• Hey Guest!
    British Car Forum has been supporting enthusiasts for over 25 years by providing a great place to share our love for British cars. You can support our efforts by upgrading your membership for less than the dues of most car clubs. There are some perks with a member upgrade!

    **Upgrade Now**
    (PS: Upgraded members don't see this banner, nor will you see the Google ads that appear on the site.)
Tips
Tips

My car hates me

G

Guest

Guest
Guest
Offline
As some of you may remember, I've been having trouble getting my car to run after the engine rebuild. I got it to where it ran but hunted at idle, then some part of the electrical system went out and it stopped running at all. New ignition switch didn't do the trick, and I had to go off to a conference, so nothing has been done to it for a couple of weeks.

Fast forward to today: The mechanic who did all the original work is back from vacation. I arrange a flatbed to take it up to him (so if anyone saw a red TR6 on a towtruck on I-95 in CT this am, it was mine). Right before it gets loaded, I drop the hood to push it into the road. I then realise that I want to double check I didn't leave anything in the engine bay, go to pop the hood and the cable pulls out. Of course the emergency release was on the list of stuff still to do.

I swear this car is cursed. Or it hates me...
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
I can sympathize - Chance has been in restoration for 6 years and it often seems like 'one step forward and two steps back' Just don't give up, you're almost there! At least you know it runs.

It's always the little things at the end that fustrate you the most. When I rebuilt the engine in my son's CRX last year, for the first time EVER in all the years I've worked on cars, the car started the first time I turned it over - I almost fainted from the shock /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif My wife thinks I'm a genius, and I'm scared stiff that I just jinxed my restoration of Chance .... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif
 
alan, thanks for a good laugh at your expense. i am currently rebuilding a sprite and i know i will probably have many days like yours. hopefully yours are numbered and you're on the road in no time. i know your car doesn't hate you ... it's just frisky. fred
 
Alan, hate is such a strong word. Maybe it just doesn't understand you. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Only in America.
The country where one now has to have a therapist for one's car...

UK therapy = a big hammer and a lot of four letter words

Perhaps it's homesick...
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Hey Alan, that 'UK Therapy' works just as well here at times. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif

I had a brand new hood release cable break on me as well right after I installed it. Went to great pains to make sure the cable jacket had plenty of room in its turns, no kinks or anything. I decided to test it and the handle pulled right off the cable when I pulled on it with two fingers. Luckliy, I tested it with the bonnet still up. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Alan,
I have an idea. Once you get the bonnet open, of course.
Why not convert her to RHD and bring her back to her place of birth when you go home again. And sell her!

You noticed that there were a lot of "hers" in there.

I feel for you, lad.





Bill
 
I can understand your dilemma thoroughly. Been there. In fact, I just installed my emergency hood release last night. It took 20 minutes. Most of the time was spent finding a 1/4 inch drill and getting the little grommet into position.
 
Bill, this IS home now.
At least according to swmbo...

I need to buy a bigger hammer I think.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I need to buy a bigger hammer I think.

[/ QUOTE ]

But then, you'll just want one even bigger....
 
I was working in Ct today and missed it. I actually went to see John at Quantum for a few minutes, which is a trip in itself. He is a real pleasure to talk to.

Anyhow, just think positive and let the mechanic sort it out. Before you know it you'll be cruising those NY back roads listening to that beautiful exhaust rumbling away....
 
If I had a nickel for every time I accused a car of being cursed.......
 
I think P Knight is correct, you are on the verge of an up cycle; night is darkest before the dawn etc. You are an uplift to your readers. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
I think P Knight is correct, you are on the verge of an up cycle; night is darkest before the dawn etc.

[/ QUOTE ]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonono.gif
This sort of thinking can be a jinx!

Just when I tell myself things can't get any worse, and better times are ahead.... well, you can guess it turns out differently.

I'm a pessimist.

That way I don't mind being disappointed when my expectations are wrong. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]

I'm a pessimist.

That way I don't mind being disappointed when my expectations are wrong. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Isn't that the same as being Scottish? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/jester.gif
 
No thats parsimonious, not pessimistic.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Ahhh! Most Scots that I've met tend to be pessimistic AND parsimonious. I guess I need to get to Scotland more and meet some optimistic Scots. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Or is that just me being Pollyannaish. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
"UK therapy = a big hammer and a lot of four letter words"

Sorry but you do not have the corner on that...My five pound hand sledge worked wonders on my 3. When I couldn't get the front right over rider and bumper to align after three hours of being nice...Well lets just say the car and I have an understanding now. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif

Harry
CT
 
Back
Top