Maintenance of Korean Car

[Madza_navy22]

You can go to RDY Autocare for your servicing.They will give you the on-spot answers..

[Kb27]

That would be about time to change the timing belt. I change mine at 60k for safety.

 

You can get a timing belt set at spare parts stockists for around $200.

Then bring to your favourite workshop. If you go straight to the workshop, they usually charge you higher.

 

If you go JB, it's even cheaper. Labour can be around rm100 only.

[Pisces69]

May i knw how long should we change the timing belt ? i just bought a 2nd hand Kia Cerato 1.6. with mileage 75,000 km but i am not sure whether the previous owner had changed it b4 or not. How bout the cost for tat ?

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Best is u check your handbook if it mentions when u sud change.

 

For most Jap cars using timing belt, it wil b about 80-90K km. For my Korean Optra, it says every 60K km but I did it at 70K km without any problems.

 

Note My old Corona CD I need to change at 90K km but that is if it is used mainly for slow driving like a patrol car or where there is a lot of idling where the engine is running but car is stationary. It says for normal use, no need to change. I dont know what they mean by "no need to change" so I did it at abt 130K km.

 

When u change the timing belt, it also means all the items connected like tensioner, bearings. seals etc. I also change the other belts for AC, Power steering & alternator as the life is about the same. Another thing u sud change is the water pump, seals & coolant as it all located at the same place & has about the same lifespan. Changing together saves u the additional labour charge to open up the parts.

 

I only use original or OEM parts to b sure they dont use inferior parts.

 

Having the timing belt break can cause a few thousand dollars in damage to the engine.

 

I recently changed my timing belt with all the other things I mentioned for about $500 incl labour & new coolant. I buy all the parts myself & get my mechanic to do the labour only.

 

I prefer like this cos I can control the quality of parts used & the total costs is slightly cheaper than if u get ws to supply the parts & labour.

 

If u change at the agent, expect to pay much much more for the whole job. My Optra wud have cost about $800-$900 plus if done at the agent.

Edited March 22, 2010 by Pisces69

[Dh15]

Hi Bro,

I'm changing car soon, thinking of switching to korean brand.

Wish to hear some feed back from you guys if korean cars are easily maintain in a long run as compare to the like of Toyota & Honda?

Are parts easily available after many years if I choose to keep the car for long long time.

 

I have owned 2 Korean cars for the past 6 years. I would say not hard to maintain at all. My prev car was a 1.3L Hyundai Getz which lasted me for 5 years without any major problems. Currently driving a Kia Forte, another good Korean car. If you looking for affordable car just for normal day-to-day use, den Korean cars are good enough. Btw, Korean parts are cheap and easy to find.

[Verve]

Dont worry abt Korean car parts. They are easily available.

Even if u dont go back to authorized dealers for regular servicing, u can get the parts from stockists and go to reputed workshops recommended in forums for servicing.

Major wear and tear parts for Hyundai are relatively affordable if u get from stockists.

 

Its the same if u go for Jap cars, but most Jap parts will cost slightly more than Korean

 

Cheers

 

bro its the other way, korean parts more expensive than the typical jap models

[Picanto]

bro its the other way, korean parts more expensive than the typical jap models

 

depends on who you buy the parts from

[Windchoco]

In general, there is not much difference between servicing and parts costs....

 

however, whether kor parts wear and tear quicker, resulting in more frequent replacement is really a v subjective thing... Some ppl drive v roughly, and then complain that its bcos kor car parts not so tahan....

 

 

[Leskali]

I had an hyundai avante currently as my new car and i used it to ferry my bicycles sometimes.. The back part of my car got some minor scratches due to the bicycles..

 

Anyone can reccommend me a solution to cover up those scratches??

[Zerstorer]

bro its the other way, korean parts more expensive than the typical jap models

 

Hmmmm.....recent experience or from years back?

 

Any examples?

 

Edited March 28, 2010 by Zerstorer

[Leontan]

i'm driving a korean car as well. Been close to 4 years. No much problem...just remember not to skip servicing. The engine does seem to vibrate a little more as the car ages..but nt serious type. Maintenance is the same as most jap cars as well. Parts and accessories are widely available now compared to 2 years back. No worry abt getting korea cars :)

[2BDriver]

Hi, Bro,

 

My Optra Estate is now over 60K mileage and would like to have Timing Belt Changing.

 

Kindly advice me the cheapest workshop that I could have peace of mind continuing to drive on the longer term........

 

Regards.

[SaNibOy]

Changed both my timing belts for my cerato for RM80 at jb.

[Laurencelau]

I'm driving a 2005 Cerato HB. Coming to 5 yrs. Beside regular servicing no problem at all. All light bulb are working without any replacement. The original battery last me nearly 4 yrs. I just change it recently.

 

Recently I drove my Cerato to Thailand and back without any problem.

[Ahjun]

wah.. u drove from spore to thailand? !

[Pisces69]

Hi, Bro,

 

My Optra Estate is now over 60K mileage and would like to have Timing Belt Changing.

 

Kindly advice me the cheapest workshop that I could have peace of mind continuing to drive on the longer term........

 

Regards.

 

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For me I changed my timing & AC belt, all the bearings, seals, tensioner, water pump w/seal & coolant at 70K km.

 

I bought all the parts from Song Yi or u can also get from He Xiang (ordered in advance) & got my regular ws (Keng Wah Motor) to do all the work.

 

Do a search in MCF for the tel & address of all these places. I call in advance to check if they have all the necessary parts & if not, I wil order & collect all at 1 go. Then call the ws to check when its convenient to do the labour.

 

Like that there is no rushing & everything goes smoothly.

 

I wil not say this is the cheapest way but at least I know everything is done properly & I wont have any problems later on.

 

But at least its still much cheaper than doing at the Agent & also some of the other big ws who quote a package price but I found out that they sometimes dont change ALL of the parts to save some costs to them but not to u.

 

I only buy original GM parts & coolant etc to make sure everything is suitable & no compatibility issues later on. The water to mix with the coolant, I used distilled water as recommended in the handbook.

 

My ws is not those high-class type but the boss will do a very through job for me. U can mention that u were recommended by the guy who drives the black Optra Estate. He knows I am very fussy & does everything according to the book. No shortcuts.

[Pisces69]

i'm driving a korean car as well. Been close to 4 years. No much problem...just remember not to skip servicing. The engine does seem to vibrate a little more as the car ages..but nt serious type. Maintenance is the same as most jap cars as well. Parts and accessories are widely available now compared to 2 years back. No worry abt getting korea cars :)

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As the car ages u need to change the engine & gearbox mountings every 3-4 years. After changing, the car wil b as smooth as a new car.

 

[Pisces69]

Changed both my timing belts for my cerato for RM80 at jb.

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Its quite unbelievable that u can do the proper & complete timing belt service for only RM80.

 

The complete service costs about S$500 plus.

 

[Laurencelau]

wah.. u drove from spore to thailand? !

Yes. Both way about 3000km. This cerato is a very heavy car and when speeding on the highway it is very stable.