Body Paint

While washing STELLAR a week ago, I noticed several paint bulges at different places.

Some peeling were also apparent.

I think just doing a respray is not enough. The car needs total paint stripping.

I am now learning to do it. A slow learning. I haven't even started.

But before all those, the floorboard needs attention too. And the front bumper, probably needs treatment, or better/worse yet, a replacement.

Almost 150?

While on the highway last night, I think I pressed the throttle too much.

Way too much.

I finished the 140kph meter, and did a further estimated 20 or 25 extra undisplayed kph. That's around 160 or 165kph total.

Calculating that for every kilometer reflected on the meter is actually 0.9kilometers on the road, I reckon I actually did 144 to 148kph!

That's a new personal record.

The previous owner did mention once that the Mini can reach 150kph. I don't doubt that now.

But it was not a pretty experience. The car chassis was totally vibrating. I got myself a prolonged nervousness that stays for 10 minutes after I ease off to 90 again.

I think the floorboard needs replacing first, before another reattempt can commence.

I will stay at the stipulated speed limits from now onwards, except for overtaking.

Belt Slip

For several days, I thought I heard the fan belt slipping.

So today I really did something to cure that.

I pulled the alternator a bit more upwards, and tightened the nuts.

I also eased off the clutch adjustment nut a bit, hoping to get more throw.

I hope all goes well when I drive it this evening.

Hazard Light

While I lost my headlight, I found out that I hazard indicator lights are working and available for me to use. And I found this today by accident.

It was not working in the past, probably due to multiple problems in the electricals.

While testing the switches a day or two ago, I must have switched on the hazard by mistake and let in stay on. Since I don't really mind if the switch is on or off, so I thought nothing about it, because Haji the mechanic also thought the switch might be problematic. And it did nothing, so there.

But as I drive just now, I indicated to the left, and instead both indicator sides lights up.

The hazard is available! And I am surprised that it does.

I think as I see things go, the hazard might function only when both switches are on, the hazard main switch, and either side of the indicator, unlike most cars which have a single switch to activate the hazard.

Either way, I am relieved. Finally I can proudly use it in case I have a breakdown. Not that I am eager for a breakdown or anything.

No Lights

I found the first electrical fault today.

The headlight went off, and on again, and off again, several times.

Few minutes later, it died the penultimate time.

I had to hold the toggle switch to beam mode to illuminate the dark LDP streets near the Limkokwing stretch.

I may think the lighting switch is at fault, or was it the beam-to-headlight toggle switch?

Either way, the beam was fine. So I'll be using that as substitute for now. I guess the illumination is better with the beam mode on.

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.