 6Q0407396B This OE standard double hexagonal nut will fit a range of VWAG
justgermanparts.co.uk
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
Yes extremely careless... I told the surgeon it should have been returned to me and that at current prices 1.6KG would be £5.60 and how would he like to pay. Typical surgeon he thought I was being serious! It was a while before he tsaw the funny side. Thankfully very slowly I amgetting back to nearer normal. Main thing is I am still here to vex everyone! Daughter was disappointed as she maintains I am a grumpy g** and that I live to vex!I hope you got a good price for it"
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
I have fitted a couple of these things to our SEat and totally agree a solid steel plug and a solid steel washer what possible justification for replacinging these they might put forward escapes me. Yet another car manufacturer weaze to take money for no reason. I am please dto say that the Seat has been back only 3 times in 130,000 miles and 21 years. Once for warranty work, nce for a diagnostic at 50K for peace of mind andonce for a new door lock. As I was sick of fitting chaep rubbish supplied by motor factors that did not work. The beauty of VAG is they are easy to work on well designed and engineered so garage visits are thankfully a rarity, We now use a backstreet garage in Manchester who have been fair, honest and helpful an several occasions and gained my trust. I think VAG should be asked to justify this hogwash and also to say how it integrates with their mandatoruy annual reports on ethical business and environmental compliance. Im glad I am not a shareholder or I should feel obligated to raise it. Its now blaringly obvious that we need to start working to repair our environment and eliminate waste and excess of consumption one wonders when VAG will notice and take note.
He didn't mention the ongoing hire charge for all the tools he left inside?
The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
Finders keepers!! And if I find owt there will be storage charges.He didn't mention the ongoing hire charge for all the tools he left inside?
The Mercedes is parked at the kerbside right outside our living room window this morning. The wheels are of a particularly "spindly" design - meaning it's easy to see past them to the brakes. As I was pulling the curtains I was looking at the front brakes and "marveling" at the shear size of them. The caliper is obviously a six pot design (six pistons, 3 on either side) the pads are perhaps the biggest I've seen in a very long time, taking up perhaps a quarter of the circumference of the disc, and the disc diameter? well, it would dwarf an "old mini" wheel! Then I found myself thinking about his problem with vibration when braking from higher speeds. In my opinion - echoed by Steven above - this is very likely to be a warped disc, or discs, and then I found myself thinking that this has to be much more of a problem with a larger diameter disc than on one of the "tiddlers" on my Ibiza or the Panda. Why? well on a larger diameter disc it's not going to take very much of a warp to give quite a noticeable amount of runout at the rim of the disc due to the greater radial distance from the axle centerline. For any given amount of warp the effect will be greater the larger the disc diameter?
Ah well, whatever, not a problem I'll ever have to bother myself worrying about with the sort of budget available for us to buy cars.
I would broadly agree that they are well designed and engineered, at least when you start comparing them to their competition. However I think they are rather more "fragile" now than they were, especially these new little turbo petrols. Highly stressed and much more complicated. My old 1.9 TDI VE engined Cordoba and my boy's 1.9 TDI PD engined Fabia were absolute tanks which just steamed on for ever until eventually a combination of rust and general old age got them - I had the Cordoba for over 20 years! Having just done a major service and general look over of the Ibiza I must agree they are relatively easy to work on. When I was crawling around underneath doing a general look over last Friday I noticed, for the first time, where the post cat oxygen sensor is situated - She'll be going in to AVW if that ever needs changed! However all the service stuff is easy to do.
As you'll know, if you've read about my gearbox problem back in the spring, my confidence in the car has been considerably dented. I know a driveshaft is going to need to be done at some time due to it's plunge joint having a small amount of play in it at this time and I'm just a little suspicious the engine has a very slight knock when pulling hard at medium revs (2 to 3 thousand rpm) Might be the dreaded LSPI I suppose? or might just be me looking for problems that don't exist - the 3 cylinder engine does sound very different to the 4 and/or 6 cylinder units I'm more familiar with. As a result I've been looking around at what else is about which I might fancy - and could afford! After having had a ride in a Renault Captur recently I liked it a lot, considerably more comfortable than the Ibiza I think due to slightly softer suspension and larger wheels. So I've been looking into them and I quite like what I see, especially the 1.3 TCE engine'd version. However, Dual mass flywheel - not on the Ibiza. Concentric clutch slave cylinder - not on the Ibiza. Timing chain with a reputation for giving trouble (guides) at quite low mileages - belt on the Ibiza. Electric hand brake (motorized cable system) - not on the Ibiza. and so it goes on. When looking at other options there always seems to be similar stuff i don't want to have to endure. Plus I have VAG-COM (VCDS) for the VAG "clan" and my tool kit is optimized for VAG (and Fiat) vehicles. I think I need to get real and concentrate on repairing my relationship with Twinkle? Anyway, recently became aware of the Skoda Scala, which seems to be rather hiding it's virtues under a bush - You don't see many around here and they don't seem to be pushing them with adverts - It's about 10 cm longer than the Ibiza estate and slightly wider but very similar in many other respects. The lowest spec model - SE - would do fine for me and I just realized it's got a manual hand brake and I'm pretty sure a full size spare can be shoe horned in! Nice and "anonymous" looking too, I like a car which doesn't attract too much attention. Must go and take a closer look at one.
