Jump to content
SAU Community

Recommended Posts

Hi all, i know a lot of the more-informed gents have their own mechanics they stick to, but i just wanted to give some a good wrap to the fellas over at the Top Secret Service Center (an extension of Top Secret Imports in Blacktown) as they were extremely helpful to go beyond the duty of care to keep my pedantic tenancies in check

called up the guys to see if they could help with an engine malfunction light my R34 was throwing up, they were more than happy to scan/diagnose - turned out to be an ignition fault, usual suspects being either the crank angle sensor (CAS), ignition coils or the actual harness. they scanned and cleared the code, and advised to keep an eye on it in case it came back as the stock ECU can sometimes be temperamental and throw out an erroneous codes. From this alone i was given the impression that they were not just after something to fix so they could bill me for it - which i thought was pretty considerate

also worthy of mention is the car was running smoothly, no rough idles or misfiring whatsoever, only the malfunction light

2 weeks down the track the engine light returns, i thought f**k im pretty sure something is definitely suss, car was still running smoothly so i was just baffled. took the car back and dropped it off for analysis, this was pretty thorough as they diagnosed as much as they could without taking the coils out so to not charge me unnecessary labor costs if it could be found/fixed before hand - turns out though the problem was that 2 of the coils were not responding with the correct frequency when diagnosed with a scope

to double check that it was the coilpacks and not the harness, the coils were individually tested which confirmed the fault lied in the coils - odd i thought as the car was running perfect beforehand

i sourced a new set of 6 OEM Nissan Coilpacks from another user on here RBceffy25 - http://www.skylinesa...__fromsearch__1

top bloke i might add, prompt with delivery and also was more than happy to replace one of the coils which turned out to be faulty from the factory, which is rare from a private sellers imo

20120731_172939_resized.jpg

also to failsafe it i picked up a new OEM coilpack loom & new copper spark plugs as the existing one can be brittle and cause grief down the track - Andrew @ Kudos Motorsport was very helpful in getting these to me promptly even before my payment cleared

20120731_171456_resized.jpg

the whole time Top Secret had my car they were very accommodating with my inquiries and when the car had to go back the 2nd time due to the new faulty coil, and although they had to open up the car, test and replace the new-faulty coil with the replacement they actually let me off without charging me for the re-work - although i don't expect this to happen everytime, they were willing to to go far and beyond the standard duty of care to ensure i was happy when i pulled out of their workshop - even though the parts were supplied by me and it was not their responsibility to cover it

they were even kind enough to wash the car for me as it had been stationed at the workshop for a good 3-4 weeks while the car was having its time of the month, and instead of starting my car, reversing it out of the shop and turning it off (which fouls up the plugs and oil), they went through the trouble of pushing it in and out of the shop every day for the time it was there whilst it was there

so although every thing that could go wrong, went wrong, i still left with a good impression of their workshop and would not think twice to take my car back for any future troubleshooting

big wrap to the head mechanic Pete, Jack and the fellas for keeping my blood pressure down for the last month whilst my baby was in their hands, cannot thank them enough

TL:DR short: Top Secret Service Center are not your usual mechanics, they stand out from the crowd with their level of care, expertise and attention to details and customer service

Top Secret Service Center;

Jack (director) or Pete (head mechanic)

Unit 2, 1-3 Carnegie Place, Blacktown

Phone: (02) 9621 5700

[email protected]

