The Test Drive

Other than a 180 degree spin near the end of the journey, the ride today was uneventful.

It's not so epic either. I don't have so much time, and I do think this much is enough.

The 272 metered kilometer (or 244 corrected kilometers) ride took about 4.5 hours excluding breaks. This covers mainly the southern side of Selangor.

Pre-drive, I did a general check on the engine, inside the radiator, the oil level and electrical connections.

What shocks me, was two loose spark plugs, at locations 1 and 3 from radiator side. This was promptly tightened. Lucky me!

No wonder the area around the particular spark plugs are a little bit oilier than the rest.

And then, a full fill up of the tank, which registers almost 20 liters. This is exactly the amount to use, which when the amount is up, will see the gauge registering the middle level. Bought some bread too after that.

Then, at approximately 8AM, I am off, to Salak via Putrajaya-Salak Tinggi highway.

This was followed by Sepang and Sungai Pelek, and by accident I went instead of Morib, to Bagan Lalang. This mistake was well received though, as I did enjoy the brief view of the sea, and the construction of the marina lodging.

These are the next few towns and notable villages.

• Tanjong Sepat
• Morib
• Banting
• Jenjarom
• Telok Panglima Garang

Arriving in Klang, the weather was already warm. It's almost 10AM by then.

As I came near Kota Bridge, I knew I made a significant mistake. It was a traffic jam, which I am aware of but forgot to recall.

I thought it would be fine. But then I saw it.

The first result of the test. Zero oil pressure at idle. One burden.

Then the clutch, probably getting a bit too warm, decides to bind together a bit. Oh no! Extra burden.

I am not to be put down so easily though. I played with the clutch, and pressed the throttle to more than 1500rpm. That should kind of a temporary solution until I cleared the city congestion.

Middle of the commotion, I found an opening heading to Kapar. So I followed that instead, not anticipating any proximity of clearance if I still head to Federal Highway.

Not far into Jalan Kapar, I finally did found an entrance to enter NKVE, with a non-memorable name. I followed that.

Via NKVE I attempt to enter the Federal Highway. Then I head to Shah Alam.

At first, I plan to head to Sungai Buloh and then Rawang via the Monterez route. But instinct told me I am maybe too tired already. Plus I have not eaten much. And I need a drink.

A brief stop at Shah Alam cures this. And I am off to Sunway and entered LDP, Putrajaya bound.

Near Bukit Puchong, I decided that I need a little more old road cure. Thus I entered the alternative road to Cyberjaya via Bukit Puchong Industrial Area.

Near the exit of this road is where I did a stunt that went too far. A 180 degree turn.

I think I cornered at 60kph. I am sure the bend I was about to enter was a 115 degree bend.

The back went outwards faster than I can blink. No amount of steering correction can contra this ultimate type of oversteer.

No harm was done to me and STELLAR.

My heart did stop for a while I think. PHEW!

Mentally noted, I must do it again under controlled condition.

Cyberjaya time, I strolled around a bit. And I went back. Arrival is at exactly 2PM. And I went to sleep mode.

For the next one, I will plan a better ride, utilizing as minimum highway as possible, including even those freeway around me. I plan to drive to the northern side of Selangor for this one. A northern Negeri Sembilan ride is an option too, for it has more Federal road than I can imagine having in Selangor.

Long Vacation

STELLAR finally went back last night.

My veteran mechanic did a terrific job, nonetheless. I think the charge is fair enough. I saw only pleasant stuffs in my engine bay. The wiring was revamped, and all the unsightly big looms are replaced with proper insulation and heat shrink rubber sleeves.

Most improvements are noticeable. The electric fan was louder, suggesting higher running speed. The wiper was damn fast, compared to last time, I think the speed doubles.

There are one or two flaws in the electricals still present, probably due to loose earthing. One is the indicator sometimes not emitting, and that is solved by tapping the relay body underneath the dashboard. And then this beam light sometimes flickering when it is activated. That's all, nothing major.

But the one bugger was the clutch. The adjustment probably was not right. So it's just trial and error for me.

But surprisingly, when I did have a go at adjusting it, all was easy it seems.

Hope it stays that way. And I will have a pleasant ride home tonight.

Later, I will write a full description of what my mechanic friend did to my car.

Issues

As Haji said, the electrical was quite, to say the least, "too far gone".

And as one of his workers said, "I feel like vomiting".

But then again, he will do it.

The main thing to do will be,

• front sidelights
• brake lights
• brake master cylinder
• starting system
• I can't remember.... hehe...
  

The optional jobs are,

• hazard lights
• wiring for immobilizers
• rear drum brake shoes
• reversing lights
• etc..
  

I forgot to add the horns, but there are issues, so I don't mind just yet.

The big issue with STELLAR's electrics was that, it's just that in the past, too many hands had touched the circuitry, and mixed it with lots of wrong color coded wires. And probably added too many extra wires for the extras like spotlight, hazard, etc.

