I'm not an expert in cars like my good friend, The Running Robot. The temporary loss of Barry White's services today made me think and rethink about seriously gaining professional mechanic hands-on experience.
I am good with my hands and have a good aptitude in fixing up things. We used to strip engineer tank engines, service it and assemble everything back anyway. Give me a technical manual, I'll master the workings of Barry White in no time.
Maybe some day, I'll work as a car mechanic, who knows?
As the story goes, Barry White went down today. The engine could not start. The first suspect would be the battery. A simple search in the internet had me checking the lights, wipers and air conditioner to confirm the health of the battery.
Wipers - Same lagging speed in all modes
Air con - not working
Radio - working
Lights - didn't check.
When I started the car, there was a rattling sound in where I thought was the component doing some cranking work. If it wasn't the battery, it would be dire because there were several possibilities and I was not equipped to rectify them and provided I know how to in the first place.
It was already 1445hrs. I need to be work at the usual 1530hrs. If Barry White could not be restored on time, I would need a lift. But even then, who will give me the return lift back home at 0200hrs? I borrowed Sandy's (Eugene's wife) Toyota Yaris to perform a jump start on Barry White. Didn't work. My heart sank.
I drove Sandy's Yaris to work with her at the passenger seat. She told me horror stories of her last repair on the Yaris. The bill came to A$2,000+ blah blah. I was sian/2 and told her I'll buy a new old car if I am quoted a bill like that. Yeah, dump Barry White in the Canning River and forget about it. Toyota reliable? Bah!
Later in the day, Jen gave me some good news. It doesn't come very often these days so good news from Jen is good. While I was away at work, Eugene drove to the automobile supplies people and got me a new car battery, replaced it and got it going. It was a battery fault after all, probably too weak to be recharged. Still reliable after 4 months and a minor replacement....and counting.
I'll have Barry White for the coming weekend after all. It was depressing to think about the coming weekend without a car. For a start, if Eugene didn't buy that battery for me, how am I going to travel to the shop to get one?
The lessons learnt today:
1) When things get better, I need to buy Jen a car.
2) It's time to read up intensively about car repairs.
3) Car in Australia is a need, not a luxury - unless you are Superman like Patrick.
4) If I have a place of my own here in future, I need to invest in a chain block and make a portable A-frame. (I should be able to weld by then). That'll let me hoist a car engine if I need to.
5) I need to make more friends. I'm as good as dead with no one to turn to for advice and assistance when things go out of routine. This time I was lucky.
awww, glad it was a battery fault and nothing more serious!! Cars are a need here, not a luxury (which is why i think they are alot cheaper than in Singapore)
ReplyDeleteMy father-in-law was a mechanic for over 20 years in Adelaide - ran his own business, he has retired now, he taught my husband Josh how to service cars, so it was really handy when we started going out and he fixed my car for free, even better now we're married and he and Dad both still do. Dad is probably like you - good with his hands, and very patient. In his garage right now he has all the power tools needed and even though he is retired he still helps people fix their cars up and services them too - doesnt charge very much too.
can i look for u if i own a car in Adelaide?
Deletesei....
seianko@hotmail.com
wish your father in law is here in perth to show me the ropes!
DeleteSure email me, debbykoh@yahoo.com
Deletereckon the battery life is normally 3 to 5 years. Standard practice is that they scribble the date of installation on top of it. So if its already due for change, it can be done before trouble actually starts.
ReplyDeleteGlad things work out fine, take care......
it's good that i blog about this incident too. if i ever forget or the scribble faded, i can always refer!
Deletetoyotas are generally very reliable, but parts do fail due to wear and tear, so it is not something uncommon la.
ReplyDeleteroutine servicing is generally simple, change of engine oil, oil filter, plugs(if necessary). heck, if i can do it myself here in singapore(no landed house you know.., i'm sure you can do better.
if you can get a owner's manual, or better still a servicing manual it would be very much easier
and toyota parts are generally interchangeable, just need to get the part number, which the toyota dealer should be able to help. else just google...
since you are technically inclined, it'll not be too hard
my brother-in-law in sydney does his own servicing and minor repairs himself too...
good luck
oh... look out for the starter, as continuous cranking without starting may indicate that the starter may be going soon. also the alternator. it might be a case of the alternator not charging the battery..
