My name is Ngozi, I just moved back from the United States and brought my car with me. Upon getting to Lagos, I did a quick checkup and my car was deemed okay to drive to the east. On the way from Lagos to Abia State (a 12-hour drive) the car over heated and I was told that the top gasket was burnt.
The top gasket has been changed and the mechanic and several people I’ve spoken to said when a car comes in from the US the thermostat has to be removed. The thermostat has been removed but still, the car is over heating.
The mechanic’s new solution is to change the radiator from a one cell to a double cell. I disagree with the diagnosis because his reason was the radiator took a beating when I drove a long distance. I have driven cars in the US for 15 hours and the radiator was not a problem. Please any insight into this because I am weary of mechanics here and actually excited about the opening of your auto shop in Abuja. I am desperate, please please help me out. Looking forward to your reply. Thank you! Thank you!!
Ngozi
ngotum@gmail.com
I quite agree with your analysis of the cooling system. The the originating problem, I believe that caused the overheating that is yet to be solved. Yes, it is possible the radiator could be the problem if the cell on the lower tank is clogged with sediments. But changing the radiator to a double cell does not solve the problem, the mechanic still needs to find out why the vehicle overheats in the first instance. He needs to check all the parts associated with the cooling system e.g. water pump, radiator fan, thermostat, radiator, leaks, and most importantly crack/warped cylinder head.
I’m a fresh student of the Yaba College of Technology, studying mechanical engineering.
I saw your article in PUNCH newspaper. Sir, as a fresh student I will like to join the group of great mechanical engineers just to improve my knowledge.
— Akintunde oluwaseyi
You can come to our office inside the Lagos Television Complex, Agidingbi, Ikeja, and see us.
I wish to purchase a USA factory refurbished car of my choice. I may opt for a Toyota product
I understand that it is more expensive than a ‘used’ car; but guarantees performance almost like a brand new car. Can you enligthen me on the advantages and the disadvantages of this option?
Please do not include my email address or full names in PUNCH Automobile pages. Thanks
—Evans
There is nothing like a factory refurbished car; dealer refurbished? Yes, but you are still buying a used car. If you are buying from an auction, only buy under green light and make sure you have the option of arbitration, if there is any problem with the car. Mind you, if the car gets here you are stuck with it. Also if you can get the VIN# of the car, do a search online to get the history of the car from carfax.com or any other suitable website.
I have a Nissan Altima’04 model I would like you to help assess as its defied all known repairs.Do you open on saturdays and what time?
— +2348054141534
Yes, we open on non-environmental sanitation Saturdays between the hours of 9am and 1pm.
I recently purchased a 2000 model Galant ES 3.0 automatic and the driving is smooth. However I noticed that when I engage the gear in reverse, the car makes this noticeable jerk for a second but you probably won’t notice if you are not the one driving the car or if you are outside the car. I also noticed that this jerk is reduced if I press the brake pedal completely I gear into reverse mode.
An automechanic checked and said I need to replace ‘engine mounting’ for both sides of the engine and also brake pads. I have replaced for a side and the front brake pads but it still happens when I engage reverse gear. And now SRS check comes up on the dashboard after this mechanic carried out his supposed repairs.
Please what do you advise?
Regards,
— Ade, 08065540681
Yomi Iyanda <yomidarl@yahoo.com>
The only way to find out why the SRS light stays on is to run a scan on the system itself. It’s possible the mechanic mistakenly tampered with the impact sensor while replacing the mounts. Also your mechanic needs to check and make sure the engine idle is not too high, and if any of the transmission mounts is faulty, you will still feel the same jolt.
I use a Honda Accord ‘05 model.It was recently involved in an accident in which the airbag on the steering wheel deployed.After replacing the affected parts,including the radiator support assembly and the steering wheel with a live airbag, the airbag indicators shows passenger airbag off steady.Please what do I do to solve that problem?
— Ronke Afolabi +2348033117289
Sometimes when the airbag gets deployed in an accident, it affects the seatbelt tensioner which also gets deployed. You’ve only replaced the steering airbag without confirming if the belts are affected together with the SRS ECM. The best option you have right now is to run a scan on the SRS system to ascertain what is causing the problem.
I use a Toyota Camry 1999 model. Recently, l discovered that if l want to start moving the car it does not move as before. I have to press the accelerator very well before the car moves. I changed the gear and oil.But problem persists. Please what do l do? My mechanic said l need to buy another one
— +2348023377778
Before you buy another transmission, please run a scan on the transmission, the fault could just be a solenoid that needs replacement or cleaning.
I use a Toyota Avensis 2004 model, my A/C has been faulty after a flood some years back, I tried some repairs but to no avail. How can you help?
— +2348023850144
I will need to see the car before I can be of any help.
What I intend to ask is-Nissan Serena 2.0L engine with tyre size 205/60/R16 and 2.0L engine with tyre size 185/R14 Will there be any difference in terms of fuel consumption? Thanks. James, Ikorodu.
— +2348024447692
Yes! Just a minute difference, the one with the 205/60/R16, will consume more fuel.
Sir, I want to buy Chrysler Space SUV. How durable is the vehicle especially for our road. Thanks. Dare omolayo (dasamol@yahoo.com)
— +2348038272375
It is okay for our roads, it’s just the maintenance and parts that are on the high side.
I drive a Toyota Corolla 2001 model. It began to emit smoke and consume oil last year,so my mechanic serviced the engine. After he coupled it,the oil light began to show just as oil supply ceased.He changed the oil pump two times before one began to work only to stop again after one month.He began to change the oil pump again without any result.At the end, he brought down the engine to clear the oil channels.When he started the engine, the oil light went off only to reappear during a test drive.What do I do ? He is suggesting I should buy another engine if I must enjoy the car again.I brought the car from Texas just three years ago. Please advise me.
— +2348032408769
I believe the bearings have failed inside the engine crank case, due to lack of lubrication. He should have replaced all the necessary parts when he was rebuilding the engine. Parts such as the connecting rod, crank bearing, oil pump and all the rings and more. You might be better off replacing the whole engine.
On your Sunday January 19 column, you mentioned that VW cars, especially Passat, need re-adaptation after certain repairs? Could you please explain further?
— +2347026382077
Re-adaptation is a process of resetting the vehicle’s on-board computer with an electronic contraption (usually a diagnostic tool). It is to ensure that the vehicle’s on-board computer will accept the newly installed part and instruct it to work as the original factory installed part that was replaced.
I bought this car from the original buyer as second- hand in March last year. Between that time and now, I have changed the clutch disk and plate thrice. When I asked the mechanic why the frequent replacement, his explanation was that I still press the clutch pedal while the car is in motion. I told him that it is not true. Before this car, I have used up to four cars with both manual and automatic gear. Before this last change of the disk, I was almost driving the car like automatic gear because I was always conscious of not pressing the clutch pedal except when I’m in serious hold-up which cannot be avoided in Lagos. Please I need your advice. My high regards, ‘Konkons I E
— cfostech@yahoo.com
The problem, I think, is either from the parts being used or the transmission has a defective component that’s putting pressure on the clutch system. Also one part I did not hear you mention is the release bearing which could play a vital role in how the system performs.