Malaysiaminilover

Author: Angelina Soul

Sepang International Circuit TimeToAttack!
December 21, 2014 was the final round of TimeToAttack race organized by ZeroToHundred. The weather was good and it was windy. It is the perfect weather for all kinds of sports cars to roar in the circuit. Outside of the track, there are many super cars appeared to show off including the Lamborghini Huracan, Lamborghini Gallardo, Lamborghini Aventador, Lamborghini Murcielago, Ferrari F430 Scuderia, McLaren MP4-12C, Audi R8, and more to be mentioned. Walk around the pit, you will see a few dozens of Nissan GT-R R35 flood the circuit with 545-hp twin-turbo V6 engine under their hood. At the car park, there are also a few familiar car parts brands promoting top racing car accessories as well as giving some merchandise to spectators. They are Volkswagen, HKS, Yokohama, Advan, Renault Sport, and Sparco.

Other than the Nissan GT-R group, the second biggest car club that deluges the Sepang International Circuit is the Toyota Vellfire Owners Club in Malaysia. More than 50 Vellfires appeared at the car park and they are definitely adding colors to the race.

It is really no fun to drive in the Sepang International Circuit if you don’t have a car that produces at least 200 hp. Except the GTRsss, the Honda Civic Type R is another interesting group to check out. There are at least 15 Honda Civic FD2 Type R appear at the race and any of them is producing at least 222 horsepower.

How can a racing event without hot car girls and pretty Asian car show girls?

Nissan 180SX, Nissan Silvia S15 (driven by Malaysian Girl Drifter Leona Chin), Honda Civic EK, Renault Megane RS250, Nissan Skyline GTR 33, Renault Clio RS, Mitsubishi Evo 8, Mitsubishi EVO X, BMW E46 M3, Mitsubishi Evo 9 RS, Volkswagen Golf R, Audi TT-S, Honda CR-Z, Volkswagen Scirocco 1.4TSI, Mini Cooper, Honda Integra DC5-R, Subaru Impreza WRX STi, Porsche 911 Turbo, Mazda RX7 FD3S, Toyota 86, Porsche 997 911 Turbo, Honda S2000, BMW E90 320D, Subaru Impreza GRB STi, Lotus Exige S, BMW E46 M3, and Mazda MX5 are a few more cars that we can see on the track on Sunday.

TimeToAttack Sepang Internationl Circuit race is basically divided into 6 groups and they are:
- Group 1 (EUROS & GT CARS)
- Group 2 (GTR & SUPERCARS)
- Group 3 (NA & TURBO SUPER STREET)
- Group 4 (STREET TURBO)
- Group 5 (STREET NA)
- Group 6 (TIME ATTACK MACHINES)
If you would like to join the next race in 2015, make sure you have read all the rules and regulations and prepare yourself for the next race! The fastest driver for 2014 is Desmond Soh who drives a Mitsubishi Evo 9 TAM clocked a blisteringly fast lap time of 2:14.903, setting a new lap record!

Sepang International Circuit TimeToAttack! Gallery

For those who missed this event, you can enjoy more photos after the jump. (Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the photo)
December 22, 2014
Light Blue, Two-Seater Classic Mini Roadster

The light blue, two-seater classic Mini roadster we are going to share here is definitely a rare germ. You don’t often see this kind of customized Mini on the road. It is even hardly seen on any Mini events or gathering because there is only one on this planet. If you own a classic Mini Cooper and decided to do something different from other Mini owners, this is one you can refer to.

Started with a MK1 Mini front grill, the front view of this car somehow looks a little “classic” because MK1 Mini is only available from 1959 until 1967. The owner of this light blue Mini roadster selected a blue color Mini Cooper fly wing emblem in order to match the car color. A pair of Lucas head lamps and a pair of glass-type signal lamps are also fitter to the car.

A set of stainless steel wiper kit and windscreen chrome fillet are also fitted to the car. However, there is only 1 set of windscreen chrome fillet is used because there is no rear window as it is a Roadster! As for the side mirror, the owner of this car selected the standard stainless steel bullet type mirror. Isn’t it looks like bullet on both side?

