Good Mechanics/ Technicians/ Workshops

[The Don]

Sadly the best of cars break down at some point, and we need the help of a mechanic to get our prides and joys back working.

Sadly there are many maka basses out there, who have very shallow understanding, and perform unnecessary make shift repairs that compromise our vehicles in the long run.

In Auto Lanka we have heard horror stories as well as great feedback on mechanics and workshops which does excellent.

I thought it would be great to keep this information together, so members can find a recommended technician in their area.

Some caveats.

1. Only share POSITIVE experiences, to stop this thread from hijacked by petty arguments

2. Only share your own experiences, not things you have heard from other people

3. State your car (model and year) the nature of the repair, your vehicle, name of the mechanic who attended, and basically a balanced overview (positive and negative)

4. State the location of the garage

5. Please no advertising, only feedback, and any OT comments, will be removed.

[The Don]

And I will start by sharing information about a mechanic who has been my family's primary mechanic since 1996. His name is Sisira and he mostly works by himself in a little garage in a Pepiliyana road (just after the bridge on the right if you are travelling from Gansaba junction).

He's good for all forms of mechanical repairs in petrol and diesel vehicles (engine repairs, brakes, suspension etc) but not so good at diagnosing electronic issues (ECU, sensors, check engine lights etc) as he is old school and does not have a scanner etc.

He is also not good for automatic transmissions.

You also have to tell him the quality of part you want replaced, and better yet buy him the goods yourself, as if you let him buy parts, sometimes he will try to save you money (all good intentions) and buy cheaper parts.

But he has never scammed us by inflating the price of parts he has bought on our behalf, which I think is fundamental, as most other guys I've been to have pulled that scam on me.

But the most important thing is this. In all this time, I've not had a single item stolen, swapped, broken by him in our family cars, and he has gone out of his way to get our cars started at home. So we have no hesitation of leaving our cars there, and we rarely have had to take them back (like all there has been a few mistakes, but sorted out quickly enough).

His charges are also very reasonable, and I often overpay since I think what he asks is too low.

[Croozer]

Hey Don,

I met Sisira about 2 years ago when my axle broke right on top of the Pepiliyana bridge on a Sunday evening (peak hours as it was the last weekend before Christmas).

It was a hell of time as the bridge itself was under repair and only one way traffic was allowed while the busy Christmas season was around. The traffic actually queued up to Gamsaba Junc as well as Pepiliyana Junc and apparently traffic cops too turned out

It was Sisira who volunteered and helped me even though he was almost off for the day and about to leave. We struggled a lot and had to lift / push the car in order to release the traffic.

Since then he has been handling all my repairs up to date and I have no complaints so far.

Very reasonable charges and quality job. Very simple and honest guy.

[startyourengines]

As stated in the other threads, after years I believe I found a proper mechanic.

My car: 1999 Nissan Bluebird SU14

Mechanic details:

CN Electronics - 0714898606 (Chaminda)
No.11/5/5 Weliamuna Road Hendala, Wattala, Sri Lanka

If you are going from Mattakuliya, go straight from centre road towards wattala and at the first junction (hendala junc.) take a right and after you pass a kovil, there is a road to your left called weliamuna road. Take that and keep going straight for about 1 or 2kms and you will notice a jesus statue to your right (when you near the end of the road, not in the middle), turn in and go straight. You will see a huge place filled with cars and you're there.

Or

Just ask for Chaminda bass from tuk guys in weliamuna road.

Reasons:

I've been here twice. Once, to repair my instrument cluster which broke down the second I paid the cash to the first owner. It literally stopped working precisely after I paid the cash and got in and started her up. Funny story is, I turned around to look for the guy to ask him about the issue, but he vanished into thin air. Anyway, so I spent nearly 2 to 3 months trying to repair it, by taking it to several mechanics around wellawatte, kirulapone, dehiwala, kalubowila and mount lavania. Nothing worked except for CN Electronics. I kept the car there for a couple of nights since he had other cars to finish work in. He found the issue by using proper scanning tools and did an easy swap of a significant electronic chip/part and volla!! It still works like a charm. For that he charged me 13000/= which I believe was a bit too expensive, but he sorted the issue which no one could fix at all. If not for that fix, the car would be jumping back and forth (something to do with the electronic diesel injection and the instrument cluster) at normal speeds.

