First Impression: Bosch Aerotwin

Replaced the aging DuraEdge wipers last week. They don't make them like they used to. These are just barely 2 years. Compared to the DuraEdge I used to use on the Kenari, those lasted me well over 5 years till I sold the car.


RM90 pair of Bosch Aerotwin took the old spot where the DuraEdge used to be. Got them at the usual place - Double Champion. Still find the looks quirky in my opinion.


The Aerotwins had its first chance at action today.The rain was light enough to give the new Aerotwins something to do. The very first thing observed was how quiet it was on the glass. I almost forgot I had the wipers on. 


The Bosch Aerotwins are very very quiet workers. Wonder how long will they keep with this performance before showing signs of needing replacement. 



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Update 12/12/12: The overdued update to this. I'm sticking back to silicon wipers. Currently using SWFs'. The Aerotwins started to cause hazing wiping oil residue all over my windscreen. Windshield cleaners don't help much. 
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Truck Sputtering: Iridium Died

Driving to work this morning something weird happened. The X was sputtering. Pushing down on the pedal it went chug chug chug shake shake clutter sput sput @ 2800rpm on 3rd. Uh oh.. must be one of those days. So I thought maybe its too cold this morning. It will get better during lunch.


When it was time for lunch, at all traffic light stops on either D or N, one moment the engine was idling nicely, the next moment you hear a thud and the engine felt like it was about to die off. The symptom from this morning was still there. If you are thinking.. did the check engine light come on. Nope. I was watching it the whole time.


Drove to ETCM BYB. Zam plugged in the diagnostic but there was no fault generated at all. He was suspecting either it was the plugs or it was the ignition coil. The coils were less likely as if it was the case there would be faults all over and the check engine light would have been lit.


The existing plugs looked visually ok. Only one of them had a little more soot (second one from the left in the picture). I ended up getting some new OEM NGK. 


No more engine sputtering since i left ETCM. Kudos to Zam again.

Now abit more on the plugs, these are Denso Iridiums that I threw in in Aug 2009 at 96000km. The meter currently reads 119499km. Thats like 23,000km only. Quality issue ?


Using a multimeter, I measured the spark plugs's resistance at the core. All gave different readings(see in picture).   Now I wished I had the meter with me while in the shop so that i can measure the new NGKs. Can anyone get me some reading during their next change? =P


Only time will tell if the NGK plugs solved the engine sputtering problem.


Today's damage RM116.

Radiator Top Replacement

Recently the radiator top was leaking. Replaced it at RM180 at a radiator shop in Airmas apartment in Sungai Dua. The job included a flush and replacement of the leaking plastic top. The replacement unit was fabricated from Taiwan. The finish looks good. Fingers crossed that this won't cause me future problems. ETCM would have cost at least RM400 to fix. Its been working fine for weeks now. Then the question is that do you run your radiator with just water or do you use coolant ?


Appreciate if anyone could leave their comments and thoughts. I'm still reading up on this.

Brembo OE Front Rotors

My brakes have been squeaking for a while and based on visual inspection i do feel that the wear on the brake pads and on the disc rotors are uneven. The more clearly I look into my X the scarier it becomes as I come to realize how much abuse the previous owner has given it. Skimming it would have saved but then I've no clue of the existing rotors.

In order to replace the rotors, I've searched high and low for every possible economical replacement means. I must be kidding right? Economical? :-) I found the following sources.

1. Rotor from Tan Chong - RM800++ a piece. After discount RM630+
2. Same Nissan rotor from Double Champion - RM450 a piece
3. Compatible Taiwan rotor from Double Champion - RM 220 a piece
4. Brembo OE rotor from Lowyat - RM480 per pair.

Now the Brembo OE rotors definitely look like a bargain. There was a risk that these could be fakes. After much hesitation I took the risks with the Brembo OEs. According to the technical sheet, the material used are just normal cast iron and it is manufactured according to the OE specification. Based on research they should be manufactured in Brembo's OE factory in China. 

Now when the package arrived and un-boxing it. They definitely looked very original. The discs are wrapped nicely in anti-rust paper. Product documentation from Brembo were in the package. The workmanship visually looks good and does not show any signs or shabby manufacturing. Identification markers for the rotors are also found on the vent side of the rotor.


Now if these were indeed fakes. They are definitely very high quality fakes. My attempts to obtain guides from Brembo to identify fakes so far have yielded no response.


Along with the new rotors I installed new brake pads as well. I wanted some Sumitomo but Double Champion only has the Nissan original pads from Japan. These cost me RM320. I won't complain so long as it doesn't dust up on me.

Fuel Subsidy

Our beloved minister reported that there will be 2 price structure for petrol from May 1st 2010. The little revelation that he provided was that the subsidy will be based upon the engine capacity of the vehicle. Such smart and shallow decision. Here's the news stub at The Star.

For Malaysians, the price of petrol will also be based on engine capacity, which means that not all would be entitled to subsidised fuel, he added.

“Not all Malaysians will get the fuel subsidy, which should by right be given to those earning less,” he said.

Ismail said those eligible for the fuel subsidy would be able to buy fuel based on the current prices while those who are not eligible for it, will have to pay the market price.

“For RON95 petrol, the Goverment’s subsidy is 30sen per litre now. The current price of RON95 petrol is RM1.80 compared to the actual price, which is RM2.10.

“So, Malaysians who are not eligible for the subsidy and also non-citizens will have to pay RM2.10 or more,” he added.