DON`T BUY SOMEONE ELSE`S CAR PROBLEMS!
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DON`T BUY SOMEONE ELSE`S CAR PROBLEMS!

The last 12 months I have had to deal with a increasing large number of angry & stressed out customers who have bought cars in` good faith’ only to their horror have had to deal with expensive repair issues which should not have passed a safety certificate examination in the first place.

The Real Situation and Problem

Unfortunately, there is a large percentage of the population who do not keep their vehicle properly maintained, in the other words they just “Drive the vehicle into the ground!” due to their lack of discipline or financial outgoings they then either trade the car in for a newer vehicle, give the vehicle to Auction companies or try to sell the car- HERE IS THE REAL PROBLEM- to sell a car you have two options

  • De-register the car & sell the car unregistered
  • Sell the car with a Safety Certificate

The safety certificate is the critical piece of the process, THE PROBLEM IS SAFETY CERTIFICATES ARE NOT CARRIED OUT PROPERLY, let me repeat that just in case you missed that SAFETY CERTIFICATES ARE NOT CARRIED OUT PROPERLY.

Why are safety certificates not carried out properly?

Answer- Lazy Mobile safety certificate businesses, lazy mechanics & pressure from ruthless car yard operators who press the buttons on gutless safety certificate examiners to pass cars on inspections.

Dealing with stressed angry bitter potential customers who have bought a under qualified car that requires repair is A psychosis art of Self- discipline because on many occasions the new owner has to pay for repairs that should have been paid by the previous owner.

Preparation & Planning

Buying a car can be stressful or fun depending on how much knowledge & research you have conducted.

 1st step is to know exactly which car you want – this the most important step.to know this you must examine your lifestyle & whittle your choices no more than 3makes/models

2nd step, your budget- how much can you afford?

3rd step get the vehicle inspected by a mechanic of your own choice. Someone who is up to date with technology & has a feel for the market value- this person can give you valuable insights & negotiating power.

  • When buying a car- ALWAYS CONTROL YOUR EMOTIONS, never ever get attached to a car without thorough examination first- there is always another car.
  • Be cautious of buying cars off friends or family.
  • Always pay for a Revs check to see if the car has been written off, stolen or finance still outstanding
  • Never ever go for a test drive in the rain- the water can muffle noises & annoying squeaks.
  • Check for logbooks-if no logbooks then go for the lowest price when negotiating.
  • Never buy a car with a engine light on any fault lights -walk away immediately. A warning light violates safety certificate standards, THERE IS ALWAYS ANOTHER CAR.
  • Immediately look who has done the safety certificate at what day, time & where- question the seller who he got to do the inspection & make the seller accountable.
  • Look at the person who is selling the car are they edgy, shifty, stressed do you feel they are hiding something. this is the most important point- look at the seller straight in the eye!
  • Do your research on the model car you are buying what is the market value.
  • Check for recalls or air bag recalls
  • Buy the right car for your needs- example do not buy a turbo diesel if you mainly drive to the city.
  • Go for a good test drive for at least ¾ -1 hour do a complete drive cycle- drive the vehicle constantly @ 70 then 80 to 100kmph for 15-20 minute intervals, check for suspension knocks, steering or brake shudder also a good drive will activate a faulty catalytic converter- this alone can cost you thousands undiagnosed.
  • If a car is cheap or going at a bargain price-you must ask the question “WHY?”
  • Bring your car to Manny`s mechanical repairs for a thorough inspection, we check electricals & emissions.

Summary

In ending this blog let me say this-

The biggest mistakes I see people make when buying a car is

No preparation or research in the car they want, INABILITY TO CONTROL EMOTIONS OR IMPULSE BUY WITHOUT A PROPER PLAN but mostly they do not get the VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY INSPECTED BEFORE THE PURCHASE IS MADE!.

Buying a car can be your 1st,2ndor 3rd biggest investment in your life.

In this blog I have given you a process- to identify potential problems with a car before you buy.

Do your research, be prepared & do not be afraid to take on the seller if they know there is a problem with the car they are trying to sell-

Make sure the seller has to deal & PAY FOR THE PROBLEM TO BE FIXED- NOT YOU!

& most importantly never ever trust a safety certificate inspection done by some one you do not know.

If you have any queries please call me,

I`m on your side,

 Manny – 0411496621

I hope this has helped.

At Manny’s Mechanical Repairs you are in good hands, our main services include, Safety Certificates, Logbook Service, Free Pickup & Delivery, and Car Cooling System Repairs.

We have the latest diagnostic equipment and my work van is fitted out with an industrial air compressor. This enables me to perform heavy duty work and give you – the customer – the best service at any place and at any time.

For Bookings and enquiries, please contact us on 0411 496 621, email us at agrade@mannysmechanicalrepairs.com.au or visit our site www.mannysmechanicalrepairs.com.au.

