Went to Banawe last Sat to help my bro-in-law get a half block for his Civic (posted his problem sa Workshop board) sa Nankai. While we were waiting for them to get the pulley from their other branch, we decided to walk around.

I saw the Rick Lim shop (which is recommended by quite a few sa NissanBayan for parts of Nissan) and I wanted to ask how much their knock sensor for a SR20 is.

Went in, saw a lot of Nissan stuff around and saw a dark skinned guy sitting on a block with a thin guy sitting beside him.

They asked: "Ano pyesa boss?"

I answered: "Magtatanong lang, may knock sensor kayo para sa SR20 na pang local na Altima?"

The dark guy answered: "Knock sensor? Para san???"

I repeated: "Sa SR20 na local, yung sa Altima"

From this point on, he NEVER looks at you when talking...

He said: "Wala namang knock sensor SR20 ah!" (Masungit na sya)

I didn't mind, ganun naman usually magsalita mga tindero sa Banawe...

I said: "Ah ganun? Kasi pinacheck ko sa casa yun ang lumabas na problem"

He said: "Wala! Walang knock sensor ang SR20, tignan mo kahit mga galing japan wala."

All the while, his little skinny side kick just keeps repeating what he's saying...

Then he followed: "Pano mo nasabi na knock sensor?"

I said: "Chineck sa CONSULT sa casa yun ang error lumabas"

The said (while shaking his head and smirking): "Sus, anong casa yan?" I said: "Mantrade, sa Pasong Tamo"

He said (smirking again): "Wala mga alam mga yan, wala namang silbi yang Consult consult na yan. Ano ba nangyayari sa oto mo? Malaro idling?"

I said yes.

Then he started his monologue speech: "Madalas kami magayos nyan, dami na nagpapatono samin dahil sa ganyan, di namin kailangan yang consult na yan, utak ginagamit namin (while pointing his finger to his temple)...

While I do believe that they have the solution since Mantrade never found the problem nor offered any solutions after 3 visits. I wanted to know what will be done.

Then I said: "Ah ganun ba, ano usually problema since madaming cases na pala?"

He starts his sales pitch... repeating the same monologue as above then said "P2500 ang singil namin sa trouble shooting maliban sa pyesa kung may sira, pag walang pyesa sira yun lang, walang dagdag. Kung di naayos di ka magbabayad..." then repeats his self praising skills as his sidekick echoes whatever he says.

He added: "Pag kami nagtutuneup, di namin ginagalaw mga sparkplug, walang alam mga nasa casa kung nagtuneup, puros computer computer."

I repeated my question: "So ano usually chinecheck nyo para alam ko naman kung ano yung affected..."

He didn't answer that question and insisted that I must bring the car for trouble shooting for them to find out what's wrong...

So I said: "Ah ganun, ayus, kayo ba si Rick Lim?" He said: "Hindi, nasa taas sya, kapatid ko sya.."

Then I left....

Grabe sa yabang at sungit. I think 2500 is highway robbery for a tuneup na walang pyesa involved. Especially kung "lagi kami gumagawa nyan" and yet he doesn't even give you a clue as to what may be wrong.

Pano na kung may leak lang pala isang vac hose, P2500 na yun, what if may tornilyo lang kulang or whatever, P2500 na yun...

OK lang yung price, pero bastusan ang yabang.

I crossed Kitanlad and asked Yen if they have the knock sensor and the kind old guy couldn't find the part and gave me their parts manual and wala nga dun.

Looks like wala ngang knock sensor ang local SR20?

In that case, there'll be Rant #3 against a casa hehe.