Simple home DIY repairs

[Mkl22]

On 1/26/2025 at 2:56 PM, Kb27 said:

It's hard to say. An installer may neglect to tighten wires firmly to the socket/plug. It then worked for a long time and you don't notice. But each click of the switch is a mini vibration and served to loosen the screw bit by bit.

If it's loosened enough, it may spark. Each wire used for power, is multi-stranded. Lighting wires tend to be one solid strand. For multi-stranded wire, if the screw is not tightened on all the strands, one or a few might be free to move about and sparked each time you throw the switch. When less than all the strands are in full contact with the screw, you get also high resistance. The worst case could result in overheating and fire.

My kitchen power socket had a burned out on the plastic casing, many years ago. I replaced the socket and it seems like there's a lose wire. After I replaced it, it doesn't happen again, bcuz I was real careful in what I'm doing.

It's not just about the cost of the switch, but do inspect the wiring and connection.

Incidentally, I haven't seen a worn-out switch before. The switch is a piece of plastic rocker that pushes 2 metal strips together or apart. 😁

Use a ferrule and crimp. No loose strand and good solid contact and you can also crank down the screw tightly. I did this to all my water heater switches after I found one burnt out. The screw didn’t feel loose to me. But maybe not tight enough. 

[Ahwhye]

On 1/26/2025 at 1:05 PM, Lala81 said:

The switch has been untouched since installation. I doubt some wire is going to come loose.

I'm more inclined to think it's wear and tear of the switch. cos we use this switch quite a bit. 

Anyway since it's inexpensive. I will just buy a switch and replace it. 

This one also untouched since installation for like 20years, and definitely screw loose...

[Lala81]

Wtf. How come the back plate has no screws one. 

Nvm the screws are hidden behind the rockers. But I cannot remove the rockers. Zzz put back first and buy replacement switch first in case I break the rocker switches. Lol like so easy to pry open in videos. 

Edited January 27, 2025 by Lala81

[Mkl22]

On 1/27/2025 at 12:47 PM, Lala81 said:

Wtf. How come the back plate has no screws one. 

Nvm the screws are hidden behind the rockers. But I cannot remove the rockers. Zzz put back first and buy replacement switch first in case I break the rocker switches. Lol like so easy to pry open in videos. 

Your switches so dirty. Never clean ah?🤣

just pry. The buttons will just pop out. 

Edited January 27, 2025 by Mkl22

[Lala81]

On 1/27/2025 at 1:25 PM, Mkl22 said:

Your switches so dirty. Never clean ah?🤣

just pry. The buttons will just pop out. 

Yeah man. Never clean lol. My wife Bo hue all this. I only got so much time.

I pried but scared to exert too much force and break something. Then can't fix over cny. So just put back first. 

Anyway the face plate think the 4 small tab hooks bit chui liao. I can't really pop them back in snugly anymore 

[SIM37]

I ownself service car... and the cheapest/best dollar per litre engine oil is

Lexus engine oil : https://s.shopee.sg/4VNLc06yLl



$28.50 4 Litres

Edited January 27, 2025 by SIM37

[inlinesix]

On 1/27/2025 at 2:55 PM, SIM37 said:

I ownself service car... and the cheapest/best dollar per litre engine oil is

Lexus engine oil : https://s.shopee.sg/4VNLc06yLl



$28.50 4 Litres

It is too thick for a lot of cars.

[SIM37]

@inlinesix Not true leh, the vast majority of runaround cars comfortably pootle along with 40 rating.

[inlinesix]

On 1/27/2025 at 3:33 PM, SIM37 said:

@inlinesix Not true leh, the vast majority of runaround cars comfortably pootle along with 40 rating.

The last time i use 5-40 was BMW E39 520.

Mini is using 0-30.

Jap car are moving towards 0-20/0-16

[SIM37]

@inlinesix Mine attrage so all good.

But 30 also quite easy to find.

Alas all after 2030..... no more

[inlinesix]

On 1/27/2025 at 3:52 PM, SIM37 said:

@inlinesix Mine attrage so all good.

But 30 also quite easy to find.

Alas all after 2030..... no more

MY fren Mitsubishi Triton is using semi-syn 5w-30.

It is a MY2011 diesel engine

[Lala81]

My accord is supposed to be 0w20 based on manual. But in sg context, usually most WS will just use 5w30. Suspect even KM servicing also used 5w30.

Can feel the engine is smoother when i did use my own oil in the middle years. 

[Kklim]

Anyone knows a place that sells this type of rubber or silicone seal? Or just apply silicone caulk?

[Tianmo]

On 1/27/2025 at 3:50 PM, inlinesix said:

The last time i use 5-40 was BMW E39 520.

Mini is using 0-30.

Jap car are moving towards 0-20/0-16

My kimchi already using 5w20 liao, even my opel a few years back also already used w20 EO, 5w40 is really dinosaur and sld be in the museum.

 

[Tianmo]

On 2/13/2025 at 11:28 AM, Kklim said:

Anyone knows a place that sells this type of rubber or silicone seal? Or just apply silicone caulk?

I had the same issue, water seep through, I just applied clear silicone over and been good. Buts must make sure is all dry before apply, and allow half a way to fully dry up before touch water.

 

[Mkl22]

On 1/27/2025 at 3:52 PM, SIM37 said:

@inlinesix Mine attrage so all good.

But 30 also quite easy to find.

Alas all after 2030..... no more

why? after 2040 then no new cars with ICE. after 2030 hybrids still allowed

[Mkl22]

On 2/13/2025 at 11:28 AM, Kklim said:

Anyone knows a place that sells this type of rubber or silicone seal? Or just apply silicone caulk?

wah this damn old fashioned. see if you can remove the rubber and reseal with black silicone.

recommend using dowsil 791 or 688. yes for external use but damn robust and has good flexibility. more ex than normal silicone but worth it. anyway still under $10 per tube.Do it once and be done with it.

https://www.horme.com.sg/product.aspx?id=633&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAqrG9BhAVEiwAaPu5zqpukDm_8NWOa1LIQbn0SvTELOE1vmh3nMSKLoj42hCO4b8cyMBBzxoCLJAQAvD_BwE

[Lala81]

On 2/13/2025 at 1:11 PM, Mkl22 said:

wah this damn old fashioned. see if you can remove the rubber and reseal with black silicone.

recommend using dowsil 791 or 688. yes for external use but damn robust and has good flexibility. more ex than normal silicone but worth it. anyway still under $10 per tube.Do it once and be done with it.

https://www.horme.com.sg/product.aspx?id=633&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAiAqrG9BhAVEiwAaPu5zqpukDm_8NWOa1LIQbn0SvTELOE1vmh3nMSKLoj42hCO4b8cyMBBzxoCLJAQAvD_BwE

haha i have a silicone one of these tubes. once cut open just keeps flowing out lol.