A view from the side, custom rear lights, custom rear signal lights, stainless steel door handle scoops, 7 x 13 Minilight Deep Dish polished wheel, custom side skirt body kit, and custom sticker written ROADSTER are what you see. This is how you should customize your own car if you want it to be cool.

Here comes the ass of the car. The owner fitted the fuel tank nicely with an Aston chrome fuel cap. The two N-shape chrome bars is one of the most eye-catching things on the car too. Other than that, we really need to give a LIKE to the person who builds the body especially the ass. It is so silky smooth and looks exactly like the Austin 8 in 1930s.

The interior door panel is also wrapped with blue leather as well as fitted with a set of 10 pieces alloy door handle set. It looks different from the black plastic type, yay or nay?

Well, the hardest part of this Mini Roadster is nothing but the work to remove the roof. If you have seen the 1998 Rover Mini Mayfair we posted before, you should notice from the image here that the door is not completely frameless.

Well, this light blue Mini Roadster is definitely one of its kind. Lastly, you should check out MalaysiaMiniLover’s Austin Mini page for more customized Mini Coopers, unique Austin Cooper, special Morris Mini Cooper, or any Mini cars.

October 28, 2014
Honda Accord Maintenance Schedule
The Honda Accord Maintenance Schedule tells every Accord owner when they should send their car to Honda Service Center and what are the parts need to be replaced. The Maintenance Schedule is part of the Honda Accord Owners Manual. In fact, it is very important in order for every Honda Accord owner to keep the car performs at its best. Just in case you have lost your Honda Accord Maintenance Schedule or Owners Manual, you can download it here for free. The Maintenance Schedule available here is suitable for 2015 Honda Accord, 2014 Honda Accord, 2013 Honda Accord, 2012 Honda Accord, 2011 Honda Accord, 2010 Honda Accord as well as earlier model year such as 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, and 2000.

When it comes to car maintenance, it is always about changing engine oil, replacing oil filter, air filter, element filter, washer drain, auto transmission fluid, spark plug, strainer fuel, tires, brake pads, and other parts that related to daily driving. Engine oil replacement is the most important things need to be done according to the schedule. The new Honda Accord model comes with an electronic “Maintenance Minder” where the system in the dash tells the driver when the engine oil needs to be replaced. It is always recommended to change the engine oil before the given mileage is achieved.

Honda Accord Maintenance Schedule

This is a standard maintenance schedule for all the Honda Accord models from 2014. The new Honda Accord comes with Maintenance Minder. Maintenance Minder is a system that reminds the owners when to replace the engine oil, oil filter, as well as brake pad. However, it doesn’t remind the owner if there is a need to replace spark plug, spark plug wires, brake fluid, service the cooling system, and some other wear and tear items. Therefore, this basic car maintenance schedule will still be useful for any 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, or newer Accord models such as the Honda Accord Hybrid or the Honda Accord Plug-In Hybrid.

Every 5,000 Miles
- Change the engine oil and oil filter.
- Roate/adjust the wheels and air pressure for tires.
- Font and rear brakes inspections.
- Check the automatic transmission fluid (for automatic car), clutch fluid (for manual transmission car), brake fluid, cooling fluid in radiator, and power steering fluid to make sure it is at the adequate level.
- Inspect the exhaust system and see if there is any weird smoke coming out from the exhaust.
- Check if the wiper needs to be replaced.
- Inspect car battery, battery cables, and test the condition.
- Some other items to be checked include brake lines, hoses, fuel hoses, and cooling system hoses.
Nowadays, most of the Honda Accord owners rely on the Maintenance Minder system for car maintenance schedule. The on-board computer that monitors the vehicle from time to time tells the owner what to do with the car. When the computer determines the car has reached 15% remaining oil life, it means you have to plan to take your vehicle to the local Honda Dealer for service. On the other hand, it means it is a must to service the car now if it shows 5%. The service is overdue if the Maintenance Minder system shows 0%.

Generally, there is nothing much to be replaced if you do not use your car heavily. However, you still have to follow the following mileage marks to check on the mentioned items. Honda mechanics will tell you if any of these items need to be replaced or changed. Most of the Honda dealers provide free checking service so you should do it when the mileage shows up on your odometer.

25,000 Miles
- Body lubrication includes door hinges, power door locks, hood, and trunk.
- Check steering rack grease and steering linkage.
- Inspect valve clearance.
- Inspect drive belts. Replace it if there is a need.
- Check brake pads and brake disc for wear, cracks, and damage.
- Replace Genuine Honda Air Filter.
45,000 Miles
- Replace Cabin Filter.
- Check catalytic converter, heat shield, muffler, and exhaust pipe for leaks, tightness, and damage.
- Standard vehicle maintenance inspection.
- Lubricate Chasis.
- Inspect parking brake adjustment.
- Inspect ABS modulator.
65,000 Miles
- Clean the power antenna mast if there is a need.
- Roate/adjust the wheels and air pressure for tires. See also: Simple ways to take care of your tire.
- Inspect tires for wear. Replace it if there is a need.
- Replace the automatic transmission fluid or CVT fluid. Drain it and fill it with Honda Genuine transmission fluid.
- Replace the manual transmission fluid and inspect clutch operation.
- Check steering rack grease and steering linkage.
- Inspect valve clearance.
85,000 Miles
- Inspect the fluid level and top off all fluid levels if there is a need.
- Rotate tires and torque wheel nuts.
- Change the brake fluid if it is dirty or if the color is changed.
- Replace spark plugs for better performance.
- Inspect the idle speed.
100,000 Miles
- Clean the power antenna mast if there is a need.
- Replace Cabin Filter or Pollen Filter.
- Inspect valve clearance.
- Inspect drive belts. Replace it if there is a need.
- Inspect all the lamps include interior lamps and exterior lamps such as headlamps, indicators, and brake lamp for proper operations.
- Check brake pads and brake disc for wear, cracks, and damage.
- Replace Genuine Honda Air Filter.
- Replace timing belt.
- Inspect tires for wear. Replace it if there is a need.
- Vehicle Maintenance Inspection.
- Check ball joint boots for deterioration, bolts for tightness, and driveshaft boots.
Car maintenance related articles: What kind of oil does my car need, How do I change the oil in my car, How much oil does my car hold, and How to jump start a car.

The above Honda Accord Maintenance Schedule is a general recommendation for most of the Honda Accord models. In order not to waste any money for car maintenance, it is highly recommended to consult your mechanic from Honda mechanic before replacing any items. Sometimes, a car part work longer than it is expected but sometimes it becomes faulty earlier than it should be. Therefore, it is suggested to check your car with the nearest Honda Dealer from time to time to avoid any unwanted accident. According to some car experts in Asia, a Honda Accord is able to run up to 500,000 km (approximately 300,000 miles) and still in good running condition if it is well maintain. Well, that is a Honda Accord!
October 4, 2014
How to Change Gears in an Automatic Car

When it comes to car buying, most people prefer to buy an automatic transmission car over a manual transmission car. This is because automatic transmission car does not require the driver to operate the transmission for every gear. Whether you are driving uphill, downhill, or overtaking another car, automatic car will do everything for you as long as you place the gear to “D” and step on the accelerator. It is easier to be driven compared to manual transmissions therefore it is very attractive to new drivers. As for experienced drivers, they will also prefer automatic transmission cars especially people who live in the city with heavy traffic jam. No one prefers to drive manual cars especially when they stuck in traffic jam.

Understanding Automatic Car

It is important to understand how an automatic transmission car operates before you learn how to change the gears. While you are learning to drive an automatic car, you will see P, R, N, and D in an automatic transmission car. These are what the general automatic car has although there are different types of automatic transmission pattern.

P (Parking) – This gear locks the transmission and it should be engaged when the car is stationary. A car that comes with high security requires the driver to step on the brake pedal before they are able to change the gear to R, N, or D.

R (Reverse) – Obviously, this is the gear when you need to reverse the car.

N (Neutral) – When the gear knob is in this position, there is no gear engaged. The car can be pull forward or backward if the e-brake is not engaged. Never leave your car with N when it is not in use.

