This being Portugal - part 90005

[tonicha]

Had a phone call from the mechanic, car ready.

Off we strolled - he's about a 5 minute drive away in the middle of nowhere

He spoke faaaar to quickly for me to get all of what he was saying but I understood that we can have the car, run it around and go and see him again next week, reporting back, as t'were

I rang a friend, who translated properly I'd got that bit right, what I didn't understand was what he'd done.

instead of costing us a fortune, he'd simply taken the offending vavle out

But we've just drivn to Olhao and back, no probs. And we'll be going up to the mountains on Monday, so if there is a problem, that is whn it will conk out again.

So we're going back on Tuesday, to pay him for his time - although he used up a lot of our petrol, testing it out

[meriad]

You've got to love the simplicity of life sometimes, don't you

[Workingman]

A valve!

He took a valve OUT?

That would worry me...... valves are what make things work!!!

But if he REPLACED a valve that would keep me happy.

[tonicha]

The vavle was sticking - making the car cut out when the revs went down to 1000 - but as it's working, no worries

And it's 15 in January - many more years in it yet

[tonicha]

And maybe, in translation, I misunderstood.

But he definately said it was gone

[Kaz]

He should have been an old style dentist - "When in doubt, yank it out!!"

[cruiser2]

Normally when you replace a valve you have to take the cylinder head off the engine. I have done this on a motor bike and it is not a quick job. So you have been lucky if you do not get a big bill.

[Workingman]

I don't think it was a cylinder head valve, Cruiser, that would definitely have had to be replaced!

I think Ton meant the little "1000 revs breather regulator valve with grommet inserts" next to the torch hook. Let's face it, if it took 15 years to get blocked it probably won't be missed.

[tonicha]

Probably WM

And we haven't had any bill yet - just take it back next week, see if we're happy with it