Niranjan de Silva

Well Auto Touch is good. The guy in charge of that place is also friendly. Still as all businesses go there is a catch somewhere. A Wash/Vacuum and Wax of a car cost 750bucks. They claim to use the 3M wax(Paste). Although they use the wax in 3M containers I believe that they do not use 3M. They fill these containers discreetly and goes to a place where they have it stored in bulk in their office to fill such. The paste is green in color, very different from the color of the original 3M Wax. Anyhow I asked the guy in charge whether he uses 3M and he said that it was so. I did not go to confront him after that. Still all in all a good place where the guys who washes the vehicles are very humble and friendly. Can get anything done according to your specifiations. Withregards to the squeegee I am surprised. It seems harmless. I actually haven't put much attention as to how that step happens in real time. Since it has been pointed out as a matter of concern will have to keep a close eye the next time.

Well, to see so many members in the area. Auto*iraj is a mirage. Their standards had gone down drastically the last time I went there. The guys working there are a real panditha set. There is a place called Auto Touch near the Dehiwela-Mount Lavinia Cemetery which is also a decent place which has reasonable rates. Laugf* are well stocked with oils, air filters, engine oil filters, wipers etc. Also they have premium quality products. They even got me down the Matic-J ATF I was looking for (will post soon on another thread). Furthermore the ATF change was done according to my specifications and they did not make a fuss about it saying that it is not their method. Also when you pump Petrol at the newly opened shed they will provide you with a automated receipt each time.

Well Komi I must make a confession. I am the guy who is in charge of the soap gun at Laugfs, Dehiwela .

Laugfs has opened a new Petrol Station opposite Arpico Dehiwela. About 10 pumps pumping Petrol (5 units). They have 3 individual pumps pumping 95 Octane. Super Diesel, Diesel and Kerosene are also available. There is Nitrogen and normal air available to inflate tires. Fully fledged Service Station run by Laugfs is also situated at the same premises. The Petrol Station is open 24 hours and the Laugfs Service Station is open from 7.00 A.M to 8.00 P.M.

Carbuddy, check out this guy Methsiri. He is a guy who specialize in painting and tinkering. Phone nos. 071 619 0147, 0114927645, 060 2132582. His garage is at 25/4, Field Road, Kohuwala. It is easier if you go through Jambugasmulla Mawatha, Nugegoda and enter the 4th lane. If you ask anybody in the area they will know.

Well my qestion is somewhat related to the topic. I put 30 PSI to my front left tyre. After about 3 weeks when I check the tyre pressure it has gone up to 31 PSI. I inflate my tyres from the same place and this has happened a number of times now. can some member share some knowledge as to why this happens.

Please do not go to A*NU Lanka for an engine tune up. The main guy there has good knowledge about what he is doing. Still his knowledge does not manifest in results. My check engine light was lit after the tune up. Furthermore they only clean the injectors and don't do anything else (do not even clean the throttle body). If you go to their website they boast about so many aspects of engine tune up. still it is not backed by results and their solutions are very expensive. Also the ultrasonic cleaning of fuel injectors are given too much importance. They say that only A*NU and D*MO has it in Sri Lanka. So many other places also have the ultrasonic cleaners. Checkout Hiline on Duplication road. They also offer Ultrasonic cleaning of fuel injectors. Says that it is the proper way of cleaning injectors which my mechanic says (and I also agree) is blown out of proportion in importance. They say that any other tecnique will damage the "O" rings on the fuel injectors, but in the case of my tune up proceeded to replace all 4 of my injector "O" rings. Furthermore there is a garage behind ASNU Lanka were you will have to park your vehicle. The name is W*runa Motors. The moment you go there they start suggesting various other repairs to your vehicle and try to make an extra buck. Their work is not at all satisactory. So avoid A*NU LANKA. It was highly recommended in the Autolanka forums. Maybe it's glory days are over. Also they were not keen on following up on my check engine light. Said that it is not their fault but to bring the vehicle to check it out.

Well I suppose most garages don't take a personal interest in their work. It is very difficult to find a good place to do a paint job without mucking it up. They use inferior paints, do not match colours, do not cover properly other areas on which the paint is not applied and the list goes on. Also most of these garages are not amenable to criticism. When I was looking for a vehicle I kind of developed this knack of deciding whether a paint has been done on a particular place or not. I was not really good at it, but it is a growing skill in my case. It is my opinion (and correct me if I am wrong) that an experienced eye howevermuch professionally a paint job/touchup has been done, could say whether a fresh paint has been done. So even if you have full insurance, if some person hits your vehicle for no fault of your own still you are in a mess. As it is very difficult to get at least a decent paint job done and it will always show to the keen eye.

