₦airaland Forum

Following...
Nice you got the exact engine spec.
On the old engine, I'll rather take the good stuff; sensors, throttle body, AC compressor, PS pump etc and dispose the block etc to scrap metal guys than sell all these for 20k. Although from your earlier post, it seems your friend doesn't care.

Piyke:
Nice, Eriko2k2 for bringing this back. I've done quite a lot since this last post.



All those planned, I have carried out. In addition, I've replaced my valve cover gasket, checked valve clearances, replaced vtc filter assembly, replaced vtec solenoid spool valve filter, changed secondary O2 sensor and a still have a few tasks planned. Will list them in a bit.

Last weekend I revisited my valves clearance. Although I had done this before as highlighted, I clearly remember that the hot sun came up on me by the time I started checking the valve clearances. In fact the valves and other metal components of the engine were very hot to touch. I was sweating. It was that hot. The instruction requires that the engine temp be under 38oC for you to do a valve adjustment on Hondas. When I started the engine was stone-cold. I didn't get any valves out of range anyway but It wasn't until recently that I thought the direct sun on the valve train could have affected the observed clearances.

This time I was parked under a shade and had to tighten my intake valves on cylinder 1 and 3 and loosen exhaust valves on cylinder 3. Took loads of pics so should be posting the DIY procedure as well. (NB: 2003 Accord 4cyl is the car in question)

@ irohadis

Its same here with me. Since June I am yet to get my items. I don't understand how a US scrutiny will take 5 months especially since I have also provided the invoices I used in buying the goods. My expectation is that customers whose invoices check out should have had their goods released back to you.
Can you state clearly when last you communicated with the regulatory guys at NJ? I get the impression that shippyme/circuit altantic/ zaposta is not actively pursuing the NJ issue. Its getting to 6 months!!! half a year of scrutiny. I read your previous posts of the delay due to the scrutiny so no need to repeat them in answering this post.
I simply want to when last and how regular you follow up with these guys. Because its quite clear whatever follow up that exists isn't active, its very passive if any.

enkrypt:
Dear NL people.
Let me first apologize because this post will be long for detail and veracity sake.
I have to say that after reviewing the company in the subject, Disappointment quickly comes to mind, coupled with pent up rage and frustration.
I challenge Anaele iroh @irohadis and mike ikem umealo to respond to this post if they see any lies or want to defend their administrative/management style.
Like all good stories i will start at the beginning.
When circuit Atlantic started, they were excellent. They delivered on time with timely updates.
As business got better, they got worse, they didn‘t scale accordingly.
Its like a sad love song where i kept hoping that things will improve and they kept disappointing, my last package before this nightmare took quarter of a year to get to me, after almost daily calls and uncountable mails.
Unfortunately for them, they are their own worst enemies.
This is the root of their crisis: They don‘t understand the difference between customer satisfaction and patronizing service.
if a large percentage of your mails start with " we are sorry for your inconvenience " then you have a very big problem.
See they are supposed to be a logistics company but they misunderstand what service failure actually is.
It is not enough to get the package to the customer, but you have to get it to him in a timely fashion.
So mike, every time an airfreight package takes longer than your advertised 15 working days for any reason whatsoever, your team has failed. Thats the hard truth.
lets now review my latest order.
I made an order on the 15th of June, i have sent over 40 emails, a lot of which were unanswered.
Ive called your office to the point i am on first name basis with your staff, and i have come to the understanding that they are trying to do their best, but their hands are tied.
I cannot accept that your Nigeria office cannot tell your US office to produce something that one of them in the US signed for, with a time bound deadline.
The fact that paying customers are getting so frustrated with the service that they abandon their items in your care is the worst kind of advertisement you can get.
I'm sorry but changing the name of the company wont help, memories are long.
If you want to see how much customers decry your service, search here on nairaland for circuit atlantic or shippy me, the same problems that customers complained of before mike was brought in, we are still complaining of them.
Here is what i think you can do to patch your leaking roof:
1. make restitution to the people you have erred; if you go through the shippy me customer care page here on nairaland there are dozens of people that you have genuinely wronged. People like @twinskenny, @MrsNaira, @frisky2good, @princemiah, @ginger81, @yomazon, etc just to name a few. There is nothing that can kill a business as quickly as ill will from one time customers, ask ajinomoto if you doubt it.
2. put a response time frame on escalations and packages in distress; the absence of a hard resolution time on PIDs is what makes packages to enter elongated time without solution. in logistics Murphy‘s law is inevitable, hence plan for it. Where i work, when an item is escalated you have 2 hours to give a report on it, and we dont know where it is is equivalent to take the cost from my salary.
3. create a conflict resolution personnel, whose job is to make sure that you dont have to send "we are sorry for inconveniences mail". if there is a problem, solve it before the customer starts asking about it. your sorry is useless to the customer, tell him how you are either fixing or have fixed the problem.
4. stop patronizing the customers. the correct response for where is my package is not "we have escalated to the US team". you have not answered the question or alayed the customers fears of loosing his item. a good response is "the US team are rechecking the warehouse, we will update you in two hours". that way the customer knows his item is been searched for and knows when it should be found.
5. update your customers frequently and timely. if you need another 2 hours, send the customer a mail or call him. dont wait for him to call you and remind you that you said you would update him, its unprofessional.
6. Finally, your US team and Nigeria team should be on the same page, daily reports are compulsory. You are a logistics company, act like one.
I wish you best of luck as you find my ipad and send it to me as i dont consider it funny that i have received a screen protector and casing while the ipad that you have been looking for, for over 2 weeks before your issues with the NJPD came up still remains officially not missing.
If Anaele Iroh or mike umealo dont bother to respond to this post, then you will be proving that you dont have the wellbeing of the company at heart.
the proverbial ball is in your court.