Secondly, I took it last week to fix an issue which came up after I cleaned the diesel pump at another place to reduce black smoke. This guy did something to the pump and after he fixed it, the car sounded like a muscle car (which I would've loved if it actually looked like one). So I took it to Chaminda (CN Electronics) and he told me to leave it overnight to cool off the engine. I went the very next day and started her up. It sounded like as if there was an engine swap to a petrol one. So quiet and smoke free. He charged me 3500/= which I gladly gave because I was very satisfied. He found a leak inside the diesel pump which was caused by the place I took it first, so he did his magic and all is well.

So far, I've been satisfied with his work even though he might charge a little over the top. I've never gone back to complain about something he did. The down-side apart from charges, you might have to remind him now and then about your urgency to get the vehicle back.

He uses proper tools, machines and ramps to check and repair vehicles.The place looks like an auto miraj place with a bit cheaper price range.

So goodluck to whoever needs help in mechanical or electronical issues. I hope you are satisfied with this place as I am.

P.S. He will definitely ask you, how you got to know him if you visit him from a far place. So just say a guy who owns bluebird su14 from wellawatte told you. Helps me reduce my charges next time I go. LOL.

Good luck guys.

[Crishan]

Hi, went to the place recently to fix all cylinder door locks of a old corolla wagon. Needed to repair 4 cylinder locks . this is what they did and you decide whether to go or not to go there.

1. Went there at about 11 am returned at about 5pm waited for a whole 6 hrs and still couldn't get the job done ( only 2 door locks were fixed). So had to go there next day. I left the other door locks with them for the next day after promising to finish up next day. I was expecting to wait but not for 6 hrs. Charged me 3000 thats 750 per lock.

2. Next day after calling them went there in the afternoon and staight away they fixed the locks. I thought finally the job was done but checks revealed 2 locks are still not proper. It seemed like they haven't done anything on the second day but just fixed it. Told the guy then and there and he was clueless didn't know what to do. Then aked me "can you come another day?"

Didn't want to argue with those guys about the job, it will only make me nervous in the end. So I got off of that place saying to them in my mind "pinata thiyaganin" and never will want to go there.

So far I have no idea what to do for the locks. I don't know whether i can buy new ones.

They may have done good jobs, but never in my case. If they cant do they shouldn't have accepted the job.

Good luck

Not sure whether this is the the same place I'm referring to, but I hope AL Mods will allow me to post the full name in order to help other fellow AL members to stay away from this shop.

Name of the shop : 'Tharaka Auto Windscreen (PVT) LTD'

Address : 519, High Level Road, Delkanda, Nugegoda.

Date of Visit : 22/11/2010

Time of Visit : 2.00pm

Tme left the shop : 7.00pm

Reason to visit : To service automatic window winders of all four doors of a Toyota Starlet

Bill amount : Rs 7150/=

Number of employees attended the job : 5

Initial reception was very fine from the shop owner but the service & the final outcome is totally unsatisfactory. Not worth for the money spent on the work. Stay away from this place.

[Niranjan de Silva]

First of all I must thank The Don for starting this thread. This thread will hopefully through time will be able to concentrate all the scattered information into the topic.

1. I have a Nissan March AK-12. I bought it in November last year. All this time the vehicles we have had were maintained by the company my father was working in. As the March was a personal acquisition I had to personally look into its maintenance and I did not have any previous experience to rely on. Through talking to people I found that there is this guy called Ravi Perera at No.595, Kandy Road, Bulugaha Junction, Kelaniya, just 1km after the Peliyagoda Flyover on the left hand side if your going to Kelaniya. Contact nos are . 0722-142143 and 0723-444444.

