h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

One long log of crap. Yes. Crap. Log. Burn it, burn it now, I hate it.

Ok? So wassup

Clutch went, so dad and a mechanic did that, introducing a horrendous vibration. Trying to get the vibration sorted out and suddenly the brakes aren't working properly and there's brake fluid pissing out all over the floor, so it's back in the garage. Just one thing after another with this pile of crap.

Hmmm, vibration could be clutch alignment had you DIY'd it, so unlikely. Could be the release bearing? Though, undoubtably again, that was changed if you used a clutch kit, false economy not to. My clanky knowledge is about 20 years out of date, try asking Robyn, she's a grease monkey.
Brakes, well most likely the vibration has shaken a joint loose or split a seal?????
Nothing that can't be fixed relatively easily but it is a real bummer when it seems like one thing after another. What type of van and how old?????

It's an 8 year old Daihatsu Hijet, bought in an emergency in Feb after my previous Hijet was smashed into by a scummy hit and run drivier.

The mechanic thinks is a prop shaft which was put back on wrong and was in the middle of trying the other 7 possible positions when the brakes started leaking.

I'm leaving it to the garage, and may be going to Newbury to look at a newer van soon.

Oooh. I love Newbury. I was brought up in Wantage just over the Downs from there.

Diahatsu Hijet, hmmmmm, well aren't built to last very long, what is these days Built on the same principles as cheap washing machines. You'd need to ask Robyn, I'm a bit out of touch with the parts and vans market now, aside form them that nicks 'em

My first two lasted ages! Sold the first one as wanted a camper, then the second one got smashed up and bought this shitter. Seen quite a lot older still running around.

While fixing the brakes they found the filler pipe to the petrol tank was leaking as well, so replaced that too.

Should make it a whole lot more economical and friendly

Do the mutts need a comercial van for transportation, or would you consider something with windows

It has got windows, that way I get through the Dartford Tunnel at car rate. Def need to be a van. My new walker has a car, she's doing a 6 month 'trial' to see if she likes it. If she wants to continue after that she will have to get a van because I'm not happy with how she's set her car up, and it's not secure properly.

Doesn't fall into the employer's remit to supply a works van for fido

None-the-less, I hope the original is road worthy again now, without too much pain to the cash flow

I don't understand what you mean about a works van?

One supplied by the employer, invariably white, to be thoroughly thrashed and abused by the employee.

I still have no idea what your original sentence means. I know what a works van is, just no idea what you mean.

I think nortirascal may be suggesting that as it's a works van, and it's your company, then you might have to supply one to her, rather than ask her, as your employee to buy one out of her own money?

If she did buy one, then she might well be legally entitled to pass some, or even all, of the costs of buying it/running it onto you - otherwise the van and upkeep would cost her more than she could possibly earn by working for you and she'd make an overall loss.

You'd be able to claim tax relief on it if you bought one as a company vehicle though, I'd have thought.

Ah, I see, thanks Peta.

That's a bit too much to discuss online, just in case she ever decides to join h2g2 (unlikely, but you never know!).

Is the van now fixed and thus able to, once again, contribute to the greenhouse gases ?

It's working, but still got a horrendous shaking from 35 miles an hour. My dad did start trying to fix it but seems to have given up. It smoothes out at 50, then the vibrating starts which continues until 65.

I can either drive slow, medium, or fast. No in between. Ho hum.

And my dog walker has been advised by a friend of hers to get a van, so she's looking into it. Ho hum again.