Mechanical Repairs & Log Book Servicing in Wellington

  • Computer testing & repairs
  • Diagnostics scanning
  • Emission testing
  • Engine reconditioning
  • Engine tune-ups
  • Exhaust systems
  • Fuel injector testing & service
  • Gas stays replaced & refilled
  • Gearbox servicing & repairs
  • Head gasket heater repairs
  • Lubrication service
  • Mag wheels
  • Muffler oil and filter changes
  • Panel beating Pre-purchase inspections
  • Puncture repairs
  • Radiators and cooling system repairs
  • Shocks Suspension Steering Stereos
  • Tow bar installation
  • Towing Trailer wiring
  • Trailer hire
  • Transmission flush
  • Tyres
  • Valet & grooming services
  • Wheel balancing
  • Wheel alignments
  • Window tinting
  • Windscreen replacement & repairs
  • WoFs

Mechanical Tips

Full Lube Service

  • Does my car need a full lube service?

    The most common warning signs (from most revealing to least revealing) are:

    • Over 10,000 km since the last lube
    • Oil leaks on the driveway
    • Smoky exhaust fumes
    • Carbon build-up on exhaust
    • Dirty oil

  • What could happen if I just ignored the problem?

    You face the risk of:

    • Complete ignition failure
    • A seized engine
    • A blown head gasket
    • Loss of steering control

  • What does a full lube service involve?

    Our full lube service includes the following:

    • Drain and replace the oil
    • Install a new oil filter
    • Complete chassis lubrication
    • Check battery
    • Check and fill transmission fluid
    • Check differential
    • Check air filter
    • Check the power steering fluid
    • Check brake fluid
    • Check tyre pressures
    • Check coolant level
    • Check belts and hoses
    • Check wiper blades
    • Check the windscreen washer level

  • How will a full lube service improve my motoring?

    Apart from eliminating the problems and future risks, you will enjoy:

    • Reduced engine wear
    • Increased fuel efficiency
    • Quieter engine

  • How much does a full lube service cost?

    For a standard four-cylinder, petrol-powered car (manual or automatic), a full lube service will cost $115.00, including GST, parts and labour.

    For most other cars (4WDs; high-performance vehicles; 6 and 8 cylinders), a full lube service will cost $150.00, including GST, parts and labour.

Cam Belts

  • Does my car need the cam belt replaced?

    The most common warning signs (from most revealing to least revealing) are:

    • Noisy engine
    • A warning light appears on the dash
    • Over 80,000 km since the cam belt was last replaced
    • Difficulty starting car
    • High fuel consumption

  • What could happen if I just ignored the problem?

    You face the risk of:

    • A roadside breakdown causes extensive engine damage, costing you thousands of dollars to repair

  • What does a cam belt replacement involve?

    Our cam belt replacement includes the following:

    • Check power-steering belt
    • Check air-conditioning belt
    • Check alternator belt
    • Check auto tensioner
    • Check cam belt idlers
    • Check the external condition of the water pump
    • Check oil seals
    • Check and replace the cam belt (the cost of the belt is extra)
    • Check the power-steering fluid level
    • Check and adjust cam timing
    • Check and adjust ignition timing
    • Check engine mount

  • How will replacing the cam belt improve my motoring?

    Once we have finished the job, you will enjoy the following:

    • Reduced engine wear and damage
    • Increased fuel efficiency
    • Quieter engine
    • Improved engine performance
    • Greater engine reliability
    • Easier engine starting

Cooling Systems

  • Does my car need a cooling system service?

    Your car needs a cooling system service (from most urgent to least urgent) if:

    • You find water leaks in your driveway
    • It emits smoky exhaust fumes
    • It is overheating, or there is steam under the bonnet
    • There is a noise coming from the engine
    • There is a burning smell coming from the engine
    • The heater or air conditioning doesn't work properly
    • The temperature light comes on or stays on
    • The engine temperature rises quickly
    • It has been over 10,000 km or 12 months since its last service
    • It uses a lot of fuel
    • The radiator water is brown or rust-coloured (it should be green, yellow or orange)

  • What could happen if I just ignored the problem?

    You face the risk of:

    • A blown head gasket
    • Damage to the cooling system and engine, costing thousands of dollars to repair
    • A complete engine failure or roadside breakdown

  • What does a cooling system service involve?

    Our cooling system service includes:

    • Flush the cooling system
    • Add anti-freeze coolant
    • Pressure-test the cooling system
    • Check for leaks
    • Check for perished hoses and leaks
    • Check for signs of corrosion
    • Check the condition of the radiator core
    • Provide report and quote for repairs (if any)

    If the check reveals that repairs are required, it might include the following:

    • Replace worn or split clips and hoses
    • Replace radiator
    • Replace water pump
    • Replace head gasket
    • Replace radiator cap
    • Replace thermostat

    It is our practice to inform our customers before undertaking these repairs unless they instruct us otherwise. Please let us know your requirements.


  • How will a cooling system service improve my motoring?

    Apart from eliminating the problems and future risks, you will enjoy:

    • Reduced engine wear
    • Increased fuel efficiency
    • Quieter engine
    • Smoother motoring

  • How much does a cooling system service cost?

    A cooling system service will cost $80, including GST. This includes the cost of replacing your car's anti-freeze coolant.


    If the check reveals that repairs are required, an extra cost for parts and labour will apply. These costs will depend on the repairs involved. We are happy to provide a no-obligation quote for this work if requested.

