Hi all,

i'm going to be undergoing my first complete car engine overhaul, and since im undertaking what is considered the biggest deal to one can do with their car (longest down time too lol), i might as well get everything else done 1 shot. So below is a check list, and within them i have a number of inquiries i hope you guys could help me out with:

engine overhaul
- whats the typical price range for a complete overhaul (includes everything like labor charges/overhaul kits)?
- whats the typical time (days/week) needed to perform this?
- whats the general expectation of an overhaul? eg: my FC is 7-8km/litre, what should i expect after an overhaul? 10-12 give/take? (i used to be getting 10+ max btw, as the years go by, that number obviously get lower)

air cond servicing
- if no part changing (major ones, like the cooling coil), what is the expected cost for a complete service? (everything, cooling coil cleaning, filter change, re-gas etc)
- if need to change cooling coil, what is the going price for it? (please provide original part/3rd party/re-cond prices if possible)
my main issue with the air-cond is that sometimes, can smell engine fumes inside cabin (probably worn out filters), its a little loud (fan noise, probably have to replace), and the in cabin air pressure is a little low and takes a bit to cool down, after driving a while it'll be cool enough to my liking and ill turn it down. not a critical issue, just something id like to get done since im doing this overhaul.

engine starter
- what is the going price for it? (please provide original part/3rd party/re-cond prices if possible)
- my issue with this is that after driving my car for long periods (say, 2 hours?) or driving long distance (KL -> Singapore), and if i stop my car completely (off engine) to refill petrol or whatever, most likely i can never start back my car until i give it 10mins to 1 hour rest/cooling down period. when i try to start my engine back again, there wont be any reaction (no cranking etc) at all. other than the mentioned conditions, the starter is fine, good clean starts everytime.

so question is: my starter still ok or not? need to change/service?

alternator
- what is the going price for it? (please provide original part/3rd party/re-cond prices if possible)
- is there any serviceable parts? i heard can replace the carbon rod or something inside? if so, how much?
- main issue with this is that my car battery may be weak during cold starts or after a certain period (few days at least) of not driving my car. everytime i test the battery at shops its all positive, alternator reading is also positive. atm its a mere suspicion of my alternator's wear and tear condition as the car is after all 11-12 years old, and there was no service done ever for the alternator. this is also only an issue because i have car audio system installed which does draw quite a lot from the alternator/battery. which i suspect if that its drawing more than what the alternator can provide for the audio system AND keeping the battery properly charged, then it needs fixing.

anyways really appreciate if you guys can help me out on the above, will be sending the car in tomorrow night (thursday 15-09-2011) right away to minimize downtime of my car (they will be working on malaysia day, and weekends too, and also pulling night job to try and get it done by weekend or latest monday/tuesday)

thanks for your reply! and yea i agree with you, as the quoted price for complete engine overhaul is around/between 1k-1.4k. (depending on how many parts i need to replace after opening everything up)

i dont have black/white smoke, however 1 (only 1 out of 4 :/) of my spark plugs burn out way too early, and the FC is getting worse by the day despite done primers/throttle body cleaning/using good semi syn oil.

having 11-12 years, and almost 250k km mileage on the car (i've been told typically around 200k km you would do at least a top overhaul) i guess its time i do it ^^;

as for aircond, i think mine never been service too, not too sure though.
that said, recently changed the air cond fan (external radiator one) as it sorta died, and the car was a living microwave owen especially on traffic jams

his rate isnt that expensive, if just service (clean cooling coil/gas/filter etc), he said expect around rm150, and it looks like that shop have the machinery to do the job (looks quite new and high tech so that kinda gave off some confidence for me lol) thats why i decided to 1 shot everything there.

for starter, if/when the problem occurs, theres no sound at all when you turn the keys fully, no cranking no engine response whatever. just... yea not starting
however if i dont drive for long hours/long distance, the problem does not show up at all. so im confused :/

and yes, totally agree on "the right shop to do the best workmanship at average cost"

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Added on September 15, 2011, 12:44 am1) really really terrible FC, (i just spent around rm500 for fuel for last month's credit card bill :/) that burning out spark plug is getting annoying.

2) thats happening 2-3 years later (which i didnt say sell, only changing car. the current car may be inherited by my sis, or keep around as backup. the resale value is already shit compared to what i've already spent on it) , i cant be dealing with all these headaches (considering the long post) for that long of a period.

besides, think of it as "your first car" deal, and i kinda took a liking to my current car regardless if im selling/changing car etc

This post has been edited by Quazacolt: Sep 15 2011, 12:44 AM

over 11km/l despite being a 26 years old car? now im jealous lol. mine's doing 7-8km/l as mentioned
could also be my heavy footing, but still, 7-8 is just painful to my wallet >_<

heres the thing with the batt/altenator: every time i bring to workshops/mechanics and they use their voltmeter to measure, its always positive (~12v for batt only, ~14v with car on running on alternator)

so its still to me.
as for exactly how many amperes my audio system draws, i wouldnt know, if you would know via a complete setup (component set/headunit/4channel amplifier/subwoofer) description, that would be great
wiring *should* be done properly as there are proper fuse/groundings and it was done at a reputable accessory shop that also goes to car audio competitions which have much stricter rules/checkings on wirings

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Added on September 15, 2011, 12:56 am
thanks! will definitely consider the carburetor if the FC is still shit after the overhauling

im still thinking what other "possibilities" assuming i do the carburetor, cuz like, seriously almost ever corner of my car has been serviced/replaced LOL!

