Why do mechanical problems hide when the mechanic is looking?
Thursday 28 July 2011 - Posted by Wendy at 19:09
The nice man came today to look at Harry and give the yay or nay to going to Warwick verdict. Pauly met him in his lunch break. He jacked up Harry and said that he thought the oil leak was coming from the sump plug as he said it was dry around the rest of the engine. The seller said he'd had an oil change in June so that's a shame, but at least it wasn't an instant nasty-seal-gone verdict. He suggested getting the engine steam cleaned so we can get a better idea of the situation. He told Pauly that old vehicles can sometimes pop when warm, and agreed the exhaust was rattling and needed a bracket making. He started the van (after a struggle, so at least it won't be just me when I struggle in future to get to grips with the choke!) and Pauly went back to work, leaving him with the keys to take Harry for a test drive.
Then we waited. And waited. After a couple of hours I texted Pauly who said he was busy so I texted the man to ask him to contact me when he was ready. The phone rang.
The popping he put down to the timing being out or a dodgy plug, again a shame as apparently the plugs had been done in June too, but at least a standard solvable problem. The biggy was the wobbling problem. He couldn't find anything loose, missing, wonky. He said he even went up to 70mph (eeek!) and it still didn't do anything untoward. He said there was play in the steering, but that that was to be expected at that age. Typical! So now we have a mixed feeling of disappointment that Harry wouldn't perform for him, and relief that he thinks there is nothing seriously wrong and we can try and take him to Warwick! YAY!!!!!!!!
So, I have taken the day off tomorrow so will have a go and giving him a bit of a clean and try and source some new foam for the seats/bed as the current ones are different and to each other, so don't fit. The bed is too small as it is, without poorly fitting foam so would be good to get that sorted. I also want to try and make him some new curtains tomorrow as the current ones are a bit dirty. They're only just under two metres by half a metre tall so I'm sure I can find some material somewhere to use.
Am nervous, but very excited!
