CitroJim's AX, C3 Picasso, Cycling and Running Tales

[Pug_XUD_KeenAmateur]

I know to my cost, the DVLA are good at loosing stuff sent to them by post...

a couple of years back we had a situation whereby DVLA lost daughter's V5, she chased them up and they denied receipt. She was advised that she'd need to fill in a form and send a cheque for £25 IIRC, which she did.

Weeks later nothing had happened. We chased them up and they advised that the form and the cheque had also been lost

....which I challenged with a Supervisor, because the cheque had been 'cashed', "how could you have not received the V5 but cashed the cheque", said I

I didn't get a satisfactory answer, but the new V5 turned up next day. I was left feeling that there was no 'loss' at all, instead something quite different.

....this was in addition to them also losing my V5 for a change of address at much the same time.

[Zelandeth]

I've been all over the shop and always keep coming back to Autoglym products these days. Expensive but they last for ages. The only exception really is cutting compounds where I think the G3 stuff from Farecla (or however it's spelled) is probably better - but I've never managed to track down a reliable local supply. Their stuff is probably superior for machine application, which is something I don't have at home.

She does look great when scrubbed up though, the colour really does almost glow in the right light.

The film on the inside of the windscreen is something you'll find is something that needs to be cleaned off every couple of months...no idea why, but all three Skoda's I've owned have done that.

Imagine the brakes are feeling a good deal better now she's got a few miles done.

See what I was saying about the steering having probably one one the most pleasantly communicative feeling interfaces with the road services I've come across?

I'm probably going to be swinging past your way tomorrow after dropping someone off, will probably be early evening though. I'll drop the thermostat gasket through your letterbox if I actually remember to pick it up - which I give 50% odds at best.

Next task I reckon she will really benefit from will be proper setting of the valve clearances and double checking the timing. I noticed that on the way to the MOT it was possible to get the engine to pink on hard acceleration, and both those things could contribute to that - and won't be helping efficiency or thermal management either.

[Stickyfinger]

Without cutting (off) the oxide all a wax does is "wet" the oxide, this restores the colour for a short while but it soon fades again, a bit like wetting wood rather than French Polishing it.

[CitroJim]

Thanks for the polishing advice Noted!

See what I was saying about the steering having probably one one the most pleasantly communicative feeling interfaces with the road services I've come across?

Absolutely and it comes as quite a surprise after years of power steering... It's a long times since I've driven a non-assisted one!

I'm probably going to be swinging past your way tomorrow after dropping someone off, will probably be early evening though. I'll drop the thermostat gasket through your letterbox if I actually remember to pick it up - which I give 50% odds at best.

Do pop in rather than just drop it through the letter box... If the lights are on I'm up, in and welcoming of visitors; if in darkness I'll already have retired to bed!

Next task I reckon she will really benefit from will be proper setting of the valve clearances and double checking the timing. I noticed that on the way to the MOT it was possible to get the engine to pink on hard acceleration, and both those things could contribute to that - and won't be helping efficiency or thermal management either.

Definitely and on the list to do very soon... Used to be a job to do on an almost monthly basis when I owned and ran BMC A-Series engined vehicles Regular attention to tappets, timing and points always seemed to make a big difference to running even if it was just placebo!

Idly reading the Saxo BoL earlier today I've had a thought... I see the inlet manifold has quite a beefy heater on it... I've not physically seen it but it must be as it's fed via its own relay under ECU control direct from the battery... I will check it out later...

Conceivably, just conceivably, it could be causing the issue.. In any case it needs to be eliminated from ongoing enquiries...

[Michel]

Don't bother with polish Jim, just use some of the spray "detailer" for the time being.....I have that all down here, I will cut it, polish it, add a paint sealer and then a carnauba wax all with the machine.

Is this something you'd do to my Focus if I gave you money? I'd love to have it done properly just the once but I'm never going to get round to buying all the stuff only to use it once or twice..

[CitroJim]

Red cars are always very satisfying to polish up Mike... They do reveal a lovely deep shine in my experience... Is yours metallic or solid?

[Stickyfinger]

Don't bother with polish Jim, just use some of the spray "detailer" for the time being.....I have that all down here, I will cut it, polish it, add a paint sealer and then a carnauba wax all with the machine.

