Of Floods & Breakdowns

The flood in Mentakab has subsided. I should be able to spend Christmas back in my hometown. But many in Pahang, Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor are still terribly affected by the floods.

My 6-year-old car finally broke down last night. All this while it has never broken down on me, but last night it finally did.

I was driving over to Guat's place after badminton, when I heard a snap from my engine, after which it just died. Thankfully I was in an inner road, and I managed to pull over to the side of the road with whatever momentum that was left. The engine couldn't start after that.

Lim, the tow trucker, by listening to the sound of the car engine trying to crank up, suspected that the timing belt has snapped. I can't say that was entirely unexpected, especially given the sounds it makes in the mornings when I start my cold car engine (something which I should have taken heed of). Interestingly though, it wasn't due for timing belt change yet. I changed it when the mileage (or kilometerage) hit 80,000km, and the next change was not due till 160,000km. My car's current mileage is almost 146,000km. Could be due to many factors...previous belt not fitted well, not-so-good parts were used, somebody sabatoged me...all sorts of possibilities. :P

Oh well, if it happens, it happens. I'm just thankful for God's kindness, that at least it happened in good circumstances: it broke down near Guat's place, my brother's in town so there's that extra car.

So this morning, I'll be heading off to the workshop soon, to assess the damage...and man, I'm sure it's gonna cost me :) The fact really hit home when I saw my car being lifted onto the tow truck, and being towed away helplessly...that's where my heart really kinda sank, seeing the noble steed reduced to a hapless piece :)

Part and parcel of owning a car :) Things like these reminds me that I'm blessed to have a vehicle to call my own. And my car is now in good hands at the workshop.

Time to go to the workshop... :)

Post-workshop update: The timing belt didn't snap, but the teeth/grooves has come off, so the timing belt ran out of its place...mechanic hasn't completed a full inspection yet, but so far, there's at least one piston arm that's broken. The car will be in the "hospital" for at least a couple of days.

Edit (21/12/2007): Car's fixed. Thank God it took only 2 days...bent and broken parts here and there but Raymond told me that damage was minimal because when the timing belt snapped, I was going at slow speed. Thank God for that too.