I Broke down!!!!!!!!! (but it was ok in the end)!

[sarahp]

So imagine my sad face when yesterday evening whilst driving my girl (only for the 3rd day) she coughed, coughed, spluttered and said ''thats it, im giving up'' I couldnt believe it, especially after the bad experience that I had with the first fronty I got.
So, I called the AA, the guy came out to be met by me with the hugest ever grumpy pout on my face (partner said he hadnt seen me so sad since.....ever).
Hilarious watching the AA guy have to do diagnostics on a car that you cant just plug into their computer, but he said that I may have run out of petrol, put some in...........nothing............and do you know why there was nothing for about 15 minutes???? (after the guy had felt the need to tell me that 2L engines use quite a bit of petrol (Grrrrrrr just because im female doesnt mean I dont understand miles per gallon!!! im 30 bloody 6!!
Im going to say one word......IMOBILISER!! tee hee, and I had worked it out!! all by my own!!
Anyway, my lovely fronty has whispered in my ear that the petrol guage on the dash doesnt work, so I dont know when Im about to run out of petrol! Well actually it does go up a little but sticks on the way down again.
sooooooo............for a girl that has never done anything apart from put petrol, oil and water/windscreen wash in a car, im definitely going to need some advice, as im determined to learn things and try to fix them! someone is selling one of the old school manuals on here so think it will be a good investment!
Had to share the story though, I went from feeling totally devestated (in case she was poorly sick) to over the moon that she wasnt, dont think the AA guy knew quite what to make of me, I think he was waiting for me to act all embarrased but I was too elated at the sound of my engine purring away!!

[Rifleman]

Well done Sarah, its great to hear that a female wants to learn about, and fix their own cars. And you are not the only one by any means.
You will be able to buy the manual at any good motor factor that sells the Haynes ones. But may I say that although they are good for some jobs, they are useless for others. You have to keep jumping back and forth to different sections which is a real pain in the
But FOG is here, and there are good "How to do" right ups in that section which will help.
Also there is good advice to be had from other members too, so you will never be stuck.
Good luck in your quest.

[Bigga]

glad to hear it was nothing serious !

good to hear your willing to do bits yourself,least your in the right place for all you need to know.....

[Drift]

Good on you

[RatCav]

Well done girl.

Here is my wife fixing her Astra. Never wielded a spanner in her life, but as she broke it she was ordered to fix it. She is replacing coil pack. I was washing my Trooper at the time



She was so chuffed when she drove it afterwards and it ran like a dream. I never even looked under the bonnet as I said she may have to do it on her own one day without me.

[sarahp]

Ratcav- the picture of your wife is my inspiration!
Ive just bought a cheap second hand manual, which is a start, my other half doesnt fix things either so our tool box is pretty empty for now! but we all have to start somewhere, I have a feeling that I will be asking lots of stupid questions for a while, (remind me of my enthusiasm to learn when im swearing and shouting and clueless the first time I try to do anything)!

[Roo]

Well Done Sarah

Ratcav how did your wife break it?
Cheers
Roo

[Norse]

[Retro Pedro]

Well done girlies - just reflecting but not winghing (I daren't cos I won't get any dinner) - but it must be nice when the request goes in for help to push the brake pedal, or look at the rear stop lights for a positive 'of course I can' rather than, 'you'll have to wait because' answer

Sarah - in your early days of fettling, there are a couple of magic words on here 'Spanner party'. Along with forthcoming info, it's what the spirit of FOG is all about.

[RatCav]