Thank You

[purplemadboy]

I would just like to say thank you too everyone on this forum......You have all been more than helpful to my dumb questions.

[Andrew T]

I think it's worth stating a general point here (and this certainly isn't aimed at you purplemadboy) that the best way that anyone can thank the forum is to conclude the thread with the solution to your problem. Some newbies come on here with a question and then disappear, never to post the solution and depriving the forum of the knowledge they have gained.

[Guest proof]

Well i wish you luck with any further questions.

In response to ANDREW T - If I had had any replies to my questions I would gladly post the fix.

Perhaps its because I am a 'newbie'. But if I don't get any help or comments then I don't suppose i'll see any point in coming back with other questions etc.

 

Oh well, rant over, it would still be interesting to get some response to my questions at some time but i far its too far back now to get anybody to spot it.

 

In general though I like the idea of collating collective knowledge together.

[seatkid]

WARNING - THIS IS NOT A RANT.... :P

 

Since a certain newbie posted highly derogatory remarks about me, I am now very relucant to post anything lest I get the "f*** off SK" kick-in-the-teeth remarks.

 

I thought I contributed something useful but when w**kers come on demanding full multipage detailed instructions on how to change a cambelt, and that only qualified people who have actually done this on the same should reply with a list of tips and photos, poopooing the Ford TIS CD (not wanting spend a few quid more like) and throw insults around, and just get confused and bothered at any humour then its time for me to take a back seat.

 

Anyway, it seems most newbies can't be bothered to do any searches of the forum

With copius information stored on this forum, why don't people SEARCH THE FORUM before asking "Why is my carpet wet?" or "My car wont start....can someone come and fix it?" It can get depressing typing the same old replies again and again.

 

And how many people (not only newbies.....) actually post their resolution of their problem... e.g. We had a number of very detailed posts , where a regular and valued contributor (until he defected to MB :D ) - tried to track down a commonly reported problem - intermittent power loss on his PD diesel. A lot of information flowed around and I certainly learned a lot - in the end, did he tell us how fixed it? Only in passing when I pressed him on the subject - and that solution is now buried in an unrelated post - unlikely to surface on a search.

 

Thats just an example, If GTEUK or some brave soul with lots of spare time would volunteer, a FAQ section would be the way to go.

 

In any case I do believe a large proportion of Galaxy Owners have no sense of humour or perhaps I am the odd man out... :D

[Guest marcusheawood]

No, you're absolutely spot-on...

 

Even if we have had differing viewpoints previously, I certainly appreciate your candour.

 

This particular vehicle-specific technical section should be just that.

 

I think a FAQ section is an excellent idea...perhaps with headers for each engine variant together with common running gear issues (aircon anyone?), perhaps this work could be divvied up in bite size chunks to members willing to help? (I would be prepared to do some) Perhaps the membership could appoint a sort of 'Editor' to oversee the articles?

 

Obviously there are areas even the most determined DIYer should fear to tread, I would not attempt to rebuild an automatic gearbox.

For example; the cambelt monkey Seatkid cited; if he needs to ask such obvious questions then he probably isn't a good enough mechanic to accomplish the task safely and may end up smashing up his engine. In such cases a little information is a dangerous thing.

 

With regard to the MB owner, if the latest Top Gear survey is to be believed he's gonna be needing a forum all of his own real soon! I doubt he'll find much community spirit amongst other triple pointed chocolate starfish owners, luxury brands are where the dealers start to really get predatory! :D

 

As the Shalaxy gets older this problem is going to get worse, you're gonna get real idiots without any money or skill on here desparate to get their motor fixed for nowt.

[soptom]

Hmmmm, seemed like a rant to me, but I totally agree with you, it seems obvious that if someone has taken THEIR time to think about YOUR problem and offer some guidance, it is only common courtesy to post the results of their efforts in resolving that problem.

I frequent various forums (I need to get out more) and you always get people who seem to think we MUST give them all the information we have about their problems, they treat forums like help lines, maybe they think we are paid to offer advice!

I for one appreciate all the help I've been given on here and have always posted a thanks and quick explanation of what was needed. Luckily, I've had only small common problems so far and have had relatively easy solutions.

Don't back off from offering advice, it's not only the person asking that needs help sometimes, others benefit too.

[my_other_wife_has_a_galaxy]

As the Shalaxy gets older this problem is going to get worse, you're gonna get real idiots without any money or skill on here desparate to get their motor fixed for nowt.

 

Damn, I've been rumbled :D

 

Seriously though, couldn't agree more. It only takes a few 'idiots' to come on here and behave in such way that they diminish the motivation and willingness of the few to give their technical advice.

 

I've lurked for a while and tried to contribute as well as asking my own questions.

 

A FAQ would be great and something I've seen on the pug306.net and porsche forums that I subscribe to.

 

For starters though a 'sticky post' at the top of the technical section that contained links to definitive posts or to popular searches should cut down on repeated questions for the same problems.

 

Phil

[Guest neil_wiles]

Hi this is my pennyworth....

 

I often ask for help and try where possible to offer a solution if it is indeed a viable post, mainly it would be too embarrassing to post the real solution as it normally involves me being a complete prat.

 

Having said that I went to great length explaining the EOBD questions and also a slightly more brief description of a badly attempted clutch change, followed by an addition to SK ranting thread of the Timing Belt change.

 

All these actually led to frustration as when I tried to find posts to help on other issues and they are really difficult to find with the search function as the subject is not descriptive enough on the faults.

 

Why cant we put details into the subject line to make it easy to find.

 

ooops off for a lie down.

[my_other_wife_has_a_galaxy]

Why cant we put details into the subject line to make it easy to find.

 

 

Or if we could link to searches, edit existing posts (would only need to be 1 in each thread) to include keywords? Just a thought......

[seatkid]

it would be too embarrassing to post the real solution as it normally involves me being a complete prat.

Not at all! People should not be afraid to post their experiences even if it is only to say they were wrong. Everybody (most dealers in fact ) have only a limited first time success rate.

 

We all learn from experience and being able to recognise (and document) wrong solutions is just as important aslearning about the right ones. Otherwise we will all keep going round in circles.

 

If dealers would admit they are wrong from time to time I'm sure they would gather some respect :D

 

Anyone how claims to be a pefect motor mechanic is either a lier or lives in Nepal...