This is really terrible, mine was "delivered to carrier" since June and to date I am yet to receive anything!!!
I simply do not believe that shippyme/circuit atlantic and now zaposta has been undergoing regulatory scrutiny for the past 5 months! Its the US for goodness sake and not Nigeria. I smell real lies. Their initial response was that the scrutiny would take 30 days, its been 5 months. Rather than see things through, they left NJ and opened a new office.
Really appalling. My order was 25lbs

@Nurey

It's all a lesson and I know we're all now better drivers by this experience. My longest road trip was just shy of 1000km it was 942km (Gombe to Enugu through benue not Abuja), did this a couple of times back in the days. Had no issues, I think why this went wrong is essentially because you rebuilt your engine recently (gathered this from Gazzuzz's posts) and I don't know if the engine was properly broken in before you took it on this gruelling journey. Guess that lead to the accelerated wear and subsequent oil shorts.

There's a whole lot and sometimes conflicting info on how to break in a rebuilt engine, but breaking-in a rebuilt or new engine should be done. One rule of breaking-in an engine is not doing long trips like 1000km until the engine has been properly broken in. Can't remember now but I think 600miles is the figure Honda quotes from break-in distance. Nissan may be different.

Why I'm making this comment is because I see you are considering fitting in a new engine and undertaking the same journey, whilst a new tokunbo engine won't require break-in, it may be advisable to drain the oil after a couple hundred kms just to remove all the gunk in the engine (engine may have been sitting for long). This will ensure that any possible debris in the engine that can wear it out and cause oil shortage is removed. Also you have the task of ensuring that the replacement engine has not had any parts like rings replaced. If it has then its a rebuilt engine and a break-in procedure must be followed.

Siena:
Update: 31st October, 2015.

I pulled the D3 A8 wiring harness of my V8 motor this arvo.

It is possible to use the D3 harness in a B5, but it'll take a lot of work. Getting a VSS signal into the ECU is just one of the obstacles to overcome.

I purchased a 2001 C5 S6 engine harness, which I am currently splicing to the stock D3 engine harness. I'm still working on bank 1, soldering and heat shrinking. I will then complete the lot with the proper black cloth tape, keeping the OEM look.

Audi A8 D3 4.2 V8 40V engine harness:

https://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx329/NaijaGuy/S8-Powered%20Audi%20A4%20Touring%20Car/image_zps0h8kenw3.jpeg

Audi S6 C5 4.2 V8 40V engine harness:

https://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx329/NaijaGuy/S8-Powered%20Audi%20A4%20Touring%20Car/image_zpsiwruzfsn.jpeg

A8 D3 4.2 V8 40V. Hybrid engine harness build in progress:

https://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx329/NaijaGuy/S8-Powered%20Audi%20A4%20Touring%20Car/image_zpsbs9gutky.jpeg

https://i768.photobucket.com/albums/xx329/NaijaGuy/S8-Powered%20Audi%20A4%20Touring%20Car/image_zpsg4xnccxn.jpeg

Tomorrow I should have the hybrid wiring harness all buttoned up, then I can torque down the flywheel, fit the clutch and bolt the 01E transmission to the motor.