D (Drive) – Put D when you want to drive the car. The D include everything no matter your car comes with 4, 5, 6, or 7 gears. That is the advantage of driving an automatic car.

You need to know the Driving safety tips even you know how to drive: Car dashboard symbols

How to Change Gears in an Automatic Car

A driver is only allowed to change gears in an automatic car if the shift pattern come with 1, 2, 3, D1, D2, D3, D4, S, +, -, or anything other than D. An automatic car that comes with 4 gears in its transmission will usually have this shift pattern.

P, R, N, and D work exactly like other automatic car. In order to change gears in this kind of automatic shift pattern, you will have to shift the gear from D to D3, from D3 to 2, from 2 to 1, from D2 to D3, or any way you want. Changing gear from D to D3 means you change from 4^th gear to 3^rd gear. On the other hand, you can change gears in an automatic car by stepping the accelerator as hard as you need when going uphill. As for downhill, ease off the accelerator to allow the automatic transmission to shift to a lower gear and slow down the car.

So, how to rev up the engine and drive off with an automatic car? First of all, step on the brake and start the car. Change the gear to 1 and drive it off. Change it to 2 when you see the RPM reaches 3000 or above. Again, change it to D3 when the RPM reaches 3000 – 4000 and then D. This is how you can play around with the automatic transmission car.

New to driving? Learn also: How to drive a car, How to parallel park a car, learning to drive standard cars, and learning to drive a car.

Change Gears in Automatic Car ONLY When Needed

There are many people wanting to know how to change gears in an automatic car. The above mentioned is a good way to change gears in an automatic car but it is highly recommended a drive to do so when it is really needed. For example, change the gear to D3 or 2 if you feel the car is hardly go uphill or it is going downhill in high speed. Do not shift the automatic gear from D to 1 quickly. This will damage the gearbox. Transmission is one of the most important parts in a car. It will cost you a big fortune if it is giving problem. The key to drive an automatic car is “Shift ONLY when it is really needed”.

What is not good? Driving barefoot and Texting while driving! Both of these are very bad habits.

For manual car lovers, you might want to see these articles: learning to drive manual cars, learning to drive a manual transmission car, and teach me how to drive a manual car.

September 30, 2014
Rover Mini SPi Engine Misfire and Fuel Problem
For those who are driving a Rover Mini Cooper, Rover Mini Mayfair, or any Mini made between 1992 to 1997 (MK VI and early MK VII) with SPi engine, you should read this article if you are having problem with the SPi engine. There are many possibilities with the SPi and MPi engine and that leads to frustration and most Mini owners replace the injection with carburetor system. It is not really hard to maintain a SPi engine if you have the right mechanic and knowledge. Below here is an experience shared by a Mini lover and it should be very useful to all our readers who own a Mini.

First of all, SPi means Single Point Injection whereby there is one single jet that feeds all four cylinders. It is basically an electronic carburetor. The last generation of classic Mini built from mid 1997 to 2000 comes with MPi which is Multipoint Injection that has its own feed for each cylinder. See a 1998 Rover Mini Mayfair that runs on MPi engine.

Rover Mini Engine Misfire

It was a sunny day and I was on a Mini touring trip traveling from Kuala Lumpur to Penang. As usual, I fill the maximum fuel in the tank before the journey started. Well, the Mini that runs on SPi engine is really fun to drive and I couldn’t stop myself from driving the car up to 150 km/h (approx 93 mph). The entire journey is 300 km and my Mini was running good until I have traveled 280 km. I feel the engine misfiring and it feels like the fuel is lost even my right foot is stepped on the accelerator. I immediately stopped at a layby and have a quick check on the engine bay, management relay, all the fuses, and plugs. Everything looks good and the car is able to start like normal. Thus, I try to drive it again.

The car runs again but the symptoms keep coming. It feels like the fuel is gone for a second and then back again. I was forced to drive in this condition to the nearest mechanic and have him check the car for me. This is the symptom when I try to start the car and give it a hard sudden rev.