http://www.topsecret....au/index-1.php

just a pic of my car so if you see me around throw a wave or a toot my way

P1030480.jpg

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Similar Content

  • Latest Posts

    • Ok now I’m extremely jealous 
    • Exactly, when searching online they were a lot more common on S13s, but have seen quite a few of Skyline GTSs with them as well.
    • Thanks for the feedback!   “Hard to say what the extra connector is, it looks a bit like a coax type connector, so possibly a separate radio/GPS antenna, or even another camera input?  The V37 series (including the Q50), did go through a model refresh in 2020, since Australia didn't get any Q50s newer than 2019, we didn't get any of the refreshed models, so there could also be other unexpected problems to overcome to swap an older Q50 head unit into a new model V37.” I wonder if the extra plug out has anything to do with the factory optioned drive recorder, or traffic updates. It looks like these systems link to the main screens too, and probably rv37 specific over Q50 perhaps?   “Regarding the TV standards, I assume you are referring to the AV inputs?  I haven't ever tried to use them, Japan used a slightly modified version of the US NTSC system, and Australia uses PAL for composite video, that said, I wouldn't be surprised if a video input could work with either system.  That is mostly irrelevant here though, unless you plan to use those inputs for something?” The car has a Japanese TV in it already. For compliance it will be disconnected I think.  From what I read it only works when the handbrake is engaged anyways, but an aftermarket module can be installed for use with handbrake not applied. I was more so curious if there was a way to convert the NTSC to PAL for Australian operation. (I don’t need it but it’s cool to have the gadgets working) I have a BNR34 MFD I converted years ago to take PAL signal in my skyline and I linked it to the DVD Head unit for dual screen use. There was some write up on SAU back in the day how to do it and I can’t remember what was involved. So sorta curious what can be done here etc.  “So, Pac posted in the other thread about a box that plugs into the USB C and gives you full Android OS to run whatever modern/connected nav you want on the top screen, and it still automatically switches back to function” The Rv37 model comes with Apple play and Android, I think the Q50 doesn’t? so for me I can simply plug my phone into the usb or maybe blue tooth and that will become it’s own Nav that way independent  I’m happy for this option but again figured if there was a factory module can it be used or updated.  It had SD card slot for map updates so I could update it if I can get AUS specific maps on it,   That alibaba screen does look neat.  I’m not ready to bust a move just yet on it or something like to as my car can take my Apple iPhone already.  Also it doesn’t say it suits current model Rv37 skylines but the Q50, so perhaps it may not be skyline compatible.  I’d love to see one installed to know first hand or even see one in Q50 and hear some feedback, is it cheap Chinese junk!? Is it good? Does it suit RHD? Is it internet compatible like a normal tablet, and will it support all rv37 specific options like map zoom and steering wheel control and Bose system and so on.. I’m certainly intrigued and interested       I’ve done some digging around.; my local Nissan has a tech guy ex Infiniti and he wants to try trick the nav unit into think it’s q50 so it takes Aussie software or something,  When it arrives I will take it there and see what he can do.    Also seems we no longer have Nissan connect app available in Australia now. I’ve read my dealer books etc at home and it seems in Japan via that app you can purchase internet plans for the rv37 skyline to work through the screens inside. it seems that you can get traffic updates, it links to ETC, and I believe the in car specific recorders. This video then is all stored and visible via app. the Nissan connect app can also be used for remotely starting and controlling heaters etc from afar. Seems tv was also part of this. I’ll have a further look and play when it arrives. (I wonder if I can somehow get the Japan version of Nissan connect on my phone and use the remote start features etc) App Store won’t allow it as region specific- need configure that one   rv37 has multiple security options and packages.  Premium package comes with tilt sensor, remote and battery in siren, and can be bundled with auto mirror retract when locked, door jam illumination when opened on drivers side only, and also remote start.  Otherwise all modules can be purchased separately and still applied but easier to do as a whole and bundle for shared hardware and looms. (This is where Nissan Japan have advised the security part needs a dealer device to set up). Australia dealers have advised me Australian delivered models weren’t offered factory optioned  security systems so they don’t really know what’s entailed and what device.  Nissan Japan state that the other components like mirror retract and door lighting and remote start should still work on that package even if security doesn’t (however security still may).  I’m tempted to purchase and take the risk on this. There’s a possibility it can be made to work by piggybacking off signals etc instead too.     im curious if any Q50 owners have a factory optioned security system with these options or just a factory optioned system. If so I’d imagine the same device or process for installation should be needed meaning someone with Q50 dealer Experience may know. (Waiting on my local tech to get back to quiz further here prior to ordering)   and like q50 some of the v37 models have the scuff panel illumination and the footwel illumination too.  