Tuesday, February 12, 2008

So it's not just Alfas then...

The GTV is running fine... it did a massive 10km today in fact, purring like a large grey kitten. But in the (now distant, let's keep it that way) past it has on occasion failed to proceed. Typically this would happen in dark confined places like the tunnel under Sydney Harbour; or famously after a long trip to Queenland and back. It ran faultlessly for almost 4,000km and then refused to start once back in Sydney. Sigh.

So here's a similar quote from an Aussie pro-bike-racing Tour de France green jersey winner and Maserati owner, Baden Cooke: "It kept losing power. I was coming into Milan, on the freeway. I know what to do when it happens; you have to turn it off and turn it back on again," he spoke with some concern. The issue was his dark green Maserati, but the automotive ailment is similar to the leg problems he has had for the last two seasons.

I'd check the relays, mate. By the way, when the trusty 4-cylinder engine died under the harbour I switched the ignition off and back on and started it again in gear. I was on the downhill section but nearing the bottom, so I still had some momentum. It did give me a moment's slight panic, yes.

Friday, February 08, 2008

A chorus of Alfas

Not the most environmentally sensitive orchestra in the world but a very fine one indeed...