₦airaland Forum

cretin: nice

Hey guys. The op is talking about diesel injection technology here and the clip is not related to petrol injected engines.

I cant figure out how you acquired a Bsc in Automobile Technology without going through the practical aspects of automobile technology. Funny, very funny.

Very reliable. Just beware of dodgy mechanics and rewires.
The v6 versions are more common and preferable to the lesser powered 4 cylinder version.

Coco diva: Go to clegg street in Ojuelegba.I'v forgotten the guy's name but he is very popular.just ask for AC wizard. He's very good with car AC.All the best

You better make sure its not the guy I saw 2 days ago on the same Clegg street that nearly froze his colleagues hand while they were trying to flush out an ac condenser with RF gas.

Thanks for the information. Will be on the look out.

Some things are hard to accept but this is true. Madam, on behalf of Autobrite Automotive Solutions, may your gentle soul rest in peace. Amen

I think Innoson needs a marketting strategy that puts details into the quality of their products, relability and the availability of spare parts and sevice. We can put them ahead of the competition. The Chinese auto industry is getting extremely competitive especially within China and most auto manufacturers are looking for newer territories outside of their borders to set up factories either for manufacture or assembly of ckd's. Nigeria has all the prerequisites for the automobile manufacturing industry and a lot can be achieved when the right processes are implemented. From a marketting perspective (which is one of my areas of specialty), I haven't seen any billboard here in Abuja displaying any Innoson vehicles neither do I know of any retail or service outlets here. I'm not saying that there are none but everything about a locally manufactured vehicle should be shoved down the throat of everyone here and more importantly, displayed in your face so that we can recognise our local content achievements and be proud to support the local auto industry.

Where are the service and spare parts outlets in Abuja?

Epzilon: Hi guys,
please i need expert advice here. I drive a 2000 toyota camry xle v6, with the 1mz-fe engine, auto.
Over a couple of months i have been experiencing poor drivability issues, particularly poor/hesistant acceleration from stop, rough upshifts and extermely poor gas mileage(about 11.5mpg).
I have scanned the vehicle( no codes), changed the plugs&wiresand recently changed my transmission fluid(dextron II recommended for A541E transmission).yet no improvement. I have also serviced the brakes, so no binding.
However when i bought the car some months back i noticed a kind of scrubbing noise ant the timing belt plastic cover when got progressively louder until it dissapeared completely. Could it be that the timing is off? What are the symptoms of misaligned mechanical timing?
Pls help!

From what you have explained here, your car's timing seems ok but your engine is not running properly due to other reasons. Poor performance and high fuel consumption could be attributes of wrong/bad spark plugs, bad injector nozzles, faulty o2 sensors, faulty ignition coils or plug leads, bad valve seats, faulty fuel pump, worn compression rings and/or the lack of a thermostat. Some of these (inc those that u highlighted) may throw up emission related codes and I'm surprised that your check engine light doesn't stay on. Pls check that the MIL or CEL bulb comes on and goes when you start your car and that it has not been removed.

Symptoms of a misaligned timing belt would obviously indicate misfire, hard starting, rough engine idle, hesitant acceleration, poor fuel economy etc.

The noise you initially heard was from the timing belt cover where the two camshaft pulleys may have been rubbing on the plastic cover. Obviously the noise would gradually disappear with time as the metal sprockets wear away the plastic cover on the inside until there is no more contact.

I would personally advice you to start by checking your spark plugs if the correct ones are fitted as the manufacturer recommends iridium plugs that are quite expensive and most owners or mechanics would fit in the popular copper headed cheap plugs just to save on costs or make a profit but this inadvertently affects overal engine performance.

Nice thread for a good laugh. I'm wiping tears. Well done Ikenna.

TheShopKeeper: BMW 525i Auto diesel is one of the best drive around.

I have a lot of technical knowledge on these diesel engined models and a many guys here in Naija who own these cars are having nightmares with maintenance issues due to the fact that most independent workshops for BMW's only seem to be concerned about the more common petrol models. The diesel variant are quite powerful with good torque on demand especially when climbing hilly roads. Assisted by a turbo charger and Direct Injection diesel engine, you do really get an exhilarating drive. If you have any technical queries, pls feel free to call or email me.