He specializes in Nissans and actually do not accept other brands of vehicles unless the person who owns the vehicle is a long standing customer, friend, relative etc.

His technical knowledge is very good especially as it is centered around one particular brand. Parts are cheap and his work is quality. Prices are very reasonable. The bottom line is that in my humble opinion if you have a Nissan he is the guy to go to for major repairs. Not knowing him much those days I have left my vehicle with all the documents and there has never been a scratch or anything out of place.

Cons.

As with any mechanic going to him has its slight flaws which if not pointed out I do not think would be a complete account of him. When you are good you will be stuck with so much of work sometimes more than you can handle. This is one disadvantage going to him. That is at one point of time he will be having so much of work. So you will have to give him two to three days maybe even a week to repair your vehicle unless it is a minor issue.

As I live in Mount Lavinia it is quite a hassle to go to Peliyagoda to fix every minor issue.

So my next question is are there any good garages that members could recommend me from the Mount Lavinia area to fix maybe minor issues that may crop up during the day to day running of a vehicle?

2. Headlight Cleaning

March Beatles are notorious for discoloration of their headlights. There was also water leaking into one of my headlights. Found a great place to do headlight cleaning and re-beading of headlights.

Randunu Head Light Cleaning - No.57/B, Papiliyana Road, Nadimala, Dehiwala. Contact Nos. 0776 273 477, 0714 255 322.

[wolseley]

A/C Repairs

A good A/C technician called Prasanna I've known for last 20 years. Almost from the starting of his business.

Humble person and knows his job. All the A/C repairs of my cars and of my bros are handled by him.

Thinon Engineers.

D.M.Kolombage Mawatha.

Nawala.

Just before the railway crossing when you come from the Open University end

[Crosswind]

Hey don, is sisira's nickname chuti by any chance? At the exact name location, I got some work done by a guy called chuti. Was okwith the work.

My trusted mechanic for any japanese car repairs is saman. His garage is in vihara lane wellawatta. 0712299000 He will alwys try to save money for u by getting cheap parts. Thats my only worry:-) His charges are very reasonable.

Another mehanic I recommend is, Pushpakumara @ nedimala junction.

Edited May 16, 2014 by Crosswind

[VWvortex]

Rds motor engineers madiwela. Owned and operated by a Mr. Yatawara. Highly recommended for any mechanical work on Japanese vehicles.

[The Don]

Hey don, is sisira's nickname chuti by any chance? At the exact name location, I got some work done by a guy called chuti. Was okwith the work.

My trusted mechanic for any japanese car repairs is saman. His garage is in vihara lane wellawatta. 0712299000 He will alwys try to save money for u by getting cheap parts. Thats my only worry:-) His charges are very reasonable.

Another mehanic I recommend is, Pushpakumara @ nedimala junction.

Chuti is a painter, and the owner of that garrage. Sisira works with him. Chuti used to be a really good painter, and I remember 15 years ago the metallic finish he used to deliver was top class. But with the advent of 2K paints which are trickier to use, the lack of a booth and old age, the quality of his work has gone down. I told this to him as somebody who has known him for 17 years as some constructive critisism.

The advantage for my family at least is that these guys are not crooks. Their charges are reasonable, and more than once he's got things sorted with insurance on our behalf, so its easy for my father and even my younger sister to deal with them (you guys I'm sure know what happens to girls when they go to mechanics, they get played till no end). But sadly Chuti has no permanent tinker, and I had to take this into consideration when it came to repairing my Mirage, so after a long hard thought its now with Indika, who has promised to fabricate the entire roof panel from scratch, rather than do a botch tinkering job, which is what I wanted. It was a sad day indeed.

Personally I have a policy of supporting the little guy. I'd usually overpay most mechanics, but have been played by a few as well.

[The Don]

I would also recommend Pit Stop which based in Borella/ Narahenpita, on the road alongside the cemetary and the British School of Colombo.