This post has been edited by Quazacolt: Sep 15 2011, 12:56 AM

well as i said, if i have the engine starting issue happen, my engine doesnt even "cough" (i believe cranking's the word XD) at all. it just says "NOPE" at your face.

at times i even start to think if the car is having emotions and throwing me a fit for working it too much (long periods/distance driving) and just wanted to catch a break.

i guess im just thinking too damn much lol

steeling up myself for a ~rm2k bill >_<

regarding the engine tuning thing, what kind of tuning can be done for it? it only happens to a single spark plug though, i thought when you tune or do w/e, it involves all the plugs?

thanks, will definitely look into the carbs if there are still further problems after this overhaul. maybe then i can ask you on potential sifus

updates:

- de greaser also cant do much, some of those carbon stains, need sand paper/knife to scrape. like, omfg weih lol

- assembly should be complete on sunday, all the parts etc has arrived. standby cooling coil too in case tomorrow during service need to replace.

- replacing starter, supposedly a recond perdana hi speed starter, using bearing based? should be a lot more durable, and smoother starting. and hopefully, get rid of that dead startup after long distance/period driving.

- replacing air cond pump/compressor, ports all got stains/pitch black inside, dont think can service it also, and even can, cost will prolly be close to replacing a recond set.

- alternator no need replace, they say condition still ok

- engine valves all replace, all burnt/worn out

- engine mounting replace, despite just changed 2-3? years ago, its showing signs of wear and tear, and since overhauling engine, might as well replace despite it is still in "working" condition

so monday can collect car i hope.

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Added on September 28, 2011, 4:22 pmyo elton, may need to get more coolant from you again since my radiator was serviced (flush and painted lawl) included in the overhauling.

will get revo too at the same time to really try out the engine. now past 1k km post overhaul and done post 1k km tuning and mineral oil flush (replaced with semi syn liqui moly from you lulz) and the speed, throttle lightness, and acceleration with just the semi syn oil/tuning is already giving me a lot of thrills LOL!

gonna update this thread once i got the time to post up the pictures lol

This post has been edited by Quazacolt: Sep 28 2011, 04:22 PM

heh i overhauled despite not having white/black smoke issue or abnormal engine oil reduction (after using liqui moly/done carbon cleaning etc, prior that after 2-3k km i need to top up.)

after overhaul, my fc didnt really improve much, maybe got minor improvement. still a bit too early to tell at this point.

however, i think the result will be as it is, as you know, after overhaul, car rev damn light, and they tightened/realigned the throttle cable, so yeah, performance/pickup is a TON better. and i guess my right foot also increased a few kg's worth of weight

i guess this is human nature >.>
spent so much money, in the end still spending more. lol

proton iswara 11-12 years.
its kinda in the thread details.

if you dont mind, you could perhaps read through this thread, and perhaps provide some of your insights?

as the title says, yes it is a full overhaul

my engine is already 1.5k km post overhaul. in fact, i asked the mechanic do i have to go light on the foot, keep below 3k rpm and so on. he said no need, in fact cars are built to run, regardless of new/overhaul, which i strongly agree along since you know, it would be quite suffering to me if i had to go light under 3k rpm all the while especially i have a penang trip within that 1k km period.

during the penang trip also, i was going some ~4k rpm, 110-130km/h speeds. not engine noise is kinda high pitched, probably cuz of the lack of tuning and using mineral oil post overhaul. FC is obviously still in the gutter, didnt really recover that much (seems like it did, though very minimal differences)

post penang trip (~1.2-1.3k ady, overshot the 1k >_<) , did some carb tuning, distributor tuning and perhaps some other minor tunings i may not have noticed, poured in lube guard platinum for my ATF, and using liqui moly semi syn. performance is leaps and bounds beyond what i've experienced. just that its still a little early to gauge on FC. and again, with my foot getting heavier thanks to the added exhilaration from that smooth revving, and acceleration, im not really expecting much lol. just being realistic here ^^;

of course, it depends on how bad the FC is. the mechanic also tell me to come back again if the FC is still bad so he may check on the carbs. (previously he said the carb is still in good condition, probably thanks to the clean outlook from the 3bond throttle cleaning and what not ^^

i would assume they didnt clean the carb since they mentioned that they didnt do anything to it

and mind elaborating on this "air leak device"?

surbo? or it was typo'd from turbo?
personally im not too keen on modding the car. kinda want to keep it stock until i can change my car ^^;

unless of course theres further information for me to read up, most importantly it is proven to improve performance/FC, and without side effects/drawbacks etc.

still need rm150 or so? (from what i read on the thread) or now maybe in the 200's?

this year my finance are totally tied up thanks to the overhaul. so want to do also, maybe next year >_<

no prob, thanks for the info sharing

lol after overhaul, performance really nice, just having some troubles on the top end, as i guess exhaust pipes all clogged up with 11-12 years of carbon? lol

only manage to top around 150-155km/h with everything still stock

and oops, just reminded me i havent posted pictures LOL

that kinda speed is more than enough for my fully stock car, in terms of safety, 150 for a stock iswara is quite dangerous already, unless i change to 15" rims with better tires ^^;

if you mod your engine, or think that flooring the car as cruising, sure lol

MT? because i dont recall iswara AT can cruise 150km/h without flooring the pedal or with minor/heavy modifications, ever lol.

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Added on November 6, 2011, 4:07 pmnoted on that

This post has been edited by Quazacolt: Nov 6 2011, 04:07 PM

ok lo