Car Maintenance Day

Jeanne had to skip class today because I had to have the car fixed. The accessory belt had been squeaking for weeks, and a few weeks ago, I noticed a leak in the power steering hose. Finally, this week, the air conditioning conked out. Probably another leak. So first thing in the morning, we dropped off Michelle at her office. Jeanne and I then went on to Fusion R to get the accessory belt and the power steering hose fixed.

Fusior R was still closed when we got there so we had to wait until it opened. Good thing Jeanne was sleeping for most of the time. After they opened and leaving the car with the mechanic, we went to the battery shop to talk to Eric. But he wasn’t there so we instead went to the mall to have wait out the repairs. We got there early and it was  still closed. So we stood around, bought breakfast (yogurt drink, hopia, and bread sticks) at a convenience store.

Once the mall opened, we windows shopped, visited the bookstore for a reading session, visited the toy store, and visited the bookstore again for another reading session. Finally, we had lunch (gyudon bowl). After lunch we went back to Fusion R to pick up the car.

But it’s wasn’t over yet. We went on to Frigid Zone to get the aircon fixed. I thought they had a problem figuring out where the leak was and after a while they showed me tiny bubbles coming out of a hose. I figured a leak is a leak so I asked them to proceed.

After the car got fixed we went to a nearby coffee shop to meet and finally talk to Eric. After an hour or two discussing plans, we headed home. Jeanne was very appreciative of the fixed aircon. She said “It’s good that we got it fixed, dad.” But alas, it wasn’t so. Gradually the cooling disappeared and soon it was just hot air coming out. But it was already late and the shop was already closed. So we just picked up Michelle and headed home.

UPDATE: Went back to Frigid Zone and they fixed another leak. And I bet that was the main/real leak.

Steering Pump Problem

The car’s power steering pump has been making groaning sounds for a few months already. Also the steering wheel would occasionally become harder to turn. Both were signs that the power steering pump was about to give up. And last Tuesday, night, as Michelle was parking the car, it started making a clatter. Steering was still functioning but the noise was unnerving so I decided to drive the car to Fusion R the next day.

Once I got there, we popped the hood, and the mechanic confirmed that the power steering pump was making the noise and must be replaced. Since the car was in for repairs anyway, I requested for a host of other things : change oil, change oil filter, change spark plug oil seals, change valve cover seal, change crankshaft oil seal, throttle body cleaning, idle motor cleaning, and tightening of belts.

It took till the next day because they had to remove the power steering pump and use it as a sample for matching with an appropriate replacement. It was a hit-and-miss affair: the first candidate had a faulty pulley and the second candidate wasn’t an exact fit.  But, as they say, third time’s a charm, and they finally got it right.

When I got the car back, there was no more noise, steering was working perfectly, and there were no rpm dropping problems. Fusion R has worked their magic again!

(Car repairs by Fusion R, E. Rodriguez, Q.C. Call them at +632-724-3921 or +63922-853-2700 and ask for Jona)

Starter Motor Problem

Michelle and I were at Tagaytay scouting potential spots yesterday. On our way home, we stopped by a shop to buy some pasalubong. When we were about to leave, I turned the key and there was just the sound of a relay clicking and nothing else. I tried to think of a possible reasons why it won’t start but couldn’t find any. So I got out of the car and looked for a mechanic.

Luckily, I found one just a few shops back up the road. The mechanic and I walked back to the car and checked it out. He eventually found the supposed  culprit: a loose plug from the ignition switch to the starter motor. He cleaned it up a bit and then plugged it back in. I turned the key and the engine started.

We proceeded back to Manila and even stopped by for lunch at a Shell station along SLEX. When we reached Manila, we went to Chocolate Lovers and bought some chocolate making implement and ingredients. And then it happened:  I turned the key and there was nothing. I tried to find the plug under the hood  but couldn’t find it. So I looked around for a mechanic again. It was harder going this time around. I finally found a tricycle driver who recommended a mechanic. We went to fetch the mechanic. Once we got back to the car, the mechanic did the same routine and I was able to drive off.

I stopped by the first auto electrical shop I saw and had the problem checked. The mechanic said it looks like the starter motor but I was still hoping it’s just a plug problem so I just had it replaced. When I got home, I tried if it will start again. It didn’t. It definitely looked like the starter motor.

This morning, I went to Fusion R and they confirmed that it is indeed the starter motor. Repair time again. They removed the old starter motor, looked for a replacement, and installed it. Pretty straightforward.

(Car repairs by Fusion R, E. Rodriguez, Q.C. Call them at +632-724-3921 or +63922-853-2700 and ask for Jona)

Alternator Problem

It was bound to happen sooner or later. I was driving home when suddenly my airbag light started blinking. I put it off as some electrical ground but after a few minutes, it started blinking again. This happened two or three times before my car suddenly stopped cold. Of course it had to happen right in an intersection.

With the aid of a helpful bicyclist, I was able to push it to the side of the street, away from obstructing the intersection and the risk  of being towed by the ever vigilant boys in blue. I then called my Citibank Shell card’s hotline for a tow. Tintin, the CSR I talked to was very helpful but still, I had to wait a few hours for the flat-bed truck to arrive. Once they did, they loaded the car and drove to Fusion R, my favorite car repair shop.

The shop checked the battery and found that the battery was almost completely drained. To check if it was the culprit, they charged it from the mains and, after an hour or so, they were able to start the car. So it wasn’t the battery. Next possibility was the alternator. To check if it was the  culprit they removed the battery terminal while the car was running. It died. Meaning, the alternator is not producing enough power if at all. They took it down and checked further. And sure enough, it was the alternator. They recommend rewinding and replacement of a diode set.

I gave it a go. It’s not like I had a choice with such a critical system component. But at least they did a good job.

(Car repairs by Fusion R, E. Rodriguez, Q.C. Call them at +632-724-3921 or +63922-853-2700 and ask for Jona)