Lancer EX Running Repairs and Maintenance

trinity · December 1, 2024

Hey folks, posting an update here after a long hiatus (three and half years).

The last update I've posted about a maintenance is the replacement of tires back in May 2021. The new tires that went in that time have worn out to the level you just can't see any threads on them currently. Owing to the covid times and fuel crisis, the regular running of the car was little bit lower now and some of the non critical maintenance was also put on hold due to the economic crisis.

However, currently I have lined up to do those overdue maintenance at one go. Before updating those, I'll try to continue the repairs carried out until now from 2021 in order to maintain the continuation.

Here it goes.

12 replacing the Radiator Cap

The repair was carried out on 02-09-2022.

Mileage - 190,000kms

I exactly can't remember how I identified that the existing cap was leaking. I believe it was most probably during a routine service. The radiator cap comes as a whole unit, I bought it from Unit#d Mot#rs and had them installed it there also. Fairly a quick job.

Part No. 1350A043 - Rs.18,722/22

Labour Cost - Rs.1,250/-

Total cost with taxes - Rs.22,968/05

Edited December 1, 2024 by trinity

trinity · December 1, 2024

13 Replacing Brake Pads, Brake Shoes and Rear Brake Cylinders

The repair was carried out on July 2023.

Mileage - 206,000kms (Approx)

Previously I had changed the brake pads on September 2020. The mileage should be 155,000kms at at time. You can read about it here.

So after another 50,000kms, the front brake pads as well as the rear brake shoes were due for being replaced. Mind you, the rear brake shoes had lasted 206,000kms and 12 years. Last time, the the brake pads were replaced at the agent and the cost was comparatively low.

But this time, the prices had gone over the moon as the agent quoted something around Rs.75,000/- for the brake pads set and something around Rs.45,000/- for the rear brake shoes. And my brake cylinders were leaking for the third second time. I did not bother to ask them about the prices of those at that moment.

So I searched for substitutes. Fortunately our fellow member @Sampath Gunasekera told me that the OEM brand for the genuine pads that comes for lancer is 'Akebono'. So I went ahead and bought a set from 'Srikanth Motors' at Panchikawatte. They didn't have the rear brake shoes with them from that brad though. So I had bought a shoe set Branded 'MK' (Japan) from Wimal Motors as per my records.

The prices were as follows,

Akebono Brake Pads - Part No D6108 / PN3469 Rs. 13,615/-

MK Brake shoes - Rs.17,500/-

The calliper seal kit also had to be replaced. Those were bought from the Unit#d Mot#rs.

Part No. 4605B982 - Rs. 19,304.34 (Rs. 9,652.17 per seal) total cost with taxes Rs. 21,089/99

Unfortunately, these were not it, I had to buy the brake cylinders as well. This time I bought two used ones that had been imported from Japan. Bought them from a gentleman called Chathoosha who sells Lancer parts on FB. Both cylinders cost me Rs.20,000/-

So the entire thing had cost me around Rs.78,000/- for parts, labour and phasing of rear drums.

Unfortunately, the rear cylinders did not last even a year. Will tell you guys about it later.

No photos available of these parts.

P.S found a photo of the seal kit.

Edited December 1, 2024 by trinity

trinity · December 1, 2024

14 Replacing the cabin AC blower motor

The timing of this could not have been worst. After spending nearly 80k for the brake replacement, the AC blower went out on the same month after about a week or two.

The replacement was carried out on 27-07-2023.

Had to settle for a Taiwanese made motor considering the cost factor. Price was Rs.18,250/-

This was the old motor.

And this is the only photo I have of the new one.

trinity · December 1, 2024

15 Replacement of the rear wheel bearing.

Replaced around August 2023.

By this time, I was running with a humming noise that emitted from the rear left wheel of the car. It was there for about two months and gradually started to increase. I knew it was the bearing but drove the car anyways given I had spent about Rs.100k for the aforementioned repairs.

Anyways, I managed to find a second hand bearing that had been removed from a car that had not run a much (Imported part). Bought it from Nethush who does Lancer Modifications and supplies spares specially for Lancer CY as well as CS models.

Price. Rs.17,000/- (If I remember correctly)

No photos.

trinity · December 1, 2024

16 Installation of the rear Spoiler.

September 2023,

Though its not a rear, thought to mention it here for records.

