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Author Topic: We're back - after a few disasters !  (Read 1539 times)

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JamesV6CDX

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We're back - after a few disasters !
« on: 14 August 2007, 03:14:04 »

As most of you will know, Mrs Jv6cdx and I have been on a tour around Scotland, with a very heavily loaded Veccy Estate, Her daughter, and 2 dogs.

First leg of the journey was last Monday PM, approx 475 miles from Wales, to Dundee in Scotland, where we stopped to look at Phate321's cambelt issue. One stop on that entire jourey - but I couldn't resist a Budweiser or two upon arrival at 2/3am!  ::)

On the way up there, approx 320 miles into the journey, I noticed that the battery light came on, and the steering went very heavy. Whilst in lane 2 of the M73. Crap, I thinks - aux belt broken! Turned engine straight off in case anything got caught in cambelt, and pulled onto hard shoulder. Look under bonnet. Notice Power steering pump is hanging loose, and not connected to it's bracket. Somehow, both it's retaining bolts had snapped!! Notice Aux belt is unharmed, apart from small graze. Contemplate calling rescue, decided against it, in favour of a good bodge  ::)

Cable-tied the aux belt clear of all the pulleys while on hard shoulder, and drive on to next services, with no alternator and no power steering. Thankfully not that far. Whilst under garage forecort lights, look in more detail. By the grace of god, I had a suitable torx bolt for the PAS pump in the drivers door pocket. But with horror, realise that I have NO tools with me to refit the pump / belt. How foolish. Enter this little garage, and again, my lucky stars were out - an RAC emergency toolkit. It was crap, but had a pair of long nosed pliers, and a small adjustable spanner. So, fit the PAS pump with one bolt - tighten with pliers. Refit aux belt, and after lots of swearing, managed to get the tensioner to slacken off with this usess adjustable. Job's a goodun - drove carefully for over 100 miles to Phate's - where we were fit to drop - so couple of beers, and bed!

Following morning, we managed to sort the Omega cambelt without any problems. Then Brucie came round - (fantasic to meet you at last!). Brucie felt his timing was a bit out, so we checked that - and it was about 3+mm too advanced. So we sucesfully corrected that, apparently car is now a lot sharper. After reassembly there was a bit of a noise, but there was play in the coolant pump, so we put it down to this. The noise didn't seem to come back,  however new belt, tensioners, and pump are on the cards.

After this, a permanent fix on my PAS pump and aux belt!

Big thanks to Phate321, for putting us up for the night - and also big thanks to Broocie, for lending us a fantastic little tent for Hannah.

After this - we drove on to Fort William, where we pitched up tents for the night. Great campsite, great people, shame no decent pubs within walking distance though. :(

Did a fair bit of touring around, went all up around the isle of Skye as hoped. However when back from Skye, on the campsite, I noticed tonnes of steam coming from the Veccy. Open bonnet, coolant p!ssing from side of radiator. CRAP! Following day, dial 118 blah..  found a local (only!) supplier that could get me a new rad for £97. So order it - but won't arrive until Monday - 3 days. So 3 days without car :(

Had to buy a 300pc automotive tool chest from Argos - the only tools I could find anywhere in the area! I think I got a few funny looks changing the rad on the campsite - especially when I took the bumper off!! For now I've removed the aircon condensor, as the aircon didn't work and condensor was shot.

All appears well now though - she ran a lot cooler with new rad, and drove home without issue. The running costs on LPG were out of this world - saved a packet on the entire trip.

I don't blame the old girl, she's now done around 217,000 miles, and still pulls like a train. I was generally really pleased, and probably deserved a breakdown, given that I was hoofing it up to 100mph on the quiet stretches ;D

Yesterday/today, we drove the 550 miles back home, with 3 stops. I'm totally knackered, and off to bed.