Took the family Swift HT51S for an ATF change, and they discovered an oil leak as well from the filter adapter packing, which they prompty resolved. The original Suzuki part with fitting was only 2000 odd rupees, and the ATF change was 9000 odd rupees and was done using their exchanger and BP Autotran Dextron III fluid (not Suzuki original). It made a noticable difference, particularly compared to the last time when I got the oil manually changed with the same ATF fluid, and it might be due to the flush and conditioner they used (both BG products) all included in the price.

All in all the job was complete in 2.5 hours (I do not know whehther it was because of my sisters doctor badge) and I was very impressed by their professionalism.

They reported a slight lag in changing gears before the ATF change so I took the car to the famed Auto specialist Nilwala Motors in Madiwela Road. He very kindly took a test drive and told me the automatic transmission was in perfect condition and didn't charge me a cent. To be honest I'm sure there are technicians out there who will find reasons to charge you and I appreciated his honesty. He has a very good reputation in Autolanka anyway and I hope this adds to that. Certainly is the man to go for any Automatic transmission problems.

[Harry (aq)]

The one and only mechanic I use other than the agents is "Sarath" (0112 76 46 49) in Peiris Avenue, Kalubiwila. He is about 800m down the Peiris avenue when you come from the side of Kalubowila teaching hospital. He is a properly educated, very reliable guy in his late 40s - early 50s have been operating there for a long time and has his own list of clients. He has 2-3 golayas working for him. he was recommended by one of my lecturers in uni and I have been with him ever since. From Starlet EP 76 to Lancer CS to Wagorn R have been in his care. I use him for the my mechanical repairs of the Lancer Ex currently but I have not given him the Punto yet for any mechanical repairs. All of my vehicles he took care of are manual transmissions but, majority of the vehicles I see in his place are automatic thus I guess he is good in both types of vehicles.

Very reasonable guy sometimes he even refuses to take money for jobs like changing break pads etc... buy I always make sure he is paid. He is cost conscious but is against use of cheep parts. He also does painting and other tinkering related work but he is a bit slow on delivery on these jobs as he is tied up daily with mechanical repairs. The biggest repair I did with him was the gear box repair including clutch pump, clutch plate and pressure plate replacement of my Lancer CS which I ran for 40K km after without any complaints.

I fully painted 2 cars (with in 3 years) of mine with him and both cost me only Rs 35,000 each including material and labour. However, he took 1.5 months to deliver the car in both the instances and did a very neat job.

[ramishkad]

Car Model : Honda Civic Hybrid FD3

YoM - 2011

Nature of Repair - Battery Control Module Software Update

Name and Location of Garage - Polgolla Automobile Service Station, 6th Mile Post, Madawala Road, Polgolla

Contact : 0812499067

Sharing a positive experience with this garage since they resolved a lingering problem I had. I have been wanting to update my Civic Hybrid battery control module software for a while now and could not find a place to do it. I even tried Stafford motors and wasn't impressed with the responses I got for my queries regarding the IMA battery , its type and various control module software in the IMA system. I was recommend this place by a friend and decided to give it a go. The owner ( Mr. Dinanjaya) had worked at Stafford motors for 5 or so years and seemed pretty knowledgeable about the subject matter when i talked over the phone and this was confirmed after I took my car to the place. He explained to me a lot about the bcm software, the update process, IMA battery and its types, etc etc and was very patient with my barrage of questions.

He performed one update, reset the IMA system but only charged me for the reset (there is another update due to be released another month and my car apparently needs that too). He seemed to use the Honda Diagnostic System (HDS) to perform the updates and seemed to be pretty up to date with Honda Service bulletins.

Another thing I noticed was that the garage had a high number of Honda vehicles so it must be a hit with Honda enthusiasts. For the couple hours I was there, there were two other FD3, an FD1 and an ES5 at the premises.

Negative Experiences - None so far. Will update if there are any since Im planning to go there for my regular services as well.

