Sunday, August 31st, 2008
The Toyota Prius, the world’s first commercially produced hybrid (propelled by petrol and electric power), is a technical piece of machinery. It has never been launched by local franchise dealer Toyota East Africa, for the very reason of lack of adequate mechanical back-up.
Globally, it’s a best seller, fuelled by the high crude oil prices and the going-green crusades (it has very low carbon emissions).
Nevertheless, several models of the Prius have in the last few years pranced into Kenya, courtesy of direct, second hand importation from Japan. With no expertise to service its complicated engineering, many owners have been left frustrated.
Basically, the Prius has a VVT-i engine, a hybrid unit (both under the bonnet) and battery unit, located between the boot and rear passenger seat.
“Most of the Prius models here are between eight and 10 years old. The batteries in these particular models were built to last between seven and 10 years, meaning that by the time the car is imported into Kenya, they’re already due for replacement,” explains Sammy, from the comfort of his office, a transformed shell of an ambulance.
Battery failure is the single most problem in these imported Prius. In fact, Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan, offers an eight year warranty on the components of the hybrid system, notably the nickel metal hydride batteries, inverter, electric motor and generator.And since the battery power alternates the propulsion of the car with petrol, the vehicle’s engine goes dead once the batteries fail. “It’s this generator that turns on the ignition. The Prius has neither a starter nor an alternator.”
The first indication that the system is having trouble is when a mal-functional light on the dashboard (a triangular red sign with an exclamation mark in the middle) begins to flicker.
So when the dead Prius is towed to his modest Jughead Motors garage (what a contrast, considering the English meaning of ‘jughead’….. a person who lacks good judgement), Samuel dismantles the whole battery set and THS inverter unit.
There are two battery sets, each with 21 cells. Problems, says, Sammy, are manifest within these cells. “I dismantle the whole battery set and test each and every cell.” It’s labour intensive but with the know-how and right diagnostic kit, there is no Prius shell at Jughead.
Diagnosis takes a day, the actual repair about a week. But while the Prius’ problems are mostly manifest in the battery failure, any parts that may need replacing cannot be locally sourced.
“My goal has always been to keep abreast with global trends in motor vehicle engineering. I don’t shy away from challenges.” Three years ago, when Kenyan car consumers were head over heels with the Mitsubishi Galant GDI, an engine that later became a headache, Sammy was, again, one of the few mechanics who could repair it.
He has been a mechanic for 10 years, working at various private garages in Nairobi and at the Automobile Association. His love for engineering was mused during his college years in Eldoret. He then joined AA and got an opportunity to work in Toyota EA, Subaru Kenya, Simba Colt and Marshalls East Africa. “No engine system can be too difficult to repair. As long as it was made by fellow man, I can fix it.”
Sammy Waweru's Jughead Motors is located at Dagoretti Corner, Off Wanyee road