Is this something you'd do to my Focus if I gave you money? I'd love to have it done properly just the once but I'm never going to get round to buying all the stuff only to use it once or twice..

Do you really think that needs it ?

I would always be concerned taking money for anything I am not qualified at.....it "opens" to many doors to problems for the "do it for a friend amateur"

[Michel]

It probably doesn't need cutting but it would benefit from a sealing and proper polishing by someone who has a very good idea of what they are doing, to protect the paint. The pic was yesterday just after it had a good wash. It's not usually so shiny!

I also never take money for servicing friends cars or fixing their computers (though I do have various IT qualifications) for the reasons you state but I'm always happy for them to donate to a charity of their choice instead

[CitroJim]

I also never take money for servicing friends cars or fixing their computers (though I do have various IT qualifications) for the reasons you state but I'm always happy for them to donate to a charity of their choice instead

Ditto...

Except I don't, under any circumstances, fix computers... I know nothing about them for one thing...

Happy to report the Skoda cooling system is working perfectly Popped out to fill her up with petrol. Had a bit of a panic at the pump when I found the door key did not fit the filler cap... Then I remembered the key hiding in the ashtray...

The fuel filler neck amused me... It looks like the threaded end of a big iron water pipe

I popped in a measure of lead substitute too...

I also picked up a can of petrol injector cleaner to pop in the Saxo on the next tank fill to see if that might help matters... I don't suppose it'll do any harm...

That quick run to the petrol station turned into a 15 mile round trip - just to test the cooling system you understand This time the gauge just worked its way up to 80 degrees and stayed planted there for the whole trip...

Happy to find a cassette of the Eagles in the Skoda glovebox and even happier to find the cassette deck works well too I need a cassette deck on my home stereo system now so that I can record some; not had anything to do with cassettes for a good 20 years now at least... Can you still get blank cassettes?



No I'm off out for a bike ride... It's cold but gorgeously sunny. It would be rude not to

[Zelandeth]

Quick scan on Amazon shows that yes, they're still readily available. You'll struggle to find the higher quality Metal tapes these days, but for in car use old school type I Ferric oxide ones will do just fine.

While it's something I inherited from my grandfather so I'd like to retain actual ownership of, I've got a Sanyo tape deck you're more than welcome to have on loan for as long as you like - it's been in a box since we moved in here and I'd rather it saw some use to be honest than just stay in the box forever. He was quite into his audio stuff so it wouldn't have been cheap. Still using the speakers from his system to this day.

[Michel]

Happy to find a cassette of the Eagles in the Skoda glovebox and even happier to find the cassette deck works

I bet that gave you a peaceful easy feeling.

[CitroJim]

I've got a Sanyo tape deck you're more than welcome to have on loan for as long as you like - it's been in a box since we moved in here and I'd rather it saw some use to be honest than just stay in the box forever.

Yes please Zel That would be very much appreciated!

Happy to find a cassette of the Eagles in the Skoda glovebox and even happier to find the cassette deck works

I bet that gave you a peaceful easy feeling.

It made me want to take it easy and then take it to the limit

[Michel]

I've got a Sanyo tape deck you're more than welcome to have on loan for as long as you like - it's been in a box since we moved in here and I'd rather it saw some use to be honest than just stay in the box forever.

Yes please Zel That would be very much appreciated!

Happy to find a cassette of the Eagles in the Skoda glovebox and even happier to find the cassette deck works

I bet that gave you a peaceful easy feeling.

It made me want to take it easy and then take it to the limit

Just don't live Life in the fast lane too much.

[Michel]

Might pop up and say hello depending on what days you're about this week Jim... Wouldn't mind a look at your Skoda too!

[daviemck2006]

I've got a Sanyo tape deck you're more than welcome to have on loan for as long as you like - it's been in a box since we moved in here and I'd rather it saw some use to be honest than just stay in the box forever.

Yes please Zel That would be very much appreciated!

I bet that gave you a peaceful easy feeling.

It made me want to take it easy and then take it to the limit

Just don't live Life in the fast lane too much.

Or stay in the hotel california