V-Kool Extreme on my Elantra!!

Finally got my Elantra front windscreen tinted with  V-Kool Extreme. It has 65% light transmission compare to V-kool elite with 73% light transmission. Having experince using v-kool elite, I feel there is just too much light , so with v-kool extreme is just perfect. No problem with Smart Tag at all. Comes complete with 5 years warranty.  

My Elantra Windscreen Replacement

Being busy this whole week...looks like never ending maintenance work...next is my windscreen. Found a shop in Tmn Indsutri Batu Caves, the boss says replacement wok only takes about 2 hours and windscreen are ready stock. Oh man...he has plenty of windscreen in his shop for various cars!

They have to removed the wiper, the plastic piece in front of the windscreen and what ever items place near the windscreen. Then they will insert a thin wire cutter to cut the sealant under the windscreen, then push the windscreen out.

All rubber linings will have to be pull out as well.

Finally...this is how naked it looks without any screen!

My brand new and original windscreen from Hyundai..

The windscreen will have to be clean before install and at the same time they applied a new sealant.

And finally the most important steps...to install the windscreen. Its one time placement and no taking out for 2nd time or else the whole process have to be repeat all over again. This guys are good..the guy in yellow is the boss!

Finally...I have my new windscreen.

The original windscreen comes with a shade...similar to the new Hyundai YF.

So for 2 days, no washing and no tinted on the windscreen... anyway not to worry, all are inclusive in the insurance claim. Will get it done soon.

Mcintosh MCC404M...speaker connection.

Been searching high and low for a free user manual and finally manage to get a copy. I have yet to go thru in details of the user manual but what caught me by surprise is the speaker connection. This amp can support speaker with 2,4 and 8ohm impedance. So no issue of using home hifi speakers which is cheaper  than car audio speaker, need to customize the passive x-over only or get direct from the hifi-shop!! Aint that wonderful. Now have to select from Madisound its range of speakers.

If you want the copy of the manual, will gladly email to you. Just drop me an email!

My Elantra 1st aircond service.

The elantra has clocked 67,300km and its coming to 4 years old by Feb 2012. Best to have the aircond system service by my regular workshop. I do learn something new ...it wasn't easy. Work together with the technician was fun... it help me to understand how aircond system component has change over the years. 

I requested the dryer to be replace and aircond compressor oil to be renewed with fresh oil. The aircond compressor was removed from the mounting and all the oil was drained out. About 200ml compressor oil was fill up.  

In the process, it was discover that the aircond belt has many cracks along the v-grooved, immediately I request it to be replace. 

The original aircond belt marking

The belt was replace with new belt..it seem you can use 4PK 845 or 855 belt. 

In order to removed the aircond belt, need to slacken the alternator belt as the main pulley share 2 v- grooved, for alternator and aircond compressor. Check on the alternator belt, all seems to be in good condition, should be able to last till 90,000km

Next...the dryer...normally we see the dryer as a canister that is separated from the condenser. Whenever we service our aircond system, should the dryer is choked, only the dryer canister is replace. But with new design on the elantra, whereby the dryer shell is welded to the condenser. Example as see below

With this design , it allowed only the dryer element to be replace. By removing the bottom cap, will exposed the element. But more work need to be carryout..the aircond fan need to be removed.

The whole condensor unit to be lift out.

And whole condenser with dryer is removed from the engine bay

The condenser is place on the working bench and you need an allen key to open the bottom caps of the dryer. However the caps are made of plastic...need time to removed.

Finally manage to removed the plastic cap

This is the dryer element...being packed nicely. Inside it contains dry silica gel to absorb any moisture of the aircond gas.

The condition of the plastic caps was terrible as need to apply force to moved the caps. I was worry it might not fitted during installation. However lucky managed to do it slowly and carefully.

 The old silica gel was replace Denso silica gel..

Fyi..some dryer caps are made of  aluminium however my elantra are made of plastic....those caps are unfortunately are not universal size. If the plastic caps snaps or damage, the whole condenser will have to be replace!!

And finally, pressure test the condensor found no leaks and the condenser is washed with solvent to removed all the dust and dirt sticking to its cooling fins.

 Overall check, found all system working good...


Breakdown charges:
1. Aircond belt   = RM 35.00
2. Dryer element = RM 85.00
3. Refill R134     = RM 50.00
4. 200ml comp.oil = RM25.00
5. Labour             = RM65.00


Total                   =  RM260.00

Mcintosh MCC404M...such a sweet amplifier

Mcintosh has been building home audio for many years and its a well known American brand. Handmade and built to last with quality that put its competitor at the edge. Recently I got hold of a Mcintosh MCC404M ...a single amp to power up all 4 speakers and 2 tweeters. Check the specs and photos: http://www.mcintoshlabs.com/us/Products/pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=CarAudioAmps&ProductId=MCC404M

Its a heavy amp...weights about 10kg! It has 2 cooling fan and will activate once the amp gets very hot. If you wanna know the pricing...visit Audio Creation @ http://www.audio-creations.com/. The sound quality produce by this amp is superb...the sound have energy and its lively!. You can get them at ebay but after custom tax etc...its will be very very expensive.

Castrol Magnatec Promotion

Castrol Magnatec promotion for the month of October 2011....

For any promotional pack of Castrol Magnatec 5W30 A5 (4L); get a FREE Castrol Thermal Food Jar.

For any promotional pack of Castrol GTX Modern Engine (4L), GTX Professional (4L) & GTX M-Tec (3L/4L); get a FREE Castrol Sports Towel.

Offer valid only in Malaysia with PROMOTIONAL PACKS of Castrol Magnatec 5W30 A5, GTX Range from 1st October until 31 October 2011 or WHILE STOCKS LAST. 


Get them at Castrol Auto Service workshops and Castrol outlets.

DIY Tweeter Pods for my Elantra...

I just cant stay quarantine at home for 2 weeks watching dvd's or FB's ... die man if like thats....so I decided to try my hand to diy a tweeter pod and same time replace the old tweeter with a much better tweeter. Buy the way the 1st diy installation as seen below...cable are place on the outside..thinking it will looks sexy and blue tac all over...instead got bashing from my wife and fellow friends too..hu hu...

So here is it...a tennis ball. It cheap...3pcs for RM10 only!

Skinned off the tennis ball..

Then cut to the size of the tweeter based to mount the tweeter..

Round off any sharp edges before mounting the tweeeter and same time using emery paper to sand of the surface. At the rear make a hole for the tweeter cable passage

Then mount the tweeter into the pod . I apply some blue tac to place the tweeter properly in the pod and wrapped with a sound proofing foam on its peripheral

And final result look like this .....

I still use a blue tac to position the tweeter pods, no future intention to permanently fixed to the pillars....I like it being adjustable.