Tuesday, December 17, 2002
Kam’s Column - 17/12/02
Hello Again!
It has been quite a week for poor old Cherie Blair. Just like any mother, I’m sure she only wanted the best for her university going child, but she happened to choose the wrong person to go into dealings with. Cheriegate – as it has become known – has apparently dented the popularity of the Government itself. Now, regular reader, I ask you this – why should the actions of the Prime Minister’s wife have any effect on the Government? Is she elected? Has she ever stood for election to Government? Have her actions influenced major policy? Can she ever have a flattering photo taken?
Of course, poor Cherie didn’t choose her business associate wisely, given his well publicised history. But we all make mistakes –many people have fallen victim to smooth con-men in the past and none of them are pilloried. To be honest, the Cheriegate story is really rather small fry in comparison to the rest of the depressing world news, but I suppose it serves a purpose as a diversion… Saddam who?
If you had been in our Sawley depot on Monday morning, you would have been forgiven for thinking that every local child had been herded in there with a violin and told to get on with a rendition of ELP’s ‘Brain Salad Surgery’ (without music, lessons or ever having heard the track). Mr Berkley (name changed to protect his innocence) had brought his 2.5-litre Ford Transit Tdi in with a perplexing million-decibel squeal.
“Kev, I’m sick of trying to get this fixed. I’ve been to three separate places, had a new starter motor, new alternator, new vacuum pump, new belts and still there’s this terrible noise.” He emphatically waved a sheaf of invoices at me. “If you can’t fix it there I swear I’ll go out of my mind – I’ve even got the neighbourhood dogs howling when I drive home!”
Thinking about it, I could recall a few nights when there was the faintest suggestion of ‘101 Dalmatians’ on the air…
“It certainly is… loud,” I said, trying to be diplomatic (which isn’t easy when you still have pieces of cotton wool earplugs obviously sitting on your overalls). “Leave it with me, I’ll get it fixed for you.”
“Thanks Kev, and while you are there, can you put a new timing belt on. I’ve read about all of your horror stories…”
Rather than start the beast up again, I decided to get the boys help in pushing it into the bay – I wasn’t going to risk another ear shattering blast! Once quietly parked up, I had a look around under the bonnet and saw that the Transit did indeed have all of the new parts that Mr Berkley had mentioned. Even the power steering belts were brand new.
That only left one thing – power steering fluid. It’s overlooked on most services yet can cause a whole host of problems if it isn’t in good order.
Well, regular reader… Have you ever seen ‘The Creature From The Black Lagoon’? It was like that in there – although scaled down to the point where any flesh eating monster would have been about the size of an ant (so we’re safe…). The power steering fluid was as black as freshly melted tar, and of about the same consistency.
“It can’t be just that Kev,” said a voice from my shoulder. (Talking shoulder pads – now there’s a thing!) “That wouldn’t account for the noise.”
Still impressed by vocal shoulders, I replied without looking up. “It could be, if the fluid is this thick, it could be causing the belt to slip and that would cause the squealing.” Then, slightly worried that I was indeed talking to my shoulder, I sneaked a quick glance and saw Raj standing there.
As he was standing just behind me, it seemed a shame not to put him to good use – so I asked him if he would mind flushing the system through, adding some seal conditioner and then putting in brand new fluid.
“I’m sure this will never work…” He muttered.
“Raj, I guarantee it – if the noise is still there once we’ve done this, then I will personally foot the bill for any more work” I announced, keeping my fingers firmly crossed.
Well, what do you know? On starting the Transit up, the noise was gone and the power steering worked so well that the vehicle felt tonnes lighter! It’s amazing how something this simple can make such a difference – and if Mr Berkley had come to us first, he wouldn’t have had to fork out for a new starter motor or alternator…
It was quite a good job that Mr Berkley brought the van in actually – his Stunner tyres were due their three-month inspection for the guarantee. We’ve had a rush on Stunners recently and have been getting excellent feedback. It seems that they were built for the wet and slippery British roads!
With Christmas looming, you’re all probably thinking about things other than repairing your cars. However, vehicles don’t respect the festive season – so we are open right over the Christmas period – other than Christmas day, Boxing Day and New Year’s day. However, it is worth giving your local depot a call before travelling – just in case a pipe has burst or something!
Until next week,