Looks more like an aeroplane with a propeller at the back. I wont accept a ride in it as a car, let alone fly on it as a plane. What a big joke.

ganagagi: I complain to a machanic that the tempreture of my car always rise up and he advice me to add like 20 naira sugar to the water in lagretor it will not be rising up again amd will not be hot which I did so and it works.pls will it affect d engine or not advice me pls

Na Wah ooo. Is your mechanic a Mai Shayi (Tea seller)? LWKMD

diehard: Does anybody in the house have an info on Lexus ES 300, 2003 model. I want one and can't find any in Cotonou or that's what a car dealer said.

Just a more luxurious version of the Toyota Camry V6 of the same year. Slightly bigger and roomier but wth the Lexus badge.

elitper: Dear Nlanders, just took delivery of 1996 camry. The car is good except that it is overheating. I am divided between those who say I should yank off the thermostat and those who think I should change the radiator altogether. A couple of people also feel I should just give the radiator a good wash. Wise ones, please help.

If you are talking about the cooling system "radiator" thermostat, don't even think about removing it. Contrary to popular myth, the thermostat sets the minimum temperature that the engine operates at, not the maximum. The maximum operating temperature is a function of engine ouput (load) and how well designed and maintained the cooling system is. On almost all modern cars, the cooling system has plenty of "overhead" to manage heat disipation under even the worst conditions. This is a direct result of the heat/cold driving cycle testing requirments for modern emission controlled engines.

If you remove the thermostat, the engine will run at a variable temperature and on a modern car this is usually too cold because of the large cooling capacities. This temperature is unlikely to be that which is required for proper operation of the engine management system. The end result of this is likely to be radically increased fuel consumption because of the Automatic Choke staying open for longer periods while it waits for the engine to fully warm up, greater emissions, and the setting of MIL or CEL "fault" conditions in the ECU. If the system runs rich for a long period of time, it can also cause a pehenomenon known as cylinder oil scrubbing in which the rich fuel/air mixture "scrubs" the oil off of the cylinder walls, resulting in premature piston/ring/cylinder wear and engine failure.

If you are experiencing high temps, change the thermostat, as it may not be opening all the way or may be stuck in a partially open position causing the high temps. Also carry out a coolant pressure test and check if your cooling fans are working properly.

layday2005: Any time i drive my car and its hot, drive indicator blink and it doesnt remove from park until its cool. kindly advice.

Start by checking if your brake switch is working properly but it seems like you have more serious issues with the transmission electronics. Also make sure that you use ATF-Z1 as your tranny fluid.

symbianDON: SHOULD I SHUT OFF THE MOTOR WHEN I'M IDLING MY CAR HERE'S THE RULE OF THUMB: If you're in a drive-through restaurant/business
line or waiting for someone and you'll be parked and sitting for 10 seconds
or longer... turn off your car's engine. Why?? For every two minutes a car is idling, it uses about the same amount of fuel
it takes to go about one mile. Research indicates that the average person
idles their car five to 10 minutes a day. People usually idle their cars more
in the winter than in the summer. But even in winter, you don't need to let
your car sit and idle for five minutes to "warm it up" when 30 seconds will
do just fine. But you're not going anywhere. Idling gets ZERO miles per gallon. The recommendation is: If you are going to be parked for more than 30
seconds, turn off the engine. Ten seconds of idling can use more fuel than
turning off the engine and restarting it. And when you start your engine,
don't step down on the accelerator, just simply turn the key to start. An alternative to idling is to park your car, walk inside, do your business
and then go back to your car. Here are some other Myths associated with idling. Myth #1: The engine should be warmed up before driving. Reality: Idling is not an effective way to warm up your vehicle, even in cold weather. The
best way to do this is to drive the vehicle. With today's modern engines,
you need no more than 30 seconds of idling on winter days before driving
away. Myth #2: Idling is good for your engine. Reality: Excessive idling can actually damage your engine components, including cylinders, spark plugs,
and exhaust systems. Fuel is only partially combusted when idling because
an engine does not operate at its peak temperature. This leads to the build
up of fuel residues on cylinder walls that can damage engine components
and increase fuel consumption. Myth #3: Shutting off and restarting your vehicle is hard on the engine
and uses more gas than if you leave it running. Reality: Frequent restarting has little impact on engine components like the battery and the
starter motor. Component wear caused by restarting the engine is
estimated to add $10 (N1,600) per year to the cost of driving, money that will likely
be recovered several times over in fuel savings from reduced idling. The
bottom line is that more than ten seconds of idling uses more fuel than
restarting the engine.
Source: www.consumerenergycenter.org/myths/idling.html