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The Panda Nut
Nutty about Pandas Infected by Panda virus and OPD
Actually I am very very grunpy partially as a result of changing the pollen filter on our 169. What a B stupid job. Not helped by forgetting I left the cover screws off last time.... So I took another screw out ofthe heater and then dropped it and it disappeared under the carpet and sound deadening never to be seen again. A faff to remove and then I had to sort a replacement and put it back. Need I say more. The pollen / cabin filter was totally black and full of insects and sticks its two years since it was last done, so at least it felt worthwhile, but I now sit with considerable discomfort where I was lying upside down to get at it.
More depressing is being scam-charged 580 Euros for damage " we noted after the car was returned" from our Italian trip Europcar Hire..... after two months.
I gave the car back in EXACTLY the same state it was lent out in, but we now have a photo of the whole front damaged in quite a major way. I am insensed and frankly thinking seriously and calculated murderous thoughts. Disgust doesnt even get near it. Its spoilt my holiday memories totally and has already caused upset on quite a grand scale. Tomorrow I have to close the credit card account and go organise another with a different bank and we need to transfer savings and current account to because there is no way on this earth I am paying for this. Following on from freezing the account I have spent all day reorganising auto payments and pay pal related items. There was damage waiver in place with the hire company in the USA and secondary insurance we took out here in UK I am hoping that speaking to the Insurance companies involved and informing them of the fraud will light their fuse to investigate this corrupt company to the max. Im hoping work contacts in insurance will put me on to the right people to generate action from the two insurance companies who are beinf defrauded by Europcar. Im seriously thinking of going back there anf finding someone face to face saying I did the damage so I can sort them out so they cant say anything good or bad about anyone else. Family dont think I should but who else on this earth is going to deal with the rampant scum bag involved.
Lessons learned.
1. DO NOT EVER USE EUROPCAR THERY ARE A COMPANY STAFFED BY CRIMINALS.
2. Take 100s of photos of every panel, lights tyres and all the glass look for even the slightest signs of scratching and surface chips - they also say I damaged the screen. Do this at the start of the hire and write all over the form FOR EVERY MARK EVEN SWIRLS IN THE PAINT WORK.
3. Repeat this at the end of the hire, and insist the car hire rep is stood visible in ALL photos. Make them wait until you have finished.
4. If accused of damaged at the point of return DO sign the form but write Disputed across from end to end. I refused to accept the windscreen damage as I am 100% certain the bea line the rep made to it was a clear warning. I didnt sign the form so I suppose left the door open. I have 3 witnesses that the car was undamaged and the bodywork damage not raised by the rep, just the windscreen.
5. Avoid hiring at all if possible as most of the companies are crooks.
BBC ran an invstigation and a radio 4 programme recently highlighting the risks.
I can only say, all proper and legal methods of defence will be taken first, but if they take any money from me, RETALIATION WILL BE IMMEDIATE.
More depressing is being scam-charged 580 Euros for damage " we noted after the car was returned" from our Italian trip Europcar Hire..... after two months.
