The Old Chariot

As I am tapping away on the keyboard, the mechanic is performing a starter correction surgery on our 1997 Nissan Serena 2.0 SGL. She suffered from a what you might call a "almost cannot start syndrome" this morning. After turning the ignition key almost 10times the starter then only very reluctantly engaged and the engine fired into life.




We had her when she was first introduced into the Malaysian Market and she is one of the first few units to be registered and can be seen cruising around proudly in Malacca. She is very happy to be a part of our family and without fail everyday she would kick into life at a turn of the ignition key raring to go where ever we wanted her to, be it to ferry the children to school or to the market or just for rides.

Yes, she had serve us well daily and on our holiday trips to the East Coast, Cameron Highlands, Lumut, Gentings ............ She really did made our trip really comfortable and enjoyable. She is also great for transporting stuff both local and outstation. When our eldest daughter comes home for her long break from her Uni, the chariot will be summoned to pick her and her excessive luggage back home :) Occasionally she will haul all the recyclables to the recycling center.

Ring...ring...yeap!! just got a call from the mechanic that the old chariot is ready for collection. Be back in a moment.

According to the mechanic she suffered from a "loose starter gear syndrome" which is caused by corrosion, most probably water. Asked how can water get in but he was not able to give an answer. Anyway the diseased part is not available by itself so the whole starter unit have to replaced. The mechanic also mentioned that the Serena's starter is unique in design making it impossible to be replaced just the starter drive gear should it suffer from "loose gear syndrome". "It is a good way for them to make easy money!" he exclaimed. If you are familiar with automotive mechanics you will notice the difference at the driver gear area from the conventional starters.

Now a days the old chariot is more or less in semi-retired state. I wonder how much longer she'll be with us ............................