I want to buy a Volkswagen Sharon for commercial transportation; please, can I use a six-plug engine for that purpose?
—+234810511505
Yes, absolutely. The key point here is maintenance.
I bought a Mercedes Benz 180 C Class, 2000 model on December 24, 2012. On the dashboard are these warning messages: four faults and one malfunction. Is it safe to drive it to your workshop? If not, advise me on what to do. And, how can I access the temperature level? I can’t find it.
—Ighodalo, Shangisha, Ketu
Yes, it is safe to drive the car, as long as the engine is still running okay and the transmission shifts.
Please, how can I get a copy of Automedics Book for Motorists in Port Harcourt/Onitsha area, and how much is it?
— Anyi, +234818900845
We’re looking forward to getting distributors for the book and our other unique Automedics products in the South-South and South-East.
I saw a 2005 model of Accord, which I want to buy; but I noticed that the ‘check engine’ light is on, so I had it scanned. The error code was P0141-O2 Sensor Heater Circuit Bank 1 Sensor 2. Is this problem a major issue? I know it has to do with abnormal fuel consumption, but I wonder if it affects other things. Please, how can this be solved? Is the sensor to be replaced? If yes, how do I go about it?
— Iyke Chinaka, iykech2002@yahoo.com
You can still buy the car as long as you use the fault to bargain for reduction in its selling price. All you have to do is just to replace the O2 sensors.
I live in Ado-Ekiti. Where would you recommend for the scanning of my 1994 Honda Academic car? The ‘check engine’ light and that of ABS has been on for some time now.
— Daodu Patrick, Ado- Ekiti
I don’t have anybody in my database that’s in Ado-Ekiti.
The ‘check’ light of my 2003 Toyota Corolla has been on since I bought it on February 2, 2012. Please, what might the problem be?
The only way to find out what the problem is all about is to run a scan on the power train system.
I read in the SUNDAY PUNCH about your plans to open new workshops in Abuja and Ibadan. When will it be the turn of Port Harcourt?
— Jandy, +234806329871
If we get any contact of a petrol filling station dealer in a good location in Port Harcourt, whose lube bay could be used to start a small maintenance and repair workshop, we will consider kick-starting something in Port Harcourt with a crop of our alumni and equip the centre with modern equipment.
I drive Honda Accord 2003 model. I live in Akure. The gasket got burnt and was replaced. Thereafter, the car won’t kick once. Apart from that, it was making a heavy noise whenever I wanted to take off on a low gear. I returned it to my mechanic and he told me that he changed the valves. He also asked me to replace both the plugs and the plug coil, which I did. However, the problem persisted. I then took it to a Honda specialist who told me that it was the camshaft that had to be replaced before the timing belt problem could be corrected. He said it would cost N15,000 and that the job would be done in Lagos. I was discouraged.
I then took it to an engineer, one Mr. Olugbenga Olajide’s workshop at Akure for scanning. This is the result:
PO122: Throttle positionsensor/accelerator pedal position sensor/switch A low input.
PO113: Intake air temperature sensor-high input.
PO341:Camshaft position SensorA, bank1 range/performance problem
PO496:Evaporative emission system-high purge flow
I was told the problem was camshaft sensor, whose replacement I paid for and the guy assured me that the work of the car was now okay and I could travel with it.
To be fair, the excessive heat of the engine reduced, with the RPM now hovering above 3 when warming, unlike what he told me on test-running when I took it there initially that it did not rise above 3, no matter how hard the accelerator was pressed.
On discovering the sluggishness and the noise after a little stop, I returned it and was told it was the throttle sensor, which he said he had also rectified but till date, still gives me problems. Another Honda mechanic and rewire told me it was a fuel pump problem, which I also changed last Friday. Yet, the problems of sluggishness when taking off and heavy sound still persist.
What really is the problem? What does the scan result mean? What do we do to rectify it?
—Simbo Olorunfemi, simboor@yahoo.com
I have a feeling that whoever did the cylinder head job did not get or set the timing belt right. It’s probably off about 45 degrees.
I use Honda ‘98 model called Baby Boy. It changes gear regularly without any trouble; but on one of my journeys to Kaduna, I tried to overtake a vehicle but the kick down did not work. Rather, it dragged. So, I reported the problem to a mechanic who eventually destroyed the gearbox. I have since bought three gearboxes, but the works had always led to other problems. Now I’m frustrated. What do I do?
—Nathaniel
I believe you haven’t done the right thing. And what is that? You primarily need to scan the transmission. The result will give you an idea of what the problem is and from this, the technician will have an idea of what to do.
How do I carry out a scan? Do I need to buy a scanner or take it to any auto-medics service centre? Can you recommend any automedics centre, if necessary?
In addition, you mentioned enrollment for Automedics Mechatronics Training Institute. How can one apply for this course?
—Folorunsho Abiodun
To register for Automedics training, all you have to do is text your email address to Gbola Oba on 08080806686 and he will email the e-copy information package to you.
I have a Honda Civic 2000 model that has served me well so far, until the timing (I don’t know if that’s the word) belt cut while in motion. Since then, it has never been the same. I’ve replaced the belt, but the car would still not move. A mechanic changed the bearing and the car started moving, but the performance is not as smooth as before. Can you tell me the problem and can it be fixed once and for all in your shop?
— stellakola007@yahoo.co.uk
Yes, it can be fixed in my workshop; but it has to be assessed and diagnosed first before we can proceed on any repair.
Do you have workshops in any other state in the South-West apart from Lagos?
— Dele Ajayi, +234806304448
Ibadan is coming on stream on/before the end of February 2013.
I drive a 1999 Toyota Carry and it uses between 2.9 and 3.6 per kilometer, depending on the traffic situation, though I also use air conditioner all the time. Please, is it consuming too much? What is the appropriate consumption for a four-cylinder engine?
— Stephen Clarke, clarkestephen39@gmail.com
I don’t understand your question. Did you mean 2.9-3.6 kilometre per litre? If it is the way you wrote your question to me, then it’s abnormal. But if it’s the other way around, it’s okay.
I live at Apapa GRA and drive Audi A4 2006 model. Where can I take my car for servicing and repair? I have been cheated by too many mechanics. I bought the car brand new, but now, things are beginning to go wrong with it, which is understandable due to its age. Most times, my problem is that my mechanic says the parts are scarce and then wants to compromise with other parts.
—+234803306382
My shop is at Ikeja, inside the LTV Complex, Agidingbi Road, opposite Coca-Cola.