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.

Hot Plate

As most say, Minis can never be perfect. Occasionally, something will break. (read: weekly)

As of last night, STELLAR suffered his worst clutch binding to date. In the rain. On Jalan Tun Razak. Big mistake. Heading towards Seremban Highway. Bigger mistake. Imagine that!

Being in a traffic jam with a modern car is relieving enough, compared to being in a Mini, with an increasingly hot and binding clutch. Add to that a pinch or two of stiff clutch pedal spring, and you will get a sore leg muscle in no time.

Fighting the pain, I had to hold on to the clutch while balancing the throttle, or the engine will die. If I shift into neutral gear, it will stuck there and not go into any gear anymore.

I learnt my lesson. The lesser I use the clutch, the lesser the chance of it to bind.

So today, I intend to avoid the morning traffic altogether. At 6.30am, I departed for work. It's simply a big treat for both of us.

Probably Wednesday next week, STELLAR will get its intensive rest. I may drive him sometimes to catch the intercity bus, twice a week.

And I vow never to pay another mechanic for at least 3 months. For that, he needs all the rest he can get.


PS: Missing Muzaffar so much! Been three weeks since our parenting sabbatical.