Found a brand new ABS Plastic GT spoiler for Rs.20,000/- from 'Dai Lanka Auto Traders' at Pepiliyana.

Cost me another 6,000/- to paint and instal it.

Total cost Rs.26,000/-

Here's a photo taken after few weeks of installation.

Hyaenidae · December 1, 2024

On 12/1/2024 at 1:26 PM, trinity said:

Ha ha you are still here.. wait wait.. have many to update, very difficult to find a free time. I might be able to post few updates tonight.
Hope you still have the Lancer and she is doing fine.

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Of course she's still with me, who else is she gonna be with ❤

trinity · December 1, 2024

On 12/1/2024 at 4:35 PM, Hyaenidae said:

Of course she's still with me, who else is she gonna be with ❤

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Looking pristine as always 👍🏻

Hyaenidae · December 1, 2024

On 12/1/2024 at 5:29 PM, trinity said:

Looking pristine as always 👍🏻

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Wanted to switch to Liqui Moly synthetic 5W30 this time onwards but UNIMO refused to use oil sourced from a third party

Will make the switch from June (or when I hit 5K kms). For now she's still on Valvoline Conventional 10W30

Edited December 1, 2024 by Hyaenidae

trinity · December 1, 2024

On 12/1/2024 at 5:42 PM, Hyaenidae said:

Wanted to switch to Liqui Moly synthetic 5W30 this time onwards but UNIMO refused to use oil sourced from a third party

Will make the switch from June (or when I hit 5K kms). For now she's still on Valvoline Conventional 10W30

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Any particular reason for the switch? I’m still using Valvoline 10W30 conventional. Mileage is 229,000kms. Not that going synthetic crossed my mind. But I didn’t bother about it thereafter.

trinity · December 1, 2024

Hope @K.o.N.o.S still has his Lancer as well.

Hyaenidae · December 1, 2024

On 12/1/2024 at 5:49 PM, trinity said:

Any particular reason for the switch? I’m still using Valvoline 10W30 conventional. Mileage is 229,000kms. Not that going synthetic crossed my mind. But I didn’t bother about it thereafter.

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Because both cost about the same, Liqui Moly Molygen 5W30 costs about 14K from Daraz (sold by the authorized agent) with credit card discounts and daraz discounts, Valvoline conventional costs about 13K from UNIMO

Hyaenidae · December 1, 2024

On 12/1/2024 at 5:50 PM, trinity said:

Hope @K.o.N.o.S still has his Lancer as well.

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@K.o.N.o.S Where are thou?

Hyaenidae · January 4

CY2 GLS (1500CC, 4A91) converted to a CY3 GT (1800CC, 4B10), Conventional auto transmission replaced with a CVT and all the bells and whistles transplanted, wonder why they didn't bother to update the CR though

CY = Lancer EX

2 = 4A91 1500CC Engine

A = Passenger car

S = 4 Door Sedan

R = 4A/T (Transmission)

M = GLS (Trim level)

H =MIVEC

R = RHD

Edited January 4 by Hyaenidae

Hyaenidae · January 31

Stumbled across these photos from 2022 while tidying up my hard drive. Not sure I've already posted these somewhere else but thought I should leave these here for posterity

Guy who went to inspect a Lady driven second owner 2015 registered Lancer EX came across this:

The battery tray's all bent out of shape because the battery's too big.

Pretty sure the battery holders too are at an angle and grab onto the battery awkwardly. The battery not being properly secured caused an acid spill OR stress from its angled mounting led to a cracked battery housing, resulting in severe corrosion in the engine compartment.

Here's a comparison shot of my 2014 Lancer's engine bay in the same spot.

It seems the tray is designed to reduce potential metal-acid contact by containing and diverting accidental spills/leaks of battery acid.

Who would've thought that installing a slightly bigger battery could cause such a mess?

Edited January 31 by Hyaenidae

iRage · February 1

See..bigger is not always better.

This sadly is a common issue in SL. Seen quite a few cars with a similar fate. Due to lack of availability, maka baas advice, installing way too many accessories, etc...there are plenty of cars with large batteries in them. Which is fine, but sadly they are not mounted properly. So battery fluid gets out and over time starts corroding around the place.

Hyaenidae · February 1

On 2/1/2025 at 3:49 AM, iRage said:

See..bigger is not always better.

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Yeah should give a shout out to Amaron as well. The factory fitted Hitachi battery conked out after 5 years (2014-2019), this Amaron has been going strong for 5.5 years (and counting).