Very advisable but there really is nothing wrong with driving off almost immediately you start your car engine. Just make sure that you keep the revs low within the 750 to 1500 rev band until the engine sufficiently attains it operating temperature.

amosfunmi: 97 Mazda 626
4 cyl. 1.8 engine
Manual drive
The engine vibrate at Idle, Idling speed is about 650-700 rpm.
The issue started when I reconnect my thermo switch connection, before now the idle speed was at 1250 rpm.
The car fuel economy is far better than before, but the vibration is not making me feel comfortable with the car while am in traffic.
Please advice and educate me.

Your thermo switch is linked to your automatic choke which in turn controls your engine idle speed (especially when engine is cold and operating in closed loop). Check to see if auto choke is functioning properly and if not, change it immediately.

lacasa: Hello all,

i drive a. 2k5 honda accord, ii αve a problem.

While i'm driving i notice dat after i slow down or wen i want ϯo re-accelerate sometimes, the engine vibrates (shakes) until i lift my foot off the throttle completely, bt wen i put my foot back on the throttle it moves normally.


i thought it was the spark plugs causing this, but i've changed the 4 plugs with new ones but it still does same.

a mechanic said it's probably from the fuel pump.

Any ideas wat it is

You need to have this car properly checked by an expert. There are a thousand and one reasons for engine vibration while under acceleration.

edoyad: My mechanic wants me to change the Condenser of my A C, he said a bigger one would be better than the one it came with. Is this sound advice?

The condenser is like a small radiator, usually mounted at the front of the car right in front of your big radiator. Sometimes the condenser will have its own electric cooling fan, too. The hot, compressed a/c gas passes through the condenser and gets cooled. As it cools, it becomes a liquid again and continues the cooling cycle that makes cool air blow into your car's cabin.

Though you havent really stated the problem that you are having with your car ac, I would only advice you to use the condenser size as the same fitted by the car's manufacturer.

Lovely car with so much to give.

kisibo: pls mr siena and other pro ..i will like to know if its the best to drive with OD on / off .

No its not advisable to drive with O/D on because you will be restricting the auto transmission gearbox from reaching final drive. This otherwise means high engine rpm at speeds of over 60 kmph which in other words equate to high fuel consumption. I would only advice you to use this function when towing a caravan or trailer.

uchenwoks: Hi Guys,
Pls check out this excellent work by AUTOBRITE SOLUTIONS. Attached is the before and after Pics of my Crosstour taken in for Mechanical and Respray work @ Autobrite after a serious accident.
Throughout my engagement with Donald, he came across as a consumate professional.
Regards

Nice one Uche.Thanks for the testimony and may God bless you bro. We will always be there for you.

You probably have got water ingress in your ecm or tcm. Just pray that it hasn't short circuited your powertrain eletricals or electronics as that would be a very expensive repair. However, see if you could start by cleaning out all connectors to any sensors that you may suspect on the engine of tranny as well as that of the control modules.

We will restore it back to its original shape 100%.¤¤

Petrol vapor deposits left in fuel injector nozzles after an engine is shut down form hard varnish. Over time it can build up and clog the injectors. Petrol additives and injector cleaners mixed with the petrol you buy help reduce this problem, but they can’t eliminate it entirely and may end up causing more harm than good. Injectors periodically need to be cleaned. Some mechanics recommend cleaning the injectors every 25,000 to 30,000 kilometers due to so much bad fuel being imported into the country unchecked. To keep the injectors operating at peak efficiency, some mechanics or fuel pump attendants would recommend adding injector cleaners at every time you need to refuel. I have come across several weird recommendations that include adding brake fluid or paint thinner to the petrol in the tank, pouring camphor (Methyl Salicylate)into the fuel tank, and most recently, piercing several aerosol cans of carburetor and choke cleaners and letting it empty into the fuel tank to mix with the fuel.

