pmsumner

I was looking at shutting down my main computer for a 'rest' but I don't think it'd be fair... the uptime is higher than I think it's ever reached before.

mainpc:~ # uptime
 12:29am  up 72 days 16:46,  1 user,  load average: 1.00, 1.03, 1.00

I think I should give it a break. At least, my electricity meter a break ;) For a few hours.

It's been an odd weekend for me. I haven't actually stopped working. Since i finished with TSC on Thursday afternoon, i've been out and about doing other work. I'm supposed to have 2 jobs to do tmrw morning, but the paperwork's not accessible for the Gap one, and the Site Reports one will be... an experience. I've not done anything for them before. It's assessing advertising posters. I STILL haven't printed the paperwork for that, must do soon.

Bad news.
Went out to try and do some work this morning, noticed that the car was struggling slightly to pull away. Put it down to being really cold so didn't worry too much. It didn't get better as it warmed up. Uhhm, in the end, it got bad enough that I came home, and checked the exhaust as it was making a rather evil "phut phut" noise when it idled. Nothing I could see.

Took it along to Kwik Fit to check if the exhaust was blowing, but unsure if that would cause the loss of power as severe as I was experiencing. They hiked it up on the ramp, saw the exhaust was fine and told me that the engine was misfiring. It was obvious from underneath.

I'm quite pissed off now.
It was working fine day yesterday and Friday when I drove over 300 miles, save a brief period yesterday where it felt like I had a kangaroo under the bonnet, but that went away within 30 seconds.

I wonder how much this is going to cost to get fixed?

Been quoted a price of £140 for all 4 ignition coils(?) - assuming that is actually the problem. The guy I spoke to said that this was a really common issue and would likely be it. I'm hoping it is, because that's cheaper than I expected to be quoted. I could just get one replaced - but according to a few people, if one goes, the others are likely to go soon.

So, tomorrow he's coming to work. Driving the beast is really hard work. It feels like there's absolutely no power when lifting the clutch. TBH I probably shouldn't be driving it but I don't have any choice - there's no other sensible way of getting to work.

So yes. Cheque or cash - if it's cash they'll "knock off the VAT" from the price :) Dodgy or what? Now I don't get paid until the 22nd - do I suck up the fees and get the cash on the c/c - or do I get the cash out using my overdraught? Would it be cheaper than paying the extra in VAT (about £25-£30) and writing a cheque?

I'm sure it will be cheaper to pay cash. I'll just have to be fairly careful until payday.

Bloody cars. This, in combination with the potential speeding ticket has wiped out the majority of the MS work I've done in the past month.