Indians showing up Japanese for once, another "who would've thought!" 😁

On 2/1/2025 at 3:49 AM, iRage said:

Due to lack of availability, maka baas advice

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Been there! Here's a post I made when I swapped my battery back in 2019:

On 7/24/2019 at 5:26 AM, Hyaenidae said:

Thanks for the responses, everyone.

@K.o.N.o.S @Crosswind Couldn't find a battery shop which carries Yuasa or Global... Only choices I have are Exide, Amaron, and Lucas.

Battery shop guys swear left and right that Amaron battery returns are practically zero and they've never had complaints of battery explosion, which is my biggest worry.

The Exide 65Ah battery could be fitted by removing the battery tray (suggested by the battery shop) which I don't think is a good idea. The purpose of the tray I think is to prevent possible fluid spills reaching the metal parts of the engine bay, the battery could be fitted with the battery holder without the tray in place. Not going to do it anyway.

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Edited February 1 by Hyaenidae

Hyaenidae · February 22

I have no clue what happened, but a while ago when vacuuming the interior I found out that 2 of the 4 plastic rear seat anchor covers were just hanging there like loose tooth. Someone had snapped the clip that secures it to the seat.

My guess is it was probably the shop that put on my seat covers or some place I got my interior cleaned from.

The clip should be pinched before pulling it off, but someone just ripped it out 😶

Luckily replacement trim bits are quite cheap, even the original costs something like $5 apiece but the shipping cost from Japan is too high so gave up on Japanese and went with Chinese

There it goes, nice and snug again. Total cost around $10 for both pieces

trinity · March 6

On 2/22/2025 at 2:33 PM, Hyaenidae said:

I have no clue what happened, but a while ago when vacuuming the interior I found out that 2 of the 4 plastic rear seat anchor covers were just hanging there like loose tooth. Someone had snapped the clip that secures it to the seat.

My guess is it was probably the shop that put on my seat covers or some place I got my interior cleaned from.

The clip should be pinched before pulling it off, but someone just ripped it out 😶

Luckily replacement trim bits are quite cheap, even the original costs something like $5 apiece but the shipping cost from Japan is too high so gave up on Japanese and went with Chinese

There it goes, nice and snug again. Total cost around $10 for both pieces

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Heyyyy.. I’m also having the same issue. Could you please share the link of the site you’ve bought these from. Need to order two for my car as well. Hope they have the beige color parts also.

Hyaenidae · March 6

On 3/6/2025 at 9:41 AM, trinity said:

Heyyyy.. I’m also having the same issue. Could you please share the link of the site you’ve bought these from. Need to order two for my car as well. Hope they have the beige color parts also.

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Didn't see beige color trim pieces in his store but maybe you could send a message to the seller to see if he has them?

Here are the links for parts I replaced :

COVER,FRONT SEAT ANCHOR LH REAR-L : https://a.aliexpress.com/_oDTQcOe

COVER,FRONT SEAT ANCHOR RH REAR-R : https://a.aliexpress.com/_oEwIHts

If he doesn't sell the parts in beige you could replace all floor anchor trim pieces with black ones :

COVER #2,FRONT SEAT ANCHOR RH REAR-L : https://a.aliexpress.com/_ooBvjei

COVER #2,FRONT SEAT ANCHOR LH REAR-R : https://a.aliexpress.com/_oBLieB0

Front Cover set:

COVER,FRONT SEAT ANCHOR RH-L : https://a.aliexpress.com/_oBgkgXC

COVER,FRONT SEAT ANCHOR LH FRONT-R : https://a.aliexpress.com/_oFZSkDy

COVER #2,FRONT SEAT ANCHOR LH FRONT-L : https://a.aliexpress.com/_ooUBtgA

COVER #2,FRONT SEAT ANCHOR RH-R : https://a.aliexpress.com/_oDuoYu6

I see the free shipping option is no longer offered, but if you order multiple trim pieces in one order the shipping cost will be significantly reduced per trim piece. The paid shipping option (Aliexpress Standard Shipping) will deliver the items within 2 weeks compared to 1-2 month delivery time of the free shipping option (Cainiao Super Economy)

Make sure to order through the mobile app and not the browser - prices are sometimes inflated when ordering through the browser, no idea why.

Here are the OEM part numbers for above trim pieces: