Replacement engine needed! Torturous..
Oh, the irony that the last update I put for the Airtrek was that it was still standing..
Initially, we already noted that there was an apparent misfire on the Airtrek.
Halfway through my first trip in September, the Airtrek began to misfire, audibly running on at least one cylinder less and being extra choppy to drive. It could still be driven, but not quickly or really comfortably.
Engine oil was also present on the valve cover, so I cannot say that things were going to be working out right for the car.
Workshop it goes, and the first sign of things to come: blown headgasket.
A water crack test on the cylinder head would then be tested. A radiator change (to a Synergy item, local brand) was also recommended, which we agreed on.
The estimated price for this job to overhaul the engine top was about RM2k, the radiator being RM750.
Unfortunately, the cylinder head was indeed affected. Attached is how water could enter the combustion chamber.
Unfortunately (again), further checks revealed that the block was also affected.
An engine replacement would be in the region of RM3200, which, for an enthusiast engine, was pretty okay. I have seen B-series (albeit with transmission, but automatic) sell in the region of RM4.5-5.5k. As there wasn’t much of an option, my family also agreed on this.
The next engine supplied was also not good, being old stock and rotted, as seen below. A price change of RM3800 was quoted to take out directly from a car, presumably a halfcut.
Again, begrudgingly, we agreed. The next engine as quoted from the supplier was not good, which is just about where the car is now.
The workshop has chosen to have the existing engine repaired, which is possible but will take time – to me, not being much of a difference seeing that we have already spent lots of time trying to source a replacement engine just for logistics and quality to not deliver (literally).
So, this is where the tale currently ends. I will update accordingly (hopefully on time too!) about Trek. Fingers crossed that when all is done, the cost won’t be astronomical. (Jokes on me it is)
On a last note, we removed the scale model from the dashboard. Unfortunately, countless days under the Malaysian heat as caused “some” damage. This is probably not going to buff out. Thank you for surviving for two years.
This is a subpost of the original entry, linked here: Penang: September 2025 Photos and stills
~Efini
Gallery:
Read more: Trek: Teluk Bahang Dam
These are already hard to find parts? I was not expecting that. I see these every now and then in Malaysia.