Deleteoh dear oh dear. so much to learn, so little time :(
DeleteRight now I dun even have the space to store any tools. if u see the condition we are living now u'll understand what i mean.
Deletethe house i am living in is not mine. basically. i have next to 'no space'
it'll take time for me to build things up and have my own stuffs i guess.
Join RAC...they will come and start the car.
ReplyDeleteAny idea what's the fees they charge per annum?
DeleteI am paying $89 per year for a standard membership. You can pay more and get more coverage. I have the basic roadside assistance and free towing up to 10 km.
DeleteCheck this out
http://rac.com.au/Motoring/Roadside-Assistance/Roadside-Assistance-Comparison-Table.aspx
Am glad it was just the battery and nothing more serious!
ReplyDeleteYes, agree with above poster (Alvin), join the RAC, but beware of AAMI (car insurance)! Long story, will share with you some other day...
Ya i will look into the RAC thingy. will wait for your email then. anytime u wanna share anything, just mail
DeleteYes, I just switched from AAMI to Alliance. AAMI is cheap but when it comes to claiming, they are hopeless.
Deletelucky your car now ok liao.....
ReplyDeleteah pooh
heng ah, v happy
DeleteI can't agree more with Lesson 5, as it is so true when living away from home. There is a Chinese saying,
ReplyDelete"A good neighbour is better than a distant relative"
Yes Uncle Phil. While some Chinese beliefs may be obsolete over time, some timeless ones are still very applicable till now.
DeleteWhen I see you write Patrick, I wonder which Patrick you are referring to. If it is me this time, I wonder what "Superman" meant.
ReplyDeleteFYI, I am an engineer and a serious car enthusiast. My enthusiasm was severely curbed by the bloody COE. We used to be able to buy a nice sporty ride for the price of a COE today.
So forgive me if I am tempted to indulge a bit in Perth and get myself a nicer ride :)
I am also bit of a 'mechanic' whose biggest claim to fame was probably driving a car with a broken throttle cable to the workshop by tying a rope to the throttle and pulling on it from the cabin. That was a Mr. Bean moment :)
So keep in mind you have another friend here who may be able to help you sort out minor car problems or just help you to push start Barry White when necessary.
And when you need to buy a car for Jen, don't forget to talk to me.
I can safely claim to be a Superman in terms of the amount of car magazine I have read !
That Patrick is you lah. You are the superman who doesn't need a car in Perth. You told me you drive at 130km/h in Singapore. I told you are just a speedo, didn't know you know a lot about cars.
DeleteI dont mind if you get a ferrari or something, as long as i get a ride now and then. haha. I may probably buy jen an old car after you've gotten yours.
if you know a bit about fixing cars, i'll be happy to learn if you are free to teach in the future. miss your cooking, hope to see you soon.
Oh that's what you meant. I think some people probably think I am Stupidman for not having a car in Perth!
DeleteNeed to get a car to explore other parts of WA though.
We can talk over makan when Albany, Jen and you can get out and about again :)
Pat.... Doesn't have a car in Perth not really a superman what.. at least the public transport in Perth is comfortable without feeling like sardine...
DeleteThat time when I was staying there I also dont need a car but still able to go to the places I needed to go... so... you are not a weirdo of not having a car.....
In Singapore, I joined the AA. In Australia, it will be good to join the RAC. At the very minimum if your car breaks down either due to battery, spark plugs, overheat, etc a tow truck can be there to haul you out of trouble. Remember, for petrol engines, spark plugs (platinum plugs) need replacement every two years too. If normal plugs, it will be even sooner.
ReplyDeletei gotta make a trip down to the car part suppliers to get myself familarised. meanwhile will check out rAC
DeleteI heard that RAC is good too. Glad that your Barry White is still roaring!
Delete