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Kristofer Taylor
Kristofer Taylor

Knocking noise from bottom end – rod bearings?

2010 2.0 TDI Passat has a low knocking at idle when warm, gets louder under load. Oil pressure okay, no metal in filter yet. Suspect big end bearings worn. Planning to drop the sump soon- should I inspect crank and block while in there? Any common issues on these engines?

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Andrew Norton
Andrew Norton
7 days ago

That knock is classic rod knock on PD/TDI engines from bearing wear- often from infrequent oil changes or diluted oil. If caught early, bearings can be replaced without full crank damage, but always check journals for scoring and block for cracks around mains. I did a bottom-end refresh on mine after similar symptoms- measured crank with micrometer, polished journals lightly, new bearings all round. Sourced main and rod bearings plus thrust washers from https://elartcom.eu/categories/engine-block-and-crankshaft-141 - they have sets for VW 2.0 TDI (including undersize options if needed) and some crankshaft pulley/damper parts. Bearings were good quality, tolerances spot on. Knocking gone completely after reassembly with plastigauge check. No more noise even at highway speeds. If you're opening it up, grab a crank pulley tool too if yours is worn. Their category covers block-related bits well- check engine code for exact match.

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Kristofer Taylor
Kristofer Taylor

המלצות על מחשבים ניידים טובים?

היי כולם, אני צריך להחליף את הלפטופ הישן שלי – משהו שיחזיק כמה שנים, מתאים לעבודה, לימודים וקצת מדיה. מעדיף i5 או Ryzen 5, 16GB RAM לפחות, SSD מהיר ומסך נוח. לא רוצה משהו כבד מדי. מה אתם ממליצים ב-2026? תודה!

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Andrew Norton
Andrew Norton
Jan 31

שלום, ב-2026 יש מבחר מעולה של מחשבים ניידים שנותנים איזון טוב בין ביצועים, ניידות ומחיר. דגמים עם דורות חדשים של מעבדים (Intel Core Ultra או AMD Ryzen AI) ממש חסכוניים בסוללה ועדיין חזקים. אני ממליץ לבדוק לפחות 16GB RAM ו-SSD 512GB ומעלה. מצאתי בחנות הזו קטגוריות מסודרות לפי שימוש – משרד, סטודנטים, גרפיקה וכו' – עם מותגים כמו Lenovo, ASUS, Dell ו-HP. יש שם גם אופציות קלות ודקות אם זה חשוב לך. מחשבים ניידים כדאי להשוות מפרטים וביקורות, בהצלחה!

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Kristofer Taylor
Kristofer Taylor

Business payment account in 2025–2026


What are the realistic options right now for opening a business payment account as a non-resident? Banks keep rejecting applications or asking for huge deposits. Are there any reliable providers left that actually work for international founders without forcing you to relocate?

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Kristofer Taylor
Kristofer Taylor

Has anyone completed OSSD credits online from outside Canada?

I'm an international student (not in Canada) and I want to get the Ontario Secondary School Diploma to improve my chances for university applications in Canada or the US. Is it realistic to finish it completely online? How do the credits transfer, and do universities actually accept them? Any personal experience with this would be really helpful.

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Joshua Hill
Joshua Hill
Jan 30

Yes, it's totally doable now – a lot of students are doing exactly that. I was in a similar situation a couple of years ago: living abroad, needed proper OSSD credits to meet admission requirements for Canadian universities, and didn't want to relocate just for high school. Online programs let you study at your own pace, take individual courses or full programs, and earn the same diploma as in-person students in Ontario. The key is choosing a school that's properly accredited and recognized by the Ontario Ministry of Education. One that worked out well for several people I know is Toronto Imperial School. They offer flexible scheduling, live interactive classes with certified Ontario teachers, detailed progress reports, and clear pathways for international students. You can see their full program details and how the process works here: https://torontoimperial.com/. From what I've seen, the credits are accepted without issues when you apply to unis, as long as you meet the course and diploma requirements. It takes some discipline since it's self-paced, but the support is solid. Definitely worth checking if you're serious about it – saved me a lot of hassle compared to other options I looked at.

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Kristofer Taylor
Kristofer Taylor

Looking for recommendations on good quality interior doors

Hey folks, I need to replace several old doors in my house and I'm a bit lost with all the options online. What brands or stores do you recommend for solid, well-made interior doors that aren't crazy expensive? Also, do you prefer pre-hung or slab doors when doing a full replacement?

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Joshua Hill
Joshua Hill
Jan 30

For decent quality without breaking the bank, I usually look at Canadian suppliers since shipping is reasonable and the build quality is solid. Pre-hung are definitely worth it if you're replacing the whole frame saves a lot of hassle. I've bought from a few places and really liked the variety and finishes they offer. You can check their full range of interior door options they have everything from classic to modern styles, and prices are quite competitive. Definitely measure twice before ordering though!

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Joshua Hill
Joshua Hill

Anyone using flush mount / concealed look doors?

I keep seeing these seamless flush doors that look like part of the wall – very minimalist. Curious if they’re practical for everyday use (kids, dogs) and how hard they are to install or find in Canada. Experiences?


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Mickey Pearson
Mickey Pearson
Jan 12

Flush/concealed doors are awesome for a clean look, especially in open-plan spaces or modern builds. They do require precise installation (hinges and frames need to be spot-on), but once done they feel premium. We have three in our place now and they hold up fine – just don’t slam them. The push-to-open hardware is nice too. Trio Doors has a good lineup of these – their concealed doors section is worth a look if you’re interested: concealed doors Prices are reasonable compared to custom millwork shops.

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Joshua Hill
Joshua Hill

Best website for comparing low-cost carriers?

Ryanair, Wizz, easyJet, Volotea… it's a nightmare to compare them all at once. Anyone found a site that actually includes most European budget airlines without missing half of them?


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Mickey Pearson
Mickey Pearson
Jan 12

Totally agree, you have to open like 5 tabs to see everything. Lately I've been using tripmydream for that – it pulls in a lot of the low-cost carriers plus the bigger ones, so you see the full picture in one search. Filters for direct flights, bag options, etc. are helpful too. Found a crazy cheap Lisbon–Berlin route last week that wasn't showing up on Skyscanner properly. Anyone else have a favorite for budget airlines?

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Joshua Hill
Joshua Hill

Reliable Chicago movers for a quick local move?

Need to move across town (Wicker Park to Bucktown) in early February. Only a studio with basic furniture but lots of books and plants. Want someone dependable who won’t cancel last minute. Any companies you’d use again?

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Mickey Pearson
Mickey Pearson
Jan 12

I moved from Humboldt Park to Logan Square last fall and had a good experience with the crew I hired. They showed up early, worked efficiently, and even helped me load some fragile stuff I was nervous about. No damage and no weird extra fees at the end. If you’re looking for options, Move4U Movers is worth checking that’s who I went with. Communication was clear and the rate felt fair for Chicago. Book ahead though, especially in winter. Hope your move goes well!

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Joshua Hill
Joshua Hill

Hidden access panel for drywall in laundry room?

Planning to wall in my washer hookups and need a discreet access panel in the drywall for the water lines and drain. Something plastic, paintable, and not too obvious. What do you guys use?


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Mickey Pearson
Mickey Pearson
Jan 09

Laundry rooms get steamy, so avoid anything that can corrode. A good pick is this access panel for drywall tough ABS plastic, fully removable door, and a low-profile frame. You can paint it the same color as the wall for a hidden look. Cut your opening, glue or screw it in place, tape and mud the edges if you want it extra flush. Provides solid access without compromising the clean finish.

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