DIY; Replacing Aircond Compressor

Early this month, my Perouda Kancil's stock aircond compressor reached it lifetime.  So I send it to the aircond service centre and he give me quotation for RM400 by using 2nd hand Daihatsu Mira L2s aircond compressor from chop-shop (halfcut). So i decide to install the compressor by my own to save labour cost and then send to workshop for refilling the gases.

So I go straight to the chop-shop and find one unit of compressor Daihatsu Mira L2s for RM170 with one week warranty. The next day, I start my project. Here, I will share with you step-by-step on how replacing aircond compressor by your own.

What you need?
1. Replacement O-ring (1 big and one small)
2. Spannar/ring no.10 to open the bumper
3. Spannar/ring no.12 for loosing/tightening the aircond compressor nut.

4. Wire tape; in case any wire need to be cut and reconect.

5. Rags
6. Safety glasses

First, remove the front bumper. After that you will see the compressor just next to the oil filter. Before removing any screw from the compressor, you must vent pressurised gases in the pipeline by pressing the valve slowly using philip screw drivers. To avoid direct contact with the gases, cover the valve with rags. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Make sure no more gases left inside.

Release Valve in red circle

Then you can start loosening screw of the intake and outlet pipe (No.4 & 5 picture below). remove carefully and place it higher somewhere on top of the compressor to allow more space for you to remove the compressor.

Next step, remove the connecting wire and the nut on top (No.1) that also function as belt tensioner. At this time you can remove the belt from the compressor pulley. After that, remove the 2 nuts below (No.2 & 3) the compressor before you can take out faulty compressor and replaced with the 2nd hand/new one. Check inside the faulty compressor if there is a debris or black oil.



Air Cond Compressor



Screw nut below (No.2 & 3 above) the compressor first, and then on the top. Do not tighten the screw on the top first because you need to put back the belt into the pulley. When the belt tension enough, then you can tighten it. How to tension-up the belt?  You can do this by pulling compressor by using wooden stick or iron rod from the top of the engine bay, then tighten the screw (you need someone to do this). Then test the tension of the belt by pushing the belt down, the best belt tension will be half inches drop when pushed.



O-ring in yellow circle, black in colour. One big and another small

After that, put back inlet and outlet aluminium piping to its position. Remember to change the O-ring (refer picture above), it can be easily removed by using testpen or just cut it using cutter. Do not apply high force to the inlet/outlet screw because aluminium cannot stand for that. Finish that, plug back the wire connecter  and put back the bumper.
Finally, go to the aircond service center to fill the gases and compressor oil. For this, the boss charged me RM60. So the total amount for my aircond problem is RM230, instead of RM400; the quotation given by the same workshop. So I save up my money RM170..


2nd Hand Daihatsu Mira L2s Aircond Compressor, RM170 circled in red

 If you buy a new compressor for RM350 + RM60 for gases and compressor lubricant, total is RM410. Usually aircond service center will charge you around RM550-650 for that. You save up RM140-240.00. Forgot to tell you that, I buy O-ring from the same workshop for RM3.00 each, 2pcs = RM6.00. Other place mabye cheaper than this.

Very worth for money izzit, so Do-It-Yourself !!!

ADDS ON

• If you plan to change both belting (alternator and aircond compressor), better to do it together with this project. Save time and energy.
• If you see any debris or black oil inside the faulty compressor, the whole system need to be cleaned. The debris and dirt oil could be has spread into the whole pipe line. The drier (filter) need to change to new one, and the valve (somewhere on the cooling coil under dashboard) must be vacuumed. On this part, I suggest better to ask an expert to do it.

TIPS ON BUYING 2ND HAND AIRCOND COMPRESSOR

•  Look at the lubricant, if white or yellowish it is in good condition.
• If you can pull the center pulley by hand (the center pulley will not spin faster as the outer pulley), it is good.
• Spin the center pulley as fast as you can, you will hear sucking sound from one of the piping hole. It is in good condition. But never expect 2nd hand item as perfect as a new item. If budget permits, buy the new compressor for longer lifetime.

Learning The Vehicle Language

Most of us aware of every sign that appear on roadside, overhead and even on the road surface and understand what it means. But sometimes, we will found indirect messages from incoing, infront and behind of us such as vehicle flashing head lamps or just honking. This can generate a lot of questions mark as we cannot communicate directly with them to ask what they are trying to tell us. This is the most common vehicle language that we always find on the road.

1. Incoming vehicle flashing head lamps during daytime

• The driver maybe your friend or someone who knows you or your car. If you not recognize them;
• The driver trying to tell you what happen ahead. It could be an accident, road maintenance works, broken road, flood and landslide. But based on my experience, incoming car flashing light on daytime will found that the police traffic or road transport department is conducting roadblock or speed trap. Make sure you buckle-up your seatbelt and start to slow down.
• Maybe something wrong with front portion of your car. Maybe your car plate number or bumper getting loose.
• If you are overtaking, the incoming driver telling you about his appearance and want you to alert especially when you are getting near on their lane.
• If you driving in a busy traffic, then the incoming car flashing their headlamps and the stop their car, mean that he is asking for your permission to cross by ur path for entering the junction on your side. Read related topic about this Here .

