tr7triumph.com

So go on read this if you want to laugh at someone else's misfortune.
Okay, so maybe I was having a "blonde" moment but I was tired & it was cold outside & my car was just a little dirty (mainly water spots really, black is such a pain!!!!)
Anyway, this car wash up the road had been highly recommended by everyone & their mother as being a "really good hand job", none of those "machines that pull bits off etc..). So I went and pulled up. The guy in front of me (I thought) was having the same service; loving hands all over his motor taking great care & attention with each stage. Wow what a bargain at £2.50 (I thought).

As they carefully started to dry the car in front they knocked on my door to give me my ticket. (I felt real special as I'd never sat in any car while it was washed by someone else - call me sad if u want)

Well, then it started (the onslaught)!. So much pressure I thought the windshield was gonna break. It pounded down & pounded down. I knew I'd fixed all the leaks so that wasn't an issue, but then all of a sudden water started running down the inside of the window. I started waving my hands frantically and shouting "stop stop". The stupid man was aiming the gun right through the opening in the roof at full power - on purpose! He made some pathetic excuse about their being some soap on there or something. Anyway,quite strangely, I actually had some paper towels in the car so I gentley started wiping away the dribbles of water(which were now going down the seat like little tears).

Now I'm begging them to stop, I couldn't take any more. He turned his hose off and I breathed a sigh of relief waiting for the relax while she got dried. Then, much to my dismay, I was told they were finished and I was directed around the car in front (which was still getting finished off) and on my way.

I drove slowly away feeling like all the stuffing had been kicked out of me. I promised her that I would never let anyone do that to her again, but that's not quite the end (that was Sunday).

Yesterday (Monday) back to work. Would she run right, would she hell. I really didn't think I'd make it. Back to the jerking, misfiring, knocking, rev counter bouncing everywhere - she was really kicking off. She did get me to work...and back (barely).. but I took her back to the mechanic this morning as she was running so bad.

He couldn't understand as he had only sorted her 2 weeks before & she was running like a dream. What's happened since he asked? - so
I told him. So yes, you've guessed it, water in the distributor &
my car wash wasn't quite as cheap as I intended.

In hindsight maybe this should have been common sense. But, it wasn't at the time & I have really learned a lesson! Just thought
I'd share that with you [:D]


1980 Premium TR7-1 of 400 made
.

As a former owner of a car wash business I can tell you that it is not a profession that attracts the intellectually gifted (I have to include myself there as only an idiot would buy such a business).

I've seen water blasters lift paint & I spent a lot of time clearing water out of spark plug wells & ignition systems but that was from cars that had full engine washes. If your distributor got a soaking with the bonnet closed you'd have to put that down to a design fault!

Now you know how to fix this you'll be carrying a can of CRC or WD40 with you always. Someone should make an aerosol can caddy for the car boot.

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To do list:
Upholstery/Motor/Gearbox/Suspension/Brakes/Carb/Tyres../Gearbox/Cam+Motor/Paint
Done......./done./done....../done......../done../done/done/redone.../under way.../under way

I know its too late now but,never,never,never put a classic through
an automated paint stripper! I would'nt trust my better half with a
bucket and chammy either!Do it yerself....then you can grimmace every
time you spot another stone chip or blister in the freshly polished
paint...........enough to make a grown man/woman cry!!

See ya. Paul

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Century Gothic, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Debpazvin</i>



In hindsight maybe this should have been common sense.


<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

you should try drivng a dhc in a big dowpour lol........oh and a tin of WD40 (HANDBAG SIZE OF COURSE)[:)]would be a good idea for the next carwash

It rides again.....

Ditto Paul. I wash all my cars myself as it is a lot more gentle than an automated car wash but more importantly it gives you a chance, as you wash and then dry it off with a proper towel, to see any stone chips that should be touched up with a dab of paint before it starts rusting but more importantly (especially with my Toyota) to see any spots that rust starts bubbling under the paint that needs to be addressed as soon as possible. 95% of Tercels Wagons are fully rusted out and constant attention to rust detail keeps it looking like new.

