3M fuel cleaner package

Last week, I happen to be @ East area, so decide to visit Autobacs Ubi. It been a long time since I last went there. There is much changes to the staffs there, all new faces! I walk around and look at the fuel addictives available, there are lot of them, no idea which one to choose...

Then the 3M package caught my eyes and this is not new to me. Had heard of this addictive before but never tried before. So decide to give it a try since every morning I am stuck in traffic jam and now my city fuel consumption is increasing, I had read this article before, this is due to the incomplete combustion and the sludge would remain on the fuel injector.

So today I decide to pour in this addictive and hope to see a better result. Hope it will clean the fuel system...

This is the 3M package, consist of fuel injector cleaner & fuel system cleaner

Pour in the fuel injector cleaner first...

Next, pour in the fuel system cleaner.

After this, I top up to full tank as per instruction on the bottle. Hope the result is good....

Respray of side mirror

Today I made my way to AMK Auto point to have my side mirror respray due to a long scratch... haiz must be those lorry driver who anyhow open their door! I discovered this scratch on Monday morning (21/02/2011) before I went to work. I did try to use a paint polisher to see if it can be polish away but no luck as the scratch is too deep.


So I use a paint touch up pen to try to cover the scratch but oh no, the end result is not good although it can cover the damage area. Below is a screenshot of the scratch after touch up:

Notice the touch up paintwork, not a nice job done by myself...

So I decides to call up Aha auto image. They provides mobile services like windscreen stone chips, cracks, polishing, body paintwork chips, etc... I had approach them before last time for my windscreen stone chips. After my explanation, the person advised me to respray the whole mirror and it can be done in about 2 hours. So I quickly made appointment with him and hope to restore my paintwork soon...

Today when I reached there, I was quite excited to see so many workshops in this AMK Auto Point.. even saw Revol and RDY autocare... hmm, next time then find time to explore...

I reached the 4th level and look out for Aha paint workshop (#04-03). Found it and quickly ask them to take a look at my mirror. The guy inspect it and say he can complete it in 1.5 hour! So I waited there and witness the whole process.

Firstly, they check my colour code and start mixing the paint for the correct one.

Secondly, he wrap up the area for those area that don't require spraying.

Thirdly, he would sand out the uneven area and putty it.

Fourthly, he would spray the whole mirror and give another coat to ensure the paint is shiny.

The guy getting ready to spray the mirror and almost half of my car is wrapped up!

After waiting for about 20 minutes, the paint is dried up and the guy use a paint polisher to give it a final shine. He handed the key to me and I inspected it. Good job, the damage area is gone and the paintwork is 100% same as before. Wonder how he manage to mix the paint to be exactly the same as my body colour.

I paid him $40 and left as a happy man. Below is a screenshot of the end result:

Notice the scratch area is gone, finally!

I have to buy a mirror protector soon to protect the mirrors. Thanks to the ignorant lorry drivers...

Car battery replacement - Amaron Battery

My car is giving me sign of weak battery since last month, my current battery is Yuasa and bought from Kah motor in Aug 2009. It is only 1 year 3 months and there is sign of weak battery... okay the price I bought is at a reasonable price, $80.

So my friend recommend me this lobang for Amaron battery. I had been checking around for this car battery price, everywhere selling high price, from $150 to $160. With this recommendation, I got mine for $95, very good price and include installation.

On this day, I made appointment to replace my car battery. If not one day if cannot start, then will be in deep trouble. Below are some photos for the battery replacement sequences:

My "Yuasa" battery, note that the date installed is Aug 2009.

The guy did a battery check test and connect the battery terminals for a fast reading. And the result really show a low reading. He told me anything below 300 CCA is considered a low reading. And if reach 200, then the battery will be dead! My reading is as shown below, 216 CCA, near to 200, so it will die anytime. Lucky I decide to change it within these few days, if not who can come to my rescue if it fail to start?

My weak battery reading of 216 CCA.

The Amaron battery in the original box.

The battery removed from the box.

Ok, after unpacking, the guy connect a backup battery to my battery terminal. If not, all my audio will be reset to default settings if the current battery is disconnected. Actually I thought is start the car then he will remove the old battery and install the new one. But he say this method works too. So I let him try it out.

The close up view on the box, it read 35AH, not sure of the rest of the reading. This is the smallest size, but Honda City is this size so have to use the same size.





The guy proceed to dismantle the old battery and install the new one, not easy job, have to remove the bracket and remove the external cover. He also sweat alot, guess not an easy task replacing battery. And soon my new battery is installed and I start it for the first time. It start without much difficulty but abit of slight delay. He told me it is normal as the battery is still new and need to charge...

 

Good reading of 330 CCA, above 300 CCA is a strong battery!



My new battery reading of 12.4V, although abit low, but the guy assure me new battery will have some discharge, just need to drive around to let it charge and it will be as good!

Finally everything done and I paid the guy for his hardwork. Good and friendly service he have. For those of you who want his contact, here it goes:

Quik Mobile Services, Mr Lee K B, Mobile: 9765 7734

I had got his permission to advertise his contact, if in doubt, pls quote you got his contact through my recommendation or call him to check for prices. No regret for his good service!

Okay, till then, stay posted for next post...

