If your car broke down in the center of Europe, do not panic! Of Any critical situation has a way out! My sad experience is one full confirmation.
After our breakdown near Paris, when the timing belt broke and bent valve, generally nothing more scary. Details about it adventure you can read in my Blog, in the article “Three Monday in Paris “longdor.ru.
In Europe, almost on all routes every 5 km equipped with a “SOS” button or telephone. If you do not know the language or button-phone away, just raise your hand. Sure someone stop to help you or call a tow truck. They are prompt the nearest service station (“GARAGE”).
We did the same when we left Paris for Rouen, but engine stalled … As always, a breakdown happens unexpectedly and I began to remember everything that I had read earlier on the topic – car breakdown in Europe.
First monday
It turned out that everything happened on Monday. And he, as we know easy does not happen. I myself am a trained mechanical engineer. During services in the Armed Forces of the USSR and the Russian Federation had to be repaired both passenger and trucks. Imagine my state when I realized – timing belt torn. And, most likely, bent valve … Repair serious. It is necessary to sort out the engine. No matter what to do overhaul. And where in Paris to get spare parts for the Austrian Chinese Cherry Tigo engine?!?! It all flashed through me head, while my wife panic boiled …
I installed the emergency sign and raised my hand. Pretty quickly stopped a young Negro on Peugeot. I studied English tongue. For 4 years of service in Germany, I also learned German Gastetny. The young Frenchman knew only his native, French. In the end, he realized that the car stalled. On the rope he could not, therefore promised to send a tow truck. The only thing I do not understand is when help will come. At 2 o’clock in the afternoon or after 2 hours. There still went the rain and the mood has completely gone bad …
After 2 hours the rain ended, a tow truck arrived and drove us with machine in GARAGE. This is how a service station is called in France. Maintenance. We were met very friendly as always with a smile …
We met with the owners. The hosts turned out to be cute elderly couple. Judging by the photos – former race car drivers. Worked a few car lifts. We were promised to start repair as soon as possible. Issued a business card with phones and agreed to call tomorrow.
The son of the hosts kindly and free agreed to deliver us with Scarby back to the campsite. We were met with great surprise on the reception. We told our story and we were determined a place. Paid for three days. It seemed to us that the European service will be able to carry out auto repair during this time.
The most difficult thing in our case was uncertainty, so we They did not call, but came to the station themselves for dinner. What’s the It was our surprise when we saw our car in the same place. For a day, it was not even opened … We approached the owner and asked The question is when do the car? He promised to open tomorrow engine and determine the cause of failure.
The next day we were again at our car. The picture is the same … The owner of the workshop offered us to send the engine from Russia. They change … Then we started to remember everything we know about the French – lazy and whistling. Come at 10.00 – they are not working yet. Will come in 17.00 – they no longer work. Add here another lunch from 12 to 15. And constantly whistling something. This is so unnerving …
If there was a trouble with the car, you will look for any ways and rejoice at any help. So we went to her in Russia Embassy in Paris. We are very friendly met and listened employee Victor. He was surprised at the request we made, help find or advise a good service station or automaster. Usually he solves issues with lost documents, sending compatriots to their homeland.
In short, Victor called the owner of the SRT and specified the value Problems. Thus, he indicated that the workshop under the hood Russian Embassy. Apparently this was enough to The next day we were assured that they are looking for a specialist who will be engaged in our car. Then, to calm my wife, I am confident said that there is an old black man and will repair the car. AT Later it turned out to be so!
During this time, while French experts tried to determine the cause of the breakdown, our friends … further in longdor.ru
Dmitry Ivanov’s blog longdor.ru
