Boredworkers.com

The workshop called yesterday to tell me the price of a new clutch kit (RM480.00!). What they failed to mention was that the problem with my car had nothing to do with the gearbox. So my brain went into overdrive calculating the mounting costs of repairs. The good news is that they called again later to tell me that tiny little detail. That was a relief. I didn’t have to think about buying a new car after all. The bad news was that repairs would still set me back a good RM550.00+. Since the car was already in the workshop, I told them to do a standard engine service as well.

I couldn’t make it to pick up my car yesterday due to traffic jams and the horrendous state of our local public transport. The good thing though about the workshop that I go to is that they are open everyday, including Sundays and public holidays. Its a convenience that I enjoy which is the reason why I still go back to them even though they have screwed up on several occasions. It is nice to be able to drop your car off at the shop for maintenance on Sunday morning and expect to get it back after lunch.

Anyway, it was a good thing that I told them to take a look at the clutch plate before making any repairs. As it turns out, the mesh was worn out causing the gears to slip when engaged. I went to pick up the car at noon today. They showed me the plates and explained its function and what was wrong with it. Well, at least I got to see something new from this whole misadventure. So yeah, money not wasted (right…).

So at the end of it all, the repairs including standard service and workmanship cost me RM673.00. Not too bad, comparatively speaking. Besides, since the milleage is now beyond 100,000km, the car is due for some major service anyway. In case you’re curious (as well as for future reference), here’s the cost breakdown:

• Clutch kit = RM360.00
• Mount = RM95.00
• Engine oil + filter = RM92.00
• Workmanship + 5% govt. tax = RM126.00
• Total = RM673.00

Hopefully, this repair will be the last in a long while. The point, I suppose, is that I still like the car and that it does do its job in getting me from point A to point B safely. People have been advising me to get a new car, but I don’t think I’m ready to make that commitment just yet ;)