Well this is my two cents worth into the issue. I am not an expert and my views have been frowned upon already. cefiroA33 the problem is that you are asking a difficult question which does not have one correct simple answer, although you are expecting one. from a personal viewpoint I would suggest that if you are going for a major repair it is better to do this through the agent. For example if your going for a timing belt change or a full gear box replacement. If it is a normal day to day issue I suggest you get hold of a good trustworthy mehanic close to your place. If this is your first vehicle there might be some difficulty in finding one. There is a great guy in Peliyagoda one Ravi Perera at No.595, kandy Road, Bulugaha Juntion, Kelaniya (this is opposite the cargills and just after the Peliyagoda flyover). He specializes in Nissans and his charges are very reasonable. If it is a major repair then normally a lot of people would expect you to get the repair done from a reputed place. A person who may buy the vehicle will presume that you have taken care of the vehicle. Besides a major repair will entail the use of a higher degree of knowledge which will be present if you go to the agents. Agents very rarely repair, they replace. For example when I went to A*W to check, why my check engine light is on they said that I have to replace the O2 sensor on Bank 1. The cost they were quoting was more than 25,000/=. I showed my vehicle to the aforementioned mechanic and he deduced the problem might not be in the apparent faulty sensor, but other factors as the Diagnostic Trouble Code was P0171, a lean condition (too much Oxygen).He did a full engine tune up and the check engine light is gone for now. Had I stuck with A*W I would have had to spend more than 25,000/= to replace the sensor and the check engine light would be lit again.

Well you forgot to quote the "please" before submit any information. I have not treated an experienced member as a subordinate which is more than clear from his replies and subsequent conduct. Please don't get worked up for others. As for my choice of words put it down to better education of which I verily believe you have none.

Well first of all I do not have a frustrated life like the one you seem to be enjoying to call people names. The thread has proceeded to a number of further posts where I have made further replying postsplease refer. If you have something to say based on knowledge, personal experience etc. I will be more than happy to listen and would even consider changing my decisions based on such rather than listening to a childish rant beneficial to none.

Two pictures are attached in relation to the intended paintless dent repair. http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2mex06b&s=5#.UrSlvvQW301 http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=5o8bgm&s=5#.UrSpKPQW300

Mr. Sylvi Wijesinghe, I don't think that is a viable option since amazon do not ship this particular product to Sri Lanka. Also, Well Rumesh88, I hope you do not know me. Still your point is completely valid. If you refer my initial post I stated that the only place I found Matic-J in Colombo (after a quick search) was at A*W. Still there is another place in Kurunegala which sells matic-J, but in measured quantitites as they import in bulk. I did not want to take the risk of buying ATF "loose" so to speak. I will go to some of the places suggested to me as selling matic-J, and will revert back. Still if the cans containing the ATF is sealed and if there is nothing fishy or out of the ordinary then I guess the decision of buying it from A*W or another party will depend solely on the reduction of the price, if any.

First of all let me clarify. My original question was "I would like to know where can one buy Matic-J ATF fluid for nissan vehicles (older) other than from A*W?" I do not want a compatible ATF which is inferior even minutely to the original Nissan Matic-J ATF. This is implied in your own words stated below. "So in a certain way I think transmission fluid from a major manufacturer imported through official channels and officially compatoble should do as good a job as grey imports". The following is what Nissan says. "Use only the Genuine NISSAN Matic ATF specified here. Do not mix with other fluids. Using transmission fluid other than the Genuine NISSAN Matic ATF specified here or its equivalent may cause deterioration in drivability and automatic transmission durability, and may damage the automatic transmission, which is not covered by the NISSAN new vehicle limited warranty." When Nissan puts their trademark on a particular ATF, I and a reasonable person would expect quality and the exact ATF to be used in older Nissan vehicles. The presumption is that they have done their research and development and the performance of their particular ATF in Nissan vehicles before branding it Nissan. Hence I have made a decision that Nissan Matic-J ATF should go into my vehicle. There are no qualms about it. The issue that I have is whether there is any other place I could buy Matic-J outside A*W and the particular price? If a forum user could give me an answer to that specific question I would be grateful.

The reason is personal experience. The passo that my father is using had Toyota branded ATF. When the recent ATF change became due I could not put a lot of attention to the service (due to a personal difficulty) and put Mobil as the ATF (this was the ATF available at Automira*). The drop in performance was instantly felt by me and drastically declined from there on in. In particular gear shifting, the gear lever getting stuck between two gears and the general performance. As for the notion that nissan does not manufacture ATF in house and has the production of ATF outsourced to one of the major producers of ATF is not supported by any independent evidence. Please submit to me any information you have as if that is the case I would like to revisit my conclusion.

