Zel's Fleet Blog - BX, Jag XJ-S, Sinclair C5, Mercedes 208D & 230TE, AC Model 70.

[BenC5HDi]

Okay, Murphy's having a go at me again...

This morning our guests from the US arrived, staying here for the next couple of weeks. About 20 minutes after we got in the door I got a phone call from my father's care manager up north. She gave me the news that he has passed away. Given the state of his health (both mental and physical) lately to be honest that really might have been a kindness.

You have my deepest sympathy Zel. I could have written the above, minus the care home bit, about my own father who passed away at 4am on Tuesday morning.

Condolences to you and yours.

[CitroJim]

Zel, my condolences...

[myglaren]

Sorry to hear your sad news Zel. Hope your guests are understanding and accommodating.

[Stickyfinger]

More bad news.....sorry to hear that Zel

[daviemck2006]

Thoughts and prayers from me too Zel

[Zelandeth]

Thanks for all the well wishes folks. I'm doing okay to be honest, my take really is that his quality of life has really declined beyond acceptable in recent months so this really isn't the worst thing that could have happened. Just crossing my fingers that organisations like the bank and the Council don't decide to be a pain. He doesn't have a will that I'm aware of, but being an only child and the last of the line so to speak I'm hoping that will prevent a few headaches.

Shame the timing wasn't different Davie, could have delivered your Activa on the way up!

*Being honest, once the dust settles that offer will remain on the table if it makes anyone's life easier.

[elma]

Sad to hear about your Dad Zel, yours too Ben.

[daviemck2006]

There's a few ifs and buts getting chucked around about me getting the car back Zel, the biggest but being it's not finished yet! And with Jim's dad being not well also there's no telling when it will be, he has to look after the important stuff and not a lump of steel and plastic!

[myglaren]

Just crossing my fingers that organisations like the bank and the Council don't decide to be a pain. He doesn't have a will that I'm aware of, but being an only child and the last of the line so to speak I'm hoping that will prevent a few headaches.

When my wife died last year everything went like clockwork. No will, banks and council presented no difficulties whatsoever - she had her own bank accounts and we were separated.
Hopefully it will be the same for you.

[CitroJim]

my take really is that his quality of life has really declined beyond acceptable in recent months so this really isn't the worst thing that could have happened.

That's exactly the attitude I'm taking with dad should the current situation deteriorate... I know if he should end up in a care home then that'll be the end for him...

And in a way, for the best for all of us... The uncertainty of what is currently going on is really taking its toll on both of us of us at the moment...

[Zelandeth]

Well everything I can do from down here has now basically been done. Made some phone calls etc and got everything sorted out with the Council and such. Will be heading up north over the weekend at some point (haven't quite figured out how yet, will work that out tomorrow), and then get things moving again.

Actually ended up with some spare time this evening (first time in forever that's happened!), so decided to give the cars some TLC.

First thing that happened was that I managed to unearth my Pela oil drainer...it was only moderately structural in the garage!

Got to love the lazy man's oil change...Literally didn't get *any* oil on my hands.



The "maintenance plate" of course was updated accordingly - air and fuel filters will be done tomorrow. This corner of the slam panel gets labelled whenever any maintenance is undertaken so I can at a glance tell whenever anything is due when doing my weekly checks. It's a practice I started doing years back. The embossed Dymo tape works best as the print doesn't fade if it gets contaminated with oil, petrol, diesel etc like the printed one does.



Saab then got the same treatment.



Both cars were done in less than an hour from start to finish.

Never fails to surprise me how much of a difference to the running of some cars simply having fresh oil in can make, the Saab being a case in point. Was slightly overdue by a month or two (never even gets close to being due by mileage!), but really surprised me how much better it's now running...

Air and fuel filters hopefully get done on the Xantia tomorrow, oil and filter on the 107 too. Saab might get the fuel filter done if I can figure out where on earth I put the O-rings...

One thing that is concerning me a bit is the state of the drive belt...This only went on a couple of thousand miles ago, and is starting to look rather worse for wear.



I have noticed in the last couple of days a regular quiet squeak-squeak-squeak noise when cold, but haven't had a chance to investigate yet. Idler/tensioner failing you reckon? I do have a new spring loaded one in the box here, so that could go on if that's likely the culprit.

Will have a closer look tomorrow, only first had a chance to look at the car today and noticed this when doing the check around after changing the oil.

[Xantianut]

Sorry to hear of your loss, Zel.

As for the belt, is a wheel that rubs on the outside not turning as freely as it should? Couple of idler pulleys in the belt run IIRC?

[Zelandeth]

Sorry to hear of your loss, Zel.

As for the belt, is a wheel that rubs on the outside not turning as freely as it should? Couple of idler pulleys in the belt run IIRC?

That's my thinking. Only the one (tensioner) which runs on the outer surface from memory, though I could be wrong! At least if it is that I have a new one in the box ready to go on.

Have come down with a stinking head cold today (it's been threatening for days), so haven't had the energy to investigate today. Probably heading north tomorrow so will likely have to wait until I get back.

Will be taking public transport this time and hiring a car - poor old Xantia has already done more miles in the last six months than the year and a half preceeding, and I'm not about to throw another couple of thousand on there with an identified issue with something like that. There's tempting fate, and then there's *really* tempting fate.

[Zelandeth]

Well, we've finally got everything shifted out of my father's house.

Obviously nothing notable car related given that I've been in a rental for the last week!

Did spot something however in the e-waste container at the local tip...This should be up your street Jim!

(Apologies for the terrible photo, direct sun plus brushed aluminium is always a challenge)





That damage to the volume control trim is the only thing that I can see...though obviously I haven't had a proper look yet, and won't be able until we get home tomorrow evening.

Nearly killed me lifting it out the container, thing weighs a tonne! Don't think the speakers were there - or at least not visibly, they could have been buried at the back - this was getting pretty well buried itself by the time I got to it.

Seriously though...who throws out a Bang & Olufsen hi-fi?!? It's just wrong...

[CitroJim]

Ohh nice I like that! Vinyl is one thing I'm not active in. I got rid of all my vinyl in the 80s and have never had any since. 100% CDs me...

You'd be amazed what some people chuck out but that, I must admit, is criminal

I got hold of a nice Hacker Wireless last Sunday to add to my collection..

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