Tag: sentra

Michelle asked me to get the car checked as the vibrations were getting worse. I’ve previously ruled out the engine as the source of the vibration. I know that it’s because of the rubber hood stoppers (or the lack of) and the radiator fan. But I also needed to have the engine oil pan resealed due to a leak. Plus it’s due time for an engine oil change.

Deciding to do everything one time, I headed to my favorite Shell quick lube shop.  Unfortunately, when I got there, I learned that they don’t do oil pan resealing. Since resealing requires the removal of the engine oil, it makes sense to do the resealing and the oil change together. So I headed out, this time towards Fusion R, my favorite car repair shop.

On the way, I kept watch for an auto supply shop where I can by rubber hood stoppers. I found one that had an available parking. I turned in, parked, and bought two stoppers for P75 each. The staff was helpful and they even installed them. No more hood vibrations!

I got back in the car and started the engine. Engine won’t crank. Thinking it’s the upward inclination of the parking, I neutraled down and tried starting again. Still won’t. I asked for the help of the staff and they pushed the car up the incline and back to where I was just a minute before.

The shop owner came out, later followed by the mechanic, and they diagnosed the problem to be the ignition coil. They replaced it. They also noticed the radiator fan problem and diagnosed it to be the motor. Since I knew that it has a problem already, I agreed and they replaced it too. Since I was there, I also had my oil change. My bill quickly ran up to P5,270. Ouch! But there certainly was a huge improvement in the noise and vibration levels.

Forgot about the oil pan resealing.

Less than a month after I had its refrigerant replenished, the Sentra’s aircon is not cooling again. So this morning, I went to Frigid Zone, my favorite car aircon shop. They used to be near, they’re not of the small side-of-the-road variety, they have an air-conditioned waiting area, and they accept credit cards.

After a taking down the components and inspecting them, they confirmed that there’s a leak and it’s in the evaporator. So that had to be replaced. And because of the leak the system was contaminated with air and moisture as there was no positive pressure to keep them out. This means the dryer (it’s really a disposable filter) and the expansion valve (not sure about this having to be replaced) also had to be replaced and the system flushed (i.e. vacuumed out to remove any air and moisture). I ended with the following bill:

1. Cleaning, flushing, and refrigerant recharge P1300
2. New evaporator P5000
3. New expansion valve P1500
4. New dryer P1200
5. New fittings P600
6. New o-rings and valve cap FREE

More expensive than smaller shops. But the parts were new and in good condition and the technicians did their work quickly and neatly. It took around 2 hours but I sure hope the fix lasts more than 2 years. So far it feels good and cold.

Just after lunch yesterday, Michelle called that the Sentra’s engine was smoking and it stank. Signs of an overheat. Good thing she had already stopped the car. So I just asked her to let the engine cool, replenish the water in the coolant reservoir, and proceed to the parking.

Some helpful passersby also advised her to pour water over the radiator but I’m not too sure that helped much. Since the engine is off, coolant (if there is any left) is not circulating and that would mainly cool down the radiator and not the engine.

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