Things I Don't Like

[Turvey]

5 hours ago, Lenny said:

Doesn't usually be much wrong with kerosene boilers unless the fuel pump or injector nozzle is at the end of it's life, 

The thermostat on the boiler itself may just need to be reset, 

I put Dipetane in the kerosene of ours last fill to clear it out, I think it has made it heat up a bit quicker, 

When is the last time the system was flushed? 

I've fitted Aladdin auto bleed valves to all radiators and put a bottle of endotherm in the system, well worth the spend.

 

Hoping it'll be an easy fix, I'm guessing nozzle, filter or photocell thingy. 

 

We just moved in last week and knowing the history of the house, I would nearly guarantee that it hasn't been serviced for at least 2 years, so your guess is as good as mine as to when the radiators have been flushed. 

 

I'll investigate the two products you mentioned Lenny, thanks for that. 

 

As I said we've just moved and I'm in the middle of ripping out built in wardrobes etc  in our bedroom and could do with this like a hole in the head 🙄

 

 

[Lenny]

28 minutes ago, Turvey said:

Hoping it'll be an easy fix, I'm guessing nozzle, filter or photocell thingy. 

We just moved in last week and knowing the history of the house, I would nearly guarantee that it hasn't been serviced for at least 2 years, so your guess is as good as mine as to when the radiators have been flushed. 

I'll investigate the two products you mentioned Lenny, thanks for that. 

As I said we've just moved and I'm in the middle of ripping out built in wardrobes etc  in our bedroom and could do with this like a hole in the head 🙄

 

🎉Congratulations on the new home mate,🎊

Here's some links to the items I've mentioned from a UK supplier;

I'd give the system a good flush out with water to remove sludge and maximise the benefits from the endotherm as once you pour it in, you want to keep it in there

Link to endotherm: https://smartgreenshop.co.uk/endotherm-central-heating-additive-500ml.html 

Link to a to bleed valves: https://smartgreenshop.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=aladdin 

The boiler always goes at a bad time, 

I've got Climote coming out today to fit a heating control unit which can be controlled by app or asking Alexa to turn on the heating.

 I know well how it is with improving the house then a repair bill arrises,

I was submitting my own meter readings for the electricity until the wife answered the door 😭 €500 extra bill last month plus the cost of a good chain to keep her in the kitchen 

If fitting tv on wall you may also like to view my thread here: 

 

[zain611]

On 12/6/2018 at 9:32 AM, TomsFocus said:

Kerbing a wheel at low speed is annoying, but it's not the same as crashing into a 5ft high car lol, the standard of driving at this time of year in particular is shocking tbh.  With your Grandads crash, it sounds like the bus was partly to blame there, busses stop all the time to let passengers on & off so it's not unreasonable to expect to overtake it if it's stopped.  However, the woman should also have passed slowly enough to check there weren't any people crossing in front of the bus. 

If you do buy a write off, make sure it's only Cat N (non-structural), not cat S (structural).  Cat S is where the chassis gets damaged so it wouldn't be safe in another crash without having major repairs done.  You might also find small niggles with a repaired write off if you're as fussy as me.  My Golf was a Cat N and has mostly been repaired well, but it's little things like paint missing on the wing bolts hidden in the door shuts that irritate me!  

Was just watching a program yesterday and they were talking about tackling people driving whilst on their phones. They showed a video of a truck driver busy texting or changing music on his phone that when he looked up he went into the back at someone which then hit another car in front then went under a lorry in front. They said a woman and her 3 relatives died. Its good the police try to tackle that but I don't get why the government reduced the police numbers. London crime has risen. 

Yeah with a salvage car I'd look for it with non structural damage. Saw this nice 320i m sport convertible. Says cat D salvage and can't seem to see any damage unless it was already repaired. Don't know if my dad will let me get a convertible as he'd worry about the roof going wrong and the expensive repair bill. 

 

I'm thinking of getting a 320i or 325i from 2008. From that year it seems they tweaked the engines and surprisingly they are better than the ST in running costs. 

320i stats. Really not bad tax and MPG. Realistically minus 20mpg from claimed

 

325i stats. Claimed 2 mpg more, a second quicker and £20 cheaper on road tax than the ST and this is a 3 litre! 