[nadisha]

went to Polgolla automobile service today for a service of my fit hybrid. Nice place, they are very patient with our questions. when I was there, there were few cars including 2 FD1 s, one FD3, and a EG1 my one was the fifth. will definitely visit them for the next time.

[The Don]

went to Polgolla automobile service today for a service of my fit hybrid. Nice place, they are very patient with our questions. when I was there, there were few cars including 2 FD1 s, one FD3, and a EG1 my one was the fifth. will definitely visit them for the next time.

Note my first post Nadisha. Please supply the information requested, as there needs to be enough information on these posts, else they become another home of passing comments.

[fairly]

For those who live around Wattala/Kandana/Ja-ela etc., I would recommend Waymax International - St. Xaviers Road, Ja-ela. Real professionals. Fully equipped workshop with electric jacks and a booth for painting.

[invisibleuser]

my vehicle type is toyota vios 2003 and up to date do everything from the place named Udara Motors, which is located in angampittaniya road, athulkotte. Really peaceful and cool place.reasonable prices though.

Edited July 23, 2014 by invisibleuser

[The Don]

Guys I must reiterate, when providing feedback on a workshop, PLEASE GIVE ENOUGH DETAILS as specified in my first post. Else this thread will serve no purpose. We need to know exact address, who you dealt with, the nature of the repair and feedback. Also no negative feedback! Please try to stick to this, else I'm going to have to try removing posts that don't conform.

We're trying to make autolanka into a useful resource where people can easily find the information they need. So please help us!

[tiv]

For the Kandy Chaps;

There is a Garage by the name of Weerasinghe Motors, bit into the Katugastota Guhagoda area about 1km from the Katugastota Bridge along the Katugastota- Gannoruwa Road (Guhagoda road), ( pls pm for more info on the location)

Have dealt major / minor repairs with almost all our vehicles including my former Defender since 2000

Reasons for Recommendation -

Very experienced, fast repairs (pops a cv joint in and out in 30min), no malingering and fooling about. Rather trustworthy as I have left my vehicles for weeks.

Cons-

No lathe / welding related bits

No electrical repairs

[bycap]

Hi,

There is a good place in ethul kotte, U*d*ra Mot*rs. an ex-toyota lanka technician. but currently he runs the place with some other mechanics. they do everything. service, fix mechanical problems, painting n tinckering etc.

Place is specialized for toyotas btw.

P.S

I just wanted to share this as today I got the membership. so happy to have the ability to post something here as I was a "non-authorised" member for a long time.

Edited August 28, 2014 by bycap

[HRV]

Car : Honda HRV GH4 JS4 CVT transmission.

Problem : On cold starts, moving on D/R from P would need some effort/revving. Few minutes after it starts moving, it's smooth.

Garage : Indika Motors at Salamulla, Kolonnawa (It's at the beginning of Gamini Road on IDH road.)

The owner (Indika) himself dismantled the CVT box into pieces and I was looking at how he broke the GB into pieces. He was pretty confident in what he was doing and diagnosed the problem quickly. I was offered with a 6 months guarantee for the repair and so far the problem didn't return back (Still only about a week after the repair, so it's too early to say for sure.)

Other than that he has few cars he rents out. I got a car from him while the repair was going and later he said that he don't need money for it. (Anyway I've paid him for that as well.)

All in all he seems to be a good guy and few of the other guys I've spoken were happy about his work. I wouldn't hesitate to go to him again if needed. Thanks Komi for recommending him earlier..

Edited September 12, 2014 by HRV

[Y3K]

Vehicle: IO

Technicians: Rangoda, Gayan and Sunimal

Place: You need to travel about 3KM, along Weboda Road, Kadawatha (pass ranmutugala junction towards kandy on kandy road and turn right at the IOC gas-station). There will be a board at your right hand side with the words "CT LIONEL RADIATORS" which marks the beginning of a by-road and a small shop at your left hand side. Ask from the shop where the repairing shop is situated and they will direct you (need to travel about 1.5-2 km on the by-road).

