Ray!

Our dogs are south paws. We also use a harness and they lift the their left paw, same when I ask them to give me five. Cheers Ray

Absolutely, it's especially the new things that they seem to learn as well. Until we get our veranda roofed and with winter here, both need to have paws cleaned after they've ben outside. The funny thing is how quickly they've learned that paw cleaning has to happen before they can go inside and they'll stand outside even with the back door open, until both have had their paws wiped clean. It became a routine in no time whatsoever and it seems that they really do know why they have to wait, not just because we tell them to do so. That's not saying they're always the perfect dogs, but I've seen kids (even ones that are 4 x 7 or so dog years old) that could take a lot of lessons from a few hound dogs. Cheers Ray

There have been any number of studies about dogs and their relationship with humans, and some say that dogs aren't really all that smart and that we anthropomorphise and simply project on to them what we wish to see. Other studies suggest that dogs change our own behaviour towards them, to the dogs benefit (which I can somewhat believe) but, that said, I think there's a lot more between the ears of a dog than the wish to work out how to get more food in their belly. In our previous house, we had a kitchen that was about three time the size of the one in our new place and we'd established a line in the tiles which was 'in the kitchen and out of the kitchen' for our dogs; quite arbitrary and somewhat imaginary, but the dogs knew where it lay. Our two hounds are indoor dogs (if anyone hasn't noticed) and they grew up in our previous house until about six months ago and they are now nearly four years old. When we moved into our new digs in the country, one of the first things we did was set rules as to when and where the hounds could go in the new house. The kitchen was one of the first places that had a go/no-go zone and it literally took no time to establish where foot (or paw in this case) could be set that constituted the 'kitchen'. When their food was being dished out, the kitchen was a go zone, but when our food was being prepared and dished out, it was a definite no-go zone. I can honestly say that it took no more than two commands of 'Out of the kitchen' and pointing out the boundary, that both hounds learned the rules. And if they sometimes forget (or pretend to), it only takes a sotto voce to remind one or the other of the transgression (which doesn't happen often) and they back off sheepishly. That's just one example, but a pretty important one. It just reinforces to me that there's a lot more to dogs than what many give credence and while we may dote on them and they play on our emotions, there's a lot of smarts at work as well. People who have never owned dogs, just don't know. Cheers Ray

One thing that I didn't mention is how I cook the prok belly. After I've rubbed the underside with the the spice mix and the rind with oil and salt, I put it rind side up in the turbo cooker at 220C for 20 mins and then drop the temp down to 180C for another 45-50 mins. That will give you the best crackling in the world and the juiciest pork underneath. We had our third Woolworths pork belly last week and it's definitiely better than what we got from Coles. We also bought an Aldi turbo cooker on Sat and used it to cook some crumbed chicken fillets stuffed with ham and Dijon mustard on Sun with the remnants of a big hangover (turned out great and slept well). But I'm worried about the heating element and how it will work with crackling. The element turns on and the kitchen lights up (it uses one of those light based heating elements), but the heating element only turns on for a short time and then it's off again, and the bowl doesn't seem to get as hot as our old one. The Aldi unit appears to have a much gentler heating system than the old turbo cooker we have, but I won't really know until I try another pork belly. It's definitely not time to retire the old unit just yet. Cheers Ray

Just a few: http://www.taxpayers...-change-action/ And which businesses support the Carbon Tax? http://www.taxpayers...x-rent-seekers/ Update: How opportune: http://blogs.news.com.au/heraldsun/andrewbolt/ Next!!! Cheers Ray

You can, you need to have a place to store your photos on-line first and then link to them like I do and did in my garage. Since you have internet access, most providers will give you some space to store data, photos etc, which you can upload from your PC and then link to the site here. Cheers Ray

A couple of other comments. When updating after editing the garage, could the update button be renamed to Update (Edit Vehicle is counter-intuitive). I also don't understand the need for a Reset button, I kept thinking that was the update button. Also, can we have all the features listed in the main page rather than just the Suspension? I don't really think having the buttons across the top for the different features really serves a lot of purpose. Cheers Ray