[TomsFocus]

Doesn't it give you any indication of the damage on copart?  Cat D can also be stolen recovered, you'll find loads of BMWs & Audis on cat D for that.  Cat D no longer exists though so whatever the reason was, it won't have happened recently.

[Turvey]

14 hours ago, Turvey said:

I don't like our oil boiler breaking down/locking out at 9.30 at night! 🙄

 

Call out tomorrow morning I think. 

Well that was, thankfully, an easy fix! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No oil! 🙄 😆

Tank lifted at one end to enable bleeding of the system, delivery sorted for this afternoon. Heating off until after delivery, I'll lower the tank before delivery 😉

[Lenny]

1 hour ago, Turvey said:

Well that was, thankfully, an easy fix! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No oil! 🙄 😆

Tank lifted at one end to enable bleeding of the system, delivery sorted for this afternoon. Heating off until after delivery, I'll lower the tank before delivery 😉

Stinking job bleeding the pipe, 

Had to bleed ours yesterday morning for the same reason, takes a lot of washing to clean hands of the smell, 

I usually put a bin liner over my arm when bleeding the pipe from tank to boiler. 

[Turvey]

4 hours ago, Lenny said:

Stinking job bleeding the pipe, 

Had to bleed ours yesterday morning for the same reason, takes a lot of washing to clean hands of the smell, 

I usually put a bin liner over my arm when bleeding the pipe from tank to boiler. 

I left it to the engineer, well worth the £10 and a cuppa tea and biscuit that it cost 😉

[Lenny]

12 hours ago, Turvey said:

I left it to the engineer, well worth the £10 and a cuppa tea and biscuit that it cost 😉

I've replaced the Allen head bleed valve on our boiler with one of these plunger style bleed valves 

Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Rough-Plumbing/BoilerBleed-Boiler-Bleed-Valve/B01N228X4E/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1544250738&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX177_SY255_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=boiler+bleed+valve&dpPl=1&dpID=21uJACsjbdL&ref=plSrch 

You push in the plunger to release the air, The nozzle is focused towards the ground which makes it easy to contain the excess in to a bottle then pour in back in the tank saves me around 60ml per bleed and makes the procedure much cleaner.👍

[Turvey]

3 hours ago, Lenny said:

I've replaced the Allen head bleed valve on our boiler with one of these plunger style bleed valves 

Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Rough-Plumbing/BoilerBleed-Boiler-Bleed-Valve/B01N228X4E/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1544250738&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX177_SY255_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=boiler+bleed+valve&dpPl=1&dpID=21uJACsjbdL&ref=plSrch 

You push in the plunger to release the air, The nozzle is focused towards the ground which makes it easy to contain the excess in to a bottle then pour in back in the tank saves me around 60ml per bleed and makes the procedure much cleaner.👍

Wow! So simple, yet effective. It's amazing what's out there. How do you come across these items? I wouldn't even think about looking for something like that. 

[zain611]

22 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

Doesn't it give you any indication of the damage on copart?  Cat D can also be stolen recovered, you'll find loads of BMWs & Audis on cat D for that.  Cat D no longer exists though so whatever the reason was, it won't have happened recently.

Yeah my bad it says primary damage is in the rear and there was one picture which showed the rear bumper lip to have bits of paint chipped off. My uncle buys, repairs and sells these cars so might ask him to look when the time comes. He's into his BMWs and he bought a 2011 120d for I think £3200 which he repaired and gave to my aunt. You wouldn't think it was in an accident. 

[Lenny]

1 hour ago, Turvey said:

Wow! So simple, yet effective. It's amazing what's out there. How do you come across these items? I wouldn't even think about looking for something like that. 

I wish I didn't find things sometimes as I become flat broke because of all the finding ☺

I initially made up a shield using a long Allen key from an Aldi set and a 500ml plastic coke bottle, 

I asked an adult to help me Cut the bottle in half, 

Then drilled a hole in the cap; inserted the Allen key and sealed with silicone, 

The bottle acted as a 360° shield from the spraying kerosene 👍

Then a few years later I began improving the house and I googled around in my spare time to find if things were available such as the bleed valve for the boiler and a PIR sensor for the television which turns it off when the kids leave the room, 

I'm not being a "Victor Meldrew" about things, I like to enjoy life and comfort but little things like that save money without compromising on the fun, 

Vasectomy is another good modification I've had done, saving me potentially half a million across the remainder of my life, with no compromise on the quality 

Stainless Steel soap is great for removing kerosene from your hands too, well it's not actually soap it's just shaped like soap never reduces in size but removes smells due to reaction with the iron ions in the stainless steel link: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Stainless-Steel-Soap-Remover-Kitchen-Hand-Odour-Eliminating-Smell-Easy-Fast-UK/372470993548 

 

[TomsFocus]

Don't like getting my licence renewal form today...will have been driving 10 years in January... 😮

What I really don't like about it is that I'll have to pay £7.50 more and physically visit a post office that offers the service because I don't have a passport...  People with passports can just do it online... 

[Nick Y]

It's all done digitally now so those with new style passports can just use the pic from that.
At the PO, they will digitally take your pic and send everything to dvla online. Paper counterpart licences no longer exist
I used the PO system in 2015 and it was good. Everything done in 5 mins and you get a print out confirmation that it has been sent (in case you're stopped by the plod) because you hand over your photocard.
I did mine on a Thursday and had my licence through the post on the Monday. I was one of the first people in the UK to not have a counterpart as the Monday I receive my licence was the day paper counterparts were stopped. 

[TomsFocus]

Thanks Nick.  I don't have a paper counterpart currently either.  Just checked the date they abolished them and that was my moving date, so change of address on the licence would've been shortly after that.  Seem to remember doing that online for free but obviously no change of picture at the time.

Do they do it at the front desk or take you away somewhere?  I'm partly worried about the PO being rammed at this time of year and holding up a massive queue!  

[Lenny]

Christmas

 

I don't like Christmas, it's all a bit hype for nothing.

Although thanks to the weather being mild for this time of year aswell as listening to Spotify in the car instead of the radio and watching Netflix or amazon Prime TV it really doesn't feel like Christmas at all which is exactly the way I want it ☺ 

[TimST2]

 

9 minutes ago, Lenny said:

I don't like Christmas, it's all a bit hype for nothing.

Bah humbug!

I don't like the commercialisation either (or Chrismas cards - such a hassle to write and then clutter the whole house) but it is a nice time of year to have time off work and spend time with the family at home ☺️

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
 

 

[TomsFocus]

4 minutes ago, TimST2 said:

 

Bah humbug!

I don't like the commercialisation either (or Chrismas cards - such a hassle to write and then clutter the whole house) but it is a nice time of year to have time off work and spend time with the family at home ☺️

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
 

 

Whole house?  You must be popular!   

[Lenny]

1 hour ago, TimST2 said:

 

Bah humbug!

I don't like the commercialisation either (or Chrismas cards - such a hassle to write and then clutter the whole house) but it is a nice time of year to have time off work and spend time with the family at home ☺️

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
 

 

Apart from having two weeks off in July this year to work on the house; I've been working six days per week since last Christmas, so I'm glad to have some time off; currently piecing together items to do a few DIY jobs around the house while off work, putting a HDMI and RJ45 wall plate in our sons room.

My wife doesn't work she looks after the kids at home so I never get a present unless I buy it myself not that Christmas isint all about receiving but there is an element of surprise to be had there.

I have two brothers and two sisters but there all toxic people which I haven't saw in over two years, my parents are separated and my father is a retired teacher; has an Estonian girlfriend whom won't let him turn on the heating in the house as it will have an impact on her inheritance when he finally K.O's 

Last Christmas they gave us a piggy bank for Christmas with 1 euro in it, says with an Estonian accent "eh it is ah important to save yes for future" I'm thinking means a lot coming from an Estonian person telling paddy to save a few quid 😀 broke ***** bith

So It just myself the wife and our three kids for Christmas, 

The mother-in-law only arrives to stir the pot and apply pressure, The father-in-law arrives once per year around Christmas and this he's 17 again, going out party's and drinking every weekend, 

Was funny last year; him and his girlfriend sat at our kitchen table texting each other although they invited themselves in to our home.

to make conversation he says "I was out in the sea bar until 2am and I'm going back again tonight" 

I responded " ow ok, erm did you lose your keys there last night or something" 

Perhaps I was supposed to think he was some sort of a radical, 

Brother-in-law's are both still living at home but have an idea of how life is when your paying a mortgage and have your own place, so they try to give opinions on matters which they have absolutely no life experience with. 