A car that has a bad fuel injector will often have a rough engine idle. The fuel injector is responsible for injecting fuel directly into the engine cylinder where it is burned during combustion. If this fuel delivery is compromised, a rough engine idle or severe jerking could result.
A bad fuel injector can develop cracks or breaks around the plastic or rubber seals on its body especially where it connects into the intake manifold. If this happens, fuel can leak out onto the intake manifold, an occurrence that can be both seen and smelt.
Engine misfiring along with a rough idle, is a common symptom of a bad fuel injector. A bad fuel injector can restrict or stop fuel flow from being injected into the engine cylinder properly which can negatively impact fuel combustion and affect engine performance resulting in a rough idle or misfiring.(This could set up emission related fault codes and should be erased after repairs have been carried out)
A faulty fuel injector can cause an irregular or disrupted flow of fuel into the engine, a condition that can cause an engine to surge or alternate between high and low rpm (Revolutions Per Minute) continuously throughout engine operation. This results in a very up-and-down mode of engine operation.
A leaky or malfunctioning fuel injector can adversely affect a car's petrol mileage and would also waste fuel by allowing it to leak out of the fuel injector housing instead of being injected directly into the engine. A malfunctioning fuel injector may also cause too much fuel to be injected into the engine. Both conditions result in excess fuel being wasted, which in turn means poor fuel economy.

Badly clogged injectors may not pass enough solvent during a normal cleaning cycle to be thoroughly cleaned.
You may have to do some additional tests such as checking HC (Hydrocarbon) and CO (Carbon monoxide) levels in your emissions or an injector pressure spray test before and after cleaning to confirm that the injectors responded well enough to your cleaning efforts.

Although this process should ideally be carried out using an ultrasonic injector cleaning machine (which also tests and displays the spray pattern), most mechanics here in Abuja would simply pick up one or two carb and choke cleaner aerosol cans and physically blast off the residual deposits on the nozzle tips.

Strong solvents may damage rubber and plastic components in the fuel pump, injector nozzles, fuel regulator, and fuel lines.
Because of the flammability of the petrol and solvent, there may be fire risks; so be careful as I have also seen and heard of several cars being burnt to ashes as a result of carelessness.

Check to see if there are any sensors or switches that are directly positioned underneath the gearbox that may have been knocked off. I was quite shocked when i noticed a sensor under the tranny of a 2005 Maxima. For a low slung car, i wondered how long it will last in that position without being crushed out considering the nature of roads that the car would be driven on. Also, did you drive the car for a long distance without enough oil in the tranny? If so you may have had the fibres burnt.

Seems like you have cylinder gasket failure whereby the head gasket rather than offering its sealing purpose now allow compression gas from the cylinders into the cooling system which in turn over pressurizes the cooling system hindering circulation of coolant and forcing it out via the radiator hence the rapid rise in temperature. Firstly, check lower coolant pipes for cooler temperatures compared to the upper hotter ones as this will be an indication that thermostat not opening and coolant is not circulating . Secondly, check radiator cover for sealing efficiency. Thirdly, check for any milky/ creamy oil in the engine oil filler cover or dipstick.

I had the injector nozzles replaced on my W124 230E Merecedes as well as a new fuel pump and fuel filter and the car now flies like a rocket and drives like a dream. Cant be happier with this old lady.

In what make and model of car? What year / engine size?

@ Siena

You forgot to add these emoticons. ( )

I have a toyota camry 2005 and a couple of days ago,I discovered oil dripping from the engine.my mechanic checked it and discovered it was the oil seal that needed to be replace.After the repairs which he said would involve opening some parts of the engine which I know little of,I drove the car only to discover that it wasn't moving well and was over-heating even when the fan is working fine.
He told me it was the timing belt that need to be accurately set for efficiency.he has been adjusting it for the past two days and he seems not to be getting anywhere near success.please

Its most likely that your 2005 Camry has the U140E or U250E tranny which is specifically designed to operate with the special Toyota WS ATF. You will find "WS" engraved on your dip stick towards the Max level. On some models there would be a sticker on the underside of the bonnet warning not to use any other tranny fluid. Any other other tranny fluid would almost instantly damage the gearbox. Try changing to the Toyota WS (though more expensive) and see what happens.

Lovely suv but reminds me of the Russian Lada Niva jeep. Most customers of mine complain of high fuel consumption and clunky suspensions. You either love it or hate it.