hj I find your site very interesting but its getting increasingly frustrating when someone starts a new thread and its answered by a host of what we in the trade call DIYers who don't know the right answers but still reply with all sorts of wrong advice. The person who started the thread gets more confused and others who do know the correct advice start curling up in a corner or go red with rage.
We have, no this is it , no thats it , its like this, no its like that and then at the end an apology, how embarrassing !
For christ sake go read a book or check a web site before you answer or even dare I say it , try a garage we are not all twisted con men !!
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Here\'s an idea..........
Reply to each thread yourself, where you know the right answer and solve the problem.
Then you can rush in and explain why the errors from people \"in the trade\" are not really errors at all because you know everything.
Or, of course, you could just whine that its wrong and not fair and makes people \"in the trade\" upset. I\'d care about that, I promise I would.
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Most of the answers you see form part of a debate with no wrong or right answers. As car problems seem to be so difficult to diagnose the more the better. If you are given 10 ideas then one of them may prove to be the correct solution. The exception to this seems to be the speeding debate where I had said all I had to say by the time this site had been up for a month. I do my best to keep schtumm now.
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"jon",
This is a discussional forum not a technical advice line. Those asking advice do not (I suspect) expect a 100% diagnosis over the internet. More like a problem aired is a problem shared.
There will always be someone to correct a glaring error so little harm done.
Then take a look at some of the problems customers have with the trade, not so perfect after all?
Possibly the best thing about this forum is the way the few trade folks mix with the DIY element so information is shared to mutual benefit.
Possible the worse thing is negative postings that don't add anything to the overall discussion.
David
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I have been coming here for the last 9 months and find the whole forum spirited and interesting. One soon spots who the trade and semi professional people are, their names turn up regularly and with very good advice and comments, if not totally specific answers. There are also total idiots, the most notable of whom has not been around for about a month now! I have had personal experience of very specific help form a back-roomer who was happy to be e mailed and gave very detailed assistance with a problem I was having with a car, away from the forum. I agree one has to filter out the gems from the dross but the gems are not hard to find IMHO.
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There are some total idiots, but there are those I agree with too :o)
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" fools rush in !! "
That's a bit unfair Jon because, in your trade, ( and other trades also) there are also many fools and some of them are quite devious. However, on this forum I do think that the general response is helpful and enthusiastic. The answers are not always right but,, the enquirer is, I think, given much guidance, much food for thought and, a bit more understanding of his particular problem.
If this forum was non motoring and, say, a discussion group for help and advice from, Solicitors, Lawyers, Plumbers, Builders or Estate Agents, that would REALLY attract the mercinary and misguided opinions.
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jon
It's a brave man who reckons he can diagnose a car fault, and give a 100%correct answer based on just a verbal description. It's often difficult enough with the car in front of you.
I freely admit I'm one of your 'DIY types' - I've made no secret of it and anyone who has used this site for a while could tell you what field I work in (and it isn't cars). However, I'm a qualified Mechanical Engineer with over 30 years experience and I've run cars for longer. I've learned a lot here though, and I'd sure post a problem if I couldn't sort it out. This isn't a trade forum, and it works because of the mix of trade, experienced and not-so-experienced amateurs. Very often it's the mix of possible answers that give someone clues where to look, and they don't always come from the specialists. How often does the phrase ' I've been to the garage X times, but they can't fix it' crop up?
No-one says it's definite answer to everything, but the questioner gets access to a much wider range of experience than just the local garage or two. Yes, it's up to the questioner to sift the answers - no one gives any guarantees. It shouldn't take long to sort out what advice is likely to be valid. Certainly the really poor advice is usually commented on. The other major factor is the humour on the site. It would be a sad old place if it was full of earnest types with the final answer to everything every time. If that's what you want - you're on the wrong site!
Regards
John
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Morning,
I've not been here (this forum) long and have perhaps, initially, been too flippant for some 'tech-heads' liking, but I find much of the advice on this site extremely comforting and stimulating, Having purchased a couple of HJs books/been an avid fan of his Telegraph column for some time (I've written in and on one occasion was even published)/and sent him the odd e-mail query, his responses have boosted my confidence/ability when talking turkey with the motor trade.
Long may this site and its exchanges prosper. I love you all...
Oh, and no more mention of superlative Skodas ? honest!
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Jon
The best advice would be to treat this forum as a virtual pub. If you were in your local and started a discussion on a motoring topic, even technical problems, you would get all sorts of repsonses from people who think they know. You'd also get some bum advice from pros!
Most people want to help, which is why they add to the discussion by posting. Just think what it would be lke in the pub if only the acknowledged experts were allowed to talk.
