Jump to content
SAU Community

Recommended Posts

Hey guys, I'm wondering how everybody gets the best out of a mechanics service, because basically I'm hesitant to get anyone do a good job.

I've tried a few different mechanics, and have even given them the log book and specifically asked to service it as per the book 'yeah sure no worries'.

The book stated it required air filters and the in cabin micro filter.

I get the car back to find out that they just blew out the air filters and pretty much ignored all the other stuff. Getting things like wipers done is a 'special request' where they have to order in the special blades and charge appropirately! I understand the in cabin micro filter is a rare thing, but the air filters! Come on!

Sure I can do the reaearch, find all the part numbers, call them up and book it in weeks in advance so they have the parts on hand (and overcharge me for!) and then specifically state all the things that need doing, but what a pain! I'm paying $400+ here, I shouldn't have to do any of this IMO.

Also oil - they charge $99 for 5L which I can buy from Big W for $50 (I know this is to mask higher labour costs). I'm not sure if I should supply this myself or if it will piss them off.

My car has a rough idle and I'm guessing could use a throttle body clean out, although I'm just read how important it is not to disconnect the sensor otherwise it'll screw things up - do I need to specify all this to them as well? I'm a little hesitant getting others to do this also.

My running costs are tax deductable and I don't have garage space so servicing at home is not an option (certainly not for jacking a car up and changning the oil).

I have previously taken my car to two well known Skyline performance guys here and I wasn't impressed either, little things like fuel filters and washer bottle top ups just don't get done again unless specified.

Any tips on how to get a good service? Would a Nissan dealer be better? Any suggestions for inner Melbourne shops?

Hey guys, I'm wondering how everybody gets the best out of a mechanics service, because basically I'm hesitant to get anyone do a good job.

I've tried a few different mechanics, and have even given them the log book and specifically asked to service it as per the book 'yeah sure no worries'.

The book stated it required air filters and the in cabin micro filter.

I get the car back to find out that they just blew out the air filters and pretty much ignored all the other stuff. Getting things like wipers done is a 'special request' where they have to order in the special blades and charge appropirately! I understand the in cabin micro filter is a rare thing, but the air filters! Come on!

Sure I can do the reaearch, find all the part numbers, call them up and book it in weeks in advance so they have the parts on hand (and overcharge me for!) and then specifically state all the things that need doing, but what a pain! I'm paying $400+ here, I shouldn't have to do any of this IMO.

Also oil - they charge $99 for 5L which I can buy from Big W for $50 (I know this is to mask higher labour costs). I'm not sure if I should supply this myself or if it will piss them off.

My car has a rough idle and I'm guessing could use a throttle body clean out, although I'm just read how important it is not to disconnect the sensor otherwise it'll screw things up - do I need to specify all this to them as well? I'm a little hesitant getting others to do this also.

My running costs are tax deductable and I don't have garage space so servicing at home is not an option (certainly not for jacking a car up and changning the oil).

I have previously taken my car to two well known Skyline performance guys here and I wasn't impressed either, little things like fuel filters and washer bottle top ups just don't get done again unless specified.

Any tips on how to get a good service? Would a Nissan dealer be better? Any suggestions for inner Melbourne shops?

i took my 33 to dandenong nissan, they dfo a mega job. even washing and polishing the car. looks like its a bit of travel for you but hit em up if your willing. they will follow the book to the letter.

I'm in the same predicament.. I don't trust mechanics anymore, won't name any..

There are 4 that I will not go to again. Also this was not in a skyline or import, these were only a 93 festiva and an 83 corolla..

I'll start with the rolla, took it in just after buying the car for new spark plugs, full service. Gearbox/diff/engine.. Told them to also look at my brakes at the front (a little warped)

Got the car back and it was fine.

Next morning driving to work and hear a loud clunking noise coming from Left front wheel..

I live 400m from this mechanics workshop, so I slowly hobbled there after leavin my house, as I pulled up they were just opening and was watching me slowly coming down the road (he knew something didn't sound right) told me to drive into there garage, as I did my front wheel FELL OFF! And scraped along the ground a good 3m.. I told them someone must have not tightend up the nuts for my wheel.. Long story short.. I'm the one full of crap, they blamed ME for the wheel falling off..

Festiva is a whole other story at a different workshop...

Now I do not trust anywhere to take my skyline when I take her in for a service etc.

i took my 33 to dandenong nissan, they dfo a mega job. even washing and polishing the car. looks like its a bit of travel for you but hit em up if your willing. they will follow the book to the letter.

Thanks for the tip #@Plattsy. How much does your average service cost down there and how long does it take?

I know FTG Nissan are one of the two 'premium' Nissan dealers in the state (only ones that sell/service GTRs) and were really good for the little I've had to do with them (getting a spare key reprogrammed).

Being a V36 I should also look at Infiniti dealers I suppose.

Thanks for the tip #@Plattsy. How much does your average service cost down there and how long does it take?

I know FTG Nissan are one of the two 'premium' Nissan dealers in the state (only ones that sell/service GTRs) and were really good for the little I've had to do with them (getting a spare key reprogrammed).

Being a V36 I should also look at Infiniti dealers I suppose.

i could not tell you mate as i get fleet rates plus another discount. they have serviced my wifes kia twice and did the 100k service on the 33. they charged 200 for that but i supplied all the parts. timing belt, bearings, water pump etc.

i could not tell you mate as i get fleet rates plus another discount. they have serviced my wifes kia twice and did the 100k service on the 33. they charged 200 for that but i supplied all the parts. timing belt, bearings, water pump etc.

And they are happy having you supply parts or were they a little miffed at it?

That to me seems like the way to go.

And they are happy having you supply parts or were they a little miffed at it?

That to me seems like the way to go.

they where very happy mate! speak to the service manager there. his name his glen. explain that a guy you spoke to on a forum told you about the work they did on his 33. mention my name (paul) should be happy to help!

and he also asaid his maintainence is paid for. f**k it. if someone paid for my cars to be serviced i wouldnt do them myself either.

scotty. how many jacks to build me extractors! haha.

I would only fabricate turbo manifolds for you, extractors are for teh gays. :P

Claiming tax for servicing doesn't 'pay you back' you are still wasting cash hand over fist for what is literally a 5 minute job in the case of dropping oil in the VQ's.

I would only fabricate turbo manifolds for you, extractors are for teh gays. :P

Claiming tax for servicing doesn't 'pay you back' you are still wasting cash hand over fist for what is literally a 5 minute job in the case of dropping oil in the VQ's.

i wouldnt tt the ls1.

but if i table build an ls6..... mwahahahaha!

Oil filter, oil and air filter changes are so easy to do on 95% of cars the thought of me paying someone to do it wouldn't even enter my head.

Do it yourself!

I'm fine at oil filter, replacing oil, changing wheels, air filter etc.

Everything else.. I'm screwed and wouldn't attempt doing something I have no idea about..

I'm fine at oil filter, replacing oil, changing wheels, air filter etc.

Everything else.. I'm screwed and wouldn't attempt doing something I have no idea about..

There is only one way to learn ;)

Well that's not true at all but i do suggest at least having a go at doing servicings and stuff like that, its simple and really is a life skill worth having.