CV Joints

  • Does my car need a CV joint replacement?

    The most common warning signs (from most revealing to least revealing) are:

    • A clicking noise is heard when
    • Accelerating or turning
    • Vibration in the steering wheel
    • A split CV boot
    • Grease or oil stains on the driveway

  • What could happen if I just ignored the problem?

    You face the risk of:

    • Failing your next WoF check
    • A roadside breakdown
    • Causing extensive driveline damage, costing you thousands of dollars to repair

  • What does a CV joint replacement involve?

    Our CV Joint Replacement Service includes the following:

    • Check CV joints
    • Check ball joints
    • Remove CV joint
    • Clean and inspect axle spline
    • Replace circlip
    • Repack and install new CV joints & clips

  • How will a CV joint replacement improve my motoring?

    Apart from eliminating the problems and future risks, you will enjoy:

    • Smoother acceleration
    • Smoother cornering

  • How much does a CV joint replacement cost?

    For a standard four-cylinder, petrol-powered car (includes manual or automatic, but excludes 4WDs and turbo-powered vehicles), a CV joint replacement will cost $150, including GST, parts and labour per side.

    For most other cars (diesel, 4WDs, turbo-powered vehicles; six and eight cylinders), a CV joint replacement will cost $320, including GST, parts and labour per side.

Shock Absorber Replacement

  • Does my car need a shock absorber replacement?

    Your car is likely to need a shock absorber replacement if (from most concerning to least concerning):

    • Your steering wheel vibrates uncomfortably
    • Your vehicle rocks and rolls a lot over uneven surfaces
    • The bonnet of your vehicle dips down when you brake or slow down
    • Your vehicle takes longer to stop
    • Your vehicle doesn't handle properly around corners
    • Your tyres are wearing unevenly
    • Your vehicle "stabilises" after one bounce
    • Your shock absorbers show signs of leakage
    • It has been six years, or 60,000 kilometres, since you last replaced your shock absorbers

  • What could happen if I just ignored the problem?

    You face the risk of:

    • Increased passenger discomfort, especially when travelling on long journeys or over bumpy roads or rough terrain
    • Loss of steering control
    • Unnecessary wear of your tyres
    • Failing your next Warrant of Fitness check
    • Loss of braking performance

    Warning:

    Tests have shown that if just one shock absorber is worn, a vehicle may need an extra 2.6 metres to stop. That will often mean the difference between stopping safely and crashing – or injury and death.


    Two Types of Shock Absorbers

    It is important to know what type of shock absorber is on your vehicle, as this determines the amount of work and expense involved.


    The two types of shock absorbers are:

    1. Standard: these are shocks that have springs that are separate from the shock absorber unit
    2. MacPherson strut absorbers: these are shocks that have the springs integrated within the shock absorber unit

    If you call us or bring your vehicle in, we can easily identify what type of shock absorbers you have.

  • What does a shock absorber replacement involve?

    Our shock absorber replacement service includes the following:

    • Check the condition of existing shocks
    • Remove existing shocks (if worn)
    • Install new shocks
    • Perform height clearance check
    • Perform road test

    Plus, if you have a MacPherson strut shock absorber, the service will include the following:

    • Strip the shock
    • Clean the unit housing
    • Replace the cartridge
    • Re-assemble the unit

  • How will a shock absorber replacement improve my motoring?

    Apart from eliminating the problems and future risks, you will enjoy:

    • Reduced wear on your tyres
    • Increased fuel efficiency
    • Safer motoring
    • Increased comfort
    • Improved handling and control

  • How much does a shock absorber replacement cost?

    Standard shocks: A standard shock absorber replacement will cost $70.


    MacPherson strut shocks: A MacPherson strut shock absorber replacement will cost $170.


    These costs include GST and are for replacing both sides. We always recommend replacing both sides at the same time. Parts will cost extra – usually between $50 and $150. If you contact us with details of your vehicle, we will gladly provide you with a free estimate or quote.

Transmissions

  • Does my car need a transmission flush?

    A transmission flush is only relevant for automatic transmissions. The most common warning signs (from most revealing to least revealing) are:

    • Difficult or impossible to select gears
    • Slipping occurs during gear shifts
    • Frequently missing gear shifts
    • Discoloured transmission oil, i.e. a dark brown colour (in most cases, it should be red)
    • Transmission oil smells burnt
    • Over 30,000 km since the last transmission flush

  • What could happen if I just ignored the problem?

    You face the risk of:

    • A total inability to select gears,
    • Leading to a possible roadside
    • Breakdown
    • Causing extensive damage to the transmission, costing you thousands of dollars to repair

  • What does a transmission flush involve?

    Our transmission flush includes the following:

    • Check transmission pipes and hoses
    • Check transmission pressure
    • Replace transmission oil
    • Circulate and filter transmission oil
    • Add transmission flush & treatment additives
    • Check the operation of the transmission

  • How will a transmission flush improve my motoring?

    Once we have finished the job, you will enjoy the following:

    • Smoother gear changes
    • Extended life of your transmission

  • How much does a transmission flush cost?

    For most vehicles, a transmission flush costs $160, including GST, parts, and labour. However, an extra charge will apply for vehicles that require a special grade of oil or vehicles that require more than six litres of oil (we can advise you of this before the job is started).

For more information about our range of mechanical services, call us on (04) 567 2258.

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