I would never think of driving my DHC near an auto wash even though, contrary to popular experience it stays perfectly dry in any down pour it's been in yet (albeit it only two times in last two years)
despite the fact the top is original and somewhat stiff with age.




TR7 Spider - 1978 Spifire - 1976 Spitfire - 1988 Tercel 4X4 - Kali on Integra - 1991 Integra

A car wash in any car is a no no for me, but in particular my DHC, my 7 is sat quivvering with the shear thoughtof it!



Steve

Sounds like Deb had gone to a hand wash with a handheld waterblaster not a drive thru rotating knive robotic type wash.

I drove my FHC thru a robot a few weeks ago. I fully understood the potential for disaster but the car had been sitting in a dust bowl car park all day & it looked disgusting. I was facing a long drive home & the paint is as bad as it can be already (currently being remedied [:)] ) so I thought why not. The car was OK except it made a point of pulling the retractable arial up specifically so it could bend it. I wouldn't think of doing this again once the new paint is on.

************************************************************************
To do list:
Upholstery/Motor/Gearbox/Suspension/Brakes/Carb/Tyres../Gearbox/Cam+Motor/Paint
Done......./done./done....../done......../done../done/done/redone.../under way.../under way

I was cringing with fear all through reading that post Deb!

I think you got off really lightly there, it could have been much worse. i think a site transit van is the only thing id ever take to one of those places, although I have taken my Dads old Range Rover through an automated one a few times.






<b>FOR SALE!!!!Purple 2.0 Litre DHC Grinnall</b>
Red 4.0 Litre V8 DHC Grinnall (with huuuuuge arches...!)

Ohhh that hurts!

Im pretty anal. I always hand wash my vehicles. I use Maquires gold-class waxes & carwash, using only the flow of the hose, no sprayer. The wax really brings out a shine(contains some-kinda oils), and the wash doesnt wash off the wax.

Johnny

Deb, I feel for you, I have to use great care washing the DHC 8.

I have become quite lazy in my old age. With no town water, here in
the bush, my outside water is supplied by pressure pump, from a
tank, I fill from my irrigation dam. This is quite low, at present,
so, with the suction near the bottom silt, the water is a bit dirty.
Any spots of water left on the car, dry dirty, like after a rain
shower, on a dusty car.

I have setup so I can connect that pump to a rain water tank, on the
shed, & pump that through the garden taps. It feels quite
deliciously decadent to wash my care in precious drinking rain
water, something I could never do, when the kids were at home, &
none could be spared.

To not have to go round with window cleaner, after the car is dry,
is a little luxury I really enjoy, as it feels so naughty.

Hasbeen

As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. So sorry to hear about your misfortune.

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<h3><b><font color="orange">1980 Inca Yellow TR7 Convertible</font id="orange"></b></h3>

Thanks all, but Hasbeen , your reply brought me to tears. Wasting
water thru a jet, how dare I... I am truely sorry & I swear I will never do it again...and as I couldn't find a "handbag" size WD40 I am now using a backpack. I really believe that I deserve this car after some 20 odd years of waiting, so guys, please forgive me and I
promise to keep the car filthy dirty if need be.
All our love, Deb & "Christine" x

1980 Premium TR7-1 of 400 made
.

I can relate. I have been putting off the windscreen replacement on my FHC for some time now...A little too long it seems. The seal has gradually been deteriorating and finally seems to have given up the ghost altogether.It has been raining like mad here since yesterday and this morning there was an inch of water in the driver's footwell. I sopped that up but there was another inch when I got out of work this afternoon. On the way home I stopped by the glass shop and made an appointment. I hope the poor car stays afloat till it goes in next Wednesday!

Cheers,
Rich

1975 TR7 ACL764U