taffy1967
turbo
Forum cagoule
'1959-2000 Original & Best'
Posts: 4,345
|
Post by taffy1967 on Jun 25, 2009 0:34:30 GMT 1
Well I've finally finished the oil change today and I always use cheap oil as an engine flush (I just let the engine warm up and then drain it and fill up with the good stuff then), so with a sump full of the good stuff it was almost impossible to see the oil on the dipstick. Anyway I decided to wash the Mini today, so I could then take some nice pictures to send off to my classic insurance firm (for the agreed value). So as my misses was off to do some shopping, I just gave her a list of things I wanted, such as a new oil filler cap and a new radiator cap. She did ring our local Partco, because they specialise in Unipart parts. They could get me a radiator cap, but not an oil cap. So Marie went to Halfords and tried getting an oil cap there. First of all the bloke claimed they probably wouldn't have one, since Minis are a bit classic and not your average run of the mill vehicle. My misses had to repeat herself a few times as the bloke kept looking up injection Mini parts, but he was bemused that Marie knew so much about the car and the fact it was a 1275cc with a carb (well she should know, we've owned our Mini for over 15 years). Anyway to cut a long story short (which I've failed to do so far), he discovered that he had the part in stock and so Marie handed it over to me when she got home. Trouble is it isn't the right part at all and it's very loose fitting and doesn't have that little retainer ring thing. But for 3 quid, it's not worth taking it back as it would cost more than that in petrol. Although Marie is very bloody minded and she'll probably take it back next time she's passing Halfords. So I'm very disappointed with them and I should have ordered those parts when I ordered some other things from Mini Spares because they were perfect.  |
|
Ainsley
1098cc
98 MPI BRG
Posts: 294
|
Post by Ainsley on Jun 25, 2009 11:26:38 GMT 1
Yeah they always make a complete hash of things and expensive. Hellfruads  . |
|
TAFF
1440cc
What was the Best thing BEFORE sliced bread ?
Posts: 2,930
|
Post by TAFF on Jun 25, 2009 13:13:00 GMT 1
the "Child" that served me this week didnt know what rotor arm,points or condensor were.
making no attempt to call for help he just shrugged his shoulders and said I dunno mate..
I pointed out the rotor arms behind him and asked him to find the one for my car... at which point he called for help. and a young lady came and sorted it all out with no probs..
|
|
|
|
Post by huwjenks on Jun 25, 2009 23:40:09 GMT 1
Wasn't Talbot Green Halfords was it? They arn't much use in there really... as I have discovered through good knows how many trips back and forth to get the right parts.
|
|
ljonez
turbo
Built not bought
Posts: 3,734
|
Post by ljonez on Jun 25, 2009 23:45:27 GMT 1
i love going in the one next door to my work and asking the kiddies for things that don't exist, things like a water pump for a 1970 beetle, spark plugs for a diesel etc etc its great to see them try look it up on the computer then have to call for help wehn they cant find it  |
|
exuptoy
1330cc
1980 Rebuild project and 1969 Elf.
Posts: 924
|
Post by exuptoy on Jun 25, 2009 23:49:45 GMT 1
Haha, class.
|
|
Ainsley
1098cc
98 MPI BRG
Posts: 294
|
Post by Ainsley on Jun 25, 2009 23:55:07 GMT 1
Thats brilliant I may try that next time I'm in there |
|
taffy1967
turbo
Forum cagoule
'1959-2000 Original & Best'
Posts: 4,345
|
Post by taffy1967 on Jun 26, 2009 0:04:29 GMT 1
Wasn't Talbot Green Halfords was it? They arn't much use in there really... as I have discovered through good knows how many trips back and forth to get the right parts. No it was the one in Pontypridd and they're no better. Mind you, the radiator cap we ordered from our local Partco/Unipart stockist wasn't even a Unipart rad cap. Plus they got the wrong part too and instead of it being a 15lb cap, they handed over a 13lb cap instead. So we've had a refund as they claimed that they couldn't get a 15lb cap, only a 16lb instead. So I gave up and phoned Mini Spares instead, which is what I should have done in the beginning but I wanted to put some business in my area. I don't think I'll bother next time.  |
|
Ainsley
1098cc
98 MPI BRG
Posts: 294
|
Post by Ainsley on Jun 26, 2009 0:21:58 GMT 1
It does seem to be getting harder to get mini parts in the local area don't you think? or maybe it's just me.
|
|
taffy1967
turbo
Forum cagoule
'1959-2000 Original & Best'
Posts: 4,345
|
Post by taffy1967 on Jun 26, 2009 0:25:09 GMT 1
It does seem to be getting harder to get mini parts in the local area don't you think? or maybe it's just me. No it's not just you and we have to be real enthusiast and know what parts we need, otherwise thanks to rubbish place like Helfrauds, we'd end up with dodgy death traps full of the wrong parts! |
|
ljonez
turbo
Built not bought
Posts: 3,734
|
Post by ljonez on Jun 26, 2009 22:56:52 GMT 1
to be fair to the local place i use they still do alot of mini bits and try hard to source parts they dont normally stock altho i will admit recently i been just going straight to mini spares.
the best thing to ask for in halfrauds has got to be a flux capacitor, it tests their film knowledge as well as car knowledge, you'll be amazed at the amount of times i've got them to try look it up
|
|
|
|
Post by Phil J on Jun 26, 2009 23:01:12 GMT 1
I might pop in there tomorow and ask them for one?
" Do you have a flux capacitor for a Dolorean ? "
"" what year ? ""
"Umm, 1989 at the moment but a 2039 by half past 12 " ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by thereddwarf on Jun 26, 2009 23:02:32 GMT 1
pmsl....poor halfords....
|
|
|
|
Post by thereddwarf on Jun 26, 2009 23:04:16 GMT 1
i love going in the one next door to my work and asking the kiddies for things that don't exist, things like a water pump for a 1970 beetle, spark plugs for a diesel etc etc its great to see them try look it up on the computer then have to call for help wehn they cant find it you have way to much time on your hands ;D |
|
|
|
Post by boycie101 on Jun 26, 2009 23:04:41 GMT 1
given up asking for stuff in aberdare branch even for the basic stuff that any car accessory shop would carry. ok if want bicycle stuff + that is it  |
|
|
|
Post by boycie101 on Jun 26, 2009 23:05:45 GMT 1
I might pop in there tomorow and ask them for one? " Do you have a flux capacitor for a Dolorean ? " "" what year ? "" "Umm, 1989 at the moment but a 2039 by half past 12 " ;D definately have to try that 1 ;D |
|
|
|
Post by huwjenks on Jun 26, 2009 23:20:33 GMT 1
Well I'm going in to Halfords tomorrow to get a new fuel pump for my G-Wiz.
|
|
ljonez
turbo
Built not bought
Posts: 3,734
|
Post by ljonez on Jun 26, 2009 23:28:48 GMT 1
i love going in the one next door to my work and asking the kiddies for things that don't exist, things like a water pump for a 1970 beetle, spark plugs for a diesel etc etc its great to see them try look it up on the computer then have to call for help wehn they cant find it you have way to much time on your hands ;D dont i know it  they got a work experience boy starting monday, i cant wait ;D |
|
|
|
Post by thereddwarf on Jun 27, 2009 8:37:14 GMT 1
you`ll have some fun with them.....lol
|
|
. 