I've not yet caught up with all emails / PMs, I'll be on the case as soon as I wake up :y
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Bo Bo

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Re: We're back - after a few disasters !
« Reply #1 on: 14 August 2007, 07:49:06 »

Sounds like an eventful trip, glad to hear it all turned out OK.
Might catch up with you Saturday all being well......
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tunnie

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Re: We're back - after a few disasters !
« Reply #2 on: 14 August 2007, 08:47:22 »

Good to hear your back safe James, take more tools next time  ;)

I took a shed loads worth on mine, only needed the screw drivers in the end!
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TheBoy

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Re: We're back - after a few disasters !
« Reply #3 on: 14 August 2007, 09:28:19 »

Quote
Good to hear your back safe James, take more tools next time  ;)

I took a shed loads worth on mine, only needed the screw drivers in the end!
Better to be prepared ;)
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Craig_R

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Re: We're back - after a few disasters !
« Reply #4 on: 14 August 2007, 09:40:31 »

Glad you made it back and had a good Time James, Sounds like the veccy did ok even with the small problems.

How many miles in total ? and how much Gas did you get through? and did you find LPG ok up in scotland

I always carry my tool kit in the boot now just incase i would rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it  :y

Craig
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Taxi_Driver

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Re: We're back - after a few disasters !
« Reply #5 on: 14 August 2007, 09:49:33 »

Sorry to hear the Veccy had a couple of probs on your trip.....but she is old....and if you keep hoofing it about.....shes gonna complain....as she did in Scotland.

Sounds like you had a good time tho......and welcome back   :)
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JamesV6CDX

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Re: We're back - after a few disasters !
« Reply #6 on: 14 August 2007, 10:07:43 »

Quote
Sorry to hear the Veccy had a couple of probs on your trip.....but she is old....and if you keep hoofing it about.....shes gonna complain....as she did in Scotland.

Sounds like you had a good time tho......and welcome back   :)

Minor, minor issues... if maintained right, I reckon she'll get up to 300k! Even if I have to pop a couple of engines in, in the meantime ;D ;D



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hotel21

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Re: We're back - after a few disasters !
« Reply #7 on: 14 August 2007, 10:22:50 »

Glad to see you are home, James.  It was good meeting you and thanks for resetting the timing on mine - it certainly is a much better car for that!

B
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JamesV6CDX

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Re: We're back - after a few disasters !
« Reply #8 on: 14 August 2007, 10:51:55 »

Quote
Glad to see you are home, James.  It was good meeting you and thanks for resetting the timing on mine - it certainly is a much better car for that!

B

Have the tappets quietened down now?
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megaomega123

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Re: We're back - after a few disasters !
« Reply #9 on: 14 August 2007, 11:04:16 »

James, thanks so much for finishing off my car for me. I must look a complete idiot now as I drive around with a massive grin  :y
It was no problem putting you up, I forgot to give you the rest of the Buds to take with you. I finally got the cat out of the tree  ;D my neighbor had an extendable ladder the whole time but thought she would lend me ladders in increments.

Glad you had a nice time despite the challenges. It was nice to meet you and the family.

A big thanks again, watching you work really boosted my confidence and I think in 40000 miles time I should have no worries doing it myself.

For anybody considering using James' omega medic service he comes highly recommended :y :y  
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Martin_1962

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Re: We're back - after a few disasters !
« Reply #10 on: 14 August 2007, 11:16:18 »

Oh well what a hard time - glad you enjoyed yourself though! :y

My car was fine on its nearly 1400mile holiday except for a slow starting motor for a few days
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Markie

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Re: We're back - after a few disasters !
« Reply #11 on: 14 August 2007, 11:16:38 »

 :o thought you were still up here till i read this  ;D
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Baron Von Spongebob

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Re: We're back - after a few disasters !
« Reply #12 on: 14 August 2007, 13:47:50 »

A couple of minor problems but home safe now James..Well done hope you all enjoyed yourselves.. :y
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bob.dent

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Re: We're back - after a few disasters !
« Reply #13 on: 14 August 2007, 15:56:45 »

Welcome back James, pleased to hear you got those problems sorted - just as well you know what you're doing, I would have been straight on the blower to the AA ::)
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Dazzler

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Re: We're back - after a few disasters !
« Reply #14 on: 14 August 2007, 16:16:51 »

It wouldn't have been a holiday if you didn't have to work on a car or two now would it?? you love it ;)
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