Recent content by Carmudgeon

None taken. One thing I've forgotten to mention is that this is also the first time I've noticed how hot the CTEK runs during these extended sessions. Hot enough to notice, and trigger the curiosity to pull out the IR gun and take a reading -- ~125 deg at the hottest point. Theoretically...

The seller acknowledged the discrepancy, and offered to send a true WYSIWYG replacement, in exchange for closing the return request. That, however, would have resulted in forfeiting eBay's protection on my part, since such disputes cannot be reopened, and accepting the risk that the seller...

Thank you both. I understand that the pound of flesh will likely come from the seller, and I hate to see that as well, and am not trying to be some sort of jerk. But at the same time, I don't think I should suffer for a situation I proactively tried to avert. Pictures are worth a thousand...

I've not seen it where I am, and in more risky, prolonged situations I have seem them to put down K-rail to provide separation and prevent head-on collisions when they need to take lanes from the opposite direction. Those closures were not just day closures, but longer term, with nothing but...

Ok, I mentally retraced my steps, and yes, I am now certain that the battery wasn't bulged before, or at least to the degree is is now, because I cleaned it up beforehand, and it would have be noticeable. Lesson learned, I suppose, and I will save such modes for the almost-lost causes, not as...

I made an eBay purchase that didn't go as planned, with an item that doesn't match the pictured description. I thought I was careful, and even messaged the seller before bidding, with a specific question about the item, why that question was posed, and they replied that it was as pictured...

I'm not entirely sold on the "smart" chargers either, and have a fresh example to cite. Needed to recharge a dead Exide 35 that was drained by a dome light from a door ajar. Could have broken out the Sears (Schuey) 10 amp for a quick-and-dirty, but figured I'd put it on the CTEK 4.3 and let it...

130 (85) isn't really a big deal. IME, not unusual to see it in a 65 zone. It works better, though, when drivers have a semblance of lane discipline, even in places like Italy. But it's often a alien concept in the U.S. I also appreciated how trucks carry their speed limit labels on the...

Third gen was peak TL. The only criticism C/D made against it was that it wasn't RWD. First gen TSX, the European Accord, was also very good. Honda was on a roll when those were engineered. More so, as the TL was developed in the U.S by a different team. First gen G35, which helped debut...

Hobby shops are a vanishing breed. The followers who remain committed have retreated to online buying. Or hope that the vendors will show up at events like car shows, or races I've had decent luck finding some good ones, for the small amounts of stuff I collect nowadays (mostly 1/64). But...

The big T1 suppliers are arguably too diversified, but I think that most here are cognizant what the core competencies are for each brand, and what the potential results can be for venturing beyond them. That said, I have a car with a Bosch ECU that can be finicky with O2 sensors, throwing...

In my experience having a pair of the rod type might not be enough to do the job, so a second set on hand can help seal the deal. Ordered an A-frame style, which would appear to be much more secure, but the rigid dimensional constraints weren't compatible, so they were returned.

As I said, a while back, even before Asia became the dominant source. The set of Brembos had a casting flaw right in the friction surface. Don't know how that slipped past QC. The ATEs caused on inexplicable shudder, despite attempts to properly bed them in. Advice in the BMW circles at the...

I agree, maintaining a good, healthy credit history is a practical necessity for most people. The workarounds I alluded to were not in that context, but in a score being a few points shy of what might be needed to secure a better loan. My advice -- try to understand how the system works, which...

I just tossed out a bunch of brand new (2030 exp date) Costco Duracell and Kirkland alkaleaks because they started to fuzz before ever being installed in a device.