Monday, April 23, 2012 10:07 AM
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Stopping the shakes
Q1: My cousin passed on a 1996 Nissan Navara to me in September. It was working normally until last month when it started to shake from 60kph to 100kph. It stops only upon slowing the truck down.
What's happening here?
Kermit
Penang
Send your truck to the authorised service centre for engine tune-up that includes changing or servicing the following: spark-plugs, engine oil, oil filter, fuel filter and air filter.
Check the electrical parts, suspension and linkages, as well as engine and transmission support.
Troubleshoot the brake system and engine management to be sure they are working properly.
Check the Navara’s performance after these to see if the changes made has resolved the problem.
Q2: I have a late model Alfa 166 V6 3.0 24v with 150,000km. The timing belt was changed at 100,000km although the manual recommended 120,000km.
Do I need to change the timing belt and are there other changes to consider?
Can I change the parts using average tools?
Shamsul
Klang
Your timing belt was set to a lower mileage than the manual’s recommendation to account for the traffic and weather conditions being more severe in today's driving conditions than they were previously, hence the lower value.
Time to change it. On top of that, also change camshaft and crankshaft oil seals and the timing belt tensioner. These components should be replaced at the same time.
If you know the timing valve principles then by all means you can change the timing belt yourself with regular tools.
However, this is not recommended as sometimes engine servicing may require special tools, which are only available in workshops. Send your car to a reputable workshop for the timing belt servicing instead.
Q3: My Saab 900 is idling erratically.
It starts fine but will start to lose engine speed after about 15s falling to around 200rpm before soaring to 1,200rpm.
When engine is warm, the speed hovers at 1,200rpm.
Jonas
Shah Alam
The Saab 900 was made from model years 1994 to 1998. Your car is 20 years old and already a classic.
The Saab 900 has several engine variants which includes one with fuel injection.
Assuming yours is a carburetor engine, ask the mechanic to check the carburetor's idling circuit and ignition timing to resolve the idling problem.