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Reliable R33 Mechanic

nightfighter_r33

By nightfighter_r33,
in Victoria

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nightfighter_r33 Explorer

nightfighter_r33

Posted
Posted

Hi, I've had my 1993 R33 NA for 2 years now but during that time I am yet to find a reliable and trustworthy mechanic that I would be happy to bring my beloved 'other half' to for a regular service. In the past I have generally done some research online to find the best possible import mechanic possible but it has always ended up being a 2 star experience for a variety of reasons that I wont get into. This has happened with about 4 mechanics now. Please keep in mind that my skyline is my everyday driver, I'm not looking for a performance specialist, just a mechanic that will keep my car happy and running smoothly. (I thought i'd also mention that I have been to 'general' mechanics who don't specialize in imports, but these mechanics refuse to even look at the car because they are 'unfamiliar' with it)

I'm wondering if anyone has any recommendations of a good skyline mechanic anywhere in the city of Melbourne. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

Justin

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paulr33 Grand Master

paulr33

Posted
Posted

its just a nissan piston engine

any workshop can do it basically

i had my 33 going to nissan at the start cos it was on lease

no issues with nissan doing it, and at least they would check what to do in the service book instead of guessing

not saying to take yours to nissan, but look around

even places like your local mechanic should be fine to do basic oil changes and check ups

paulr33 Grand Master

paulr33

Posted
Posted

or do it all yourself - download the service maunal and it tells you what to do at each km interval

then get yourself the consult calbe which is about $100 and you can service it and do your diag from the onboard computer

thats why most workshops wont touch it, cos of the computer, they have no access to it

R TUNE Mentor

R TUNE

Posted
Posted

Chasers motorworks do general servicing have a look at them.

http://chasersmotorworks.com.au/motorworks/

or if you in the northen suburbs tembys automotive service (under the brand repco service) i highly regard.

Temby`s Automotive Services

13a Brougham Street Eltham 3095

Tel: 03 9439 7574

Opening Hours

Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm

Miguelone Grand Master

Miguelone

Posted
Posted

Or if you have the space at/free time home grab the service manual off the net and do the work yourself, a general service is really easy and you'll have the satisfaction of having done it all yourself and knowing it was done right.

blk94r33 Mentor

blk94r33

Posted
Posted

its just a nissan piston engine

any workshop can do it basically

i had my 33 going to nissan at the start cos it was on lease

no issues with nissan doing it, and at least they would check what to do in the service book instead of guessing

not saying to take yours to nissan, but look around

even places like your local mechanic should be fine to do basic oil changes and check ups

Precisely.

Qualified mechanic, in the trade for 5 years now, and have no hesitations working on any make/model/year. Prefer to avoid European cars as they're over-engineered and over-complicated. Yet it seems to be the typical mantra that any non ford/holden is "not worth the trouble". They don't have left handed threads everywhere waiting to be snapped, cranky electronics or any bits that operate differently from any other car (except HICAS, but that's not general servicing).

Changing oils, plugs, filters, belts, pads etc is NOT a complicated exercise on Japanese cars. After having mine and other mates' plugs out and in a few times, i'd rather change 2 sets of RBs' than one GENIII set.

Find a good general service workshop, someone "larger" than a two man crew, in a shop that has the equipment, knowledge, experience and confidence to work on your car. Otherwise, find someone on the forum who's either a mechanic or handy with tools, that is willing to do cashy's, will work out cheaper, you may get to supervise, help and learn in the process.

blk94r33 Mentor

blk94r33

Posted
Posted

or do it all yourself - download the service maunal and it tells you what to do at each km interval

then get yourself the consult calbe which is about $100 and you can service it and do your diag from the onboard computer

thats why most workshops wont touch it, cos of the computer, they have no access to it

As above, a shop with GOOD equipment, not a dirt floor and wonky trolley jack. I know the Snap-On Modis at my work does the R33 computers as I've used it a few times on my own car, surely there'd be others such as Bosch who make a tool to converse with imports?

paulr33 Grand Master

paulr33

Posted
Posted

yeah any workshop that can do a std vl commodore can do the rb25 no worries

you could even buy your own consult calbe and take it and show them it plugged in if they are anal about "no computer access"

but at the end of the day

its a std piston engine, change the oil, check the basics, clean this, top up that blah blah

its not like an rb25 has super cool special liquid unobtanium or alien spacecraft rods

llama_au Grand Master

llama_au

Posted
Posted

its only a 6 cylinder NA, not far off from a VL comm. any shop should be able to service this fine, if you cant be bothered doing it yourself,

Save your $$$ no need for these fancy tuner workshops.

Every 'performance mechanic' I've ever gone to has done wrong by me. I now use a small two-man mechanic/roadworthy place and they've been absolutely fantastic. I've brought them every sort of car imaginable and asked them to do some extremely complicated tasks. No issues, always done fast and right and for a fantastic price. I won't use a 'performance mechanic' again. Build up a good relationship with a normal mechanic.

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