Top left, under the main logo - Garage. Cheers Ray

It looks like only the suspension comments get posted. Cheers Ray

The Spanish Inquisition could have made great use of these two sets of blades for fingers and toes. They're better off where they are now. Cheers Ray

I just did! In the safest way one could. The blades are simply too dangerous to do anything with and they are the major metal component other than the motor and a few bits and bobs, the remainder is just plastic. I kid you not, if I handed you one of the cutting wheels on its own, you'd probably be bleeding in seconds. I'm less wary of my chain saw blade than what the shredder uses. Cheers Ray

I clean stuff like leaves, bees and gnat's knees, off the top of my intercooler all the time. Not that it gets clogged, nor does my radiator or window vents, but stuff accumulates there none the less. That kind of indicates that things are working all round. Cheers Ray

It shouldn't be too hard. The intercooler needs to be removed and I think it'll be a good idea to disconnect the positive terminal of the battery, as the glow plugs gererally have a major power cable, somewhat like a bus bar, connecting each one. After the power cable is removed, via the connecting nuts, the rest just requires removal of the holding clamps, as looking at my manual, the glow plugs don't screw in, so there must be some other form of clamping device. I'd spray each glow plug with WD40 before trying to remove anything, as they are in a high heat area, so the WD40 will loosen things and reduce the chance of anything breaking. Chers Ray

It's located immediately after the air cleaner outlet on a semi-rectangular box, facing the radiator, before the hose that goes to the turbo. It's oval in appearance with two screws and has a connector that goes into the middle. The screws are a torx bolt screw pattern with a pin in the centre, so you need to get the right torx tool. Also, you don't have a lot of working room, so the torx tool needs to be fairly short or have a right angle attachment. Cheers Ray

I'm not sure that it's quite the ideal style at the moment. I think you really need text boxes for the fundamental groups which include mechanical (engine, driveline and suspension), interior and exterior; so that you can type in what you want, rather than work what is now partly text and partly check box. Cheers Ray

Our workplace had several shredders as well and I reckon the Aldi did a better job of shredding than any of the work ones. A lot of shredders up to about the $500 mark (maybe more) only shred paper lengthwise and make pretty wide cuts, commercial models often only shred to thinner strips (but can handle heaps) and cross-cut shredders usually cost an arm and a leg for commercial models. It's pretty rare to find a cross-cut shredder in a consumer model, so the Aldi one was a complete surprise. Next time they come on sale, I'm getting another one. Cheers Ray

RIP paper shredder. I've had the shredder for nearly three years now and I think I paid about $29 for it. It's shredded heaps of paper and even a few CDs, and as far as shredders goes, it beats all but the most expensive other brands, where you have to pay $$$ to get one that does cross shredding. The Aldi shredder virtually pulps the paper. Anyway, today it had a major gastric malfunction and looked like it was about to give birth. An autopsy revealed that a set of plastic blade cleaners that sit each side of the blades had broken and there was no recovery, so into the big recycle bin it went. I think part of the problem was that I'd been very remiss in oiling the blades on a regular basis and that most likely contributed the the demise. And this had to happen only a short time after the shredders had been on sale. Anyway, Aldi has turbo cookers on sale tomorrow at $25 and as our antique one is on its last legs, I'm getting one while they're available. Cheers Ray

I'm having a very good day, more assumptions debunked. Yes, the article was more advanced in it's testing processes, which is why I provided it. That said, the article clearly indicates that the area where the Patrol scoop approx sits is a higher pressure area, but one can't take the figures shown to be directly comparable, due to differences in bonnet design, vehicle design etc. Additionally, that scoop is not a factory scoop, the owner has placed it there as described in an older article (you can clearly see in the very first photo that it's not a factory scoop and it's actually a scoop for the airbox, not intercooler). But you have once again assumed that Nissan has failed to properly engineer a product, now that's not having a very good day. Cheers Ray

Considering that around 95% or so of all Patrols sold new were the 3.0lt model, is it any wonder that used models can be harder to sell, as the choices are so great. Cheers Ray

