Finally.. Got it Fixed !

The Hyundai Matrix had a long problem with windscreen wiper spray....there is no water coming out and it has been that way for the past 3-4 years. Just couldn't find the right time to send to my regular workshop and it was not urgent.

And the central lock system has not been working well. Can't lock the door with the remote, have to lock manually all 4. And because it was not an urgent repair... leave thru it for couple of years.

And so today was the faithful day, I decided to send for repair or replace whatever parts require.

So had the central lock motor for both front L and R front repaired. The wiring was replaced as according to my foreman, that is causing short circuit... I believe so..my hyundai already more  than 15 years..those wires are getting hard and brittle. Cost of the repair RM390.

Washer motor was also replace with new set...and now the windscreen washer is working as well the rear too. Cost me RM120.

The total cost RM530....so next project..maybe giving it a good dark tint !

My 2 Hyundai's

I bought the Hyundai Matrix 1.6M CBU brand new in year 2005 and then the Hyundai Avante in 2008. Just look at both mileage , already passed 200k km. Both hyundai fully paid off and that is the greatest feeling of owning them. I can bet that would the same feeling for any other brands...no more paying to the bank.

Not much of major issues, just do the usual service.I don't bother on the resale value as each car already over 10 years. My point of driving is to get from point A to B.

Hyundai Matrix new spark plug at 205,170km

I have used the Bosch FR- 78X Super 4 spark plug in the past and somewhere along the way , I sorted using the normal spark plug as it was was cheaper and my daily was very low, about 5 km only. And today I decided to change the spark  plug back to Bosch FR-78X. 

The old and the new spark plugs

Get my tires properly inflated and off we go....
Dammed...engine was smooth and the drive was wonderful. Really a great spark plug from Bosch. I bought it from Shopee for RM42 ( 4pcs).

My 15 year old KN filter

Yesterday I removed the KN air filter from my Hyundai Matrix 1.6 2005. The last cleaning was like 3 years ago. 

But anyway, the condition of the filter is still good even though the vehicle already clock up above 200k km. After cleaning...can really felt the difference. So took up for a short sprint..really worth an investment !

At 204762km, Hyundai Matrix repair

My Hyundai Matrix 2005 is still going strong, some maintenance have taken place this weekend which cannot be delay any further.

There was oil leaks on the valve cover, it gets worst but due too workload , I don't have the time to replace it. Power steering oil too have some leaks due to the hoses have harden.

And then the clutch pump begin show sign of leaks as intermittent the brake oil sign start to appear. I had to top up the brake oil reservoir every 2 months.

Rear absorber begin to squicks for quite a while and a check found both side leaking. Now a days I don't carry much load at the back, daily drive about 12km... so I manage stretch the replacement for quite a while.

After repair... All looks even better. The ride too was much comfortable

 Here are the work scope
- New Valve Cover Gasket with Plug Seal
- Power Steering Tank Hose and Flushing
- Rear Absorber (L/R)
- Clutch Pump (Lower) Assembly

All parts supplied by the workshop, with labour...all costing RM1200.

Rear passenger outer door handle for my Hyundai Matrix

The unfortunate incident happened, the right rear passenger outer handle broke, so cannot enter the rear unless open from inside !..really troublesome.

So I did try to DIY ...very very difficult that I give up doing it. Better let the mechanic to do it with the proper tool.

It took them close to 3 hours to change this door handle...worth paying to do it. Same time I send my Matrix for manual gearbox oil change..yeah kill 2 birds with one stone.

The door handle is not original, it's OEM and it fit in nicely...RM45.

Hyundai Matrix 03 ... The long drive to Skudai

This Hyundai Matrix 05 1.6L M is my 1st hyundai and it has been with me till now for 14 years. Mileage closing to 200k km and still sturdy. It has the best space, large boot and very comfortable. Still able to clock more than 650km in a single full tank of petrol Ron95 full highway drive.

The alternator has been replace and clutch plate too.

Maintenance cost is on the average. So far no major problem.
May apply extra dark tint for that extra cool looks.

My daily drive is now about 4km as compare to years ago and when it comes to long journey...I'm happy that is perform very well.

Hyundai Matrix oil change

Had my Hyundai Matrix oil change last year  https://bit.ly/2Z9HOXV when it clocked 195,868km. This time around, I had it change again at 199,852 km..that is after travelling 3984km. I when to Skudai from KL and return recently..manage to clock 680km before re-fuel.

I found that Shell has the high mileage 15W-50 engine oil. This oil better that the previous engine oil ..As I read somewhere it is suitable up to 7000km....

To finished it I  top up with X-1R engine oil additive.

Hyundai Matrix 2005 Timing Belt Change

This would be the 4th time, the timing belt was replace for a 14 year old Hyundai Matrix. Only timing belt was replace, water pump was not replace.

