Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Terbs]

 Went to Brackley yesterday to have dinner with the son and family. Anyhow, it is 5.00am and we have just arrived home from Brackley, which we left at 10.15pm. We got as far as the Esso garage roundabout on the A43 and the car just died. Steam pouring out under the bonnet. I managed to get it started and turned left into the A4100 towards Bicester. Got about a mile, temp gauge started climbing so stopped. This was in the 2.5 Elite Estate
Phoned RAC who arrived at 2.15am !!!! Luckily a passing ambulance crew turned up, and offered to push us into the big layby so we were not in a dangerous place. They also gave us blankets. Bugger me....they turned up again, bringing us hot tea.  About an hour later the police screeched up, big 4x4 thing, and parked across the front as though in a car chase and asked what was wrong. told them we had broken down. Asked when the RAC were expected....did we need any water to drink, etc.
When the RAC bloke got there, he found the top hose had blown off. Then the police turned up again to check that the RAC had turned up.
After filling with water and checking all round, the engine, now cold, sounded sweet as a nut when started. But he got a bottle thing with blue liquid in it. He put it on the top of the expansion tank filler hole, and it turned green/yellow. Head gasket he said. So I said, I thought the V6 gasket very very rarely blows. He said exhaust gasses were getting in the water which turns the liquid yellow.
So I did not argue, so we had a tail lift on the back of a transit back here, at 40mph, that transit struggled!!!!!!

[aaronjb]

Top marks to the blue light brigade for making sure you were OK! Shame the RAC took three hours (or more) to turn up, though..

[Terbs]

Further to this, I have just checked the saloon.....and the battery is deteriorating on that. Barely turns but instantly starts. I am going to check the charge rate, and I do have a spare fully charged battery. The saloon battery is only holding 11.46 volts.
If it does happen to be the alternator, my experiences with the 2.6 estate have given me confidence to replace the regulator if push comes to shove.
So here we are, one estate refusing to start, one estate knackered engine, and one saloon with suspect battery/alternator.

And we still haven't sold the house !!!!!!!!!

[Terbs]

Phoned the RAC at 10.20pm ish, and he got to Brackley (from Reading) at 2.15am.
Whilst he was getting my car off the lift, he had a call (now 4.30am), to go to Cowley for a Quasqai non starter, who had been waiting since 1.30am !!!!. His 12 hour shift finished at 6am

[Kevin Wood]

Be aware that the potions used to check for exhaust gases often give false positives.

I think I've be popping the hose back on, filling it up with water and going for a little drive to see how it fares.

V6 HGFs are not that common.

[Terbs]

I don't want to turn this thread into a General Help, so I will open a thread there, for repair.
But, yes, Kevin, that's what I told the RAC chap.

[Sir Tigger KC]

The RAC once left me for 3 or 4 hours on a blind bend in near Henley one dark winters night, despite me clearly telling them that I had broken down in a dangerous place! 

I had to stand up the road in the cold and wet, waving a torch and a high viz vest to warn the oncoming traffic, so I wouldn't use them if you stuck red hot needles into my testicles! 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

The RAC once left me for 3 or 4 hours on a blind bend in near Henley one dark winters night, despite me clearly telling them that I had broken down in a dangerous place! 

I had to stand up the road in the cold and wet, waving a torch and a high viz vest to warn the oncoming traffic, so I wouldn't use them if you stuck red hot needles into my testicles! 

Some people will pay good money for such a service.

[Viral_Jim]

The RAC once left me for 3 or 4 hours on a blind bend in near Henley one dark winters night, despite me clearly telling them that I had broken down in a dangerous place! 

I had to stand up the road in the cold and wet, waving a torch and a high viz vest to warn the oncoming traffic, so I wouldn't use them if you stuck red hot needles into my testicles! 

Yup, I dumped them after they left me stranded for over 7hrs one evening (dead battery due to a cold snap). Fortunately I mentioned my plight on FaceAche and was put in touch with a friend of a friend who lived 5mins walk away. They kindly lent me a sofa and hot tea while i waited. When the driver phoned to say he'd arrived, he had the nerve to moan that I wasn't with the car  .

Presumably I should have sat in it, well below zero, and tried to see if I could survive long enough for them to turn up. B€llends.

[Varche]

The RAC once left me for 3 or 4 hours on a blind bend in near Henley one dark winters night, despite me clearly telling them that I had broken down in a dangerous place! 

I had to stand up the road in the cold and wet, waving a torch and a high viz vest to warn the oncoming traffic, so I wouldn't use them if you stuck red hot needles into my testicles! 

and that is why it should be law in the Uk to carry two red warning triangles. Compulsary breakdown cover included in your insurance wouldn't be a bad idea too.