Thank You, Mr. Sylvi for the insight and information. I will contact Mr.Abeysekara ASAP.The vehicle is a Nissan March Ak12. I will attach two images later. These are very minor dents and it is not worth adopting the traditional method and making a big issue out of it. One which is underneath the left front door handle and one on the dicky door.

Thanks for the pointer. I am actually looking for Matic-J ATF. Havoline also has a Matic-J compatible ATF namely Havoline ATF-J. Personally I do not like the performance of the compatible fluids.The only place that I have found Matic-J available in Colombo is A*W and 4ltrs cost about 14k.I would like to know whether it is available anywhere else? At a lesser price.

I would like to know where can one buy Matic-J ATF fluid for nissan vehicles (older) other than from A*W? I checked out at A*W and the price is a bit high as I guess they are keeping a higher margin as a result of the difficulty in finding the relevant fluid. Matic-J is the ATF Fluid manufactured (apparently) and distributed by Nissan itself and it is the ATF Fluid which comes originally in the vehicle.

Any specific places which does paintless dent removal? All the previous places which had this service seems to have discontinued such. Also when I called one place they said that most likely that I would have to paint the panel. Still if that was the case it would not be paintless dent removal anymore. Any genuine places which currently specialize in paintless dent repairs?

Any specific places which does paintless dent removal? All the previous places which had this service seems to have discontinued such. Also when I called one place they said that most likely that I would have to paint the panel. Still if that was the case it would not be paintless dent removal anymore. Any genuine places which currently specialize in paintless dent repairs?

Also Kmadhuranga please go with a guy who has a very good knowledge of vehicles when choosing a car if you do not have the requisite knowledge. I did that myself and it paid off. Was looking for a vehicle for two months and was very frustrated towards the end. Still as a result of the research was able to get a very good deal. My advice is first decide on the vehicle make that you want in particular and then start your search and don't waver unless there are compelling reasons to do so. Also one of my best buddies own a Suzuki Swift 1300cc and he is very happy with the performance. It is a 2005 model and as to the information provided by him does about 11-12Km/L in city limits. As for the Ak12 argument I also drive a Toyota Passo (father's vehicle) and I prefer the AK12. The Passo is a 1000cc and does only about 9.5-10 Km/L in city limits. Furthermore the ride is not smooth as the older AK12 (2002 manufactured). Anyhow all of these are personal preferences which will obviously vary depending on the particular individual.

Point noted. There are three models of the particular car. K12, AK12 and BK12. K12 having an engine capacity of 1000CC. Ak12 and BK12 having an engine capacity of 1240CC and 1380CC respectively. "The k-10 was so reamed that it was cheaper to fix a k-12 in there"- I do not understand the meaning of this phrase, please clarify if possible. Furthermore the observations of this particular Nissan March AK12 seems to be vehicle specific as a result of very bad maintenance.

I would recommend a March Ak12. Recently bought it. The fuel consumption of the vehicle is very good. Does about 10.8-11KM/L (90 Octane) in city limits. The second hand market of vehicles has crashed at the moment. Now is a good time to go for a vehicle as the prices of such will most probably go up (As a result of the tax revision on used vehicles). Please look at the ownership of the vehicle. Go for a 1st owner vehicle registered in that person's own name if you can. Also if your budget is 1.7 million, do not buy the vehicle for that price as you should have at least 50k spare for the necessary things that you most probably will have to do after buying a second hand vehicle. You might have to spend for engine oil, ATF fluid, tyres, Air and Oil filter, engine and under carriage wash, interior cleaning etc. depending on the particular vehicle that you hope to buy and your personal specifications. If I am only given the choice on the vehicles that you have submitted would go for swift, 1.3. Still might have to look a bit, as on my little knowledge it goes for more than that unless if there is a catch somewhere.

I went to a Laugfs for the first time to pump petrol. In particular this was the Havelock Town Laugfs Shed. They only have 95 Octane and they pump from a Ceypetco petrol pump. Still the service is very professional. They never rush you. Also less congested as it only has 95 Octane at Rs.170/= a Liter. The only issue with Laugfs is that they have a bare minimum number of Sheds and some of their service stations do not sell fuel (Like their service station opposite Arpico Dehiwela). Although they seem to be renovating that place. Hopefully they will start selling fuel there.

Furthermore I guess as the topic is being discussed certain details which do not meet the eye on normal occasions is grabbing my attention. Has anybody noticed that the numbers on the display panels on some of the pumps in petrol sheds is very difficult to read especially at night?