Speaking for myself, I try to post only when I am reasonably sure that my answer is accurate. If I don't know then I try to resist the temptaion to post. It's like knowing when to keep your mouth shut in the pub.
And there are some posters (easily recogniseable by their style) to whom I never respond - and many I don't even bother to read. Just as I wouldn't listen to them or speak to them in the pub!
Ian
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Just a shame virtual lager isn't quite so easy to come by!
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Dan J wrote:
>
> Just a shame virtual lager isn't quite so easy to come by!
Aye - but if it's your round, Dan, then mine's Bass!
Cheers and beers
Ian
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Jon -
I am a comparative newcomer to this site. When I initially posted for advice on a 'cutting out' problem with my car, I was surprised at the kindness of the number of people who were genuinely interested in trying to solve the problem and who responded to my query.
I shall shortly ask for their advice in finding a suitable car for my needs.
The range of knowledge that is available and FREELY given is phenomenal and what is more it is couched in terms that is generally understood by a total non- mechanical person like myself.
Some of the debates over a range of issues indicate a wide spectrum of opinion
some of which are very strongly held which makes for interesting and informative reading.
Long may the site live. To quote Ali G. 'respec'
Rita
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Somebody recently commended the forum for its quick responce as they had posted a question on a central heating problem on some other forum and not got a responce for over a month. Yes you could wait for only the 'best' advice, but who can wait for a month when their car is knackerd, or indeed the central heating. Keep it up everyone!
Virtial pints all round
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"DIYers who don't know the right answers but still reply with all sorts of wrong advice"
That would be as opposed to garages who do the same, I take it?
At least the advice here is volunteered freely - I fear you may be taking some of it too literally...
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Jon,
You'll get no support here.
The pub analogy is a good one, I like the ambience here, and wish I could spend more time leaning against the virtual bar.
New members welcome.
... I think it's my round.
Cheers fellow 'Backvrooomers'.
Stu.
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The pub analogy holds up really well!
I've been here ages and I still haven't pulled.
Just like a real pub!
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David W and Ian Cook have got it absolutely right, and I particularly like Ian's pub analogy.
Fortunately for us, the landlord (in the form of MBRB) doesn't have to call "Time!" too often. I can't also help thinking that it's a shame he can't operate a banned list too, especially for pub bores (motoring connection)!
Jack
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"Jon"
You are in a minority of 1 (one) at the moment - so who's looking the fool now?
Guy
(not even a DIYer)
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Indeed, the bar is always open, the views are more often than not interesting, and the clientele friendly - with the exception of those muttering into their pimms in the corner, and those drinking orangeade outside!
Where else can you hear about power washers & slippers, anall day benders, rental boys, back doors, landrovers and citroens, crossing the channel, airshows, the Simpsons, centurion tanks, et al?
And can any garageman answer the multitude of technical questions concerning a multitude of different vehicles? It is highly unlikely that he will have encountered, or will understand every possible problem with every possible car.
Legal, financial and insurance advise for free, the odd interesting rant, and a behind the news read on Britain in the new millenium...
And when it comes to car radios, tyres, alloys wheels, washing, waxing, internal repairs etc, there are no equals to the backroom - to say nothing of the chortles brought on by the amusing tales from the foreign contingent.
Oh well, I always get this talkative after a few pints...
Martyn, more beer here!
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"anall day benders"? I hope that's a typo!
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JBJ
It probably started out as a typo, but it's now firmly rooted in the HJ BR vocabulary. The originator probably wishes it wasn't.
Regards
John
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JBJ/JohnS,
I think the typo excuse has been used to try and cover up one of those pagan rituals that are best not too thoroughly examined. Take a few lads from Taunton, beer, a Saxo bonnet...well I'll spare you the rest.
But JBJ if you really need to know see
www.honestjohn.co.uk/phorum/read.php?f=1&i=5991&t=...7
David
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David
Taunton, so surely Cider, not beer! Much more damaging to the brain cells!
Would a Saxo bonnet take the loading?
Regards
John
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Thank you David. There's obviously more to this site than I had realised...
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Hi, y'all
In a past life - when I and the world were a lot younger - I used to pull a very mean pint; and chuck out many a mean drunk come closing time. At the risk of a double entendre I can honestly say that I would have been proud to have served all you fine gentlemen.
Cheers
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>"one of those pagan rituals"
Is that like Fenland 'cattle pelting' DW?
Stu.
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It was me and it was a mixture of various grape/grain fermentations!
It was one hell of an *all* day bender but oh how I wish I had proof read my post and damn the lack of that edit button!
Best Rgds,
Guy
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But you'd have denied us some (moderately) innocent pleasure!
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