Saturday, 2 May 2009

Holiday legacy

Driving over 3,500k's on my recent trip south has taken it's tole on my old car. There are a few bit of wear and tear which I'm currently getting round to sorting out, like balding tyres and a hole in the exhaust system. One of the more visual ones, however, is a look at what happens to a lose bolt (which holds the alternator to the car) which has rattled around over a long drive... It's now missing a bit of thread!

Alternator belt slippage sorted - Monday will be getting the rest done... Urg, money...
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2 comments:

  1. liminalD5/5/09 11:40 am

    This is to be expected. When I moved from Rotorua to Oamaru ten years ago, I drove down in my mint condition 1970 Austin Maxi, had it checked out in advance and everything was supposedly ok, but ended up nearly having to PUSH it onto the ferry cos it was overheating and playing silly buggers.
    So when we arrived in Picton at 4am we waited outside a repair shop, which opened at 10am, and then they said there was a hose with a hole in it, and replaced it for $40. We drove on, and coming over the Kaikouras I noticed a lot of noise and smoke, and then the engine CAUGHT ON FIRE.
    We pulled over, put out the fire, waited a bit and kind of rolled down the last hill into Kaikoura, the car virtually exploding right outside a mechanics, who took one look and said the engine was only being held in by ONE bolt, and both of the other mechanics had failed to notice this. Cue $1700 repair bill, some adventures with seals in the interim, and finally the last leg of journey, hassle-free.
    *sigh*
    Wear and tear, baby, YEAH!!

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  2. Tom5/5/09 11:46 am

    HAHA!!! That is THE BEST story!!
    Although Danny, it must be said... I think driving that far in a 1970's Austin Maxi really is asking for trouble!!!
    They are 'designed' to be cooled by -5 degree temperatures in the UK :P

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