[Lizzie Zoom]

This why I stick with the AA.  Once had the RAC and it was 3 hours the after breaking down. Never again. With the AA it has been twice with a wait of less than 1 hour

[Lazydocker]

ALL the breakdown companies have areas where the service is shockingly poor. AA and RAC will always try to use their own staff before a subcontractor, even if that means a wait. Green Flag used to be the best of the bunch but now they don’t use local garages they’re not always so hot.

I would be looking at something underwritten by Britannia Rescue or AXA. The ones handled by a company called Call Assist are pretty good too Basically, anything handled by local garages and preferably a company that doesn’t have any of its own breakdown staff/vehicles

[STEMO]

I think a lot of it depends where you are. When my missus blew a tyre in Sheffield, RAC were there in 15 mins. If you must live in the arse end of nowhere, expect rescue to take longer.

[TD]

I think a lot of it depends where you are. When my missus blew a tyre in Sheffield, RAC were there in 15 mins. If you must live in the arse end of nowhere, expect rescue to take longer.

If you had the blow out, I think you would have waited longer.....women are usually given priority 

[TheBoy]

I think a lot of it depends where you are. When my missus blew a tyre in Sheffield, RAC were there in 15 mins. If you must live in the arse end of nowhere, expect rescue to take longer.

If you had the blow out, I think you would have waited longer.....women are usually given priority 

Surely that's unlawful in these days of PC...

[TheBoy]

I once used a right pikey breakdown service. It took him 30mins to arrive, and he insisted on a pub meal before the tow.

I think the company name was Tunnie Towing Services

[BazaJT]

Been with the AA since 1984 and only called them out 4 times in that time,no complaints about their response times/service.

[STEMO]

We get ours through our bank, so no choice who to use.

[tunnie]

I once used a right pikey breakdown service. It took him 30mins to arrive, and he insisted on a pub meal before the tow.

I think the company name was Tunnie Towing Services

Tunnie's towing service used with pride my mighty 2.2, however it's now been upgraded to full fat V6.

The 3.2 is starting to become a true replacement for trusty steed. 

[Doctor Gollum]

I once used a right pikey breakdown service. It took him 30mins to arrive, and he insisted on a pub meal before the tow.

I think the company name was Tunnie Towing Services

Tunnie's towing service used with pride my mighty 2.2, however it's now been upgraded to full fat V6.

The 3.2 is starting to become a true replacement for rusty steed. 

Freudian slip?

[Sir Tigger KC]

I once used a right pikey breakdown service. It took him 30mins to arrive, and he insisted on a pub meal before the tow.

I think the company name was Tunnie Towing Services

Tunnie's towing service used with pride my mighty 2.2, however it's now been upgraded to full fat V6.

The 3.2 is starting to become a true replacement for the rusty weed. 

Freudian slip?

  

[Doctor Gollum]

 

[TheBoy]

it's now been upgraded to full fat V6.

The 3.2 is starting to become a true replacement for trusty steed. 

You've seen the light, at last

[Nick W]

ALL the breakdown companies have areas where the service is shockingly poor. AA and RAC will always try to use their own staff before a subcontractor, even if that means a wait. Green Flag used to be the best of the bunch but now they don’t use local garages they’re not always so hot.

I would be looking at something underwritten by Britannia Rescue or AXA. The ones handled by a company called Call Assist are pretty good too Basically, anything handled by local garages and preferably a company that doesn’t have any of its own breakdown staff/vehicles

Britannia would be top of my list: they send the job, and expect the contractor to just deal with it.
Green Flag's service got a lot worse when they went to just one contractor covering a large area a few years ago.


we regularly used to get a dozen RAC jobs sent at 18:00 when they realised that their own people were due to finish and couldn't get to them without another 3 hours wait.


And 2 1/2 years after quitting the job, I'd still like to stick red hot needles in Call Assist's controllers - I don't think I ever did one of their jobs that wasn't grief from start to finish.

[tunnie]

it's now been upgraded to full fat V6.

The 3.2 is starting to become a true replacement for trusty steed. 

You've seen the light, at last

I don’t think I could have a 4pot now, far to used to effortless powwwwer. 

[powerslinky]

it's now been upgraded to full fat V6.

The 3.2 is starting to become a true replacement for trusty steed. 

You've seen the light, at last

I don’t think I could have a 4pot now, far to used to effortless powwwwer. 

It's taken a few years  . ..  but seems Mr. Tunnie is at last fully converted to the much more smooth & powerful V6 omegas  . . .  congrats  Mark 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

it's now been upgraded to full fat V6.

