Great mechanic in Adelaide

Submitted: Wednesday, Mar 20, 2013 at 22:29
ThreadID: 101215 Views:1684 Replies:3 FollowUps:7
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Hi.
Just wanted to recommend a mechanic in Prospect Adelaide. Danny at SA car clinic.
I'm from Sydney driving around Oz with my fiancée in a 95 series prado.
Despite 5 mechanics in the last 7 weeks and 20000km (including a major service), no one could tell me why the car seemed to sporadically lose all power up hills and have no acceleration.
I'd changed fuel filters and throttle cables and it was getting worse.
Finally getting fed up. I took it to a transmission specialist in Adelaide. After a referral to a general mechanic and then an exhaust specialist (who all were very helpful and took time to drive and listen to the car without charging), I was referred to Danny as "if he can't diagnose it, no can".
He listened to us carefully and had it solved quickly by excluding everything based on what we told him. The first person to do this. it was a stuffed air flow sensor. He took the time to explain everything to me and my fiancée and despite being obviously busy, he never seemed rushed and was happy to answer all our questions.
He had the replacement part within the hour and now the car is driving really well.
Not only that but he didn't charge a labour or "diagnostic" fee. He even rang the cafe up the road to see if they were still open so we could go up there while we waited for the part.
Certainly the best service I have ever received by a mechanic and clearly someone who takes pride in their work.
Just thought it was worth a mention as good work like that often goes unnoticed.

James
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Reply By: BJ & Reen - Thursday, Mar 21, 2013 at 11:43

Thursday, Mar 21, 2013 at 11:43
Hi James
thanks for that info is good to see there are some people who still like to help out
i will keep that in my dairy in case
BJ
AnswerID: 507260

Follow Up By: Dr Hook - Thursday, Mar 21, 2013 at 12:24

Thursday, Mar 21, 2013 at 12:24
BJ & Reen (and ExploreOZ in general)
Just a suggestion: should ExpoloreOZ issue a "Certificate of Appreciation" to such dedicated service tradesmen, on behalf of 4WD-ers in general?
I'm sure they'd display it in their premises and help other travellers looking for effective and reasonably-priced asssistance whilst on the road.
More to the point, as word gets around, it might encourage other tradesmen to follow suit.

Dr Hook
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FollowupID: 784482

Follow Up By: Member - Fab72 (Paradise SA) - Thursday, Mar 21, 2013 at 22:12

Thursday, Mar 21, 2013 at 22:12
Great Idea! I'll second that.
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FollowupID: 784546

Reply By: Grant L - Thursday, Mar 21, 2013 at 13:56

Thursday, Mar 21, 2013 at 13:56
Hi James C10,

Great to hear your story, hard to find such a mechanic in this day and age.
I am wondering if you could shed some further light on the problem and what part was replaced.
Your problem sounds similar to that of a mate of mine (He describes the problem as surging ) who is ripping his hair out as many different service organisations including Toyota and even Prado forum have not been able to diagnose problem correctly and costs are just soaring. He has a 2008 model and had to cut short around Aus trip due to problem.
Any further info would be appreciate.
Grant
AnswerID: 507279

Follow Up By: Grant L - Thursday, Mar 21, 2013 at 14:00

Thursday, Mar 21, 2013 at 14:00
Sorry James just re-read your post and realised you had identified the part. Will pass this on to my mate
Grant
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FollowupID: 784494

Reply By: Member - Lynton B (QLD) - Thursday, Mar 21, 2013 at 14:08

Thursday, Mar 21, 2013 at 14:08
I too have added that to my list of recommended car [4WD] and caravan repairers/service people.
I also some months ago recommended via this forum a caravan refrigerator repairer at Caboolture Queensland, who repaired my Waeco after two other independent repairers had written the unit off.
I go along with the desire for some site on ExplorOz where such service can be recommended. However I appreciate the difficulties of maintaining such a site fair and honest.
AnswerID: 507282

Follow Up By: James C10 - Thursday, Mar 21, 2013 at 17:14

Thursday, Mar 21, 2013 at 17:14
Pleased my comment has generated such a good idea!
Travelling around Oz, it is very hard to know who is any good without having contacts in that town. The best resource is definitely people travelling around Australia who have positive or negative experiences with mechanics etc
Policing a recommendations list would be difficult but it could be a start...
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Follow Up By: Dr Hook - Thursday, Mar 21, 2013 at 17:57

Thursday, Mar 21, 2013 at 17:57
Yair Fellers; policing a List would be a pain; that's why I suggested Certificates of Appreciation: a Repairer with a dozen or so on a wall will probably be reliable, friendly and helpful, one with only one fly-spotted Certificate from 5 years ago (or no Certificate at all) would be self-policing.
What do others think?
Dr Hook
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FollowupID: 784512

Follow Up By: Member - Lynton B (QLD) - Thursday, Mar 21, 2013 at 18:16

Thursday, Mar 21, 2013 at 18:16
Dr Hook. I really appreciated your suggestion of a Certificate of Appreciation for these extremely competent and fair repairers. A good start! My only query is how would I, for example, find out about the "Dannys at SA Car Clinic" of this world from only certificates hung on the wall at their premises? May have to "bite the bullet" on deciding a suitable procedure - after some discussion - because all would have their pros and cons.
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FollowupID: 784513

Follow Up By: MADOG - Thursday, Mar 21, 2013 at 18:42

Thursday, Mar 21, 2013 at 18:42
If we could make this work ExploreOz the result for members would be sensational. Sadly the prevention of rorting would be a challenge. Regardless, this Victorian now has an Adelaide contact should our convoy need assistance on our way through to the centre later in the year.
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FollowupID: 784517

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