reliable mechanic in melb?

[wtneo]

just got my astra back from holden for 60k service and they did not do the timing belt change for my car as "it is not in the books" - my astra is 2000 and belts intervals are still 120k.

i know somebody that are pretty reliable, but they usually deal with jap (performance) cars. do u think that they can do my belt change?

or if someone here know a good mechanic in melb that they swear by, let me know!


cheers!

[JohnBu]

just got my astra back from holden for 60k service and they did not do the timing belt change for my car as "it is not in the books" - my astra is 2000 and belts intervals are still 120k.


I would get that in writing from the dealer..

otherwise, change it now @ another holden dealer.. what city u in?

[Lt Ketch]

Not worth the risk, get it changed!

Later models had the interval reduced to 60k for a reason!

[oneightoo]

if your mates a decent mechanic he'll know how to change a timing belt..

[Wraith]

Timing belt changes are NOT difficult at all........I'm not a 'grease monkey' and I changed mine on my V6 Calibra not long ago, including all pulleys and water pump - easy as !!!

It just requires alot of time, a couple of specialised tools and attention to detail - the replacement kit comes with ample instructions and pics on what to do.

Considering that, any mechanic should be competent enough to do it, regardless of whether he's done it before or not, or car type ;)

[oneightoo]

what astra do you have tho? if its an sri its chain driven..

[wtneo]

mine is a 1.8 model, so its driven by a belt.

would appreciate if anyone could recommend their mechanic, and i might call around to check out the prices.

cheers

PS I'm located in kensington, frequent to SE urbs so anyone along the way is good!

[InsaneAsylum]

that's right, any mechanic should be able to do it. go to summit holden parts on cnr. macalay rd and something else, near arden st. oval/lost dogs home. they should be able to get the parts at trade prices if they're a mechanic, and do the belt quite easily. make sure you get the cam belt and the tensioner pulleys as the plastic ones tend to break.

any mechanic can do it. if your mate is reliable get him to do it.

holden service can be idiots at times

[PaulyJ]

K-Line Mobile Mechanics
266 Princes Hwy Dandenong 3175
(03) 9794 0377

Speak with Kon, and tell him Paul with the Barina sent you.
He's been looking after my car for years now, and its been running great!
Honest guy, will tell you whats wrong with no bullshiat.

[wtneo]

Thanks for all the replies!

how much should i expect to pay to change the belts?

[wtneo]

update: $480 from preston motor in essendon....... reasonable?

[mixmelb]

Try Penfold Holden in Burnley, ask for Alf, he's the Opel guy there. He looked after my car inside out.

[xplosv57]

Ummm don't hold me to it, but im pretty sure Holden is much cheaper than that!!! On my invoice, im pretty sure it says $350 or something to replace the belts, parts and labour so give Holden a call before u go anywhere else!!

[Lt Ketch]

Ummm don't hold me to it, but im pretty sure Holden is much cheaper than that!!! On my invoice, im pretty sure it says $350 or something to replace the belts, parts and labour so give Holden a call before u go anywhere else!!

That'd be the best price I ever heard! A friend with a Barina just had the Cambelt (and associated parts) changed by her holden dealer and didn't see any change out of $700 and I have the parts on a bench in the shed waiting for this weekend and I paid about $320 retail for them! So if you got that price i'd be chuffed with yourself!