Aircon flush and filter installation

Today, I made my way to Autosaver @ Toh Guan Road, Enterprise Hub. I had made appointment with them to do my aircon flushing last Sat. When I reach there, the technician take a look at my car compressor and told me he is unable to service it.
I am quite shocked at this point of time and the technician just recommend me another workshop, JS Auto.
I am quite disappointed with their service and think will not go back to them again.

Ok, I made my way to JS Auto and I ask about the aircon flushing, the technician told me they are specialise in aircon servicing and the cost is $35. Price is quite ok and it include topping up of aircon refrigerant (134a) too.

Below I will explain the sequence of events:

They connect the aircon flushing connector, left is for cold piping, right is for hot piping.

This flushing process will take approximately 20 minutes and the old aircon oil will be flushed out and new one will be flush in. I can see the existing oil being flush out and it looks dirty. It been 2 years and Kah motor had never service my aircon, and without aircon filter, that explains why the oil is so dirty.

This is the aircon flushing machine.

The left container is the new oil and right container is the dirty oil. Notice it is very dirty.

Notice the remaining time left for the process.

After waiting for about 20 minutes, they open my passenger glove compartment and check the compressor. Oh, it is quite dirty. They help to clean it and recommend to install a aircon filter. They told me it could be done but they would need to cut a opening to insert a filter. I agree to it and it would be better as it would keep the dirty particles from entering the cabin.

This is where they would cut a opening and insert the aircon filter.

The process took some time and I see them using a penknife to cut the existing cover, quite heartpain to see them doing that, but no choice. They told me honda seal the cover to save their manufacturing cost. Those Japan models are all fitted with aircon slot and filter.

Finally, the whole process is done and it cost me another $55. The aircon filter brand is cairefresh and the price include the filter and the tray. Total cost is $90 including the aircon flushing. I tested the aircon and it is much cooler now, hmm, now I can breathe in fresh air and the odour smell is gone!

Stay tune for my future update!

40,000 Km interval servicing

Today, I made my way to Thian Seng Motors Ptd Ltd (Honda Stockist) @ Bukit Merah to purchase my servicing parts. I had did some research and refer to the Kah Motor reference for the parts required. 40k servicing is considered a major servicing and many parts need to replace, argh, means my pocket will have bigger holes!


When I reach there around 5.30pm, I begin my shopping. First I requested for the Automatic Transmission Fluid. Mine is Continuous Variable Tranmission type (CVT). Immediately I saw it on the shelf, I pointed to it and ask for the price. Not cheap, $38 for 3.5 Litres. The shop assistant told me this brand is popular among Honda drivers and so far the feedback is very good. Smooth transmission after changing the fluid. There is a 1 Litre packaging too, selling for $12. Oh, I quickly went to my car to refer to my manual. It says upon changing, need 4.5 Lires. Quite puzzled, I ask the shop assistant for help, he told me 3.5 Lires is enough as not all are drained out during servicing, some are left in the transmission box. Okay, this sounds logical so I choose the 3.5 Litres one.

This is the Honda original CVT fluid, cost me $38.

Close up view. No idea where it is manufactured, not stated on the bottle...

Next, I ask for the brake fluid. The shop assistant immediately know I want only Honda original items. So he went to pick up the item from the inner shelf. He recommended DOT 4, which is the standard for most cars.

This is the DOT 4 brake fluid for Honda. Cost me $32.

All Japanese wording, couldn't understand. But it is made in Japan!

Well, these two items already cost me alot. Next, I ask for the oil filter. The shop assistant gave me the HAMP one which I am currently using. I requested is there any Honda original one. He told me this HAMP is actually Honda OEM parts, but he went in to the inner shelf to retrieve the Honda one. Price would cost more which I told him I don't mind. The HAMP one will cost $8. That is an increase in price. I remember half a year ago, it cost $6.50, now it cost $8. For the honda original one, it will cost even more, $12. But he gave me a 50 cents discount, $11.50. Haiz, better than nothing...

This is the original honda oil filter, cost me $12, good packaging in a box.

I saw this oil filter in forum before, confirm is original, and it is made in Japan!

Ok, next is the standard item, spark plugs. Mine is using qty 08 so I have to spent slightly more $$$ than other cars. As usual, I choose the standard plug, which cost $3.50 each.

These are the spark plugs, the guy still gave me a box, not bad. Cost $3.50 each, total $28.

Close up view, same brand, NGK, and the part is BKR6E-11 which is recommended in the car manual.

Almost done with my shopping, I ask for the last item, the fuel filter. The shop assistant told me fuel filter needed to change only at 60,000km. But I told him I saw the recommendation in the servicing list. He says up to me and went in to retrieve the item. The item is quite huge in size and it is original honda item, cost $45. Wah, too expensive. So my decision is to call Kah motor to check first before buying. If it is confirm needed, then I will made another trip another day.

Lastly, the shop assistant ask me why I didn't request for engine oil, which is the most important. I told him I already have it. If you all have been following my blog, you would know that I have the idemitsu engine oil which I won in a lucky draw. In case you all had forget, these are the pictures:

Finally, done with my shopping, I ask for discount. No luck, the shop assistant told me all are nett prices and subjected to GST. He says nowsaday, most items had increase in price and difficult to give discount. I understand and it is better than buying from Kah motor, it would cost more than what I am paying now.

My shopping bag with my servicing items, this time with the Thian Seng plastic bag, LOL!

My receipt for all the items, total is $109.50, with GST is $117.17

Next is to check whether need to replace fuel filter. Stay tuned for further update to this post. Till then, cheers!