I see 400R wasn’t compatible according to Nissan diagrams.  I’m guessing it didn’t have a plug out for this. Would be a nice addition… I wonder if anyone has this in a rv37 or q50 and has a wiring diagram or booklet for installation to know where to piggyback the system too.  Seems to activated by door opening, so if imagine it would grab a door ajar signal and 12v and earth and probably ignition, but curious to know more as it’s pretty much the only factory option the 400R doesn’t take.     Thanks for your inputs. I’m finding so little information rv37 skyline specific as apposed to Q50 so trying to pioneer forwards and see can and can’t work and what options are there to help.  I’ll keep updated when the car is landed and ready to play with on these things in the hope it helps others and my journey can assist.  Appreciate any input and help.  Cheers 
    • Nah, if I need to fit people in a car I'll just use the Mrs car, the MX5 is perfect for what I need as a fun little sports car for fun on the street As for getting in and out of the MX5, I have no issues as I am a short arse who does lots of mobility training 🥷 If anything, I have been looking at Daihatsu Hi-Jets for a work hack, I helped one of my mates move some stuff with one recently that he picked up from Just Jap, it was a little ripper and plenty big enough for what we needed, it would also be super handy for me as I do alot of gardening, and plan on having some veggie patches and native gardens in the place I buy next year when I retire I did alot landscape gardening and growing veggies prior to my current job, and loved it, and that is a hobby that can keep me sane in my retirement, and as such, the little 300kg load capacity would be more than enough for what I need it to move around I have been looking at utes for just this purpose for a while now, and a near new 2024 Hi-Jet can be had for under $30k And I would rather look at a quirky little Hi-Jet than pretty much any other little ute, well, apart from a Brumby, I love the little Brumby, and weirdly have never owned one yet I was going to buy a heap of raffle tickets to try and win the Brumby that MCM built for Subaru Australia, but sadly I totally missed the raffle, I even filled in some form to be told when the raffle started so I could buy tickets, but to my dismay I was never contacted and found out I missed it when I was randomly googling Brumbys last year... #conspiracy  Maybe I should just buy a Brumby for a little "work hack".....LOL I use to be indecisive, but now I'm not sure
    • Well.... it's not just "de-oxygenating". If you do that you just have, most likely, ethane. So you still need to do a synthesis step to combine a number of ethanes/ethanols to make circa-8-chain hydrocarbons. And of course you don't want straight chain HCs, because n-octane actually has a negative octane rating (ie, it's worse even than the n-heptane which sets the zero on the octane scale!), so you have to do some tricky catalytic chemistry to synthesise branched HCs. That's all doable - but it doesn't come for free. And.... it starts with ethanol, which is an agricultural product, and there will almost certainly never be enough of that as a base stock to replace the liquid fuels that are in use. You really wouldn't want to be planning to be using any more ethanol for fuels than is currently already used (in E10, E85s, etc). And ideally you'd be looking to reduce such usage, as it is largely wasteful, particularly in the stupid-ole'US-of-A where the corn lobby has organised it so that it's actually primary production corn that is used to make a lot of the ethanol, not by-products and waste, like it is (mostly) elsewhere. So, what I said about needing free-ish energy probably still applies. True synth fuels would be made from H2 and CO2, in a near reversal of the combustion process. In fact, given that the H2 would be split from water first, it actually is a complete reversal of the combustion process. But...energy intensive. The human race burns something like 1 cubic MILE of crude oil, after it has been made into various fuels. Every year. That's a simply stupendous amount of energy. Just assume that the density is 900 kg/m3, and that the calorific value is 45 MJ/kg, then that is 165.9 x10^12 MJ of energy. Or more than 10^19 Joules. You get a maximum of 1 kJ/s per square meter solar radiation falling on the planet's surface, and so if you halve that for daylight, and halve it again for average weather (highly optimistic) and then take ~25% for the very best efficiency of solar panels, then you need about 85.7 billion square metres of solar panels to generate enough electricity to replace that liquid fuel energy consumption. Each panel is about 1m2. That's a rather large number of panels. We also burn about a cubic mile of coal. We also use hydroelectric power. We also use nuclear. We also use a number of other sources, both "renewable" and not. You can kind of ignore the renewable ones (except for hydro, because it will all end up getting subsumed into pumped hydro for storing other renewables, and so it won't be the standalone renewable that it originally was), so we end up needing a multiple of the ground area number that I just arrived at.
×
×
  • Create New...