Why You Must Keep Your Car in Safety Certificate Standards
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Why You Must Keep Your Car in Safety Certificate Standards

Car accidents takes an average of 300 lives a year on Queensland roads alone (Nationally around 1200 lives are lost) and that’s why you must keep your car in Safety Certificate standards at all times.

If you use the 80/20 Pareto principal this then turns to average of 1150 serious accidents on Queensland roads per year.

To think this cannot happen to you is naïve at best!

Car Accident Investigation Team

A car accident where there is a serious injury or worse will call in a Accident Investigation Team who use facts & logic of some 1000 or more points to find out the exact cause of the accident.

Generally, this is divided in categories of –

  • Driving characteristic or error
  • Environmental – Bad roads, poor visible signage
  • Mechanical defects

The investigation provides accurate Data which is passed to Local, State or Federal Governments, The Police, The Department of Transport & Insurance Companies.

Car Safety Certificates

As the driver you are responsible for the way you drive & for keeping your car in safe standards without faults.

If by chance a mechanical fault is the contributor or cause of the accident, then the insurance company may not give you a pay out for your policy.

Simply go into any Car Insurance Company & read their Terms & conditions.

“How do I know if my car is in Road worthy or Safety Certificate Standards?”

Good question.

The Answer is you do not know unless you have a proper Safety Certificate Examination by a qualified Examiner.

“But I just had my car serviced it should be ok shouldn’t it?”

Should is a dangerous word because it`s not based on facts.

 Truth is a service is not a inspection its merely a routine of maintenance done at different levels depending on the skill (or lack there) of the service technician & how much you are willing to pay.

If you take car to a tyre shop or a muffler shop or get cheap shop a docket specials or use a cheap undercutting marketing website or worse use a cheap lazy mobile mechanic who is so lazy to jack up your car (the ‘she’ll be right mate’ attitude will not be good enough).

You are only deluding yourself & opening up yourself for serious consequences in the event of a accident.

Why You Must Keep Your Car in Safety Certificate Standards

As a car owner:

  • I would demand a thorough safety inspection on my car at every service with a written report & signature
  • I would demand to know who is working on my car?
  • I would demand to know what credentials has this technician.?
  • I would demand to know has the workshop the appropriate equipment & what quality parts are you using & are you using the correct oil.
  • I would get clear & concise information on what has or has not been done to my car written down in a clear legible manner with signature.
  • I would demand the best I can afford.

Manny`s mechanical repairs specialises in excellent thorough inspections with every service. We also record your emissions, computer scan every car, load test batteries, record battery charge & alternator output we thoroughly go over your car can also measure torque & horsepower!

When it comes to your car or that for your children who are driving – pay for the best, it may save your life!

My favourite saying is this:

‘If you cannot measure it, Then you cannot manage it!’

Only through Periodic systematic organised transparent checking can you be assured your car is safe.

Call Manny on 0411 496 621 today.

To Serve To Perform To Guide- Bringing Automotive power to the people

At Manny’s Mechanical Repairs you are in good hands, our main services include, Safety Certificates, Logbook Service, Free Pickup & Delivery, and Car Cooling System Repairs.

We have the latest diagnostic equipment and my work van is fitted out with an industrial air compressor. This enables me to perform heavy duty work and give you – the customer – the best service at any place and at any time.

For Bookings and enquiries, please contact us on 0411 496 621, email us at agrade@mannysmechanicalrepairs.com.au or visit our site www.mannysmechanicalrepairs.com.au.

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What is a Catalytic Converter?

The last two blogs have been about air flow at high engine speed through variable valve timing(  keeping the intake valve on longer @ higher speeds) The other blog was on precise relation & correlation between the valves and crankshaft through a timing belt.

Today I will talk about Catalytic Converters.

In the last 6 moths a number of customers have come into the workshop & Mannys Mechanical with the engine light on. Once scanned the dreaded fault code P0420 Catalyst system below threshold has been recorded. What does this mean? and why is it so expensive to fix?

What is a Catalytic Converter?

In 1986, Australia outlawed anti- knock agent Tetraethyl – Lead made it compulsory for cars to use Unleaded petrol. Also cars were fitted with catalytic converters in the exhaust system. A catalytic converter converts harmful unburnt fuel (hydrocarbons) into a inert gas.

A catalytic converter uses precious metals to react with the incoming exhaust gases in a ceramic monolith with a honeycomb structure.

The catalyst itself is most often a mix of precious metal. Platinum is the most active catalyst and is widely used, but is not suitable for all applications because of unwanted additional reactions and high cost. Palladium and rhodium are two other precious metals used. Rhodium is used as a reduction catalyst, palladium is used as an oxidation catalyst, and platinum is used both for reduction and oxidation. Cerium, iron, manganese, and nickel – this list pretty well explains the expensive metals used & hence the cost.

