Car Servicing/ Mechanics

[MatteeG]

Gday folks,

Its coming around to that time for the car Service- For me that is a 12,000 km service (logbook service).

Had a quote from the dealer of $425, pretty sure I could get cheaper elsewhere.

Anyone recommend someone South of the city- From Morphett Vale to Parkside (Home to work)?

Cheers,

MatteeG

[Bully]

being a log book service I would think you would need to take it back to the dealer if it was a new car that you bought?

And that 12,000 service is the normal or there abouts for the price quoted

[lesthemechanic]

There is no need to return to the dealer for servicing of your car. The dealer would like you to believe that, but it is not the case.
As long as you have the car serviced by a qualified mechanic, at a business that has a registered ABN, and the parts & oils are of good quality , your manufacturer warranty MUST be honoured.
I have looked into this numerous times.
Shop around Matee, ask what brand of oil the business will use and the filters etc.
I don't know what car you have , but at 12,000km , they are usually quite a minor service. That all depends if it is a 4wd or a vehicle that maybe has to have the valve clearances adjusted though??

[gadj1976]

I thought I'd bump this rather than create another thread.

My VE Commy wagon sounds like the timing chain is about to go. It's throwing all the right/wrong codes which have been diagnosed as timing issues. I've been told that I shouldn't drive it if I start hearing 'knocking' or 'tapping' noises start in the front end. Happy to keep a lookout for that.

Concern is, if it needs to be replaced, the local mob are quoting me 3800. Does anyone know if this can be done cheaper? I don't even mind a backyarder with some spare time on their hands having a crack at it.

Looking at prices of these cars, the price is holding around the 9000 which is what I paid for it.

The car has done 167k.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

[heater31]

VE engines are a bitch to work on. Poorly designed in terms of easy access to sections and therefore time consuming to work on.

[gadj1976]

VE engines are a bitch to work on. Poorly designed in terms of easy access to sections and therefore time consuming to work on.

Yeh, hence the cost!

Do you know of anyone though Heater?

[Booney]

Whilst in here, on a side note, anyone with older cars I can highly recommend Transteer in Glynde for all your transmission and general mechanical needs. Jason there has done an excellent job with the old XT.

[heater31]

VE engines are a bitch to work on. Poorly designed in terms of easy access to sections and therefore time consuming to work on.

Yeh, hence the cost!

Do you know of anyone though Heater?

Sorry can't help there.

I know of the VE package issues as I own a VF and according to an Auto Masters I used to take it to told me when I questioned the price and time taken to do a service.

I'm on the hunt for a new mechanic too as I've moved since then.

[gadj1976]

VE engines are a bitch to work on. Poorly designed in terms of easy access to sections and therefore time consuming to work on.

Yeh, hence the cost!

Do you know of anyone though Heater?

Sorry can't help there.

I know of the VE package issues as I own a VF and according to an Auto Masters I used to take it to told me when I questioned the price and time taken to do a service.

I'm on the hunt for a new mechanic too as I've moved since then.

Funny you say that, I was going to ask - does the VF have the same types of problems with the timing chain being so expensive and engine light coming on all the time?

[heater31]

VE engines are a bitch to work on. Poorly designed in terms of easy access to sections and therefore time consuming to work on.

Yeh, hence the cost!

Do you know of anyone though Heater?

Sorry can't help there.

I know of the VE package issues as I own a VF and according to an Auto Masters I used to take it to told me when I questioned the price and time taken to do a service.

I'm on the hunt for a new mechanic too as I've moved since then.

Funny you say that, I was going to ask - does the VF have the same types of problems with the timing chain being so expensive and engine light coming on all the time?

Completely different design apparently. Lessons learned of every mechanic moaning about it.

[gadj1976]

well I don't have to worry about timing chain replacement as I wrote the car off last week. Sigh.....