Ignition Timing

A couple of weeks back, the X was experiencing really bad vibrations in traffic jams. I stopped by the Sungai Pinang SC and they diagnosed it to a dirty throttle body. How? The foreman said he couldn't get the a reading and can't update the computer diagnostic tool.

I had it cleaned and that cost me RM80. He also reset my ignition timing back to 16 BTDC.

Now this is the interesting part. So far I've done about 3-4 tanks with the new ignition timing.

On highways, with 16BTDC I'm getting back the high 11.x km/liters in fuel economy.

However the funny part was, mileage driving in town (Penang) has dropped back to below 7km/liters. What is going on?

Before this with 18BTDC highway mileage is between 10-11km/liters and town driving hovers 7-9km/liters.

I don't have conclusive data yet since this is only the 2nd tank of fuel driving in town.

From my reading, N16 users did say advancing the ignition timing did save fuel.

At the moment, I have the following conclusion for tweaking the ignition timing.

Increasing the ignition timing saves fuel when you do more stop-go type of driving involving 0-2500rpm. The increase in ignition timing brings forward the power curve and torque curve. I still can't explain why it uses more fuel cruising at 2800-3000rpm. Maybe more power = more fuel could be use here.

I'll be heading back to reset the ignition timing back to 18BTDC after a few more tanks of fuel.

Rebates for direct insurance

The Star ran an article saying come July 1st, car owners that buy motor insurance directly from the insurance companies would qualify for a 5% rebate. They will get a 10% rebate when they renew it for the second year.

Full news here

Sounds good if you ask me. More discounts on top of the existing one. However as with this country, don't keep your hopes up until you really see it being implemented. Keep your fingers crossed.

 

Cabin Air Filter

As everyone already know, The X in Malaysia is sold without the cabin filter. Only those good fellows in ETCM would know why on earth did they take out such an important piece of equipment.

Maybe half of them fail to realize most of us have to endure driving behind lots of bas kilang, town busses and trucks that spew a "healthy" dose of black smoke that thick enough to create a facial mask for you. I pity the motorcycle riders. I've been there and I know how it feels.

Anyway, today's replacement is Bosch Aeristo a cabin filter with active charcoal elements for the X-trail. T30. Bought it at WELING Trading in Butterworth for RM67. Can't find it anywhere else in Penang. Though I've to check at my new regular shop as I've purchased this before I found Double Champion.

Removing the old OEM filter i bought (it actually cost more to buy this OEM.. maybe i got suckered? Paid RM80)

This is what the dirty filter looked like. You can see the dark sections. Is my cabin air really that bad?? One really wonders.

Here's a shot from the top. Leaves?? where did that come from?

One thing to note when installing the Bosch filter is that there is an arrow pointing the direction of the air flow. It should be pointing downwards. If you are doubtful, grab a tiny piece of plastic enough and see which way the air flows in the cabin air filter box.

Inner Tie Rod Socket Replaced

I had the replacement job done at Kedai Tayar and Bateri Relau. It was simple enough.

1. Removed the wheel
2. Dislodge the tie-rod ends
3. Remove clips securing the boot cover(aka bellows)
4. Remove the boot cover
5. Used this clau like device to unscrew the tie-rod
6. Insert replacement and screw back
7. Realign wheels...

Unfortunately.. it was still going pop pop pop pop pop pop pop pop pop after that... :( bummer

Thinking back, the sound only started happening after the shocks were replaced. Could there have been some issues with the installation? hmmm......

Looks like I'm going to be trying to figure out this sound next... pop!!

The new inner tie rod ends (RM250)

The old one - Looks like there are rust deposits on it.

Steering vibration

This one is a heads up for guys traveling into Ipoh from the north. If you enter town via Kuala Kangsar Road searching for a tyre shop, please stay away from the shop with that big Falken sign. The shops's name is Weng Cheong. I've found a references where people say this shop is a total shark. I concur. Passing through last weekend, I thought i get a quick balancing job as my steering was vibrating badly past 100kmh. The guy there tried to rip me off by telling me all my rims are warped and should be pressed back into shape. Wanted to charge me RM60 per 15" rims (RM80 for 16" above). Told him I was in rush for time and ask him to just continue with balancing instead. Back on the highway.. the steering was still vibrating. When i reached my hometown in Kuantan, I went to visit a shop that my dad frequented. Was told there were no issues with the rims. Its just the problem with the RV70 not seated properly on the rims. Tyres reseated and rebalanced. Test drive - No more steering vibration. I'm impressed with the sifu there. Though the shop looked like run down but the man's got skills.

They shops name is OK Tyre by the way. Its in Padang Lallang, Kuantan.

If you happen to stop by just mention the folks from Kuantan Engineering driving the X recommended you to stop by.

I shall post some related graphics later.

Pop Goes the Weasel

Here I thought my troubles were over after rectifying the gluk sound another mysterious sound came up. Pop pop pop pop!!! Arrrgh!! >_<

Initially it only appeared when I hit a dip in the road turning to the right.

Off I go to Tan Chong in Prai to see if they would want to entertain me. To be honest, I'm utterly frustrated given the run around by the 2 SC's in Penang island. So what better way to spend your Saturdays right?

Drove into the service center around 2.45pm. Walked into the reception area and was greeted by Mr Low. Told him I needed an opinion on some troubling sound and noises I've been having and that I've not been getting anywhere with the SC's on the island. As busy as every one was, he arranged an experienced foreman, Mr Ganesan to perform a test drive to determine the root cause.

I told Ganesan about the steering freeplay and the pop sound when i hit a dip taking turns and off we went finding bumps to attack.

Came back to the SC and he dismantled my left wheel and decoupled the tie rod after performing some test on both  the front and back wheels. He was pretty sure it was the tie rod. After setting the tie rod loose, he confirmed it was the tie rod. There was too much free play.

Unfortunately they didn't have replacement parts at hand. This means I'll have to go back to get this done. Darn. He advised me to change both the tie rods at one go and it could be done "anywhere". Also mentioned the Akimono brake pads from Singapore have very nice grip. *hint* *hint*

They did not charge me diagnosis. I'm not sure I should be happy though since now I have to replace the tie rods... uuugh... more money...

Found some inner tie rod replacement guides just to get a feel what would happen.

1. IF IT JAMS - Replacing the Inner Tie Rod (with YouTube video)
2. Removal of Inner Tie Rod - Saturn S (YouTube Video

Troubleshooting Guide

1. Steering Systems Problem ( Rack&Pinion/Linkages/Tie Rods)