But I do "have a clue". I have spent many years working on all sorts of
cars. Once upon a time I thought that there was no greater delight than to
be out in the street laying under a motor and getting generally pretty
filthy. That was when you could look under a car's bonnet and find an
engine, carburettor, generator, distributor, battery and so on. But times
change.

Now I talk to my garage about what I would like done and let them do the
hard stuff. In the long run this pays off because nowadays the lump has got
so technical that I simply don't have the specialist tools or knowledge to
handle it anyway. Plus I feel somewhat better knowing that someone who knows
what he is doing has taken care of a problem rather than me with my
primitive "don't force it, use a hammer" approach.

Plus my great grandfather's words come back to me on occasions like this.
"If I was to do the work myself then I would be taking the bread from the
mouth of the artisan".  A great line for a lazy man. And, hey, even the
teaboy needs to earn a living so let him go check my oil and water.

Bill

My local dealer is always very helpful with me, parts dept know what car
I drive, know my Club GTI membership number without prompt (which
entitles me to discount at that dealership). As I only pop in once a
quarter for bits n bobs on average I think thats pretty damned good
service.