Contaminated E320!!!

A Mercedes E320 just drove into the shop to get his air conditioning system rectified.

Oil in compressor is no longer white and clean. Dirty yellow and slight tint of brown.

As the checks went on... the worst nightmare that a owner could have is to have a contaminated system!!!

Picture speaks louder than words...

Subaru Impreza 1.6L MY08 Sedan, hard to come by.

I laid my hands on a sedan finally. It is a rare thing on the road for this model.

Car was registered in April 2009. Maximum temperature achieved at max cooling with fan 2 speed is only 15.4oC.

The oil condition indicator showed dirty oil when checked. Upon flushing, owner was shocked that the oil actually turned bad so quickly in a year with about 40000+km.

After optimization and sanitization, temperature hit 7.5oC on the thermometer.

Accordingly to owner, car feels much more lively on light throttle now. When turning on or off air con, engine does not react much in terms of vibration.

The lambda system of oil extra and otto were also used, after about 15mins on the road with car parked, the car has become very quiet and idling noise from engine is almost not there.

"Sounds like engine has not been started at all!"

The smile on his face is my best reward for the day!

Just before track day.

On Friday, 13th August 2010, it was one amazing day for me. At least 3 batteries issues plus a dead alternator came into the shop.

First, the Chevrolet Aveo came in the day before for air con optimization. The battery was dead and replaced (by another workshop) after works on air con. Diagnosed with alternator having charging problem as well. Indeed on the next day, the owner got stranded across the border in JB.

Two more guys came in with dead batteries. Although cars were still able to start but owners did realized that their cars did not start well especially during 1st drive of the day. Batteries changed in the shop and cars started well and good. One alternator is suspected damaged due to almost dead battery. Meanwhile, car is good to start and drive after new battery installed.

4th, a Legacy GT. Dealer installed a new battery for this car's owner. Car was bought 2nd hand for about 1/2 a year. Battery's built-in indicator is leaking and acid was spilling out from the indicator!!!

A leaking battery or almost dead battery will kill your car sooner than you could imagine.

The alternator for the Aveo is $400++... not including labor yet.

Simple maths.

Choose your car wisely.

Yesterday, i just worked on a good friend's car.

As more makes and models I touched, I realized that the design of the vehicle greatly affects the the results of your air conditioning system in your car.

Sadly, some cars are not well built to ensure that you have a worry free air con system...

Partly our weather here in Singapore contributed more bad than good to the already not so effective system...

One way to try is to test drive new car in very hot weather or during hot afternoon, you will know if the aircon is good or no good.

;)

New hoses or not?

The pipes or hoses for L and H port, new from factory carries a hefty price tag each.

If minor leaks are detected, chances are that you could still salvage the situation upon removal. Minor leak repair with minimum corrosion, it could cut your bill almost 40-50% for repair.

What if it is beyond repair?

PRAY!

Genuine parts or repaired parts are not much of a difference if you ask me. If it could be repaired, please repair as it will still serve the purpose well. Unless the joints are badly corroded and not reusable, then you will have to worry.

It does not matter if it is new from factory or repaired hoses, you will have to take good care of it. You may not understand the whole theory behind it but bringing your car to certified personnels to get it serviced or checked, it could save you lots of money.

How does new oil look like?

How long automotive air conditioning oil (PAG OIL) look like?

When fresh from factory, the oil is white and translucent.

Once its lubricating property starts to drop, the oil has started to turn light brown. Light brown oil is bad, trust me. You do not want to spend thousands of dollars to repair your car's air con.

I just had a car that has the air con system neglected throughout the years of driving and modification. Leak is detected along the H and L ports pipes.

Replacement of these two pipes is a simple task but they cost a bomb!!! Two pipes from Subaru factory and with labor will burn a hole in your pocket. Two pipes alone will cost you $1k-1.2k!!! When I first saw the bill, I thought my blood sugar is low...

Friends of mine, repairs for air conditioning system is not cheap. The two pipes could actually buy you a system 2 for your house!!!

Some oils collected from vehicles.

PAG OIL is what I use to service your air con system. PAG OIL is OEM. When new, PAG OIL are translucent and white in color. Once the oil is worn down, it starts to turn brown.

Sometimes you will see yellow dye in the oil from some vehicles. The car owners could have added treatment or leak guard to your system previously. Air con treatment or leak guard has yellow dye. In the event of a leak, it is alot easier to identify the location of the leak.

Manufacturer recommends air conditioning system to be serviced every 40,000km or yearly. This will greatly ensure that your air con compressor stays in good health and last you a long long time.

Neglected system up to 3 years, it is like a time bomb ticking away.

This could cost you expensive repairs and down time.

If you are in doubt about your air con in your car, drop by for a free consultation now. No obligation to engage the service that could be rendered but at least you know what is the condition for your system.

Call me at 9853 7486 or email me at mtshark@gmail.com.