MECHANIC'S CORNER: Chevy Optra Repair & Fix

Chevrolet Optra on the lifter

This week a Chevrolet Optra came in the shop where the driver was complaining about noises from the front wheels and other issues. So the owner had the car get checked out in the shop.

Upon inspection, it showed that there is much wear and tear on the unit. A lot of the bearings as well as stabilizer joints and other portions of the suspension needs to be replaced.

Also it was seen by the mechanic that  the engine was leaking into the oil pan. Having such, there is a need to replace the overhead gasket on the engine to stop the leaking and avoid further damage to the car's engine. A minor fix and no need for an engine overhaul.

This is one perfect example of how regular maintenance is an important aspect in keeping your car running for a long period of time. If you avoid the basic minimal maintenance it might reach a point where you will have to spend more on having your car repaired in the future. So please don't disregard basic maintenance as well as having your unit checked upon observation of anything out of the ordinary like unusual handling or noises upon using your vehicle.

Oil Pan with the leaked oil

MECHANIC'S CORNER: Fortuner rattling while Driving

Toyota Fortuner on the lifter

This week a Toyota Fortuner came in the shop having rattling noise whenever driving the unit. Initially the owner thought that there is a problem with the engine support.

Upon inspection, there was nothing wrong with the engine support. However we found that there is a problem with the stabilizer joint. Further inspection shows that there is also wear and tear on the transmission support and needs to be replaced.

New Stabilizer Joint

As observed between the old and new transmission support, check out the wear and tear as depicted in the image below. Mind the gap which affects it's ability to support the transmission causing rattles during operation.

New vs Old Transmission Support

Newly installed transmission support

MECHANIC'S CORNER: Kia Picanto

Kia Picanto being inspected

This week another Kia Picanto came in the shop with complaints of noise when driving his car. Once again we placed the unit on the lifter for inspection and just like previous experience, a good portion of the muffler has been missing and the remaining portion is barely hanging on.

In this manner, repair is done by replacing the missing portion with a metal tube that would fit the existing tail pipe. To secure the fit, the new tube would have to be welded to fuse the new and old tail pipe together.

Instances like this is caused by normal wear and tear of the unit due to it's prolonged use where the rust and other corrosive materials eat away at the metal which causes leaks and ultimately portions of the tail pipe falling off. Sometimes these things cannot be avoided and instances like this are part of one's maintenance to keep the car running.

Welding the Picanto Tail Pipe

MECHANIC'S CORNER: A Rattling Surplus

Unit being hoisted by the lifter for inspection

This week a surplus Hyundai Terracan came in the shop having rattling issues beneath the vehicle while being driven. So we lifted up the unit and inspected the possible causes of the rattle and found out that the worn-out underarm and bushings were the culprits.

Due to the fact that it was a surplus and the wear and tear of the vehicle over the years, certain parts has given way causing the rattling as it can no longer properly support the weight of the vehicle.

The proper solution is to replace the underarm along with the bushings. Unfortunately since the unit is a surplus, no spare parts are available in the market especially for this kind of model where only a handful of this type of car is running on the street. Therefore in the end, only the bushings were replaced and not much can be done for it.

Damaged Underarm to be replaced

MECHANIC'S CORNER: Mobile Laboratory

Mobile Laboratory being inspected

This week a mobile laboratory from Alpha Diagnostic Center came in with an issue with their air-conditioning unit. There is no air coming out. Upon inspection it was found out that the aircon compressor is busted and needs to be replaced.

So upon replacement, everything is working perfectly. A simple fix for this week's edition of Mechanic's Corner.

Have a great weekend ahead!

Newly installed compressor

MECHANIC'S CORNER: Ford Everest Maintenance

Draining the oil

This week a Ford Everest from the Basilica del Sto. Niño came in the shop for a regular maintenance which involves a change oil as well as replacing the timing belt with a new one.

The role of a timing belt is crucial as this connects the engine to the other components that make up the car, for instance the alternator, compressor, etc. In the event that the timing belt snaps, this is bad news since this will damage your engine instantaneously. Not only that, it will also cost a lot to have this type of engine damage to be repaired as it will entail a general overhaul of the engine.

So to be safe, have your timing belt inspected regularly, and in case you notice and cracks or the belt becoming brittle, don't waste any time and have it replaced before more damage is done.

Timing belt to be replaced

Brand New or Used Car?

Nothing beats that fresh smell of a brand new car as you take it around town for the first time. But is it really better compared to a used car? Well just like any matter, it has it's pros and cons. You can read below what are the advantages and disadvantages between one and the other.

Brand New

Advantage:

Warranty - depending on the brand it is standard to have a 2-3 year warranty on your brand new automobile.

Peace of mind - having warranty and support you have the peace of mind knowing your unit is from the dealership and covered from any possible defects or problems in the near future.

Financing - whether 1, 2 or all the way to 5 years is your payment options to pay for your new car.

Trade-in - some dealerships such as Gateway Motors have made a name for themselves by accepting trade-in units at a high appraisal and you only have to shell out a little bit more for a brand new unit.

Disadvantage:

Premium Price - Great things come at a price. A downside to dealing with the dealership is that you can't negotiate and you have to pay a premium price based on the SRP (Suggested Retail Price) not to mention certain add-ons such as commision for the sales agent and miscellaneous expenses.

Depreciation - unfortunately as you take home your new car, it instantly loses about 30% of it's value from the get-go.

Used Car

Advantage:

Avoid Depreciation - since a brand new car loses about 30% as it rolls out of the dealership, that is no problem when dealing with a used vehicle. You get value for your money as you can take your pick at a car you need and want within your budget range.

Smaller premium on Insurance - having an older model car is not that bad, especially when it comes to insurance. The older the car, the lesser it's value may be but so is your premium for you insurance coverage.

Take note: Some insurance companies don't accept car models that are older than 10 years.

You can haggle - when acquiring a used car, you can always negotiate. Take a closer look and you can spot some flaws here and there that you can use as leverage to get that extra discount.

Disadvantage:

Spot Cash - unlike in the dealership where you can get a loan, most of the time when dealing with used cars you've got to pay for the unit upfront. And purchasing a used car may be cheaper than the retail price, but paying for the value of the entire unit at once is still not good for your pocket.

Acquired problems & issues - a drawback to a used car is that you never know what problems and issues the unit you're purchasing has. Sometimes the symptoms of the problem does not arise till it's too late when you've already struck a deal and your driving away with the car.

Lack of Spare Parts - varying on the model of the unit, it may be difficult to find parts for that older model car. If you're lucky you can find one at a surplus shop but if not you may have to order it abroad which would take some time and effort on locating.

Over-all a car is a car and is an absolute necessity now a days. You can never go wrong with any purchase as long as you've done your homework and figured out your need. The most important part is that you take good care and maintenance to your vehicle and it will last you many many years of service.

Drive safely!!