Sightings in Melbourne, Australia

What a treat! I got an email this morning from a buddy of mine in Melbourne, Australia with these attached photos. He spotted this beauty on his way to work and snapped some shots for me. Thanks Hans!

Back To The Future

This is for all the "Back to the Future" fans out there: Today is the day that Marty McFly INTENDED to arrived at in the future after hitting 88mph in a pimped out Delorean in 1985.

I say "intended", because as anyone who has seen Back to the Future knows that Marty McFly never got to the future in Back to the Future ... and when he does finally make it in Back to the Future II, it is year 2015.

I never really got the titling of this movie. Why call it "Back to the Future", when he didn't go to the future, but back to the past instead ... unless they're referring to McFly going back to the future in reference to him being in the past. Besides, isn't it back to the past and forward to the future? Can't really go back to the future when it hasn't happen yet right? I'm very frustrated right now ... calling it a day.

Cold Start Relay

For several weeks now I've noticed that It's been increasingly difficult to start the Volvo from a cold start. Warm starts are fine, but that first start of the day usually takes about 6 tries while keeping the throttle sightly open. Suspecting a faulty cold start relay, I performed a barrage of electrical tests on the unit to see if the terminals would open or close - nothing ... it was dead. Good thing, Bosch still makes new replacement relays! Unfortunately, they look too modern for the Volvo; black plastic and all. Fortunately, I was able to source a working, used, "old school" unit from iRoll Motors

Before:

After:

Above and below are some before-and-after shots of the replacement cold start relay after sanding and polishing. The car now starts on the first or second try, but I still have to keep my foot on the gas pedal to keep the throttle slightly open ... must be an old car thing.

Before:

After: