Servicing Costs?

[anarklov3r]

Hey Guys, Its been far too long since this car has been serviced... Break pads changed nearly 2 years ago, and been even longer since any real service has been done! (Apart from changing heater tap and spark plugs 6 months ago)


Roughly how much would i be looking at (i just dont wanna get ripped off, i have no idea how much labour costs...) to get:

A total service (oil? filters? whatever is included.. i dunno)
new brake pads

How much to get my serpentine belt replaced? its starting to look ages and cracked.

Its a VN wagon with a VP motor in it...

I was quoted $180 for a service from one guy at Mobile + extra for belts and brakes.

Would it be hard to do myself? Or beter to get professionals to do it?

[social]

hey mate, here in SA, i go to a guy, nigel whitehead automotive repairs, hes my grease monkey lol and his standard price is $128 for a standard service and i think $200ish for a major one, if i were yu i would shop around

[Tom_1569]

Its really not hard to do it yourself. First what part of melbourne are you from, Im sure someone on here would be willing to lend a hand for a 6 pack or just a friendly smile.

Oil - $20+
Oil Filter - $5-8
Air Filter - $15ish
Fuel Filter $10
Brake pads depends on what you get, but about 45 bux a set (either front or back) for Bendix CT.
When replacing the belt its a good idea to replace the pulley aswell, its about 45 bux for belt and pulley from memory.

Depending on how far you want to go, a service can vary from an oil change, to alot more like tranny service, diff oil, P/S fluid flush, Brake fluid change, and coolant flush.

180bux isnt to bad, depending on what they are actually doing, and what oil and brand of filters they are using.

On average a mechanic will charge 65bux an hour.

[social]

On average a mechanic will charge 65bux an hour.

so if hes guna take nearly 3hrs to do all that and u reocn u cud do faster.....do it yaself

[anarklov3r]

is that 65 per hour + parts? Lol

As for brakes, im gonna change all 4. ive got the feeling after 2 years, theres no brakes left ANYWHERE. Its just metal on metal.

Im in 3075 (near thomastown, epping, reservoir) I dont mind driving up to 30 - 40 mins to get it serviced if i know im getting it done properly.

I guess with the economy in a downward spiral i dont want to waste my money (eg 180 for oil change when $280 gets me the whole kit kaboodle)

Got anywhere you'd recomend? Id rather not go to the small mechanics on the side of the factories, dont want them pulling a dodgy on me

[Tom_1569]

is that 65 per hour + parts? Lol

As for brakes, im gonna change all 4. ive got the feeling after 2 years, theres no brakes left ANYWHERE. Its just metal on metal.

Im in 3075 (near thomastown, epping, reservoir) I dont mind driving up to 30 - 40 mins to get it serviced if i know im getting it done properly.

I guess with the economy in a downward spiral i dont want to waste my money (eg 180 for oil change when $280 gets me the whole kit kaboodle)

Got anywhere you'd recomend? Id rather not go to the small mechanics on the side of the factories, dont want them pulling a dodgy on me

yeah 65 + parts.

With your brakes, depending on your mileage 2 years could be alright. Have you checked your rotors out aswell, they maybe undersized or scored (sp) if they havent been changed in a while.

Cant help with recommending, Im a bit far away, plus I refuse to use mechanics lol. But hopefully someone else can help you out.

[anarklov3r]

Also, is it worth changing my air intake box thingy, to a CAI? Or one of those Pod things? Will it help increase fuel economy (Thats what im really after.. and a smoother ride...) power is really a bonus, The v6 3.8ltr is plenty fast for me

[TVR-190]

CAI and a KN filter will help, but if it hasnt been serviced the fuel filter is probably clogged with crap andgiving you crap mileage

[Morton]

If you're after economy, grab a new coolant temp sensor and oxy sensor while you're out. About $15 for the coolant temp sensor (behind the alternator, the two wire one), and about $70 for the oxy.) Those two alone, on a car your age, can dramatically change economy and sometimes power.

[anarklov3r]

i changed my oxy sensor, aand wrote about it in another thread. my economy went slightly down, instead of up. thats why i wanna get it serviced. Thanks alot guys

Any more things i should look at geting done?

[Benboy]

Hey mate, if your brakes are metal to metal your car is unroadworthy and in the intersts of road safetyt I would suggest that you don't drive it anywhere on the roads. If (IF) you are involved in a collison and your vehicle's condition is found to be unroadworthy you will be prosecuted. Worse still if someone is injured or killed - even if the crappy brakes weren't to blame you could face substantial fines and even imprisonment. Best advise, either service your car regularly (and ensure it complies with requirments) or pay someone else to do the job. If you can't afford to maintain your vehicle then you shouldn't be driving it around. To do otherwise would suggest that you just don't 'get it' in regards to your responsibility on the roads.

