Diary of an Ordinary Van

[Vee4]

In a lot of cases, the fault can't be blamed 100% on the person doing the damage - fault should also be shared by the company whose car park doesn't have parking bays big enough for even a small car, let alone a Transit.

I accept that we live on a crowded island, but if you find yourself close to another vehicle, do you not open the door carefully (with your fingers curled round the edge if necessary) in order to avoid contact, or hop out of the other side? I do.

[alcapone]

In a lot of cases, the fault can't be blamed 100% on the person doing the damage - fault should also be shared by the company whose car park doesn't have parking bays big enough for even a small car, let alone a Transit.

I accept that we live on a crowded island, but if you find yourself close to another vehicle, do you not open the door carefully (with your fingers curled round the edge if necessary) in order to avoid contact, or hop out of the other side? I do.

Yes, any respectful vehicle owner would agree with that, but when you see how some people drive and the state of some of the vehicles on the road, you know there are a lot of people who don't give a toss about their own vehicle let alone someone elses.

Putting your fingers around the edge of the door is also to stop your paint getting chipped off (as it's in a very vulnerable place), so not doing so is proof they don't care about their own door.

I think we need some solid stainless steel bumpers to protect the sides of our vehicles as well as the front and back.

[Vee4]

I think we need some solid stainless steel bumpers to protect the sides of our vehicles as well as the front and back.

I am actively considering Option (3) for when the Ordinary Van is in the yard outside my workshop, but obviously that can't be used in public areas because the barriers would be nicked.

[alcapone]

I think we need some solid stainless steel bumpers to protect the sides of our vehicles as well as the front and back.

I am actively considering Option (3) for when the Ordinary Van is in the yard outside my workshop, but obviously that can't be used in public areas because the barriers would be nicked.

Yeah, that's true... 10,000V on the van should do the trick, but sadly we're not allowed to protect our own property...

[madmark_50484]

This is the exact reason I dont buy nice cars too many vandals. I bought my current car about 6 months ago (escort saloon) it wasnt perfect and did have a few battle scars but since I have hadit its definately developed a few more. I think its just society now a days !! When I was training in Chelmsford my last car got hit in the car park (broken indicator and extra crack in the bumper) no note nothing.

[Vee4]

Basket case?

Something a bit more frivolous! While checking the engine compartment to find out which bits were NOT going rusty, I noticed this on the rear of the rocker cover:



It's hidden behind the air cleaner and can't be seen unless you lean over. It must be redundant on the 115 TDCi but perhaps it has some function on other models. Suggestions:

• Boil an egg for your breakfast on the way to work
• Heated nest for small birds or mammals
• Pre-heat your tennis ball on a cold day for a match-winning serve

[Altransit]

Coffee warmer

[TIMO]

Pre-heat your tennis ball on a cold day for a match-winning serve

[Vee4]

Coffee warmer

You would probably lose the froth from your cappuccino! But seriously, does anyone know what it's really for?

[ake]

Some thing goes into that on the 140's but I cant remember what

[Vee4]

30,000 and counting ...

The Ordinary Van has recently been for its second routine service, with no mechanical problems to report. As anticipated (second paragraph), life with the Mk7 has been interesting. I'll do a write up at the weekend, although I'll be working most of the time ...

[Vee4]

Hmmm! Service Oil warning not reset ...

Following its recent service, when the odometer read 030017, the warning message came up with a long beep (longer than the temperature warning, for example). It was cleared with the stalk reset button but I guess it will become more persistent as it nears 031000. If necessary, I will reset it according to nokites' instructions.

I'm beginning to feel like nokites' confused Confucian because there's plenty of stuff to write up but always too much work to do (including unpaid tax collection for HMRC - also known as a VAT Return). I'm sure Confucius said that - he was always having trouble with his EC Sales List.

[Altransit]

Instructions for turning off the service light are also covered HERE

[Vee4]

Memorable dates in the Space Age

While celebrating fifty years of human space flight, which began with Yuri Gagarin's flight in Vostok 1, I took a look back at some other key dates in the Space Age. The pictures are clickable links for more info or more nostalgia.

Sputnik 1957
The first artificial satellite launched into low Earth orbit.

Sputnik's 'ignition key', the only surviving part:


First Man in Space 1961
Yuri Gagarin blasts his way into the history books.
This was part of his control panel:


Launch of the Transit 1965
More excitement for the historians!
The Transit Mk1 control panel:


Man on the Moon 1969
Neil fluffs his lines, but who can blame him? More for the historians to agonise over!
Part of Neil's control panel:


Ordinary Van 2009
An event so ordinary, the historians were looking the other way.
A Transit Mk7 control panel:


I would like to say thanks to members and guests for taking the the Diary over 20,000 on the hit counter. This milestone passed quietly, but there will be a celebration soon!

[Altransit]

there will be a celebration soon!

Tea and biccies