Firefly wrote:

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Come on guys, calm down.

Marj, I don't know what to say to you, its been a crap battle you have tried to fight and you are doing it alone, albeit the support you are getting here.

Money is the leveller and if you are ok without the car for a while till you get a bit of money to deal with it, try to not let it consume your thoughts too much mate, it just makes for more frustrations.

We can all say what we think about the cars problems but a real mechanic is the only one that can diagnose it for you mate.

So take a step back and make a cuppa and relax for a bit and try not to worry.

I know your daughters pregnancy worries you as well so its all on you all at once AND you are crook.

Time for some Marj time me girl. A warmth bath and a hot cuppa.

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 Hey Marj I agree with FF 100%, sit back, relax, take it easy.

You are a Champion in our eyes. 

 What parts of H.W. s drama' have you missed out on sandsmere ???? if you have followed the saga from the start, you would know it took all the money that HW had at the time, and then she had to save up some more to supposedly get it right !! by going to a mechanic that she believed would do the right thing, as he was a '' friend '' of the family. I think all on this forum has come to the conclusion that he is not a mechanic's a---hole, but most probaly is a a---hole mechanic as if the battery terminal is no good now, it should have been picked up when he ''supposedly went right over the car when to assure HW that it was Safe, Roadworthy, and Reliable,

As for not doing anything since she got back!! WITH WHAT, and WITH WHO. she blew her budget on the drama's while she was away. let her settle back in, save some pennies. find a honest reliable mechanic, then get it fixed and be on her way, enjoying her travels sitting a campfire looking back and laughing at this '' life experience'' she is not laughing now, but when it is fixed and she is back on the road, she will look back and have a giggle.

This mechanic would not get away with this from me ! and he would not get away with it from you either no doubt. However HW is not me, and she is not you, she is doing the best she can, with what she's got, and who she knows. so lets not be so judgemental, and offer any assistance we can, give her some advice from our experience, as no one here has knowledge of everything. Hey !! the only problem i can find with HW is her Kiwi origin ?? but '' hey brudder'' i have forgiven her for that.  dazren

HW, this must be such a heart break for you. First you invest a lot of money with as much excitement and enthusiasm as you could muster for the trip of a lifetime, only to be disappointed day after day with car troubles.
Not once have you complained. All you've done is given us an update of your progress, or lack thereof, seeking advice and support.
Sandsmere is sort of right. While not having a shot at HW, he's stating the bleeding obvious.
Something is not right with Myrtle, but the problem is, where is HW to go for advice if the original mechanic isn't co-operating, she can't get the car started to take it somewhere else to get an assessment, and can't afford the probable repairs?
HW has her back to the wall - the one without the unlimited ATM in it.
If it would be ethical, I'm sure we'd all like to start a "Get Myrtle Going Fund", (I'm joking), just to help sort the problem out for HW and get the car fixed. I'm busting to know what's wrong with that van.
Because the mechanic was a "friend of a friend" HW is treading lightly not to offend anyone and make waves. Unfortunately the mechanic is taking advantage of HW's diplomacy and tact, and more, her kind nature. Now her daughter has become sensitive to the problem and "mum" is in the p.o.o for her troubles. HW, you just can't take a trick right now.
All we can do is analyse the symptoms of the vehicle in writing, offer suggestions based on what we know here, and hope it all works out for the best.
Unfortunately HW is not in the financial position to jump to attention to get everything seen to right now.
The Consumer Affairs Department and the Automobile Association in your state might be interested in your dilemma and the service you're receiving for the money you've spent. It's worth following up with a detailed letter when you get the latest diagnosis, and the bill when you get it fixed.
Any self-respecting mechanic would be busting his a.s.s to follow up service to a long-term, trusted, cash customer, in the best interest of his business and its reputation. Obviously this bloke's scruples are not in his workshop. Probably in the sump oil down the pit.
While I can't fix Myrtle, God knows I wish I could, I reckon you can boil a jolly fine billy for that cuppa.
It's been very stressful for you, and I for one can only support you in spirit, as many of us have done through this really awful experience. You just have to know it can't get any worse, so think of all the good stuff you'll do when things bet better. I love ya anyway.

HI Marj,

Gosh my heart goes out to you, and from what I have read, you may not be one to go ahead with CG's suggestion of going to Consummer Affairs either - you sound very similar to me in as much as you just want to walk away and not cause any more hassles! As regards your family - know a similar situation myself, and am at the stage where I am about to walk away from a new grandson for the sake of 'harmony' (?) with the family.

Hey as others have said Marj, chin up, and one day - no, it may not happen overnight, but it WILL happen - we WILL meet up 'on the road' sometime for a cuppa and a good chin-wag!!

Our thoughts are with you, Marj

Pejay

Morning guys and thank you so much for all the PMs received. Too numerous to reply to each one so will just say here.
I was very upset coming back on here last night after an hour of screaming earbashing from my daughter for putting my problems before hers and stressing her out when all I have to do is take the bus and get over it, so to speak.
Then to be told there was more to this than meets the eye, I've come on here complaining and not doing anything positive about it was just too much. I can only say I had a very upsetting night with a lot of tears.
I can't win what ever I say it seems.

All I can do is sit back and save, there is no other way to do it. As I've said before I stuffed up buying the van. I would like to think she will be Myrtle again and take me to all the places I would love to go and see, but for now I can do nothing until its sorted.
I know I could still do small trips adding oil every day, she is now still going but until I can afford an in house battery I have no in house power either so whats the point of going country with no power for anything. Yes I do have a gas bottle but that won't charge my camera battery so I can take all the wonderful photos I enjoy taking. etc etc.

My S in L did ring me back last night after this unbelievable episode and made some suggestions including the name of a couple of other places to take her to get checked. They now know what the mechanic said this week and agree to go somewhere else. So I will pop around to the closest this arvo and check out some costs to see how much I need to come up with and go from there. S in L said his mum uses this particular one.
Thanks for all you support and love, its great to know there are people out there willing to listen. As my daughter pointed out in her craziness, I make a drama out of everything, Maybe I do. I don't know. Its just my life as I know it.
I thought I was sharing my experiences and problems, and if you have something to say back whether its advise or support I take it all on board and appreciate it all.
This is a wonderful forum and has kept me going through some very trying moments, thanks to you all. I have to stay on here. I would miss you all if I left out of one silly episode.