Men! Siena. The contrast of the blue valve covers and red ignition coils just looks wicked!
Pretty stuff!
Guess you'll spend quite sometime admiring them whenever you pop the hood.

hostkobo:
hi there,

Nice and unique Niche you got running there.

You are using a default wp theme, nice. As you have more articles, you would need a premium theme

- add your categories (short names) to the top menu. Side menu might include sub-categories for car brands (honda, toyota, etc). Note: articles have to be properly categorized. For example: your article with url (http://www.diyautoworksng.com/replacement-of-downstream-bank1-sensor-2-o2-sensor-on-2003-2007-accord/) should be categorized under sample: honda(2003,2007), sensor, etc. ..... as in a sample main category 'honda' could have year-subcategories...(2003, 2007, 200x, 200y, 200x) specific to honda. Other cars would have their own year-brands..

- I can see that you took several of your pictures yourself. Add a copyright, watermark - beware of pirates

- add articles: terms and conditions, privacy policy, etc

- you can add other features: as us a question? etc

regards
HK

Thanks a lot HK. Will be implementing. Great inputs

Hostkobo thanks for the good work you've been doing,
please help assess my blog www.diyautoworksng.com
Many thanks in advance.

adanny01:
You may be aware that i have always complained about engine oil level drop with no spot on the ground where i park. No serious leakage has been noticed before now, though the leakage doesnt get to the ground. I have notice my oil level drops quicker now and have seen fresh stains of oil on my right drive shaft and the engine mount beam close to the shaft. I have also seen my oil filter wet which is in same area as the visible leakage even as the whole area is wet with oil. I have investigated the oil filter for leakage but havent seen any until i saw this thread.

I can confirm now that my major leakage comes from around the VTEC oil pressure switch and solenoid area. This is found directly above the oil filter and the shaft which i have seen fresh oil leaks.

I will be doing more investigations tomorrow but will like to ask, what in your case was the problem, was it leakage? If it was leakage, did you conclude the o-ring as shown in the pic on the link was to blame?

I may not be able to source these parts in my current location but if the o-ring is the culprit, then i believe some silicone gum will reduce the leakage till i find a permanent solution. Silicone gum was able to stop leakages on my PS pump o-rings locations and also a leakage i had on the VTC filter screen.

I have noticed that more and more oil gaskets and o-rings are giving up in my car of recent.

This post will help [url] http://www.diyautoworksng.com/replacement-of-leaking-vtec-oil-pressure-switch-on-the-2003-accord/[/url]
My advice, replace the o-ring, if that doesn't work, replace the VTEC oil pressure switch itself. You may want to do this without bringing down the VTEC solenoid assembly since the filter of the assembly may develop leaks if you do. If it does, it will be more challenging to fix leaks from the filter with silicone gum.

afelouz:
Only If you had known!!
I cant advice my worst enemy to use dem coz as bad as he is. He wil end up regreting!! Lol

Most annoying is the fact that I was asked to submit the invoice used for purchase, that has been done over a month ago yet no update. And there's a customer service lady that has this annoying proud tone. Trying to tell me they have over 10,000 customers and all. Don't know if catlanta is still active...

GAZZUZZ:
Village people

Gazzuzz oh, you can just be comic. lol
Nice work by the way, been following...

Piyke:
Replaced my driver door actuator yesterday! Should be dishing out the DIY procedure soon. You can catch a lot of my repairs on my blog: www.diyautoworksng.com

In case you need the DIY procedure on the replacement of the driver door lock actuator for the 2003-2007 Accord, I've done the post!
Catch it here http://www.diyautoworksng.com/replacement-of-driver-door-actuator-on-2003-2007-honda-accord/

Have a bitter experience with Shippyme or should I say Zaposta which they have rebranded to, 3months+, all payments made, yet goods not delivered. This is really a record since I started buying from abroad.

kingi777:
Really? How is the fuel burnt?

Black smoke means the engine is running rich i.e. the ratio of fuel in the air-fuel mix is increased beyond the stoic ratio.

sultaan:
That one is just the oil pressure sensor

Guess you mean VTEC oil pressure switch cos the oil pressure sensor is a totally different part.

