Mad, Jerking Jack

Motoring
1

Juzi, I had taken a rare drive to town - huko Easy Coach to drop a luggage (I don’t like the hassle of town, so afadhali matatu tu when I can - najua tuko wengi).

Anyway, getting to Easy Coach, the car jerks once like those mulmulwas in movies when they are dying, and stops right at the gate. Zuri bus drivers are not the most considerate. I was also kinda shocked because there was no warning and I’ve never had issues with the jalopy before. After a few tries, it agrees to turn on and I go park and finish my business.

Then I drive out and take Moi Avenue. At the Nairobi Sports House, it starts jerking again when we stop for the traffic lights. Another embarrassing 10 minutes of kanges and kanjus shouting at me. I call up a motoring guru and he tells me it could be the ignition coils, so I should rev the engine so that they can iginite. I do so, and, it looks like it’s working.

I drive without hustle all the way to Ojijo Road. Right before Parklands Sports Club, I take that chum that comes outta Muthithi Road. It jerks again, and stops, right in the middle of the narrow karoad. Impatient, and adequately shouting kanges (Westlands Matatus that use the route), help me push to the side.

I was now stranded proper. The tip was not working. Intriguingly, the car was working on reverse… just not forwards. I even considered reversing all the way to a safe place. I feared the worst - GearBox issues.

So, I called my mech to come rescue me (Infama and flatbeds are for BMWs). He coaxed the car, driving like a snail, and it made the trip all the way to Rhapta Road. Wise guy.

Long story short - the issue was that the Oxygen Sensor had roasted. He replaced it and the car is feeling great now. I have read a lot about it… and I would advise you have yours checked. It’s a serviacable part that needs to be replaced over time.

Lest you face the wrath of irate Nairobians or a heart attack. Or both.

2

get rid of the O2 sensor and run full time open loop. i deleted mine coz i didn’t want to face such a problem.
or get an obd2 kit - kedo 8k - and keep it in the car

3

By getting rid of if what are the pros and cons ?

4

ideally it should run off of the tables in the computer. there is a fuel reference table that should be triggered when the afr sensor isn’t detected. it just ensures that you don’t get that issue again.

5

what car is that?

6

Does that affect the car’s functioning? More like cutting a finger when it itches?

7

Watu wa carburetor na ku choke gari tukae wapi.

8

well, not really. unless, 1) the O2 is connected to several other sensors like vvt, cruise control etc and 2) the computer demands its reference. only then will it be a problem. the only solution would be to remove it via the computer, which then is an added cost.
for my mots, if it’s not there, tunaenda tu. in fact mine is disconnected completely.

9

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Kr-c8eBl5E

10

:D:D Guys here think they know these cars (that they can only buy 2nd hand) better than the car manufacturers themselves.

11

kama kenye unajua ni kuweka pressure kwa tire usikam hapa na comments za umama.

12

I probably have more knowledge about cars than you will ever have. There are few parts in a car that you can “delete” without affecting the whole mostly negatively The engineers that design those cars are not stupid. You must be among those mechs who when a motorist complains about his overheating car, your advise will be remove the thermostat!!

13

I hve not bought a car yet but when i do …it won’t be an internal combustion engine car ,electric or nitembee , no stress , no thieving fundis … twende electric wakubwa !

14

And electric car is even more complicated and needs more schooled mechanics. Maintenance is high. One of the best, tesla is comparanble to bmw 5 series in maintenance and the company discourages anyone but them trying to do any kind of repairs.

15

Interesting… I have had to read more about it and no one says it should be removed (just like thermostat). Next time it gives me the Check Engine (I had ignored it), I’ll ask the mechs.

16

My oxygen sensor is huko kwa exhaust. :slight_smile:

17

Electronic is a no-go. Not in Kenya. Ukikwama kwa barabara ni flatbed… And importing mechs because watu was Grogon hawawezi

18

Teslas are soo well engineered mpaka breaking down physically is rare maybe software issues and repair ni kudownload update… i prefer that kuliko fundis …

from quora …

In its initial review, the independent magazine gave [U]the Tesla Model S a review score of 99/100[/U], the best score in magazine’s history. CR loved everything the Model S had to offer, but like many early adopters, they have experienced a few growing pains that might be expected from any new car. Among the most common complaints are [U]slow or non-functioning retractable door handles[/U], as well as annoying squeaks and rattles, though other issues related to the battery and drivetrain have been solved by a retroactive “infinite mile” motor warranty.

19

I was in the US recently - that’s the primary market of Tesla - and I was asking people questions about a couple of things, including Tesla.

  • Very few of the general population buy Tesla.
  • It’s a play toy. Not an every day car.
  • Charging takes hours, so you have to look for a parking with a port (Kenya utapata?)

And repair is pain, too. You don’t have easy fix repairs so you have to take the car back to a few authorized shops.

Wakimaliza kuprototype US, we’ll consider. Not in this lifetime

20

Tesla has the same weaknesses the electric cars of late 19th century and 1900s had, which is the limitations of battery recharge and storage. Tesla people hype as if its a new futuristic technology. In fact, mass produced cars like the baker electric car were simpler and more affordable in 1900s and 1910s than Tesla can ever get. The persistent problem is that batteries can never be convenient.