The 3.2 is starting to become a true replacement for trusty steed. 

You've seen the light, at last

I don’t think I could have a 4pot now, far to used to effortless powwwwer. 

I find two of these joined in a 'V' formation works well.

[Lazydocker]

ALL the breakdown companies have areas where the service is shockingly poor. AA and RAC will always try to use their own staff before a subcontractor, even if that means a wait. Green Flag used to be the best of the bunch but now they don’t use local garages they’re not always so hot.

I would be looking at something underwritten by Britannia Rescue or AXA. The ones handled by a company called Call Assist are pretty good too Basically, anything handled by local garages and preferably a company that doesn’t have any of its own breakdown staff/vehicles

Britannia would be top of my list: they send the job, and expect the contractor to just deal with it.
Green Flag's service got a lot worse when they went to just one contractor covering a large area a few years ago.


we regularly used to get a dozen RAC jobs sent at 18:00 when they realised that their own people were due to finish and couldn't get to them without another 3 hours wait.


And 2 1/2 years after quitting the job, I'd still like to stick red hot needles in Call Assist's controllers - I don't think I ever did one of their jobs that wasn't grief from start to finish.

Yep. I believe Green Flag are looking at returning to smaller operators.

RAC are just a law unto themselves.

Call Assist aren’t too bad now, but we only deal with misfuel issues.

[Nick W]

it's now been upgraded to full fat V6.

The 3.2 is starting to become a true replacement for trusty steed. 

You've seen the light, at last

I don’t think I could have a 4pot now, far to used to effortless powwwwer. 

I find two of these joined in a 'V' formation works well.

They're OK, but a real engine uses two sixes in a V formation.

[moggy]

ALL the breakdown companies have areas where the service is shockingly poor. AA and RAC will always try to use their own staff before a subcontractor, even if that means a wait. Green Flag used to be the best of the bunch but now they don’t use local garages they’re not always so hot.

I would be looking at something underwritten by Britannia Rescue or AXA. The ones handled by a company called Call Assist are pretty good too Basically, anything handled by local garages and preferably a company that doesn’t have any of its own breakdown staff/vehicles

Britannia would be top of my list: they send the job, and expect the contractor to just deal with it.
Green Flag's service got a lot worse when they went to just one contractor covering a large area a few years ago.


we regularly used to get a dozen RAC jobs sent at 18:00 when they realised that their own people were due to finish and couldn't get to them without another 3 hours wait.


And 2 1/2 years after quitting the job, I'd still like to stick red hot needles in Call Assist's controllers - I don't think I ever did one of their jobs that wasn't grief from start to finish.

Yep. I believe Green Flag are looking at returning to smaller operators.

RAC are just a law unto themselves.

Call Assist aren’t too bad now, but we only deal with misfuel issues.

Hi all,how the fick do you miss fuel.It's diesel or petrol.

[Lazydocker]

ALL the breakdown companies have areas where the service is shockingly poor. AA and RAC will always try to use their own staff before a subcontractor, even if that means a wait. Green Flag used to be the best of the bunch but now they don’t use local garages they’re not always so hot.

I would be looking at something underwritten by Britannia Rescue or AXA. The ones handled by a company called Call Assist are pretty good too Basically, anything handled by local garages and preferably a company that doesn’t have any of its own breakdown staff/vehicles

Britannia would be top of my list: they send the job, and expect the contractor to just deal with it.
Green Flag's service got a lot worse when they went to just one contractor covering a large area a few years ago.


we regularly used to get a dozen RAC jobs sent at 18:00 when they realised that their own people were due to finish and couldn't get to them without another 3 hours wait.


And 2 1/2 years after quitting the job, I'd still like to stick red hot needles in Call Assist's controllers - I don't think I ever did one of their jobs that wasn't grief from start to finish.

Yep. I believe Green Flag are looking at returning to smaller operators.

RAC are just a law unto themselves.

Call Assist aren’t too bad now, but we only deal with misfuel issues.

Hi all,how the fick do you miss fuel.It's diesel or petrol.

Well it happens about once every 3 minutes so....

[TheBoy]

Well it happens about once every 3 minutes so....

Rather than repeat what I said on another thread, can't your misfuel technicians just carry a rifle?


And what cars are the most popular for misfuelling?

[Nick W]

Well it happens about once every 3 minutes so....

Rather than repeat what I said on another thread, can't your misfuel technicians just carry a rifle?


And what cars are the most popular for misfuelling?

Police cars......

[Lazydocker]

Well it happens about once every 3 minutes so....

Rather than repeat what I said on another thread, can't your misfuel technicians just carry a rifle?