Not to mention, lots of extra meters like ammeter, voltmeter, oil pressure etc.

Reasons..

I have no time.

I have no space.

I have no skill.

I'm still weak from all the fever last week.

Thus off to Haji Yahaya STELLAR will be.

Tonight, I'll try fiddling with the electrics for the last time. Maybe it WILL, start, who knows..

No Life

I was feverish. Or so I feel.

But I have got to go to the office today.

Thus, I think I might drive.

But no, the very fortunate STELLAR won't start. Won't even budge!

I think I also saw a small spark under the dashboard. Oh NO!

OK, rest as you may brother, but soon enough you will HAVE TO MOVE!

1275GT Electrical Circuit

Am studying this for my upcoming repairs. This includes :-

• Brake Light
• Front Indicators
• Rear Indicators
• Hazard Light
• Rear Demister
• Horn
  

Actually it seems pretty easy, but in real life, not really.

Add to that the tiny allowances of space for your forearm, and the insufficient length of cables usually found in Minis, it poses a beautiful challenge.

I'd say, bring it on!

Brake Repairs

Finally I did the unthinkable.

I uninstalled and dismantled STELLAR's brake master cylinder.

On Merdeka night!

Only thing was, the stuff Pak Syed called his version of repair kit was incomplete. So I have to wait to buy those new when I got the budget. You see, no non-return valve was around.

No Brakes Again..

I did it again today!

I drive with no brakes.

I think I got the hang of it. I don't feel feverish anymore, like two Fridays ago.

But something bothers me.

When I shift down from fourth to third, there's a few clunking knocks audible under the engine.

But there's also a somewhat fragile lorry overtaking me on the left, so was it the lorry?

And then, when the handbrake locks the rear wheel, there's a small or medium sounding bang of sorts at the back. Which worries me too.

When I finally and safely reached the office, I topped up both brake and clutch cylinders, and tested the brakes. It doesn't respond at all.

That means the rubber seal's out. So that needs replacing. And Pudu is in my plan once again (to buy them spare parts).

Hand Signal Aficionado

I believe not having any brake and indicator lights has its benefits.

One of my observation proves that. I think the person behind me backs off a little farther when I waved to slow down, compared to the past when I simply pressed the brakes to emit the lights.

And then, using the hand to indicate tends to make the person easier to give way than using the lights.

But the drawbacks are clear.

Indicating my braking or turning intents should be done way early. And there's no guarantee that they saw it.

Still, I like waving the stop sign and look in the rearview mirror. It's refreshing to see them back off.

But, with a defective footbrake, I sure will have problem doing that, without abandoning the steering wheels sometimes.

Little Mini Posing

The RC was posing when I thought he looked alright for a photoshoot.

Oil Pressure Switch And Leak

Finally I got the motivation and mood to install the long awaited oil pressure sender switch.

It was a no-brainer. I imagined it would be hard to do, but I guess my mindset is still behind, when STELLAR was a tight fit with all the air-cond ancilliaries in.

It was a delight when the air-cond was out. It's so sparse in the engine compartment.

Then I did some investigation. I found that the pipe where the oil enters the oil cooler is loose. I guess I never saw this, or forgot to check. Imagine all those wasted precious black oil!

It was duly tightened.

That's all for the day, for Maghrib arrived too soon.

Rear Looks

Cheap And Nasty

If there is one thing I learnt today, it is this.

It is best to go straight to the supplier, to get the exact brand of whatever that is that you want.

I should have known this ever since I first own any whatchamacallit electrical stuffs, or even my past Mini by the name of SYCLONE.

If you need to repair your Sony Walkman tape player, go to Sony.

If you need repairs on an LG fridge, call LG.

If you need to find fair-price Sime tyres, go to Sime Tyres.

And exactly, I went there today. The one at Jalan Gombak, from Setapak towards Lee Rubber ex-factory site.

I got a pair of tyres for 145 each. That means 290 burnt.

Better still, than being charged 165 the last time I replaced them. Probably the extra 20 per tyre is for the short-distance shipping, or petrol fee, or whatever that I wouldn't really want to hear.

Even better, they can repair His Majesty STELLAR's bent rims. At 40rm.

I was quoted 80 at a shop nearby my office.

Yes, it pays to research. And it pays to head back to the actual manufacturer.

And, prioritize. Repair the actual reason of damage first before repairing the secondary damaged. Like, replacing the ball joints first before the tyres. But that's another story.


Mark Slaughter: If I knew then, what I know now...

For Sale

Some of the things for sale today.

Feeling like lightening STELLAR up. Fuel efficiency is the key.



Battery Cut-Off Switch (Sold)




Clarion 6inch Speakers For Proton Wira Aeroback


Pipercross 44mm Choke Ram Pipe for HIF44




Sanden 505 Air Condition Compressor (Sold)




Sanden Condenser Fan (Sold)




PBR Remote Brake Vacuum Servo (Sold)
This unit needs repair kit for the diaphragm.