Ah, OK!
Spent two hours with one of the 'otai-s' (lit: Old-Timer Experts) yesterday on this. He works at the Volvo dealerships during the weekdays, and on weekends, he opens his own small, and unwavering, mom-and-pop kinda outfit, deep in one of those hard-to-reach places. (
)
Anyway, I told him the whole story, from A to Z, so that he can make that all-important informed decision. After lighting MY second cigarette (he doesn't smoke) he quickly ordered his assistants to do a few things, and all the while, I was with the car. One got into the driver seat, the other popped the hood and listened. After a few revs, the chief revealed that he doesn't think the fuel pump is at fault.
In fact, given the age, he would be happy to replace the pump, but he believes the 'magnetic' sensor of the rev/pickup/impulse sensor was more at fault. Either that, or there is something wrong with the flywheel. But then again, he asked me to listen to the engine for some sharp (?) sound of metals in disagreement, and there were none.
In the end, I agreed to change the sensor, which came up to RM280.00 per piece. The minute I saw the 25-centimenter long rubber string - I went 'HUH?' Realising I was a bit perplexed, one of the assistants explained to me how the sensor works. (Well, since I don't know squat, any kind of lesson is good for me lah - even if he was BS-ing me all the way to Neverland!
)
On the way to get at the rev/pickup/impulse (I have NO idea if they are called the same or interchangeably) sensor, he noticed that one of the small small gateways on the air filter duct was broken. He fixed it as well (by glue only), and said was supposed to be good for about 6 months or so.
And on top of that, I asked the chief to also clean the throttle body. He took out the throttle head(?) as well, and brushed them all clean. All the while, I gave them a good look of what they actually did, and asked my idiotic questions everytime I felt the urge to. Where I could help, i did, but my hands were not dirty at all lah (unfortunately - as I'd love to learn more).
Finally, one of the assistants looked at my headlights and asked if i'd like to have them cleaned? I asked, "Eh, can clean ke?" He said, "Of course, boleeeeeeeeeeeeeehhhh"... And again, I watched with full interest how easy it was to remove the clips, the side lights and the underlatch to clean the headlight glass. Now, my headlights look great!!! Unfortunately, can't open the side-lights due to time limits. (But I'll find the time to do them at home...)
One thing about these people is that, they really can work fast! I think they always time themselves, and try to break their own record, because everytime they start on a work, they always give the wall-clock a little glimpse, and when they end, the do the same.
Talk about self-development, huh?
And oh, Labor charge for everything above was only RM20.00! That's really cheap, unless they bloated the sensor with some labor as well, already lah.
Because they used original volvo parts, the standard warranty applies. And because it is not a common problem, just one of those things that fail on you, probably due to wear and tear, I felt really nice leaving the workshop. Indeed.
And that, Tech and friends, was how I spent my Sunday afternoon out.
Not to mention how now I can do my own headlight-cleaning (
) and probably with a little supervision, throttle-body cleaning!