Edited by iruvyouskyrine

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

    • You have found the problem. The wire from the switch to the HB is shorted to earth. Now you have to physically find it and replace it. It won't be the switch, although following the steps above (and yes, where you ask, that is the light switch on the RHS of the binnacle) will rule it out for sure. Or not, if perhaps the switch has melted. But there's no route to earth inside the switch, so I can't see how it would.
    • I did read your post, a few times actually.    Done. Followed this step. [Negative probe should be on the cars chassis. Positive on the wire.]   Did this partially.. now that im reading this over, i only unplugged the LED lights. [Start as said above by unplugging everything (unplug the lights, and switches.] When you are talking about the switch, you're talking about the knob thing on the right side in the drivers seat right? If so, i need to take that apart?  [Now at the switch, there is a wire from the fuse, to the switch, so out your positive on that terminal. It should read open circuit. If it reads something, especially a stupid low value, the short is somewhere between the fuse and the switch.] At this point are you referring to the connector by the headlights?  [If that's fine, now put the positive probe on the wire that goes to the headlight (at the switch plug). If it reads stupid low, the fault is from the switch, to the headlight.] Did this. I can confirm that the LED lights aren't the issue [Another quick test, is take the whole LED light setup from the left, and plug it into the right side, does it still blow the fuse? If you put the right hand side led light setup on the left hand side wiring, does the left hand side wiring now blow?  If the blowing fuse swaps from right to left doing this, your LED lights are the issue.]
    • Hey was wondering if you ended up installing the R33 GTR speed sensor - I found one too and wanted to confirm it's a direct swap into the R34 6 speed?
    • After 23 years of owning a Skyline, finally had the latch go.  Followed this guide,  works like a dream again. Great Guide 👍
    • Hi all,   I’ve got the biggest lot of problems with my R33 GTS-T   It was a freshly rebuilt 25th anniversary RB25DET (plastic cas, neo cams) probably 6 years ago now   The engine was running so well but I fkd up badly and trusted someone I’d known for 10 years that was well known around Plazmaman for his welding and fab work. I added a lovely photo of some of his previous work. Not sure why my car was worked on by whoever did this shit     I’m normally someone who would never open myself up to something like this, I still can’t believe I did it. Trusting him literally fkd it all up for me. Everything has been a struggle, like it’s almost been 6 years that’s how much I’ve just on and off been trying to work it all out.    All I wanted was a car that danced down low, like full boost from around 3~3500rpm to redline, don’t really care what power it puts down (if it ever does) but I just wanted it to be quick to get on it.    He recommended the turbo to get, I picked Hypergear but he told me to get the front 4” with a T4 and 0.68 rear housing.    I was expecting all these beautiful welds, tidy fab work and paid for it to be ready to go to a tuner when I got it back.    I got a car back that was an absolute mess, I actually couldn’t believe it was my car anymore. I don’t think you could even call what he did welds, they’re disgusting.    So I stripped everything he touched off it and with every bolt I loosened it just got worse and worse.    I covered it and literally built and finished another car in the meantime but now it’s getting to the point where I really want my Skyline back.   Its a struggle because I paid him to do all this shit because I didn’t know how to and now I’ve had to try and figure it all out omg    Please excuse the bird shit horrible welds, I’ve got my show pony car and am so beyond dealing with this car I don’t even really care at this point.    If someone told me about what he did to my car I wouldn’t have believed them but it happened to me. It was unbelievable. He went missing, my car went missing, it came back missing parts, the straight af chassis rails bore the scars of being dragged up a trailer backwards, even the sandwich plate was bent. Everything was leaking and open to whatever fell into it, rounded off/ missing bolts, power steering oil and coolant everywhere, no gaskets, parts stolen off it, even managed to damage the sump pan.   Promised me he’d finish the car, knew what it meant to me, I paid him thousands and thousands just for him to trash it. He told me he was fully licensed and insured, come to find out he’d cancelled his ABN, so obviously no insurance. I had laid up insurance on the car and would’ve been covered but I was scared they would’ve written it off or because the business was no longer trading I’d still be liable.    He was supposed to:  New fully custom mild steam pipe exhaust manifold with turbo location moved from factory position to high forward mount. (I don’t know if it is a mild steam pipe, I’ve got a funny feeling the waste gate isn’t in a very good position and I don’t think the outlets off each cylinder are equal) 4” custom stainless steel dump with external gate (he re-plumbed it) Cut and shut OEM intake manifold with throttle reposition (I ended up doing the throttle reposition) Box in pod filter (left out) New 100cel catalytic converter (pretty sure it’s there but unsure if it’s 100cel) Front mount intercooler piping fabricated to suit (all smashed up and rusty holes where he was supposed to make it look standard where fmic piping passes through. I don’t even think my front bar is going to fit 🙄) Custom 5” intake pipe from pod to turbo (didn’t come with it so had to do something to make it work with the Z32 afm)   Engine: Full cylinder head service & machining  Brand new valves Precision upgraded spring kit Engine block honed New bearings  New piston rings  New ARP conrod bolt kit New ARP head studs Cometic head gasket VRS kit   ATR43SS2 ball bearing turbo 0.68 rear housing  Turbosmart 45mm external wastegate (got delivered to the fab bloke, I’ve got no idea what spring is in it, I’m assuming the one that came pre installed) Walbro 260 fuel pump  Nismo 740cc injectors (tested to 880) Spitfire coil packs GCG FMIC RB25DET manual 5 speed 4:11 rear diff   I’ve got an Apexi Power FC in it atm, I was hoping to just get it to operating temp to make sure everything was okay before towing to a tuner but it’s over-fuelling too much. I don’t think that’s going to happen so i think I’m going to get either a Link G4 or Haltech for it. What do you guys recommend? I can’t work out the power FC so just gonna give up on that one     It’s got an exhaust leak coming from somewhere I can’t see 🙄    The fuel pressure was steady but now it like drops from 40 to 20psi randomly (noticed this yesterday)    I’ll attach pics of the shit he put on my car and the engine bay now as it sits    I really just need some help, I need a tuner in Sydney I can trust, I’d like to be with the car while it’s being tuned if possible, I know it looks terrible but unfortunately I’ve just got to put up with it for now and fix the cosmetic stuff later   Do you guys think the manifolds are going to be okay? Or do I throw the exhaust manifold and try again?   I don’t even think these combinations are going to work tbh   I know everything I fitted was rated to be able to take at least 400kW but most rated higher    If you’ve gotten this far I really really appreciate it 🙏 I don’t mind if you trash me or the car, I made a rookie error and f**k I’ve paid for it. As you’ll see 🙄  
×
×
  • Create New...