This is the list of what my mechanic replaced for me:
1. Fuel Pump – My mechanic checked and sees the motor is running and he said it is working.
2. Fuel filter – It has to be replaced once awhile because the debris reduces the fuel that can flow. The fuel pump is unable to provide enough volume to the injectors if the filter restricts too much fuel. Inadequate fuel volume will reduce power and may cause the engine misfire, hesitate, and stall.
3. Spark Plug
4. Spark Plug Wires (Spark Plug Cables)
5. Ignition Coil
6. Lambda (Oxygen) Sensor
7. Fuel Trap
8. All the vacuum pipe – The black (with green label) one from ECU to Fuel Trap; The black (with white label) one from Inlet Manifold to Fuel Trap; The red one from Throttle Body to Spi Air Box; The yellow one from Air Box Underside to Air Box Upperside hot air temperature control valve.
It has cost me a fortune to replace all the above-mentioned parts but the problem is still exists. Therefore, I asked for help from some of the experienced Mini drivers, owners, mechanic, and friends from MOGM (Mini Owners Group Malaysia). These are some of the suggestion I get.

Sam Daud: It could be the fuel pump or the fuel filter or the relay at the brake servo. Just give these a check.

Relay – Mini SPi Engine Bay

This is the relay which located near to the brake servo. Sam says it controls the fuel. He also mentioned that the only way to check this is to loan a workable unit and replace the old one.

Sam Daud: How’s the smoke at the exhaust??

Sam Daud: May be the fuel injector is blocked.

Mini SPi Engine Bay

The injector is located at number 14 in the image above. You will need to use L length key to open it up then you will see the injector (BOSCH brand in green color). There will be two pin, one is positive (+ve) and another is negative (-ve). Remember the position of both pins. The easiest way is to take a photo so that you will know how to put it back. Use a long nose plier with a clean rag to pull it out. Make sure you do it carefully as the injector is a fragile item. Use a carburetor or injection cleaner to spray the area around. You can also use an air gun to blow the injector but please make sure you use a minimum power otherwise you will spoil the injector. Restore everything once it is clean.

Well, the problem is still exists after all the above work is done. The symptoms? As shown in the video, the RPM goes up until 2500-3000 then the fuel lost. Sometimes it goes up to 4000 then fuel lost again. It is uncertain especially when I try to drive the car. Here comes another suggestion from Abang Rare where he mentioned that the temperature pressure compensator SPI TPC could be faulty. It is located under the throttle body. Here is the image of it.

Temperature Pressure Compensator for SPi engine

It is a very small round disc that compensates pressure temperature on throttle body on Spi and MPi engine. It costs nearly a 100 GBP and I decide to check on some other thing before checking on this item. However, the temperature pressure compensator can be tested using a multimeter. Nobody is going to replace it before they confirm it is 100% faulty. The members from MOGM are really warm, another member suggested me to check on the wires at the bulkhead behind the air filter. There are a lot of fuses and wires and it takes nearly an hour for my mechanic to check on that.

See also: 1999 Mini 40^th Anniversary

The Real Problem

The problem is still exists after so many things have been done to the car. My mechanic took out the fuel pump and check on it again. The motor runs and it works normal. However, he noticed that the rubber seal (circle in red) is loosened.

This explained everything. My mechanic fill up the fuel tank over the green line and the symptom is gone. The problem exists when the fuel level below the red line because the fuel leak from it even though the fuel pump push the fuel up. This causes the engine misfire, hesitate, bad idling, and stall. The solution? Replace a new fuel pump that cost approximately 120 GBP or you can modify it with other powerful fuel pump such as the one taken from Nissan Skyline.

A modified Mini SPi fuel pump using one from Honda

See also: My Mini engine won’t start

Prevention and SPi Engine Maintenance

I’ve left my Mini for four years. I only start it three times in a year although the fuel pump is relatively new. Always keep your fuel level at half or above all the time to keep the fuel pump in good condition.

Last but not least, if you have experienced any problems related to your Mini or other cars and would like to share it here, please do not hesitate to write the story to us at malaysiaminilover [at] gmail.com or you may use the Contact Us feature in this website.
September 28, 2014