Octopi?

mountainmanUK · Post by **mountainmanUK** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 2:39 pm

Pedant alert - the plural of octopus is octopodes not octopi (http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/ ... ls?view=uk). Sorry

Q] If I cut it up, add a few nice veggies, shove it all in two pastry-covered dishes, what would I have?

A] Two Octo-PIES!

Baldbazza · Post by **Baldbazza** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 2:46 pm

mountainmanUK wrote:
Pedant alert - the plural of octopus is octopodes not octopi (http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/ ... ls?view=uk). Sorry
Q] If I cut it up, add a few nice veggies, shove it all in two pastry-covered dishes, what would I have?

A] Two Octo-PIES!

mountainmanUK · Post by **mountainmanUK** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 2:48 pm

I wonder if that means that the singular of Antipodes (as in Australia & New Zealand) should, therefore, be.........ANTIPUS??

Isn't English a wonderful language?

Baldbazza · Post by **Baldbazza** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 2:55 pm

mountainmanUK wrote:I wonder if that means that the singular of Antipodes (as in Australia & New Zealand) should, therefore, be.........ANTIPUS??

Or dog?

mountainmanUK · Post by **mountainmanUK** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 3:15 pm

tim leech · Post by **tim leech** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 4:22 pm

docchevron1472 wrote:If it's never been replaced then probably. They have a finite life and if it's original then it's probably at the end of it's life really...

Well vounteered!

mountainmanUK · Post by **mountainmanUK** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 4:34 pm

Hey Tim!
Is it about time for you to get down 'n dirty with your cars yourself?

Polishing and waxing is OK, but sometimes you really do need to get your hands grubby!!

I'm just about to give myself a lesson in octopus-swapping! If I can manage it at my age, I'm sure a young whipper-snapper such as yourself could do it!!

(Between you and me, if Doc wasn't so far away and busy up to his eyeballs...I'd probably be asking him myself, but wtf....I thought I'd give it a go!)

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 5:15 pm

It's not that bad a job.

I'd sooner do the octopus than a clutch anyday. You just get mucky thats all.

mountainmanUK · Post by **mountainmanUK** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 5:42 pm

ken newbold wrote:It's not that bad a job.

I'd sooner do the octopus than a clutch anyday. You just get mucky thats all.

I'm doing both clutch, gearbox, and octopus, all toigether this week while I've got the lump out! Figured it would be best to get REALLY mucky all at one go!

tim leech · Post by **tim leech** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 5:59 pm

Ive come on leaps and bounds to what I used to be capable of, but know that when it comes to difficult jobs im best leave it to someone in the know, if I try it and mess it up then its even worse than admitting im not any good!

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Sat Jul 21, 2007 8:00 pm

Engine and box out

???? ???? job then

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 5:48 pm

tim leech wrote:Ive come on leaps and bounds to what I used to be capable of, but know that when it comes to difficult jobs im best leave it to someone in the know, if I try it and mess it up then its even worse than admitting im not any good!

Don't see the logic in that Tim!

It would be true if you had to take a resultant problem to a main dealer or other haughty mechanic.

BUT you are in the fortunate position of knowing and having had hands on assistance from several forum members on your problems so surely it would be better to try yourself first and then enlist that help if you encounter difficulties that all the written advice can't solve.

Sometimes you have just gotta do it! Like when I had to recently change a front strut at the roadside on my own after a catastrophic hydraulic failure away from home. Wasn't fun owing to the time and logistic complications- but there was no alternative.

tim leech · Post by **tim leech** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 6:32 pm

I would rather pay someone who knows what there doing to be honest, I live in a first floor apartment and have very little in teh line of tools and no ramps etc. If i get it wrong which is not uncommon I would have to get some one to fix it for me anyway!

Way2go · Post by **Way2go** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 9:13 pm

tim leech wrote:I would rather pay someone who knows what there doing to be honest, I live in a first floor apartment and have very little in teh line of tools and no ramps etc. If i get it wrong which is not uncommon I would have to get some one to fix it for me anyway!

Tim, you surprise me.

For someone who loves cars which, let's face it, are challenging due to their age getting oily comes with the territory. Especially when, as a company car driver there is no everyday need to deal with (what was that term of yours?) "old snotters".
Tools, jacks and stands can be sourced and stored. I seem to find with each job on the BX there is always an additional tool or two needed to buy.

When you tackle the job and succeed, your confidence and ability will increase, if you have concerns on issues then the forum is still there as your 'safety net'.
Lack of space may be an issue but if so how do you work so extensively on the exteriors/interiors and have a 'naughty garage' to allocate cars to?

Go-on have a go - you know it makes sense - maybe not welding - but most mechancals & electricals.

MULLEY · Post by **MULLEY** » Mon Jul 23, 2007 11:02 pm

I think most of the harder jobs for non mechanical types like myself is just down to confidence & not wanting to actually cause any extra damage & actual cost.

Mind u, tonight i drained the oil, got that blasted filter off (cheers Tim, i was turning it the wrong way, doh!!!), put new oil in & filter & put a new drain plug washer on. Also sorted out the busted plug on the indicator by replacing it with a new one. Fitted a new headlight.

And to think less than a year ago, all i could do is top up the oil & very little else...still learning & hoping to get faster as i'm soooo slow....