Mechanic Portland Vic

Submitted: Saturday, May 23, 2015 at 21:48

ThreadID: 118954 Views:1228 Replies:7 FollowUps:4

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case h

Greetings,
I am about to cross the Tasman again for my annual winter escape.
We have the rig in storage in Portland and intend to head North towards Broken Hill, Cameron Corner, Boulia and from there West to Alice.
One month around Alice as I am into birding and this is a great birding area. From there South to Augusta, across the Nullarbor for the fifth time and final destination Margaret River to catch up with the kids and grandies.
I would like to get the rig serviced prior to departure. Any suggestions for routine mechanical service for my 100 series?

Many thanks, cheers, Case

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Reply By: TomH - Sunday, May 24, 2015 at 10:55

Sunday, May 24, 2015 at 10:55

Cant help with your question but a bit of advice if you have a 5sp auto and you are getting it serviced. Make sure they know what they are doing and use the right oil.

It is Toyota WS and NOTHING else. As per in the manual.

It should be filled from underneath until it overflows the drain hole. NEVER filled from the top like a so called expert in Adelaide did and nearly ruined it.

AnswerID: 554157

Reply By: Idler Chris - Sunday, May 24, 2015 at 13:11

Sunday, May 24, 2015 at 13:11

If you are talking about vehicle servicing in Melb, then I drive past 3 Toyota dealers to go out to Nunawadding Toyota as they have a number of mechanics who own and use 4WD's. As for the oil in the auto trannie. Toyota say the oil is for the life of the vehicle - do not believe them. If you have done a few kays, and you tow, get it changed every so often. I do not tow but have done plenty of sand driving and had the oil replaced at 150,000. The oil was brownish and should be bright red so was definitely in need of a change. It cost $350 to change but when you consider a new transmission is worth over $8,000 its cheap insurance. As for "routine mechanical service" I would suggest that with what you are planning your want a major service. If you want a trouble free holiday I would strongly suggest that you take your vehicle to someone very experienced and tell them exactly what you are planning to do, and to service the vehicle so that it can undertake the task with confidence. While nothing guarantees that you will not have a mechanical breakdown having a proper service with what is planned in mind is the best you can do. Toyota's are very good, but they can breakdown, and if they are going to breakdown it will be when there under the most stress. And you guessed it, the most stressful time is towing in the outback where mechanical service are patchy and expensive.
Don't know your experience but also suggest for your planned trip that you have at least a satphone and a PLB.

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AnswerID: 554164

Follow Up By: case h - Sunday, May 24, 2015 at 13:34

Sunday, May 24, 2015 at 13:34

Thanks for the replies.

This is my eighth year of outback travel. All trips have been for a 6 months duration so I am an advanced novice, lol. Never too old to learn though.

With routine service I mean my 5000 km service before departure. The next one will be in Alice and than again on my return to Margaret River where I know my way around best.

regards, Case

FollowupID: 840152

Reply By: Zippo - Sunday, May 24, 2015 at 14:53

Sunday, May 24, 2015 at 14:53

No help with the rig service, but seeing you've already worn a groove in the Nullarboring why not use the GCR from Alice to WA?

AnswerID: 554167

Follow Up By: case h - Sunday, May 24, 2015 at 15:21

Sunday, May 24, 2015 at 15:21

We did the Great Central last year and it has been two yrs since i did the Nullarbor. I find it all but boring and as i am a twitcher(birder) i like to visit the Eyre bird observatory again. Not to forget that the road from Balladonia to Esperance will take me to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Cheers, Case.

FollowupID: 840160

Reply By: Mick O - Monday, May 25, 2015 at 07:31

Monday, May 25, 2015 at 07:31

Not familiar with Portland area in terms of mechanics and I note that there is no Toyota dealer in the town. If heading north, you might be better off having the service done at Horsham or Mildura where there are both 4x4 specialists and Toyota dealerships. It's only a few hundred km.

Safe travels

Mick