Use a more powerful compressor

Q1: I bought a 2002 Kancil 660EX in 2009. It was the version with square lamps. I'm not satisfied with the cooling power of the air-conditioner. It cools very slowly especially in the afternoon.

The air-cond system has been sent for servicing twice but it's still the same. It could take up to 30 mins or around 30km of running to cool the cabin, but just barely.
 
Is this a common problem in the Kancil 660EX since it has a puny engine? Is there a way to really cool the car interior without costing me a bundle?

Mr Tong
Malacca

If the air-conditioning compressor is not powerful enough, you can try and retrofit with a Suzuki Vitara compressor for your car, which is a common practice by some Kancil car owners. Note that if you take this route, you have to spend quite a bit of money on customising and fabricating the cooling system to make it work.


Q2: My Honda Civic 1.7 has clocked 95,000km.

At times, I cannot start my car when the battery's voltage dropped. I have replaced it with new conventional and maintenance-free batteries.

The alternator has also been replaced with a used rewinded alternator. But the problem still persists.

TM Lim
Penang

Check all the wiring harness particularly the starting system circuitry. Get your technician to test the starter motor performance. Since you have already changed the battery and alternator, the starter should be the source of the problem.


Q3: The belting in my Proton Iswara makes a screeching sound whenever I start the engine.

It will not happen in the morning when the engine is cold. It only happens at night after I have stopped the car for a few hours. The sound will go on for about 10 seconds.  After revving the engine for some time, the sound goes off.

The mechanic asked me to change the belts. But I have changed all the three belts two years ago.  Do I follow the mechanic's advice? The existing belts are neither too loose or too tight.

I have tried waxing the sides of all the belts to no avail. The noise does not happen all the time but only about half the time after I have stopped the car for a few hours.

What's going on here?

BC Lim
Ipoh

When a drive belt deteriorates, the belt tears or breaks and your car will stall. We suggest changing the belting since they are already two years old. Refer to your owner’s manual for the maintenance schedule because it varies by manufacturer and car model.