Request Information On A Good Mechanic/ Workshop And Discussion

Devinda_Z · January 14, 2015

On 1/14/2015 at 3:18 AM, VVTi said:
Rexton Motors, Ruwan, near the Fire Brigade.

Damn it had i logged in earlier i'd have had time to have it sorted - was in that area also

Any idea how much i should aim to pay if i have to replace the actuators on the door locks??

VVTi · January 14, 2015

Depends... he is competent enough to fix if its not that badly damaged. If not you might have to go for a Chinese actuator system and may have to replace all 4 along with the receiver. If you are going, let me know, I want to replace the faulty CL in the Alfa also... she locks herself up for no reason now. Might get a discount if 2 units are bought at once.

Devinda_Z · January 14, 2015

On 1/14/2015 at 10:11 AM, VVTi said:
Depends... he is competent enough to fix if its not that badly damaged. If not you might have to go for a Chinese actuator system and may have to replace all 4 along with the receiver. If you are going, let me know, I want to replace the faulty CL in the Alfa also... she locks herself up for no reason now. Might get a discount if 2 units are bought at once.

sounds like a plan - any idea how much all that might cost if we end up having to get 4?

VVTi · January 16, 2015

I fixed a keyless enter on the Alfa 164 from Ruwan with NO actuators for 5k. With Actuators it might be more.

roshan2015 · March 17, 2015

On 3/12/2015 at 5:22 AM, NRX said:
Dude! It's in Akarawita, not Kirindiwita
As for your issue, Your tyre size could be different from the manufacturer specifications. Check that out first. If that fails get your car to a place where a hoist is available and ask them to lift the car and check while the wheels are spinning. Did you try with Glitz park ? If it fails try Jayasinghe Auto in Naiwala (http://www.jayasingheauto.lk/), bit expensive though.

Ah my bad!

Yes, in Akarawita. I did try Jayasinha auto one time, but they couldn't find the problem. Good idea to check the tire size. my problem is I work abroad and whenever I go home, I have lots of previous commitments to attend to. Anyway, thanks for suggestions.

ravindasenarath · May 26, 2015

Hi guys,

I have kept an eye on this article because I need to fix A/C(not cold enough) of my Mazda BJ5P. I would like to do a full repair on the A/C system so I like to find a place that do good clean job with proper equipment. So anyone know such a place around Nugegoda, Maharagama area?

BTW I saw couple of places in this tread(aps - panadura etc).

Rumesh88 · May 26, 2015

On 5/26/2015 at 6:25 AM, ravindasenarath said:
Hi guys,
I have kept an eye on this article because I need to fix A/C(not cold enough) of my Mazda BJ5P. I would like to do a full repair on the A/C system so I like to find a place that do good clean job with proper equipment. So anyone know such a place around Nugegoda, Maharagama area?

BTW I saw couple of places in this tread(aps - panadura etc).

Why not try the place mentioned in Post #10 on his thread. It's in Nawala but close to Nugegoda.

trinity · May 26, 2015

On 3/12/2015 at 3:03 AM, Davy said:
Read this thread a couple of times but couldn't actually make a post here. So here goes...
I used to live in Seeduwa from my childhood up until 2011. So used to go to the workshops with my dad when I was little and he always took his cars to this one place called "Roadstar Motor Works" in Seeduwa (map). After I could drive, I took the car to this place too. In fact, this is the place I restored my 1979 Lancer at. The owner is Mr. Ajith Hemachandra, a retired MINI Race Driver who is passionate about everything on wheels among a lot of other gadgets. He is the creator of the V-TEC powered MINI that we have a thread (here) about.

Based on over 10 years of working with him, I think he is a very knowledgeable person and is good at what he does. He specializes in all types of mechanical repairs ranging from tune ups to diagnostic scans up until full engine overhauls. I always insisted that he paid personal attention on my vehicles because most of his staff are not as perfect as he is at what they do, so his personal intervention is essential to make sure that things go right. His charges are also easy. Even after moving to Athurugiriya later, I still didn't hesitate to make the trip all the way to Seeduwa to get my repairs done.

I think Lal Alawatta's work is also good, but I guess most of you know about his attitude problem and will not consider him as an option. After a couple of visits to his place (all good - repairs are solid), I ended up not going there mainly because he doesn't know how to talk to his customers. My dad doesn't seem to have a problem with him though, maybe he respects people who are older than him and treats others like sh!t; especially if he gets to know that you know a thing or two about cars.

