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

 

[Turd Ferguson]

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?