Inception:
Piyke,

Hi,

Although this might be a bit of a digression,

when your car has fully warmed up, and you engage drive with the A/C on, do you experience vibration in the cabin?

please respond.

Nope

I beg everyone to please sheath the sword. Let's all respect each other and just do what cartalk is for

sultaan:
Thank for understanding I didn't mean any harm it just that our standard out normal is way below comprehension of the norm in the world right now and the more this kind of images get out into the world the worse it seems for our already battered image as third world.

Let me know if the part works and how much you got it I'll look at the cost from salvage parts new ones cost about N20k it's a vtec solenoid.

The cut wires on the pic you attached is the oil pressure sensor

Got it for NGN1500 and it works perfect! I didn't get the whole assembly nor did I get the one with the cut wire. Here's a link to the exact used part I got:

http://www.diyautoworksng.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/20150825_161920-e1442033172553.jpg

sultaan:
junks, thrash of oyinbo is what we crave when new parts are even cheaper.

All say thanks to Nigerian government policy.

I don't know what kind of part my brother is buying in Chinese market I hope focus on Japanese brands

Please people every time you boast of a market don't post pictures other people in the world will only see our yansh and it is ridiculously dirty.

You can't boast of the biggest part market is the biggest African economy then post pictures of craps in gutters like that!

Thanks Sultaan for the input. I think this is where we differ. I believe in stating things as they are.
I wasn't actually trying to boast of the market per say. My only aim was to give readers a feel of my quest to source a used part from this market. At this level of our development, this is what it is and that's why in the post before this, I said an 'enabling' environment for this market will certainly help.
Do you happen to know anyone who stocks the OEM VTEC oil pressure switch for the 2003 Accord 4cyl in Nigeria? Didn't find and that's why I opted for a used one.

As I exited I couldn't help but think of my fellow countrymen as hard working people. Imagine the surrounding where these men do business! I'm sure an enabling environment will help things.

ZUBY77:
Yeah. It's the largest, even larger than Ladipo.

I have two warehouses there where we offload our goods.

I am currently in China shipping the parts.
While younger brother takes care of things down there.

Cool! Didn't know the Ladipo bit. Bless your hustle. Wishing you a safe trip back!

I finally got what I was looking for. Just like I picked from Gazzuzz, buying parts that are loosened in your presence from an engine or an assembly is always best. Got a shop that had the whole VTEC solenoid assembly and bought the VTEC oil pressure switch loosened from it. Job done!

Enough of the walk-around, had to head to where Honda parts are sold. As I made it in, saw this store where mostly V6 engines were sold...

A little off topic. While I meandered through the sea of people, I stepped on one 'Akpu obi' Schwarzenegger truck-pusher. No be person tell me to scream sorry before he turns . Funny thing, he didn't even feel it

And more parts...

They were parts everywhere...Not so sure if these are good or scraps. Looked more like scrap to me

Coming in it was like...a market, I mean a real busy bustling market. Everyone was as though on adrenaline. Truck pushers, a sea of people and all. I joined in .
Several trucks entering and exiting the place, offloading parts with some picking up scraps...

I recently visited Mgbuka Obosi motor parts market; the largest in the SE, in pursuit of a used VTEC oil pressure switch for a DIY repair (procedure is detailed on my blog by the way). Mine was leaking oil and I had just gotten tired of the leaks . It tripped no codes.

I was in the Onitsha area so I just figured; why not go to the Mgbuka Obosi I've always heard my old mechanics talk about right from my days in Enugu?

Took some pics along the way. Will be sharing them here

Hi Spyder880
You don get alert for the fencing money.

Hope you've checked your radiator

Hi OP, to provide more content, it would be good to reference the hi and low marks on the deep stick when discussing oil levels. This will help readers better. Also it's good to know the distance covered as against level of oil depletion. As you may know some degree of oil consumption is normal e.g. 1quart per 1000miles on some Honda Accords.
In either case yours does sound abnormal. In the meantime you can still go under the vehicle to make sure there are no leaks. It may be possible to have a leak that doesn't make it to drops on the floor. It just simply gets burnt up by the hot surface of the engine. Do you have any burning oil smell from the engine?

uwemjack:
There it is

Really coooool! love it!