Next replacement would at 297,568km.

The condition of the old timing belt was quite good even thou it has about less than 18,000km to go ( it's a 100k km belt)

Hydraulic brake oil was also replace and all 4 brakes was bleed. I replace it a Bosch Dot 4. After replacement, the brakes felt better and the clutch pedal also felt solid not soggy as before.

One will be inside the car to press and depressed the brake pedal.Another will be at the bottom of the car to bleed out any air on the system as well flush out all  dirty brake oil. Consume almost 1L of fresh hydraulic brake oil.

Total cost for labour (timing belt,brake oil change and aircond belt  and a new aircond belt : RM285.00

Hyundai Matrix 1.6L 2005 Timing Belt - ready spare

The vehicle timing belt is almost due,  18,000km to go but I wanna play safe before reaching its due mileage. A 100,000km timing belt bought from Shopee for RM210.00

Value for money

My Hyundai Matrix headlight has develop quite a bad haze. Driving at night is quite dangerous too.

It does not  happened overnight and usually car with plastic screen headlight will experience sooner of later. So I hit the DIY store and found this Waxco Plastic Lamp polish, costing merely RM7.40.

I follow the instruction and apply by hand...and surprised by it's outcome. Should I have use the orbiter could have been far more better result. But anyway this is acceptable, now I'm able to see one of the reflector has drop from it's  housing !

This is seen during day time, the headlight looks better.

Overall I'm very happy with this product.

Hyundai Matrix 1.6GLM 2005

My 13 years old Hyundai Matrix...still with original paint. May see a dent on the left fender near the front head light. A missing air spoiler at the rear passenger door ..in fact were ripped  away by strong wind. Fitted with 15 sport rim, instead of the standard 14 inch. Body kit made of PU...they are very reliable.

I like the big windscreen as well all the window glass...it feels very spacious.
The headlight need some polishing.

Hyundai Matrix Air Cond Servicing 2018

The last service I did was somewhere in year 2013, yearly I only change the aircond filter. So on March 2018, the aircond begin to show sign of less cold air blowing out from its air vent. I have expected, the aircond must be service or else aircond compressor will be damage and more money need to be spend for a new or recond compressor. So from 2013 to 2018, that is 5 years period ... best to do it every 4 years.

The tips is: Once the aircond is less cold or none, do not turn on the aircond. Send the car to the aircond shop for check up.

I did the same thing here and they told me there was a slight leakage on the aircond compressor. While the aircond compressor was still able to pump, high chances it's still working. Only need to replace the seal and overhaul the compressor. Or else a new aircond compressor alone ( RM950 for new) not including other replacement item...all that might set be back about RM1500 !

 The old aircond on the vice before overhaul. And after servicing, the shop give a good wash .

Here are the parts and pricing:

Lip Seal O-ring rubber + Compressor Oil - RM180

Freon Gas R134  - RM45

New Expansion valve - RM130

Drier Filter - RM65

Air cond Service - RM65

Labour - RM65  

Aircond belt - Nil ( recently replace)

Total : RM550

My Hyundai Matrix Maintenance 2017-2018

Had planned this work since last week and today manage to take off. So early morning, I visited the Hyundai shop aka Express Mobis. Bought some nice stuff...

Power Steering Belt


Aircond Belt 4PK810




Plug Rubber Seal


Alternator Belt 4PK845


Valve Cover Rubber Gasket - OEM.


The mission is to change the valve cover gasket and all the external belts except timing belt. Too much leaking around the cover, mind you that the cover is made of plastic not cast iron!



Once the cover are lift out, it expose all the top moving parts. The red arrows pointed to the rubber plug seal's, there are all 4 pcs. If the seal are broken, the engine oil will escape and enter the spark plug from the top. You will have some oil accumulated on spark plug chamber.



Photo on the left is the old plug seal which have some crack and photo on the right is the new plug seal

New plug seal, new valve gasket fitted and a clean valve cover. 

Nicely done up including replacement of the external belts.

Express Mobis run out of stock of the aircond filter, so had to get from nearby aircond shop. This one cost me RM50. I DIY the replacement.

The battery positive terminal was at it's worst condition, had it replace with new terminal...very cheap RM10 complete with installation.

I have an extra bottle of the ATF, flush the power steering system with fresh hydraulic fluid....now the pump is running smooth after flushing.

Enough for today.....
As for the external belt replacement, better let the workshop guy do it. Not that easy as it look.




So final job done and expenses

1. All external belt  - RM75.00
2. Battery terminal 1pcs  - RM10
3. Aircond filter - RM50
4. Plug seal - RM20
5. Valve cover gasket( OEM) - RM20
6. ATF oil  - RM80
7. Workshop Labour - RM90

Total : RM345.00