I gave the car back in EXACTLY the same state it was lent out in, but we now have a photo of the whole front damaged in quite a major way. I am insensed and frankly thinking seriously and calculated murderous thoughts. Disgust doesnt even get near it. Its spoilt my holiday memories totally and has already caused upset on quite a grand scale. Tomorrow I have to close the credit card account and go organise another with a different bank and we need to transfer savings and current account to because there is no way on this earth I am paying for this. Following on from freezing the account I have spent all day reorganising auto payments and pay pal related items. There was damage waiver in place with the hire company in the USA and secondary insurance we took out here in UK I am hoping that speaking to the Insurance companies involved and informing them of the fraud will light their fuse to investigate this corrupt company to the max. Im hoping work contacts in insurance will put me on to the right people to generate action from the two insurance companies who are beinf defrauded by Europcar. Im seriously thinking of going back there anf finding someone face to face saying I did the damage so I can sort them out so they cant say anything good or bad about anyone else. Family dont think I should but who else on this earth is going to deal with the rampant scum bag involved.
Lessons learned.
1. DO NOT EVER USE EUROPCAR THERY ARE A COMPANY STAFFED BY CRIMINALS.
2. Take 100s of photos of every panel, lights tyres and all the glass look for even the slightest signs of scratching and surface chips - they also say I damaged the screen. Do this at the start of the hire and write all over the form FOR EVERY MARK EVEN SWIRLS IN THE PAINT WORK.
3. Repeat this at the end of the hire, and insist the car hire rep is stood visible in ALL photos. Make them wait until you have finished.
4. If accused of damaged at the point of return DO sign the form but write Disputed across from end to end. I refused to accept the windscreen damage as I am 100% certain the bea line the rep made to it was a clear warning. I didnt sign the form so I suppose left the door open. I have 3 witnesses that the car was undamaged and the bodywork damage not raised by the rep, just the windscreen.
5. Avoid hiring at all if possible as most of the companies are crooks.
BBC ran an invstigation and a radio 4 programme recently highlighting the risks.
I can only say, all proper and legal methods of defence will be taken first, but if they take any money from me, RETALIATION WILL BE IMMEDIATE.
What a bunch of thieving bast**ds!!!
I used to think it was bad enough when we hired a 7.5 tonne lorry, filled the tank just around the corner from the hire company and they would try to bill for half a tank of fuel!
I used to think it was bad enough when we hired a 7.5 tonne lorry, filled the tank just around the corner from the hire company and they would try to bill for half a tank of fuel!
Aye some pollen filters are a real pain. The 169 isn't the easiest but I think my boy's Punto is even worse? I can only get them in by partially folding it and then hoping it's unfolded once inside - which it does seem to do.
The Ibiza is pretty good with a cover under the dash on the passenger side which allows the filter to drop out vertically. Best I've done so far was the Mk1 Jazz owned by my daughter in law - the one who bought the Mazda2 - you can change it sitting in the passenger's seat by simply removing the glovebox. Why more can't be like this is a mystery to me.
Hire car companies are famous for this. For the half dozen years I was working for Firestone I hired cars every week from about March through to September all over Europe. We had a company contract with two of the biggest names in the business so all I had to do was flash my card and a car would magically appear. All the engineers were hiring cars like this and we would regularly get called up to the finance office to face the music for "silly" excess charges for alleged damage to hire vehicles. I had some considerable success by always getting the company staff - branch manager preferably - to sign across my invoice "Vehicle returned in undamaged condition". Of course this was before the days of mobile phones and built in cameras but my copy of the invoice was usually a carbon copy so identical to the original. Mostly I found that "spiked" their guns. It really annoyed me being called up to accounts to argue my corner though and on the couple of occasions when I was adjudged to be at fault, when I knew I wasn't, it did make me feel quite upset for a couple of days. I think the European agencies are far worse than those in the States. We hired a car twice and sometimes three times a year when my Daughter & family lived over there a few years ago and then again maybe once every two or three years to visit my sister. I was very worried the first couple of times we did this after my experiences back in the late 60s and 70s because the American operations are usually just "drop and run for your flight" with it being quite rare to have anyone actually check the car over with you. However I've had not one problem with any of the deals - I'd guess maybe 20, possibly 25 hires. I mentioned it to my sister's husband, who works in international journalism so hires a lot of cars, and he said my experience is not dissimilar to what he's found.
Edit. Charging for fuel when you've filled the tank maybe 2 miles down the road before handing it back, was a very common one and difficult to argue.
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I hired a car in the former Yugoslavia, obviously a 128 clone, one of the headlights got smashed by a stone kicked up by a truck…two days later, took it back and explained, guy shrugged and threw keys into his desk, ‘nuff said
Mind you putting a new headlamp in would have doubled the value of the vehicle
Cruel…Mind you putting a new headlamp in would have doubled the value of the vehicle
…their dashboards always looked like they were made of caramac (shows my age)
