Cars
Engine Overhauled, Shock absorbers and more parts replaced
Toyota Corolla, 2E engine
Looks like the price I paid for a cheap second hand car will get tripled little by little. So far, it has undergone a number of surgeries already including top overhaul, cross member replacement, under chassis repair, tire replacement, a/c replacement, alternator and battery replacement, and countless number of car wash services. This time, its engine was overhauled and shock absorbers were replaced.
For several months, I’ve been taking all the risks of driving a car that feeds not only on gas but on oil as well and could stall on the road any time. It actually did for at least ten times. I’m just thankful that somehow, there’s a grease monkey residing in me and I was able to fix minor problems myself as long as there’s no detached parts that can’t be done by screw drivers and pliers.
Since it’s getting worse, I decided to bring my car out and looked for shops that does engine overhauling in Dasmarinas, Cavite. I went to a Shell Helix and they gave me ballpark figures of 10K for parts, 12K for machine shop services and 5K for labor. That only includes engine overhaul. I collapsed right after I saw it and brought to nearby hospital.
Right across Shell was a Toyota Center but I did not bother inquiring because I knew right then that that estimate will only cost me a left shock absorber.
I then went to a shop I know that sells Toyota car parts somewhere up north, and learned they also offer the service my car needs. They gave me a fixed amount of 8K for service labor and parts needed for engine overhaul. Of course, I took the offer since it’s way cheaper than the first one. They also gave me four shock absorbers for 1K each. While we dissect the engine, we also found more parts that need replacement. The package went up to 15K all in all. So compared to the first estimate I got, it’s way better. I did not inquire in other shops so I don’t have any idea if there’s cheaper price somewhere.
I saved 12K on that, but again, if I will sum up all the expenses I’ve incurred since I bought the car, I think it’s already more than double. So I pray that no more problems occur soon. Though I know right then what to expect when I bought the car for 90K.
I’m better a Car Mechanic
Wow. I don’t believe I could save 2.5K for a car aircon switch. Our car has been literally a “hot car” for about 2 weeks. The aircon switch suddenly broke one time we went for grocery. But I never initially thought it has something to do with the switch. I heard something strange from the blower area, which has been the root cause before, and I thought it again broke. I tried fixing it right that night but was not able to. The next day, I brought the car to a nearby repair shop and traced the root cause at the switch. It’s really the culprit.
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I wish I had a helmet
It’s too embarrassing! I was on the middle of a busy street when I intentionally turned off my engine since traffic was not flowing at all. I did it to save some gas, too expensive nowadays. And I also read that advise somewhere on the net so I gave it a try. I was too relaxed because the weather is not too hot and I don’t feel the heat at all inside the car. But when the green light appeared, the engine won’t start. And then my sweat started to come out like bits of corn. I was on my business attire by the way. Much worse, I forgot to turn on the hazards. And now I don’t just wish I had a helmet on, but wishing George Lindemann was my father so I can just leave my car and buy a new one right away.
I am still thankful though because it did not took too long to start the engine back. Finding a parking space was another problem. I waited on the line for about 10 minutes. I thought there was just some trouble at the gate until I had a view on the signboard. “Parking Full”. No choice since I was getting late for work, I had to park somewhere more expensive. Whew!
My First Car Accident adds more to experience
Whew! I’m really a noob driver. Not in the way I drive but I lack experience. And this one really increased my driving experience.
I was driving home yesterday morning from the office. I came from a night shift but I’m sure I am not sleepy. Well, I just had a date with my textmate an hour ago that time. When I was about to cross an intersection, these 2 cars suddenly swerved and I was lucky I was able to step on my brakes. Safe stop.
But a second later, I felt like my car moved forward a bit. A car hit my rear bumper. I’m sure, he hit me. There were 3 traffic enforcers, one of them came over telling me to move forward a bit. I did not move forward because I want to check first. So I stepped harder on the brakes and pull the hand brake. And he insisted me to move forward a bit. I didn’t know what to do so I just followed what he said. I moved a bit, stepped on the brakes, pulled the hand brakes, then stepped out of the car. The driver who hit me looked guilty at first, but then I think he thought of a way out.
My bumper did not get any damage. His bumper loosen off. And suddenly he was asking me to pay for it. I said I was the one hit, why will I pay for it. He said I was the one who hit him. He said when I released my brakes, the car moved back a bit and hit his front bumper. I said that it was impossible because I felt it when he hit me. Then he said, alright let’s ask the officers. And the officers had same explanation. And as a noob, I just paid for the damage.
But I guess what happened is this. When he hit my back, he suddenly moved his car away a little bit to give a little space so it will look like he did not hit me. And when the officers came, they saw that it was just close so they asked me to move forward. And when I released the brakes, my car move back a bit, and they said it hit the other car. I really can’t imagine the exact moment his car was kissing mine. But it has happened. It’s still a relief because I did not have to go to a repair shop but rest all day.
I hope it won’t happen again.