2. Vehicle behind blinking headlamp at you during daytime or night

• You are driving 40km/h, but in the fast lane.
• If on single lane, he could be somebody you know. If otherwise;
• Something wrong with the rear of your car. Check for brake light, plate number, bumper, spare tires (if mounted under), tire condition.
• He is trying to tell you that he want to overtake and want you to alert.
• If you are driving a supercar or fully modified car, it could be the guy behind want to have street racing with you. Its all up to you..

 3. Incoming vehicle honking at you

• If a short honk (once) 1-2 beep, It is likely the same meaning with No.1 above.
• If a long honk, he was trying to express his angry when you overtake in a dengerous situation and getting near with him on his lane. Usually honk will be come up with headlamp on (very very angry).
• If at night, he was angry because you are not switching headlamp to low beam. If you not switch it to low beam as soon as possible, he might switch to high beam also to let you know what he feel when someone using high beam.
• Maybe "something" on top of your car's roof. As you can seen in the horror movie. Hope this one will never happen..

4. Vehicle behind honking at you

• The same meaning with No.2 above.

5. Vehicle playing with headlamp (hi and low beam)

• If incoming vehicle, check your head lamp indicator, maybe you forgot to switch to low beam mode.
• If from behind, he trying to tell you that he want to overtake. Just want you to aware of it.
• If the vehicle infront of you doing so, make sure you switch to low beam. If yes, maybe he just want to test the newly installed bulp.
• It could be your friend, playing with you.

6. Left signal blinking but there was no junction on the left or even stop (for right-handed drive)

• The driver want you to overtake, as you tailgating so close or he dont want to be followed.
• Because the driver drive slowly, he want to help you to overtake whenever the incoming lane are save for overtake. This usually happen on the single lane and "S" type or zig zag  road.

Thats all for now, if there is another I will update later..thanks for reading

Driving Ethics

Believe it or not, practicing good driving ethics while on the road can give satisfaction or a simple mind therapy to us. For example, on a busy road, 100 meter ahead there was a car trying to exit/entering the junction. Driver seems hesitant to enter or exit the junction, the driver could be a women, senior citizen or fresh driver. Seeing the situation, try to give them a way in front of you by giving them a signal either by hand or the most commonly use by flashing headlamps 1-2 times. But before that, there are some thing you should take note for that.

1. Do not make sudden stop.
2. Make sure there is no fast-moving motorcycle beside you. They may not realize your good intention to give way to the car in front. This can cause that motorcycle lose control if the car that you give way is not aware about them.
3. Do not flash the head light too long, as this may cause misunderstanding; that you warned him not to enter your path, or as if you told them to enter your path immediately (not sincere).
4. Do not give way to more than 5 cars at one time. This may cause resentment or hostility toward the driver behind that maybe race against time.
5. Most people will reply your kindness by raising-up hand or just give you a smile. But if the driver don't reply anything even a simple smile for you, spot it and next time when you find that car for a second time, never give them a way. This is how to teach people who are not practice culture of courteous in their life.

The feel of satisfaction or mind therapy only can you felt when the driver or passenger of the vehicle that you give way raised-up their hand and give you their smile as a token of thanks to you. Certainly the driver / passenger who witnessed the Good Samaritan like you will say "She/he is a very kind people, may God bless them." That was directed to you!!. How do I know? Now, reverse the situation. You are trying to enter or exit the junction during a peak hour. And somebody give you way. What do you think? If you feel nothing and do nothing even just a smile, then you are now can join the group of people that I stated in no.5 above.

One more situation that i always found when driving on a single carriage way, people increase their speed when somebody try to overtake them. I don't know what is the motive they do that. Why don't just let them overtake you. Maybe you drive to slow, or maybe he/she running out of time for something or an emergency. Both of you also can involve in accident if there was an incoming car. 

And the last one, when you see incoming car overtaking, give them way to re-enter their lane and if necessary slow down your vehicle. Remember, live only once, no spare for that.

**read also related topic: http://www.lowisslow.com/2012/11/long-distance-driving-tips.html and http://www.lowisslow.com/2012/01/tips-driving-in-rainy-days.html

Always practice good ethics in daily driving, remember the loves one, they  are waiting for us. Enjoy your ride everyday safely and smile..

Proton PREVE; new sedan by Proton

This is my previous articles about Proton Preve or previously named as P3-P2A.

Now nothing was hidden about this new sedan. All the pictures and information about the interior, exterior, accessories and engine specification has been widely spread through bloggers. This is the pictures that i found from bloggers.



Front frame of PREVE. If you notice there is a turbo charger just next to the head..





Two great pictures from funtastickodesign . I like the colour of this one..

 I've read one of the letter from the proton saying that the latest launching date of Preve by Prime Minister will be on 4th April 2012. But it subjected to change at anytime due to the Prime Minister of Malaysia Dato' Sri Mohd Najib tight schedule. But im very sure that Preve will be launch by this month. Full details of Proton Preve, READ HERE