Rust Addicts Anonymous

finally new vs old points proven........

..... as we all know - old cars are easier to fix ( as long as the part is to hand ) than their newer brethren.
I've repeatedly extolled this virtue to those around me in my social and working life to the usual snorts and derision, 'My car never breaks down - it's new - etc.....' and other not so nice arguments for the plastic mobiles the planet is cursed with now.
Don't get me wrong - the engineering advances and engine technological improvements are astounding and I applaud those involved ( I have to, a couple of friends work for car design and engineering companies ) BUT - without the custom software or a plethora of small computers to switch in and out by the roadside you're easily stranded.
This point was driven home recently and again tonight...... a friend called - could I look at his car as it was stalling and wouldn't run properly over 2000 revs. It's less than a year old, just came back from a bodyshop and full service.......blah, blah, blah. I went over in the 2500 ( started first time after over a week AS USUAL ) and the car ran fine - he went home. Called again in the morning to complain whatever I'd done ( NOTHING TOUCHED! ) meant the car wouldn't start at all now. After I pointed out all I did was get in and start the car after it had sat for a while so couldn't have 'done' anything he got on to the garage it came out of recently. They've obviously now charged him a fortune for recovery and another look at the car - to find the recent 'service' technician ( read snot nosed punk on training ) had blown a module of the engine management by dropping some metal item across two of the contacts and shorting the chip inside. A long legal battle looms for him as he now tries to recoup his expenditure on hire car etc...... ( wife pregnant and hospital visits on cards ).
Tonight it was the girlfriends turn - she of the 'your old cars are nothing but trouble - you're always having to do something to them' etc... etc... ranting, called to ask assistance as her 'modern funky little box that was such a great deal' ( owned since new, less than 3 yrs old - fully serviced ) wouldn't start. I show ed up in the 2500 ( surprise surprise! ) and 'japcrap' as I call it - started immediately. I followed her home and it ground to a halt 200m from the front door - it'll start but immediately stalls again - so impossible to drive. After it cools I'll be able to move it ( auto ) but not far until I figure out what it is - or send it to the local jap specialist and see how many zeros this bill will end up with!
I'm off to cruise around in my 'old junk' and sort out some electronic ignition for the MK1. The MK2 is fine - the Alfa is also OK for now ( brakes will be done AGAIN soon ) and the DS awaits my tender angle grinder and a large amount of welding to previous sh*t repairs.
The preventitive servicing and standard checks have kept the fleet relatively reliable - although this argument is a major sour point at the moment........ but that's an entry for the other BLOG.

John

posted by gtvsaviour @ 9:21 PM