There are a few different catalytic converters – a two way & three way. For catalytic converters to be effective the temperature must be around 426celcius. Which is why they are usually incorporated in the exhaust manifold & this is also the reason why oxygen sensors also have heating elements.

The picture above shows Kamahl holding a brand new Catalytic Converter incorporated with engine pipes to suit a Subaru Outback $2698.00 – yet they sell on Ebay for $400.

Would I buy from Ebay?

Not in your life. You will be lucky to get 4 months before it fails again. Heaps of after- market cheap rubbish do not use the precious metals listed above to last.

What do they mean P0420 Catalyst below threshold?

Generally there are two Oxygen sensors – a pre-catalytic converter & a after catalytic converter. They do a few jobs (Look at KAMAHL holding the cat` you will see one small hole and a extension where the oxygen sensors fit)

  1. They monitor how much oxygen is in the exhaust emissions and they measure is the catalytic converter reaction buy monitoring the change of state (threshold). If  the post cat sensor mirrors the pre-cat sensor, then the catalytic converter is not doing its job the fault code P0420 is registered. This information is monitored & compared through the computer in a term called closed loop.

What Causes the Failure?

There are number of reasons that can cause failure of a Catalytic converters. Vibration is probably the biggest killer. Exhaust systems have engine pulses which travel thousands a time a second these pressure waves can eventually break away the inner supporting structure-excessive over-fuelling through poorly tuned engines, coolant is one of the biggest killers- when a vehicle excessively over heats causing coolant to get in the exhaust system. Age, I am seeing vehicles around the 10 year mark coming in with this problem/fault code.

It’s so expensive to fix should I worry about it?

Well Yeah! When engine and emission lights come on, your vehicle is immediately un-roadworthy & if these hooligan climate activists have their way about climate change (running around half naked chaining themselves to toilet blocks & moving TRUCK WHEELS) will eventually  force Governments to crack down on vehicle emissions.

This could mean you, the car owner & me the automotive repairer will face some serious fines if the repairs are not carried out immediately.

What this does do?

It puts serious stress on. Say single mothers  to get their cars fixed straight away, whether they can afford it or not-..I would love to check  the car emission status on all these screaming activists & see how well kept their cars are- people in green house glass houses should not throw stones!

I hoped this has helped- Manny

Knowledge is power- Power is organized effort!

Call Manny on 0411 496 621 today.

To Serve To Perform To Guide- Bringing Automotive power to the people

At Manny’s Mechanical Repairs you are in good hands, our main services include, Safety Certificates, Logbook Service, Free Pickup & Delivery, and Car Cooling System Repairs.

We have the latest diagnostic equipment and my work van is fitted out with an industrial air compressor. This enables me to perform heavy duty work and give you – the customer – the best service at any place and at any time.

For Bookings and enquiries, please contact us on 0411 496 621, email us at agrade@mannysmechanicalrepairs.com.au or visit our site www.mannysmechanicalrepairs.com.au.

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What are the VVT or VTEC Letters on your car?

The last blog the topic was on the timing belt & the importance of the correlation of exact timing between the camshaft & crankshaft. In this blog, we explain what are the VVT or VTEC Stickers on your car.

The key to engine power is air flow/air density. The trick is to get as much air molecules compacted into the engine cylinder as possible when the piston goes down the cylinder on the induction stroke.

The pictures below shows a easy pathway for the air to travel (In this great cutaway example). The more air the greater force generated on the piston during power combustion, resulting in more torque at the crankshaft. The amount of air filling the cylinder is known as volumetric efficiency. 

VVT or VTEC Stickers

The intake valve is the gate way for air entering the engine cylinder. This is the V part of the initials in VVT. The valve is controlled by the camshaft either directly on top or by a push rod & lever shown by the different example photos. The camshaft has two important roles:

  1. It lifts the valve off its seat to a specified distance (valve lift or valve curtain area)
  2. It keeps the valve open for a certain time (valve duration)

 So all this thermodynamics is good but the problem is volumetric efficiency described above.

Most car engine revolutions (revs) about 7000rpm the speed of the piston is so fast that there is not enough time for enough air to fill with cylinder in milliseconds, so eventually the engine runs out of air at high rpm resulting in loss of power.

Then in the late Eighties Honda came up with Variable cam shaft profile. This is the other V in the initials. In the late eighties the Honda engines were so good with immortal drivers of Ayrton Senna , Nigel Mansel , Alain Prost, that they kicked butt out of the opposition.

