Eunos Chump

The problem was... a lack of juice in the battery.  I was aware low voltage played havoc with these cars, but didn't realise it would prevent the starter engaging properly.  Cost to fix: nowt. 

I've been working in the US for the past week, but unfortunately for an office closure rather than opening.  There's been a downturn in the company's fortunes and before long I may realise my dream of not working here any more, but we'll see. First leg was to Boston; BA 777 in premium economy (business class no longer allowed), not impressed but then I do love complaining, apparently. It was bloody cold in Boston.  Apart from the civil war stuff, there really isn't much to see apart from the 'Cheers' bars, which we visited maybe half-a-dozen times (the original bar shown in the TV show titles, the one with the set from the show, and the replica).  It was just convenient.  I've never watched it so it meant nothing to me! At the weekend there was several inches of snow, but they're well prepared for it and there was no disruption whatsoever. We walked up to 9 miles a day, my feet/ankles will never be the same again.  I see what the...

Look at me, only lagging 15 years behind fashion!  Like the Rover 75, I used to hate these for being an ordinary modern car with ludicrous and overstyled retro pretence applied.  But as the years have rolled by and the Mini has become ever more ugly with each facelift, the styling of these early cars now appears clean and unfussy.  They're also very cheap, which I like. It was bought unseen from the marvelous Autoshite community, and currently resides at my folk's place in Norfolk.  I've still not fixed the Jag and I'm away with work for a bit, so dunno when I'll get my hands on it.

Had a bit of a rubbish week.  The Jaaaag is finally broken, it failed to start the other morning but I was running late, so just swiped the CLK instead.  That left Mrs B to take the boy to school in t'Berlingo... but the exhaust fell off that en-route.  I had to leave work to bodge it up with cable-ties so it could be driven home.  I really need to stop messing about with shite old cars. The starter motor seems to be the fault on the Jag, it sounds like the bendix is mashed; apparently this can happen, though the ring gear is likely to have survived.  Getting the thing off is going to be a bastard , it's under the inlet manifold and one of the bolts comes out from the gearbox end.  Options are to drop the transmission slightly to get a wobbly extension lead on it, or remove the wiper motor/assembly.  I took decisive action... I went back in the house to watch TV and drink tea. The fact that I had no wheels yesterday is the only thing that stopped...