There was smoke coming out of the bonnet of my car today

[moomoo]

what happened with teh car moomoo

Well my neighbour looked at it today and rolled his eyes and tutted a lot.

Apparently, because I was holding it on the clutch for too long, I broked it a bit and mustn't do it again.

It still smelt funny when I went out in it today but he reckons it's ok.

 

[mauvais]

We burnt the clutch in a Laguna the other day and it complained about low battery after that. Shitty monitoring software I reckon.

 

[geminisnake]

my car broke down today, AA reckoned it was the head gasket, which is very expensive to replace (£400) which is probably more than the car is worth

Mmm, marty a gasket isn't that expensive, an engine might be but not the gasket. Is £400 for another engine and getting it fitted?

 

[marty21]

Mmm, marty a gasket isn't that expensive, an engine might be but not the gasket. Is £400 for another engine and getting it fitted?

I'm going to drop the keys around to the garage tomorrow, will find out later tomorrow if it's curtains for my car

 

[geminisnake]

Apparently, because I was holding it on the clutch for too long, I broked it a bit and mustn't do it again.

It still smelt funny when I went out in it today but he reckons it's ok.

If you're stuck you're better to put the car in neutral. The clutch smell will go away in a couple of days. At least you know what it smells like now if it happens again

 

[Detroit City]

Well my neighbour looked at it today and rolled his eyes and tutted a lot.

Apparently, because I was holding it on the clutch for too long, I broked it a bit and mustn't do it again.

It still smelt funny when I went out in it today but he reckons it's ok.

this "neighbour" isn't giving me full confidence

 

[mysterygirl]

Erm...

I'll get someone to look at it tomorrow.

moomoo, if you don't know how to check & top up the oil get someone to show you, it's really really easy.

While you're at it get someone to show you how to check the water as well. Then check both of them at least once a week, and every time you set out on a long journey.

 

[moomoo]

Yes, I'll do that.

It's something I really should know isn't it?

 

[Roadkill]

It's something I really should know isn't it?

Yes, it is! It really only does take a couple of minutes to check the oil and coolant, and it's a good habit to get into. How long is it since you last had it serviced, btw...?

 

[geminisnake]

I think basic checks, air pressure, oil & coolant levels etc should be part of the driving test. Maybe they are now??

 

[mysterygirl]

Yes, I'll do that.

It's something I really should know isn't it?

Very much so. Tyre pressure as well which I sort of took for granted you'd know how to do and now geminisnake mentions it I'm suddenly not so sure. Do you know what the tyre pressures should be and how to check them?

I think basic checks, air pressure, oil & coolant levels etc should be part of the driving test. Maybe they are now??

Im not sure - I drive past a test centre most mornings on the way to work & see bonnets up, I had thought that you have to point out the dipstick / filler cap & radiator, but now you ask I realise I don't actually know.

 

[moomoo]

How long is it since you last had it serviced, btw...?

Erm... never?

 

[Detroit City]

I think basic checks, air pressure, oil & coolant levels etc should be part of the driving test. Maybe they are now??

if those were part of the test very few would have a drivers license

 

[Roadkill]

Erm... never?

You really should get it serviced. It does cost a bit but the car will almost certainly run better and use less fuel. It'll last longer as well. Besides, it's as well to know that things like the brakes and steering are in good order...

 

[geminisnake]

Do you know what the tyre pressures should be and how to check them?

Im not sure - I drive past a test centre most mornings on the way to work & see bonnets up, I had thought that you have to point out the dipstick / filler cap & radiator, but now you ask I realise I don't actually know.

I think it varies from car to car but most of my 1.8s have been 26/28psi(?) iirc. Hubby has checked the tyres pressures for years but I did used to do it.
The tyre pressures are often on the inside of the petrol flap iykwim.
To check them you need a pressure gauge, you can get motorised ones but we still use the wee metal stick type one.

I think I read(ages ago) they were going to introduce the checks into the test and I'm of the opinion that if you have a car/bike/vehicle you should know a wee bit about them.

 

[_pH_]

Mmm, marty a gasket isn't that expensive, an engine might be but not the gasket. Is £400 for another engine and getting it fitted?

The gasket will probably cost £30-40, but it's quite a big job so the labour will be expensive. And possibly the head will need skimming if it's warped.

e2a: there'll be other bits to replace too, head bolts, maybe other gaskets that get removed as part of replacing the head gasket, as well as oil, coolant etc.

 

[_pH_]

I think I read(ages ago) they were going to introduce the checks into the test and I'm of the opinion that if you have a car/bike/vehicle you should know a wee bit about them.

Pretty sure they're included in the test now (I seem to remember showing callie when she was learning to drive). But yeah, I agree, it's a good thing to be included in the test.

 

[Cid]

I think basic checks, air pressure, oil & coolant levels etc should be part of the driving test. Maybe they are now??

Yes, they are... Also need to know the right way of checking brakes, steering, lights. They ask you 2 questions, one will always involve showing the examiner something, the other telling them something (iirc there's a list of 16 potential question combinations they usually ask).

You can see it here, I'd recommend anyone who doesn't feel they know much about cars reads it, if you don't know this stuff you're basically risking the safety of you and your passengers* (as well as your wallet) for no reason.

*Except the windscreen washer one. Most of the time.

 

[Sunray]

Erm... never?

Arg, when did you buy it?