major service - differences between mechanics

[migoreng]

hey
when you need to do something major like a timing belt change does it really matter what mechanic does it?

of course prices will be different but in the end does your car run better if you get it serviced by an experienced place like hannys in western sydney?

what do they do different? do they like know all the secrets about honda engines than other mechanics or something?


you see my dad's friend can probably do the service for maybe $100 less but honestly i don't know how good he is...

thanks for any advice..

i do want my car to run the very best...
some mechanics seem like they only get a car running 'okay' and other mechanics are passionate about what they do and they do you a favour by fixing little things to get the very best out of your car..

[dsp26]

always go with the mech that is most experienced with your car.. i wouldn't take my car to someone who services ford/holden on the daily...

[Slaz]

If it was only timing belt then you'd like to think that whoever does it being qualified would have enough brains to use the correct parts, oils, filters and so on and get a better result.

If it is a big service, others might also include doing your valve clearances, check your ignition system like cap, rotor, leads and see if the injectors also would benefit from coming out and being cleaned, then thats where you will or should notice the difference.

All those things do take time though and thats what your paying for, people who constantly work on hondas, will more then likely do it quicker, and have more idea what areas need attention at what km's and hopefully address them for you.

But if you raised all those points and if you dont know the maintenance history of your car, go over it now that way you know its done and at what date and can start a decent level of maintenacne based on performance as you'll know when something isnt right.

Hope this helps Jase. :thumbsup:

[aaronng]

If it was only timing belt then you'd like to think that whoever does it being qualified would have enough brains to use the correct parts, oils, filters and so on and get a better result.

If it is a big service, others might also include doing your valve clearances, check your ignition system like cap, rotor, leads and see if the injectors also would benefit from coming out and being cleaned, then thats where you will or should notice the difference.

Valve clearance, checking and cleaning ignition system and cleaning injectors are considered MINOR services! You will find seasoned apprentices doing this at the dealership.

Timing belt is a MAJOR service and very critical. If you are out by only 1 tooth, your engine runs like crap. Usually the experienced mechanic will be doing this, not the apprentice.

[dsp26]

^^i thought they were major.. ie valve lash, etc...

i know a certain dealer doesn't do all that stuff on our crv if its considered minor...

[panda[cRx]]

aaron as the valve clearance adjustment is only done at the major service every 40k they are usually considered a 'major' service item.

[Slaz]

Nice use of capitals and exclaimations there aaron, do you feel better now? :thumbdwn:

A timing belt is only considered a Major service due to the kms it takes place at and what is done along with it, oppposed to small routine/ more frequent items being done in minor services.

All i was putting across is that if he is not familiar with the service history of his car its all those other little things that will add up to better performance, be it an apprentice or tradesmen, if they are a tooth out they are a tooth out, and one could only hope that a tradesmen with more experience wouldnt make that mistake opposed to a snork.

In saying that, i know and have seen apprentices that have it all over fellow workers with 10's of years less experience, unfortunatly common sense isnt something Tafe can teach easily.

[aaronng]

;1955550']aaron as the valve clearance adjustment is only done at the major service every 40k they are usually considered a 'major' service item.
Are they "usually considered" major service now because now that a timing chain is used instead of a belt, so there isn't any service iteam that can be considered major anymore? As a result, valve clearance check got bumped up to being considered a major? Or is it because it is truly a critical service routine?

From my experience, there are dealers who skip valve clearance if they don't "hear" noisy tappets. That happened at my 2 year/40k service when I was living in Sydney. If it was major, I wouldn't think that there would be an option to "postpone" the valve clearance check. Back in the B-series days, valve clearances would be considered as falling in the middle of a minor 10,000km and a major 100,000km service.

[dsp26]

Is there an actual list of minor/major service items? any honda employees here... destrukshn...?

this post from Wynode i thought was quite comprehensive in the FAQs...
http://www.ozhonda.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15720

***EDIT***
as for the Tappet/Lash i think this should be checked at every service despite presence of noise... it affects performance, ie effective camshaft duration if its off.

[migoreng]

cheers guys
hannys is good with servicing hondas from what i saw
everything looks good for now and all my services are done. when i hit 200k gotta do timing belt/pump/seals which is another year or so
man this hot weather sucks. air con makes the engine lag or something lol.
gonna take my car for a drive tonight to see how it goes :D

[aaronng]

Nice use of capitals and exclaimations there aaron, do you feel better now? :thumbdwn:

A timing belt is only considered a Major service due to the kms it takes place at and what is done along with it, oppposed to small routine/ more frequent items being done in minor services.

All i was putting across is that if he is not familiar with the service history of his car its all those other little things that will add up to better performance, be it an apprentice or tradesmen, if they are a tooth out they are a tooth out, and one could only hope that a tradesmen with more experience wouldnt make that mistake opposed to a snork.

In saying that, i know and have seen apprentices that have it all over fellow workers with 10's of years less experience, unfortunatly common sense isnt something Tafe can teach easily.
I probably misinterpreted your post as saying "there is not much difference with mechanics doing a timing belt change as long as he uses the correct consumables. For items like valve clearances, you need a mechanic that is better than all the others around". If that was not the intention of your post, then I apologise.

[aimre]

just go to Hannys, he actually very cheap and quick

[bennjamin]

most mechanics arent exactly artists with cars. Everyone cuts corners to some degree - so go with the most trusted mechanic you can think of and thats the best you can do.

[panda[cRx]]

aaron it's usually only cut out if it's not really required due to low kms. valve clearance adjustments are due on a km not a time basis

eg. someone that has driven 20k at 40k service would not need it

[migoreng]

just go to Hannys, he actually very cheap and quick

yes. i went today
everything was good

there were some weird comments though..seems like someone doesn't like cars that are around 10 years old.
lol

[dsp26]

most mechanics arent exactly artists with cars. Everyone cuts corners to some degree - so go with the most trusted mechanic you can think of and thats the best you can do.
:thumbsup::thumbsup: