Hi Wim, This (towards the bottom of page 9 and into page 10) should help with getting it apart. However, I’m not sure it will help with the external leak through the solenoid itself? Worth a try though.

Interesting discussion. Not least because it’s one that has been cropping up in a much more detailed way on the OSNZ forum for years, where it seems to be accepted that most, if not all old car nuts are in fact a bit “nuts” due to being slightly further up the spectrum than the general population.  For some there there can be no doubt that the forum has been a huge help in recognising that they are not alone in being “special” and finding ways to cope and get help/medication.  There’s a lot of it about and for some, when channelled positively, it’s actually a super-power. I have a colleague who is an amazing starter of things, we just have to know that someone else had to be ready to pick them up and finish them! I don’t particularly think of myself as ADHD, but do (allegedly) have some of the traits. Notably procrastination!

I ended up with Hastings as my new insurer via compare market after my current classic car multi car insurer was too high on the new to me car. 

So….. local mate put me onto an independent glass person who reckons she has sourced a new glass. Find out tomorrow. Meanwhile….. I have purchased a 2011 Skoda Octavia estate 1.6TDI.  Driven back from Bristol in dark and rain this evening. It does the job. Lacks the feeling of quality and solidity of the A6 but my inner skinflint appreciates £35/year road tax and 65mpg. Also, it’s surprisingly zippy…. May only be 105 bhp but they are strong horses! The current plan is that Sooty gets the winter off with the various fettling that was meant to happen over the summer being done. I should also say that RAC insurance deserves a dishonourable mention for  a). Being extremely mean with their glass cover unless it’s done through Autoglass. Seeing as I’ve tried playing the Autoglass game and they’ve failed/given up I resent this very much! b). Giving ridiculous quotes to change vehicle. Bearing in mind that the original annual premium was £215, and I’m 6 months into the term, I feel that an additional £400 for the Skoda (a much lower insurance group and only 6 months) was taking the piss. They wanted an additional £550 for the Seat Leon I saw this morning. Both with an additional £25 “admin fee”. Bastards! So currently on short term cover and will have to cancel and re-insure.   Incidentally, looking on the comparison sites for insurance shows that RAC quote less than the original premium for this car…. Though I’ll likely choose another provider!

Auto ( re-sets itself when things cool down) and normally closed (so the heater works until it gets too hot ).     It is a safety switch, rather than regulating the water temperature.  There is another sensor  for that - even a hot coffee addict would balk at super-heated coffee steam at 145deg C. I think the regulating device may be the flat grey  thing with the white sleeve, on the other side of the tube from the switch.    

Bugger!   The switch I have bought iis EXACTLY  the same shape has the same numbers on it as the original - KSD301G  - but then "95C", when the original says "145C".  It must trigger at the wrong temp. I have therefore found a site that will sell me a "145C" switch, but there are further questions:  "Auto or manual" - Auto, surely? Contact - "Normal open" or "Normal closed".  The latter is marked "Most popular".  I presume this means that the switch goes OFF when it reaches that temperature, rather than the opposite, so that it will keep my coffee hot once it's brewed. I'll be most grateful for further guidance on these questions!    I don't want luke-warm coffee! John

Honestly John, when no2 daughter first spoke to me about it, and then getting a diagnosis felt fantastic. Stuff which really got me down was explained, and understanding that felt like a weight being lifted.  Yes, we are all on all the various spectrums, but the ADHD has had a huge impact on my life, in many ways "blighted," I just didn't realise. All very cathartic, and from my point of view, not an overextended diagnosis.  No, I have done anything particually special in my life, no more than most of us on here. And no, I am not being over dramatic about all this. I am just saying how it is.

Nor cheap. 

Apparently according to my wife so am I, but she's so far off to one side that everyone would be... 🫣

Fine man Roger.  @JohnD not the first person I've heard express a similar opinion. There is a spectrum spectrums, and every human being is on them. My Mum once pointed out that my spectral locations probably helped me cope with my childhood rather than hinder.