Just saying ☺ I understand not everyone is in the same situation but the images and quotes on some Christmas cards are quite misleading and show how things could be for some people but never are. 

[TimST2]

Whole house?  You must be popular!  [emoji23]  

I aspire to be as OCD about the house as I am about my cars (but I have a wife and 2 kids so it's just an aspiration). I try to only put cards on windowsills but there's never enough room Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[TomsFocus]

Cards on a window sill?  Have fun picking them up every morning after opening the curtains. 

Tbf, I literally get 8 (will be one less now) so displaying isn't a huge issue for me lol.

My Nan covers an entire wall with hers though!  Obviously getting fewer each year given her age, but she sends them to really obscure people...  Like someone she met once on a holiday 30 years ago...no other contact with them, just an Xmas card once a year!

The other thing I hate about individual cards is the packaging film that can't be easily recycled.  At least card is easy to recycle but there must be tonnes of card film going into landfill from Xmas cards.

I've just sat and written out all 7 of my cards since this thread motivated me to do so...if I could find my aunt's address that would be great...

 

[Nick Y]

8 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

Thanks Nick.  I don't have a paper counterpart currently either.  Just checked the date they abolished them and that was my moving date, so change of address on the licence would've been shortly after that.  Seem to remember doing that online for free but obviously no change of picture at the time.

Do they do it at the front desk or take you away somewhere?  I'm partly worried about the PO being rammed at this time of year and holding up a massive queue!  

In the one I went to, you went to the counter first to say you wanted a licence renewal. They then take you to a photo booth where you stand and they tell you what you need to do. I think you also add your signature digitally too. 
When I did mine, my photocard had been expired for about 2 years but luckily I hadn't been driving in that time due to financial issues. 

Changes of address are free unless the change happens around the time you are due to renew (10 years). 

[TomsFocus]

15 minutes ago, Nick Y said:

In the one I went to, you went to the counter first to say you wanted a licence renewal. They then take you to a photo booth where you stand and they tell you what you need to do. I think you also add your signature digitally too. 
When I did mine, my photocard had been expired for about 2 years but luckily I hadn't been driving in that time due to financial issues. 

Changes of address are free unless the change happens around the time you are due to renew (10 years). 

Nice one, thanks.

I'm hoping to do this tomorrow so hopefully it'll go smoothly.  

Might have to practice my signature first though, don't remember the last time I had to use it!

 

[TomsFocus]

Well, got the licence renewal sorted this afternoon.  I'll be honest, it wasn't a great experience but at least it's not a regular thing.  Turns out there's a massive grey photo booth next to the PO counter that I've never noticed before...  

There was a long queue though, and of course everyones trying to spread as many illnesses as possible in the queue at this time of year.   Went for a half hour walk to let it die down but as soon as I got back to the desk a huge queue formed behind me, felt awful holding everyone up as well!   The PO staff were very helpful tbh, I didn't really have a clue what to do but they guided me through it.  The signature was interesting...you have to write on a what looks like a blank tablet, and the signature appears on a separate screen... 😮   Not even sure how it turned out as I was getting a massive sensory overload by that point and just wanted out lol.  Then after that, the licence was cut in half so no going back now!   New one should be here within 3 weeks...  

[Eric Bloodaxe]

On 12/8/2018 at 7:58 PM, TomsFocus said:

Don't like getting my licence renewal form today...will have been driving 10 years in January... 😮

What I really don't like about it is that I'll have to pay £7.50 more and physically visit a post office that offers the service because I don't have a passport...  People with passports can just do it online... 

Got me worried when I spotted this, until I checked with Gov.uk and realised it only applies to photocard licences. As I've still got the parchment version, apparently I don't have to do it until I hit 70 (which is now rather sooner than I'd like😀).

[Tdci-Peter]

18 hours ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

(which is now rather sooner than I'd like😀).

Ditto. That 2025 date seemed a lifetime away when I got my license! But it is approaching all too rapidly now, I am still not sure what happened to that lifetime, I think someone must have crept up and stolen a big chunk of it when I was asleep one night!