Vocal Voices

Yes, I am shouting, apologies

Gaby rang earlier to say that the starter motor was as much use as a chocolate tea-pot, but in a Portuguese version He'd tried to get it sorted, but nothing doing.

So, we have a choice. 750€ for Honda new one, 350€ ish for a recon or his preferred one, 100€ ish for a second hand one.

He's now on the hunt for a secondhand one, the other bits that needed doing, new piston rings, wiring and stuff has been done.

So we're still carless, but he hopes to have it back to us by Saturday.

As I said to him, we could almost buy a new car instead of a new starter motor.

Ho dear Jan not good new for you hope you get the car back soon just keep taking deep breaths and no pub transport either

Ouch! The second hand part does seem like the best option Jan.

He's a good lad Crommers and very good friends with very good friends of ours, so we're getting a very good deal.

As I said to Joaquinha earlier, we can't get to Ourique to get the cash out for him, so he said he'll pay and then we can pay him.

The car is almost 21, but the body work is brilliant, we had new radiator etc a couple of years ago, and now this other stuff, it's worth keeping it for a few more years.

And its automatic, which I much prefer.

Ouch Jan!

Over the years how many starter motors have I repaired...!?

Three main faults. Burnt out coil - throw it away. Warn motor brushes - replaceabl if you can get them. Solenoid not throwing the engage gear to mesh with the flywheel - duff solenoid or dirty gear shaft - depends.

The problem with repairing is that the things are fiddly and need special tools, tools not likely found in the DIYer's toolbox.

Given the car is mint, both inside and out, a good second-hand one should see it to the end of days. Good luck.

He couldn't fix it WM He tried everything he knew and he's a very good mechanic, but this is the first one he's failed on. He's quite embarrassed

Jan, if you do not have the kit some of them are impossible no matter how good a mechanic you are... it is certainly nothing to be embarrassed about. Also, even if you can fix it, getting one-off spares can cost as much as a recon.

It looks like the second-hand option is the one to go for if one can be found at the right price.

Car came back at 10.20 last night

With the original starter motor, he'd managed to fix it

He just gave us the key, said everything had been done and off he went

No idea how much the bill is going to be, Joaquinha is going to pay it when he sees him next and then we'll pay him when we see him. Which is normally only at week-ends, as he works in the Algarve during the week.

Yay, glad the car is back - excellent news. And fingers crossed the final bill isn't all too painful