The Variable part allows the camshaft to open the valve longer & even higher at different rev ranges also by being able to control exhaust valves emissions. Technically the intake valve can be opened longer at precise high engine speeds allowing more air to enter the cylinder. The volumetric efficiency as described before can go higher than a 100% normally aspirated, but add a good turbo like Honda did back in the 80`s, they were getting over 1000hp from a 1.5 litre engine with over 160% efficency!

There are many variants of control applied in The Variable Valve Timing (VVT). The most common is oil pressured phasers which are computer pulse width activated via a oil pressured activator. The Hondas use a pin locator and Holden use a special lifter to deactivate cylinders in their AFM vehicles.

VTEC Car Maintenance

If you have a car that has VVTOR VTEC, well then use good quality synthetic oil!

The trend of car manufacturers is to make smaller capacity engines which mean lower emissions but with excellent power output.

What are the VVT or VTEC Letters on your car?

Variable Valve Timing is now nearly in all makes & models.

Manny`s Mechanical  Repairs helps you understand more about your vehicle.

We invest in the best equipment, we go to the best courses, we continually use the best parts, the best oil & use the best skill on your car.

I hope this has helped.

Knowledge is power- Power is organized effort!

Call Manny on 0411 496 621 today.

To Serve To Perform To Guide- Bringing Automotive power to the people

At Manny’s Mechanical Repairs you are in good hands, our main services include, Safety Certificates, Logbook Service, Free Pickup & Delivery, and Car Cooling System Repairs.

We have the latest diagnostic equipment and my work van is fitted out with an industrial air compressor. This enables me to perform heavy duty work and give you – the customer – the best service at any place and at any time.

For Bookings and enquiries, please contact us on 0411 496 621, email us at agrade@mannysmechanicalrepairs.com.au or visit our site www.mannysmechanicalrepairs.com.au.

Car Advice and Consulting Guidance Enoggera
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Car Advice and Consulting Guidance Enoggera

If you are needing some car advice and consulting guidance Enoggera – look no further than Manny’s Mechanical Repairs.

Manny`s Mechanical Repairs mission statement is To Serve To Perform To Guide – Bringing automotive power to the people.

To serve, to perform and TO GUIDE

Manny would like to elaborate on a very important part of the mission statement:

That is To GUIDE.

Good advice & guidance is hard to get about cars, what you should or should not do, Do I spend the money or don`t I? Who do I turn too?

At my business – we do not just finish the repair or service and leave you there,

We like to build rapport & give our customers a “clear running track” of goals for the next 1-3 year goals possibly even 5 years.

Do I give the car to my kids? Do I keep the car or sell it- how much will I get & what is the right procedure to sell a car?

Turn your car into an Asset

The immediate goal is to turn your car into a asset – to do this.., the car needs to be paid off as quickly as possible – then the car needs good accurate quality recorded servicing & comply with safety certificate standards.

This is why I hate cheap servicing – jobs are only half done & consumers are driving around in unroadworthy cars. A unroad worthy car is a liability, dangerous & can get you in trouble with Police, Department of Transport Patrols or in the case of a accident, insurance liability & payout difficulty.

By working together you have a sense of control & worth about your car – knowledge is power.

Nothing saddens me more when young people eager to buy a car (impetuous), go (get into debt) and buy a 10 year old Audi or Mercedes Benz (WITH a useless warranty that I would only use for toilet paper! Which costs a extra $1000).

The car 140 000km on the clock, Everything looks good and goes well “UNTIL..,” until the transmission packs it in goes into limp mode & cannot be driven. The car is diagnosed and the transmission requires a complete rebuild. $5000- $10 000 to rebuild thank you very much!(& of course tge warranty clause that says wear and tear void warranty in minute microscopic writing).

Now the young person has double problems-debt money to buy the car & now a extra $10 000 to repair the car, Which way do they go? If they repair the transmission they still have a old car, sadly I have seen young people go bankrupt because of bad judgement or poor advice.

On the other hand some of my customers have actually sold their second hand cars for more than what they initially paid for – through diligent upkeep.

Car Advice and Consulting Enoggera

You get what you pay for – providing it’s based on good structured applicable advice.

Manny`s Mechanical Repairs cares about you, your family & we work together in a ongoing relationship to ensure you get value for money- good performance & economy but mostly.., confident enjoyment out of your car

Call Manny on 0411 496 621 today.

To Serve To Perform To Guide- Bringing Automotive power to the people

At Manny’s Mechanical Repairs you are in good hands, our main services include, Safety Certificates, Logbook Service, Free Pickup & Delivery, and Car Cooling System Repairs.

We have the latest diagnostic equipment and my work van is fitted out with an industrial air compressor. This enables me to perform heavy duty work and give you – the customer – the best service at any place and at any time.

For Bookings and enquiries, please contact us on 0411 496 621, email us at agrade@mannysmechanicalrepairs.com.au or visit our site www.mannysmechanicalrepairs.com.au.