By Saju Ng’alla
On a warm and sunny afternoon, more than 15 women gathered in a vehicle service compound, to do some serious maintenance work on their cars.
Their cars ranged from Suzuki Vitaras to Toyota Windoms and Honda Civics.
That day’s objective was too clean their vehicle’s engines, using degreaser, water and cans of UB40 oil.
Pauline Hendrickson, who has owned her Nissan Belfon for more than 20 years, started first with spraying degreaser on the engines parts.
“This class is for people who do not want to depend entirely on the mechanics,” Hendrickson said, as she knelt further under the hood to spray on the degreaser. “This class has been very helpful. I know how to change the oil, air filter, tires, and how to clean my engine.
“I am an independent person, and I like knowing that I could better service my car.”
The mechanic class meets on Tuesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Keys Community Center.
The class — made up of about 20 women — is taught by Royston Griffen, a former mechanic for the Coast Guard.
Just a few yards away, was Amicia Mussenden, who was working on her 1992 Mazda 323.
“I love my car,” she said, as she dragged a hose to her car. She pointed out that she had already sprayed on the degreaser, and it was then time to wash down the engine parts. “The car drives better when the engine is clean. You also save on gas,” Mussenden said.
When the water was turned on, the high pressure at which the water burst out surprised Mussenden a bit and she jumped back with a shriek.
“As long as this car keeps going I will keep it,” Mussenden said, as she took control of the hose. She aimed the hose at the engine and started washing down the engine. Clearly enjoying herself, she laughed as the other female students crowded around her.
“You see, the engine is looking better already,” Mussenden said.
Diannille Taylor, was finished and proudly stood by her car. “Before I took this class, I had never opened the hood of my car,” Taylor said. “Now I could service the car myself.”
Taylor said about two month ago she noticed that her Honda Civic was over heating. She took the car to the mechanic and paid a lot of money to have the fan belt fixed, but her car still continued to overheat.
After some frustrating time with mechanics, she decided to take the class, and it was during one of the classes she realized that the problem had been the lack of coolant in the radiator.
She looked proudly at her Civic and announced that her car does not overheat anymore.
Marlene Phillips-Lee was in the final stages of cleaning her car engine. With a can of UB40 she sprayed the engine parts of her Suzuki Sumari.
“I have already washed of the degreaser, now I am spraying it with oil to make sure it does not seize up,” Lee said. “I love this class. I feel like I can take care of my car, and if I have any trouble I know what to look for.”
Lee made sure that every part of her engine got sprayed with the UB40.
“This is actually fun. I am really amazed at the very little work it takes to keep your car maintained,” Lee said.
The class instructor, Griffen, then announced that a test was about to take place.
“You see that car over there,” he said, as he pointed to a white Suzuki Vitara. “Please go and start it and tell me what the problem is.”
One of the women turned the key and the vehicle did not start.
“Maybe it is the wrong key,” one woman said. “Try again.”
She tried again, and the engine failed to turn over.
The whole class speculated on why the engine would not start.
“Must be the spark plugs.”
“Could be the radiator.”
“Has to be the battery,” another woman said. “Look nothing is coming on in the car.”
The Griffen stood by patiently, and listened. He then ordered the class to open the hood. Quickly, it was discovered that one of the battery cables was loose.
“You see, I was right about the battery!”
Griffen said the class is for both males and female, however males were reluctant to come to the classes.
To close of the session for that Day, Griffen announced that in the next class the ladies would learn how to extinguish a car fire.
“There will be a fire and will be required to put it out,” Griffen said.
This caused some of the ladies to jump up in delight.
