Hi everyone,

I have a choice to make which is either Overhaul my iswara engine or change a Secondhand/new car.

It begins with a black oil leak which I didn't pay much attention to it at first, slowly it get worse and I begin to change the gasket. After that my mechanic told me to change a thing called "Oil silk" ? and advise me to send for an engine wash after that. One week later he called me to bring the car back to check whether everything is ok. I go back to my mechanic and he say there is a big leakage. I dont know what is the "part" called that cause the leak but apparent it is located right in front or I would say right below the engine cover where we usually pour our engine oil (any idea what I mean?) something like a big metal pipe which according to my mechanic is quite serious, he also mentioned which this condition, the oil might slip into other part which is located beside the gear box and advise me to do engine overhaul in order to solve the oil leakage issue.

Price quote for eveyrthing (labour + overhaul engine) = RM4k +-

Just want to ask for opinion is anyone encountered such situation before, what is your move? does the RM4k worth the overhaul ? or it is better to purchase another second hand car / new car ?

Btw my iswara sedan (1997) has not many big issue, those plastic rattle sound is visible here and there but it has become "normal" to me haha. Front bumper aly crack here and there, head light already senget bcz last time bang front car. Colour paint of car already fade, roof top colour is basically white liao (the blue colour aly gone).

Please advise and many thanks .

Hi bro,
thanks for the comment. I will upload photo later about the condition then maybe u have a better understanding. I really dont know how to explain

3) my mechanic told me if dont want to do overhaul engine there it only cost around 1.7k to 2.3k just to change the leaking part but he mentioned something about a part located near the gearbox which might be affected by the oil leakage from the top engine there. And he quote if want to change the "part near the gearbox" there, it would require to remove all the engine part as it is located below and the labour is expensive. Thats why he advise to do overhaul, everything tukar baru lo. I am sure he never include any performance tuning/rebore (may I ask it is necessary to do this when overhaul?)

4) If I proceed with overhauling, then I might need to re paint or change bumper bcz after overhaul I dont think I will be selling in 1 or 2 years time since the engine is like new already. Or I was thinking if I add up (overhaul + change front bumper + repaint), is it the price will be equavalent to change a car? or is it worth it to just change all this and maintain my car for another lets say 5 years?possible?

Thank you very much

looks like it is gonna cost around 10k if I want to recondition the whole car
I have attached a few photo of my car engine, particularly on the oil leak area. Hope you are able to understand and pin-point out what are the parts that are affected.

Many thanks.

the previous 4 to 5 months I change the gasket already bcz when I send my car service, my mechanic say got oil leak so advise to change gasket and see whether the oil still leak. After few months, change oil seal bcz oil seal there got a lot of oil. Now he say need to overhaul ><

by changing clutch plate are you referring to the pedal clutch? I think I did change the clutch plate bcz I find it hard to change gear and mechanic say clutch plate worn off or something. Engine overheat did happended before once on highway, I think 3 to 4 years back.

Do u mind to explain more what is clutch slip? I did change 5th gear before because that time when I was driving on highway, when I put on to 5th gear, the gear only last for like 1 to 2 minutes and then it jump automatically to Neutral. After replacing 5th gear, now my 1st gear has some difficulty to engage. It doesn't happen that frequent though but sometime it is really hard to engage 1st gear, need to let go clutch - engage clutch -let go clutch then only can engage 1st gear. Is this what you can clutch slip?

Many thanks for your comment.


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My Iswara has a long cracked at the front windscreen suddenly just noticed it when I am about to leave for work this morning.
May I know how much does it cost if I would to change a new windscreen? Any recommend workshop around PJ area?
No insurance for it bcz car already exceed 15 years.

Thanks in advance.

thanks for the reply guys. May I know how long do they need to replace my car windscreen? Can I collect it by that day itself if I send it in the morning?
If required more than 1 day then I need to send it during weekend bcz no additional transport.

One more question: My friend told me there are 2 type of glass that is use on car Tempered and laminated (if not mistaken) May I know the difference and advantages/disadvantages between this two? which type should I purchase to replace my front windscreen?

thank you very much.

thanks for the detailed explanation Quazacolt
May I know how do I differentiate tempered and laminated windscreen? Just in case if the shop cheat me ke or dishonest ><

FYI my current windscreen's crack can be seen quite obviously from my naked eye. what I mean is I can even use my hand to touch the crack and the surface is not smooth, can feel the crack ( I dont it is the laminated type which has multiple layer)

ic ic. Once again thank you for your valuable input bro

cheers and have a great day ahead.

Just after replacing my car windscreen, today when I wanted to drive out my car to work, I find the brake is not functioning well. Never bother much, straight away tumpang my friend to work and when I come back from work and check what is going wrong to my car brake, I found this.

The Brake doesn't seem to be "makan" and I dont dare to drive out to nearby mechanic shop either bcz scared drive halfway no break! So to anyone out there, can I just buy the brake fluid and top up for the time been and drive to mechanic shop to check ? If can , may I know what type of brake fluid should I buy? My car is Iswara Sedan 1997 model.

Haiz my car is giving me problem every now and then Please advise.

Thank you very much.



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Hi Albert,

First of all, thanks for your valuable feedback. I do not have any mechanic to come over my house for inspection bcz I usually drive all the way to Dengkil (From Sri Petaling) for servicing. I choose to go all the way to dengkil bcz I have been servicing both my car there and find it honest and good workmanship.

For my current situation with the car(no brake fluid), I dont think I am able to drive out far so I am wondering how to overcome this problem. Let say if I pour in new brake fluid and drive to nearest mechanic, it is advisable? (without removing bubble)

On the float that you mentioned, I really dont know what is it and never notice any light on my dashboard. Heck I dont even think there is such indicator in my dashboard haha

Once again thanks for your helps.

Hi Quazacolt bro, thanks for your valuable input again I learn a lot from you here in lowyat hehe. Regarding which part of the brake system defect or still in good condition, normally I leave it to the mechanic that service my car. Of course to have a certain knowledge regarding my car issue would have given me a slight advantage if the mechanic ask me to change something which is not related to brake system. But some time I just can't win over the mechanic when they insist this must change and that must change. (one time I did service at one shop, the mechanic told me to change and I say no need, he say can but if anything happen to yr car dont come back and find me bcz I told u so...LOL)

If I am to change master cylinder/brake pump or whole pump. How much do I need to standby?

Where can I buy DOT3 or 4 brake fluid from bro? Any suggestion in Sri Petaling or PJ/KL area?
Hmm...I think the indicator in my car is either not working or something wrong with my handbrake indicator too because I think it has been quite some time I never notice such light even I pull handbrake.


So for my case just install one float will do? or it come in one whole set with the brake fluid container?

Thanks bro for the feedback, may I know how long would it take for the mechanic to fix my brake problem? 2 hours? 3 hours?


Thanks to all for the feedback.

yes caesarx bro, I face the exact same problem like yours. Tomorrow I will check on the rim and see whether there is oil or not.

BTW how much did you repair your brake?

yes caesarx bro, I face the exact same problem like yours. Tomorrow I will check on the rim and see whether there is oil or not.

BTW how much did you repair your brake?

How much does break pump cost for our iswara? I am changing both rear side and the mechanic is charging me RM110 inclusive labour. Is this price reasonable?

THanks Quazacolt for the answer anyway I bought the brake fluid previously from BHP, so I give them the remaining to top up.