I’m an expert mechanic with years of experience… ‘cheap plastic’ ruins our cars – it could cost you in the long run
AN expert mechanic with years of experience explained why “cheap plastic” ruins our cars and could cost you in the long run.
David Long, known as Car Wizard, took to his YouTube channel to explain how your motor could be damaged.
In his latest episode, David focused on HVAC Actuators which are electronic systems often found in your dashboard.
The little black box regulates the mixture of hot and cold air within the passenger cabin while resistors control the power of the airflow.
Typically, vehicles have 3 or 4 actuators, but some can have as many as six.
Motorists may have to take their car into the shop if they hear lots of clicking indicating that an actuator or multiple actuators are broken.
But when these break it can cause thousands to replace.
And as David revealed, much of the car will have to be torn apart to access some of these pesky devices.
The motors whizz said: “I have a few of these actuators out and will show you with another one how to take it apart.
“Then I’ll show you how crazy this is, how something so small can cost you so much money.”
Directing the camera towards three actuators on a green cloth, he shows viewers the inside of the device.
David comments on the “cheap plastic parts” inside and shows just how minor the damage has to be for the actuator to break.
Only “one or two” of the plastic teeth need to break in a small rotor to cause it to malfunction.
He added: “That little tooth can cause you hundred or thousands of dollars.”
David then proceeds to take apart another actuator and says that 3D printing a gear is not a viable solution as it costs lots of time and money.
Users were quick to take to the comments section to share their opinions on the video.
One user wrote: “They threw out the designer’s high quality nylon or brass gears for cheap injection plastic ones, because they saved a few cents per unit X 100K units.
“It’s part of mass production history, they just want you to buy a new vehicle.”
Another commented “I agree with you completely. I’m a retired mechanic with 45 plus years under my belt.
“I’ve still got to work on my own, but, am I ever glad I don’t have to work on anything else. Manufacturers have screwed the public big time.”
“Its criminal how new cars are designed,” chimed in a third.
It comes after another mechanic explained why EV sales are plummeting while hybrid tech is on the up.
Meanwhile, a car whizz revealed a hidden button in your car that could save your life.