And what cars are the most popular for misfuelling?

Police cars......

JLR products, Merc, BMW, just about all of them to be dair

[Sir Tigger KC]

I put 5 litres of petrol in my old Merc C250TD once before I realised what I was doing.... 

So I brimmed it with diesel and I'm sure it went better!   

[Migv6 le Frog Fan]

The handbook of my 190 states its ok to use 30% petrol in cold weather. I tend to use less then 10% mixed in with the wvo.

[TheBoy]

Well it happens about once every 3 minutes so....

Rather than repeat what I said on another thread, can't your misfuel technicians just carry a rifle?


And what cars are the most popular for misfuelling?

Police cars......

JLR products, Merc, BMW, just about all of them to be dair

To quote Mrs TB, something she picked up at work...

"Landrover. Designed by computers. Built by Robots. Driven by Idiiots."

(I think same applies to Jaguar, but she hasn't said that to me...  ...yet )

[TheBoy]

BTW, "Idiots" was not quite what she said

[Lizzie Zoom]

Well it happens about once every 3 minutes so....

Rather than repeat what I said on another thread, can't your misfuel technicians just carry a rifle?


And what cars are the most popular for misfuelling?

Police cars......

JLR products, Merc, BMW, just about all of them to be dair

To quote Mrs TB, something she picked up at work...

"Landrover. Designed by computers. Built by Robots. Driven by Idiiots."

(I think same applies to Jaguar, but she hasn't said that to me...  ...yet )

She is absolutely right as I have had more rows with the prats, male and female, who (try) to drive them.  One again one almost ran me off the road today; and yes it was a female driver! Cow!!

[New POD]

Top marks to the blue light brigade for making sure you were OK! Shame the RAC took three hours (or more) to turn up, though..

Fairly typical of the RAC. Last summer my brakes failed due to the rear discs being solid and not vented. I waited 1.5 hours for a bloke to come and agree that, oh like you said, you'll be needing recovery, and another 2 hours for a recovery truck and then 2 hours to do what would have taken me one hour. 

[Kevin Wood]

Top marks to the blue light brigade for making sure you were OK! Shame the RAC took three hours (or more) to turn up, though..

Fairly typical of the RAC. Last summer my brakes failed due to the rear discs being solid and not vented. I waited 1.5 hours for a bloke to come and agree that, oh like you said, you'll be needing recovery, and another 2 hours for a recovery truck and then 2 hours to do what would have taken me one hour.

Seems standard these days. They must have so many retards call them out when they've run out of petrol that it makes sense wasting your time sending a bloke in a van out first.

Either that or they employ muppets to do no more than turn up in a van so they've met their response time, then you have to wait for hours for something of actual help.

[Terbs]

Years ago...I had a Vauxhall FD Victor.......engine stopped whilst in outside lane at Maidenhead on the M4. Phoned RAC told him the wire from the condenser had come off. If I held it to the connection the car ran fine. 'It may not be that' was the reply. I said if I had some tape or some way of holding the connection, I would be able to get going. I need another condenser, just bring one.
When they turned up, I said have you got a condenser. 'No' was the reply, 'We have to treat you like idiots that don't know what you are talking about' !!!!!!!!!
Fair enough, some people do say they think its something, and RAC man would be inundated with unrequired spares, but come on....I gave a flippin' good description to the bloke on the phone, who also said..'If you do get it attached, don't move in case it comes off again' !! Whaaaat 

[Doctor Gollum]

Top marks to the blue light brigade for making sure you were OK! Shame the RAC took three hours (or more) to turn up, though..

Fairly typical of the RAC. Last summer my brakes failed due to the rear discs being solid and not vented. I waited 1.5 hours for a bloke to come and agree that, oh like you said, you'll be needing recovery, and another 2 hours for a recovery truck and then 2 hours to do what would have taken me one hour.

Although some credit must be given to the complete oppstarding tunc that fitted solid discs with a vented caliper

[scimmy_man]

I rang the RAC a few years back as the fanbelt had shredded itself.

an hour later when he turned up, was he carrying a belt?  er no "it might not have been that" said he.

off he went to buy one, about £20 iirc for a belt anyone else could buy for £3.

[ronnyd]

I rang the RAC a few years back as the fanbelt had shredded itself.

an hour later when he turned up, was he carrying a belt?  er no "it might not have been that" said he.

off he went to buy one, about £20 iirc for a belt anyone else could buy for £3.

Not that daft then ,are they.

[Terbs]

Aux belt for me, Ron....£144 !!!!!!

[Bigron]

FH! Is it gold plated?

Ron.