It does show air pressure effects on the wool. The air vent at the base of the windscreen is a high air pressure zone, which allows air to flow into the vehicle through the internal vents. If it were a low air pressure zone, you'd get no air coming in unaided. A similar effect is occuring at the scoop inlet. Fortuitously enough here's an article explaining exactly that (always having to produce the evidence): http://autospeed.com.au/cms/title_Undertrays-Spoiler-Bonnet-Vents-Part-3/A_2162/article.html I'm afraid what one thinks manufactures do and what they actually do are two entirely different things. Manufacturers will naturally build products to an acceptable performance standard and these are linked to production efficiencies, cost, design implications etc; no car that comes off a mass production line is going to be the same as a formula one race car that's effectively hand built. Some reason and reasonableness has to be applied to this type of debate. But to suggest that vehicle manufacturers don't give a fat rats arse about engineering design and efficiency of their vehicles beggars belief. I could add a link to a Nissan website that provides info on its design activities, which probably is much the same as what all the others do, but I'm sure that it would be received with much derision, so no point in creating additional waves. Cheers Ray

No bubbles burst whatsoever. I provided what ARB told me, no proof available to support that, so it's anecdotal evidence. 'Everyone knows' is like common sense, it's not all that common in reality. Manufacturers certainly have to design and build vehicles so that they make the most efficient use of resources, but that doesn't mean corners are constantly cut. Issues that arise from time to time with new vehicles are often a simple design mistake or manufacturing problem. Mistakes happen, as there is always the human element involved. If Nissan, for example, were made to the absolute cheapest option possible, then why make the mechanicals so strong, why not just use smaller components such as for the diffs? Your sweeping statement implies that motor manufacturers don't care about quality, durabilty etc one bit and I think that is a gross misrepresetation of the truth. Some certainly fail to meet these parameters from time time and pay dearly as a result, vis a vis, the Ford Capri and even Nissan with the early 3.0lt. It's amazing how it seems that I'm always the one who needs to provide comprehensive evidence in debates, when those challenging me just fire examples off the cuff. Cheers Ray

ARB told me that once when I was there getting suspension and dual battery installed and the alloy bar was made by another company (but note that I said possibly regarding the airflow, other aspects certainly came into its design, such as airbag compliance). Nissan is now looking at manufacturing their own accessories in Australia: http://www.goauto.com.au/mellor/mellor.nsf/story2/326F8E0260742EB5CA25785600231835. I've provided at least some anecdotal eveidence regarding my claims, sweeping statements like ...'everyone knows...' is hardly eveidence, but sure grabs at the emotions. Cheers Ray

I went to the Halston area a few weeks ago to have another look at the side tracks for wood and the main road going into the lower area required 4L just to get back without mad wheel spin (that was on my road tyres). The mud around here can get somewhat insane after even just a bit of rain. I might wait till summer and check out the logging tracks around Grand Ridge, I'm just not set up for the mud in this area. Cheers Ray

Pressure differential is important with regards to how much of the incoming air is able to pass through the intercooler and much of that is dependent on intercooler design and things that may interfere or enhance airflow underneath the intercooler. But it's equally important that air flowing into the scoop is clearly in a high pressure zone, for if it was a low pressure zone, even taking out the intercooler wouldn't have much air flowing through the scoop. Both aspects need to be factored into the equation when considering the performance of the scoop and intercooler. The demonstration shows that the scoop inlet is in fact a high pressure zone. I also wonder whether a bigger scoop is all that effective, as the current scoop may act as a better venturi, thus assisting airflow, compared to a larger scoop. Cheers Ray

I tend to agree with the view that the standard scoop is fine. Nissan would not have designed the setup such that air did not flow correctly into the scoop and the fact that Nissan designed the bullbar (but had it made by ARB) possibly reflects that thought has been put into this aspect as well. As far as EGTs are concerned, I think that is more to do with the air/fuel ratios under various driving conditions. A good intercooler will provide cooler and therefore denser air, but if additional fuel can't be added to make use of this, then it's pretty much a moot point. Cheers Ray