Adam

Firstly it's a 59 plate Astra SRI 1.8l petrol 42k miles regularly serviced. Took it for a service today and they commented that the coolant was oily, he did say however that there was no sign of any coolant in the oil. He said if it was one of his cars he'd put a couple of dishwasher tablets in the coolant then change it and keep an eye on it, does that make any sense to anyone? Should I do it? It could be something from a past head gasket issue or the beginning of one but he couldn't say which.. Wasn't really expecting to have any issues with the car considering its low mileage and service history Bought it in November and had just been serviced and had a full health check, I've done 10,000miles since. Any recommendations/advice? Thanks! Edit: forgot to mention he said the cars running fine.

I know the feeling, I turn 24 this month and wonder where the years have gone! But, as others have mentioned I won't need to worry about retiring!!

I had one with a clip underneath and after a strong nights wind it had ripped the clipped off the cover, luckily it was wedged under the front wheel. After that I got some rope and if it was windy I'd put the cover on then wrap the rope around the bike under the engine and over the seat, it stopped the cover flying away but also stopped the wind getting inside the cover.

I remember that was the second game I ever owned on my PS1 the first one being metal gear solid.. Not very appropriate for a 9 year old. One of my favourite games was Road Rash, hitting each other with chains and whatever else you could get your hands on. They don't make games like that anymore

For a bleeding kit I use a piece of plastic pipe (available at B&Q by the metre) just check the size, then you just need an empty jar which you need to fill half full with brake fluid and then put one end of the pipe in the jar and the other end on the bleeder nipple, just make sure you don't let the reservoir get completely empty otherwise you'll end up with a lot more air in your lines.

Personally I'd steer clear of any Chinese bikes, yes they're cheap new but there's a reason for that. For around the £2000 mark you can pick up some low mileage Japanese 125's, take a look at the Yamaha WR125R the seat height is over a metre and its a tall Bike, I had one and loved it. Also as already mentioned the Honda Varadero 125 is one of the biggest 125's and features a v-twin engine. Both of the mentioned bikes should sell for almost if not all of what you paid for them, jap 125's hold their value superbly. However you'd struggle to get anywhere over £1000 for the bike mentioned especially when it's a new brand that people don't know.

My older brothers used to watch it but it skipped my generation and is now popular again with the younger ones, my nephew got Tracey island and some of the planes (?) for Christmas!

That's some good advice GOG, it all happened so quick I didn't even consider it. I had only just moved over when the lorry pulled out so didn't have much time to react, and to be honest I never thought he would pull out. I'll definitely think worst case scenario in the future and thanks for the advice.

The lorry pulled straight into the path of the mini, so I'm assuming it was in the lorries blind spot and with it being LHD the driver simply didn't see. A car had just past the mini as all this happened so it couldn't have moved until it did, wish I had a dash cam to show you it was frighteningly close.. Just glad there wasn't someone behind me.

NOTD goes to the foreign lorry driver. To set the scene I'm in the left lane of a dual carriage way a mini is roughly 70m ahead of me. To the left of the mini is a lay by with a lorry which is approaching to join the dual carriage way again so I move over to allow him space the mini however is now level with the lorry where it joins with the trailer, and the lorry just pulls out causing the mini to slam its brakes on and swerve right into my path so at this point I'm as hard on the brakes as I can be thinking ohhhh shit I'm gonna hit this car, luckily I stopped with maybe 10cm to spare! Scary one, glad my brakes work but didn't want to test them like that!!!

I remember him saying his bike was faster than mine and that we would race, well I rode with him to the local meet and I had to slow for him to keep up. It's funny cause my bike wasn't fast either!

Super unleaded wouldn't make much of a difference I wouldn't have thought. Make sure when you take it in they give you a loan bike, at the end of the day it's an inconvenience to you.

What sort of condition is the battery in? I'm sure I remember reading something on here that if it's not in tip top condition it won't give you enough of a spark to start the engine. I could also be very wrong but if you can get hold of a multi metre it won't cost you anything to check it.

I agree that they made the right decision, from what I've read one officer actually managed to grab the dog but it bit him so naturally he let go, so the dog would've been put down even if they caught it anyway.

The "creator" got really arsey on Facebook when people starting criticising his idea and asking challenging questions, he ended up saying everyone on the internet is negative and he doesn't need any people like that buying his product. So yeah I won't be buying one!!

Could be the carb needs setting up. Also have you checked tyre pressures and chain sprocket wear?

He's referring to his wife as his ride......

I've had both Samsung and LG TVs and couldn't fault either of them. I've used both with Xbox 360 and PS3 and never had any issues, the Samsung has a game mode setting for the picture and sound which I always used.

NOTD goes to a fellow biker. Driving on a dual carriage way section with lights for pedestrians to cross, one turns red as we're approaching (he's behind me) so naturally we slow down and he filters past slowing down enough to let the lady with her pram to get out of his path and rides straight through red!!!! Deserves more than a nomination for NOTD.

Try gumtree I got a 6x8 corner shed T&G for £100

So how many shares do you own in these cloud services Joe?

Sweet potato chips are just awesome could eat just them on a plate. A quick and easy way to get crispy chunky chips with a fluffy inside: Boil a large pan of water Cut a baking potato into 15x70mm strips Add the potato into the boiling water for 5-10 minutes, they need to be parboiled so firm but soft enough to get a sharp knife through. Drain potato and place on a plate with kitchen roll to absorb moisture. Take large frying pan and pour enough oil to cover half the chips, allow to get hot. Carefully add the potato to the oil, you're looking for a sizzling sound that means the oil is hot enough. Fry the chips until crispy on all sides. Place back onto a plate with kitchen roll to absorb any excess oil. Season to taste and enjoy

B&Q used to have specialists for each department, mainly retired builders, plumbers etc however they were classed as experts and got a higher salary so of course they've now got rid of them. Screw fix isn't so bad with a trade account but the problem is you can get everything cheaper online.

I'd be checking any wiring you might have disturbed whilst servicing the bike, could be another dodgy connection.

Cheers stu I'll have a look at them. I was thinking it would be easier to have 2 sets anyway it's not going to take up anymore space than just the tyres alone. 59 plate Astra Sri 5 door last of the old shape.