[Daniel.B]

I have a VP, and i've never serviced a car before in my life, and i have pretty limited mechanical knowledge. However i was able to service my car, and aside from getting my face completely covered in petrol, and connecting the spark plug leads in the wrong sequence, at was all good. And i did all this with a flat head screw driver, a shifter, and i used the wheel brace to undo the bolt on the sump (it's a perfect fit) as that's the full extent of tool collection. I did plugs, leads, oil fuel and air filter, and changed oil. I also suggest if your going to change the fuel filter, don't stuff around with trying to jack it up, just park it 2 wheels on the gutter, then slide underneath. I didn't do my pads, but there next on the agenda. All can i say is thank God i drive a commodore, my g/f has a VW polo, and the front bumper has to come off just to get the airfilter!!!

[anarklov3r]

Hey mate, if your brakes are metal to metal your car is unroadworthy and in the intersts of road safetyt I would suggest that you don't drive it anywhere on the roads. If (IF) you are involved in a collison and your vehicle's condition is found to be unroadworthy you will be prosecuted. Worse still if someone is injured or killed - even if the crappy brakes weren't to blame you could face substantial fines and even imprisonment. Best advise, either service your car regularly (and ensure it complies with requirments) or pay someone else to do the job. If you can't afford to maintain your vehicle then you shouldn't be driving it around. To do otherwise would suggest that you just don't 'get it' in regards to your responsibility on the roads.

Im not irresponsible, if anything im the opposite.

Im still a P Plater and havent yet saved enough to buy myself a VT/VX yet, and im driving around my parents VN Wagon.

I can more than afford to service it, which is what im going to do out of my own pocket, even though its not my car. And by "thinking its metal to metal" i meant that very recently its started to squeel when i brake. It still does stop very well, not like i have to slam the brakes to stop.

But thanks for the concern guys

[89 vn]

I know a guy who does mine/gfs car, a full service is 180 and he can even come to your house and do it there.
I saw in the paper the otherday Autobarn doing $100 "super special service' seems dodgy 100$ for a full service. So realistically around the 200 mark for a full service is average I guess?

[anarklov3r]

OK ive just rang up a few local places, and ive been quoted for $120-150 for a minor service, $200ish for a major service, but that doesnt include like half the filters, serpentine belt is an extra $50, to get my brakes done, ive been quoted around $160 for front, and $180 for rear... so its gonna cost me like $700ish judging by these figures to get the car fully serviced....

:'( cry..

[89 vn]

Then you need more than a service, sounds like you need proper parts replacing. Last mechanic (who I will NEVER go to ever again) would service my car and say "oh i replaced this and that now you owe me this amount" without even asking me and he also set my VN to idle at like 1500rpm so really its all about the person/establishment. Ask any mates or family who does their car well and go from there mate

[Tom_1569]

OK ive just rang up a few local places, and ive been quoted for $120-150 for a minor service, $200ish for a major service, but that doesnt include like half the filters, serpentine belt is an extra $50, to get my brakes done, ive been quoted around $160 for front, and $180 for rear... so its gonna cost me like $700ish judging by these figures to get the car fully serviced....

:'( cry..

160 for the front, and a 180 for the rear? Is that with Pads?
Normally the rear pads are cheaper, and there easier to replace to. The brake pads arnt hard to do, as most of the stuff. Actually out of all that, the fuel filter is the worst caus no doubt on your first attempt you will get a face full of petrol, we've all done it lol.

Depending on what you do, Oil and filter change is abouot 40 bux, pads are 90 bux, belt is around 50 will pulley. Air and fuel filter is maybe 25 tops. So thats 215 in parts, if you want to do plugs, leads etc then plugs are bout 20 bux a set, and leads around 60. Thats alot in labour, especially when theres work guides on here for all of this stuff. If you want a hand, yell out I have family up there I need to pay a visit so could lend a hand at the same time.

[anarklov3r]

I might give it a shot to do it myself (changing the filters and oil)

Are there any guides on here that show you how to replace the fuel filter? Oil and Air seem to be simple.

[anarklov3r]

the 180 is for machining and brake pads.

They wanted $35 to change fuel filter and $65 for oil filter. They also wanted $120 for spark leads installed. Major rip offs lol. Oh well. I might hold you to it Tom Ill ask the old man if his workplace has a prefered mechanic they use, that might be a bit cheaper.

[Tom_1569]

the 180 is for machining and brake pads.

They wanted $35 to change fuel filter and $65 for oil filter. They also wanted $120 for spark leads installed. Major rip offs lol. Oh well. I might hold you to it Tom Ill ask the old man if his workplace has a prefered mechanic they use, that might be a bit cheaper.

180 for machining and brake pads if its all round, isnt to bad. Personelly I dont like machining rotors, but thats just me. You need to decide if maching them will be worth while, or is it just cheaper in the long run to replace them, it depends how much meat is on them.
The other prices are just stupid, but typical mechanic prices.
No problems at all, just shoot us a PM if you need a hand.
You may be able to strike it up on the workplace, normally mechanics will have a deal going with companies etc so not a bad idea.