Opened on: Saturday/Sunday (will put their number after consulting).

Type of work: Mechanical, electronic, AC, ATF, Engine Oil changes, etc. (No body shop or painting)

Cons: Prepare to spend some time. initial estimates are not 100% accurate

Pros: 1.They are really honest and will frankly tell you what's wrong. If the issue is something they can't resolved will definitely let you know up front.

2. Most of the parts needed can be purchased from a famous shop in Kadawatha (either you can buy and provide or they will make the purchase and provide you the bill)

3. If needed and you do not have any connection or online purchasing capabilities, they will support you to bring down genuine OEM parts which is 1/3 cheaper than the company (as per my experience)

[aps]

A/C Repair recommondation (Moratuwa,Panadura)

My long-standing A/C issue fixed yesterday permanently.

Many try to fix but failed. Indika from Moratuwa fixed it

Resonable rates, Warranty (had issue due to bad engine mount. fix it for free yesterday)

Good about him – approch, skills, tools, speed, honest, respect customer’s knowlage and comments too

Place – he own the place. former Upali Electronics Building (if u know around moratuwa) if not go pass moratuwa town (color lights in Galle rd) 150m it’s in sea side just before 2^nd railway corssing from galle rd to sea side when u coming from town.

His Contact - 0779794968

Like to recommend for all vehicles

[VVTi]

I'm sure i mentioned that I got the oil changes (including gearbox and diff) and stuff done on the grey car at pit stop, as well as changed the wheel studs and sorted sticking calipers, didnt I?. Work is good. That bloke buddhika knows what he's doing, you know the guy as well right? I'm thinking they should be all right for that stuff and since you know them anyway will listen to instructions.

PitStop gets my vote. Buddhika is very competent. He has been looking after the P11, then the Pickup, then the Alfa, and the Subaru for basic stuff like oil changes and break bleeding etc. We recently got them to change the axel boots on all 4 wheels and it was done well and fast.

But when the shit really hits the fan, I trust no one but my friend and mechanic in Seeduwa.

The cars of mine have has fixed over the last 15 years...

1992 Ford T Bird, Mazda 626, (Both in KSA when he was my neighbour)

Mazda 323, Nissan P11, Toyota Platz, Nissan N16, BMW E36, E39, Alfa 164, Alfa 155, The Forester... and the Cedric and he is currently restoring the engines of 2 certain 510s...

From AC to electrical to busted engines, to almost all mechanical, he will either accept the job or say no at the onset.

He runs on his time, does not suffer fools with dumb questions and if you want plaster jobs, don't bother.

He has a smallish operation, with an access pit. Does the work himself only with a garage hand.

His name is Himal and the number is 0722864901.

References are myself, Komi Siripala and The Don...

Edited January 12, 2015 by VVTi

[Devinda_Z]

PitStop gets my vote. Buddhika is very competent. He has been looking after the P11, then the Pickup, then the Alfa, and the Subaru for basic stuff like oil changes and break bleeding etc. We recently got them to change the axel boots on all 4 wheels and it was done well and fast.

But when the shit really hits the fan, I trust no one but my friend and mechanic in Seeduwa.

The cars of mine have has fixed over the last 15 years...

1992 Ford T Bird, Mazda 626, (Both in KSA when he was my neighbour)

Mazda 323, Nissan P11, Toyota Platz, Nissan N16, BMW E36, E39, Alfa 164, Alfa 155, The Forester... and the Cedric and he is currently restoring the engines of 2 certain 510s...

From AC to electrical to busted engines, to almost all mechanical, he will either accept the job or say no at the onset.

He runs on his time, does not suffer fools with dumb questions and if you want plaster jobs, don't bother.

He has a smallish operation, with an access pit. Does the work himself only with a garage hand.

His name is Himal and the number is 0722864901.

References are myself, Komi Siripala and The Don...

+1 (or is it 2/3 now lol) for chubby Buddhika

He's done basic work on a few cars - no fuss no mess