Oi, your map link directs to freakin Nigeria...

ravindasenarath · May 27, 2015

@Rumesh88 @Crosswind

Thanks guys

Rudimental · May 27, 2015

Hi AL members

Can anyone recommend a good technician / workshop that specializes of has vast knowledge & experiences with Rotary engines.

MasterDon · May 27, 2015

On 5/27/2015 at 6:06 AM, Rudimental said:
Hi AL members
Can anyone recommend a good technician / workshop that specializes of has vast knowledge & experiences with Rotary engines.

Debug at Dehiwala maintained my RX7s when i had them and did a great job, but I haven't been a customer for ages so I don't know the current situation.

isam · June 1, 2015

Very informative thread. Thanks for all the Auto Lanka members who shared, and The Don for starting this thread.

Can you recommend any good place for tinkering and paint jobs near Thalawathugoda or Baththaramulla. I don't mind going far to get a proper quality job done.

Thanks in advance.

vishkid · June 1, 2015

On 5/27/2015 at 9:12 AM, MasterDon said:
Debug at Dehiwala maintained my RX7s when i had them and did a great job, but I haven't been a customer for ages so I don't know the current situation.

+1 for debug, my brother goes there for his RX-8. Mazna will take care of rotaries too but I wouldn't call them a specialist

ravindasenarath · June 3, 2015

@Crosswind

I couldn't post an answer to you earlier. Yeah it is not cooling enough. When I buy the vehicle is wasn't cooling that good. It was OK for one or two people, but when five people on people start sweating. So I went to a local A/C repair guy at Galle. Called "Kankutta"(No disrespect but that is the name people know him by). He said he need to disassemble whole A/C system to find whether there is a leak of refrigerant. He also suggest lets top up refrigerant and check after some time as a option. Since I needed the vehicle that evening I ask to top up refrigerant( he says it around half of what should be there before topping up) . He ask for 1500 and says he is only charging for the refrigerant. How ever after topping up A/C was super cool and there was condensation on the pipe. Now it has been around two month or more and cool of A/C got law by time. So I guess there must be a leak right?

The Don · June 3, 2015

On 6/3/2015 at 7:23 AM, ravindasenarath said:
@Crosswind
I couldn't post an answer to you earlier. Yeah it is not cooling enough. When I buy the vehicle is wasn't cooling that good. It was OK for one or two people, but when five people on people start sweating. So I went to a local A/C repair guy at Galle. Called "Kankutta"(No disrespect but that is the name people know him by). He said he need to disassemble whole A/C system to find whether there is a leak of refrigerant. He also suggest lets top up refrigerant and check after some time as a option. Since I needed the vehicle that evening I ask to top up refrigerant( he says it around half of what should be there before topping up) . He ask for 1500 and says he is only charging for the refrigerant. How ever after topping up A/C was super cool and there was condensation on the pipe. Now it has been around two month or more and cool of A/C got law by time. So I guess there must be a leak right?

There is a leak, most probably from the evaporator as the fins tend to corode and leak.That can sometimes be repaired by welding but if there excessive leaks replacement is needed.

If you are lucky it could just be a seal.

Usually the leak can be identified by removing the cover on the evaporator and seeing if any compressor lubricant has leaked out which is a sign the leak is from there. Else all the lines will need to be inspected.

ACs need to be serviced from time to time to prevent gunk forming on the evaporator and to replace the lubricant for the compressor.

ravindasenarath · June 5, 2015

Thanks @Don

Guys, If you can add a google map link of the workshop you recommend that would be wonderful isn't it?

isam · June 10, 2015

On 6/9/2015 at 5:44 AM, ravindasenarath said:
I repaired my A/D from ACTO A/C Repairs Nugegoda and I think I could recommend that place to anyone else too.
Map - https://www.google.lk/maps/@6.8746881,79.8979251,281m/data=!3m1!1e3

Job : Unfortunately one of previous owners of may Mazda BJ5P has replaced it's condenser with a bad non Mazda one. It has been leaking( I guess the previous owner has top up the refrigerant when he was selling the car bcz I found A/C as good at that time). It had a bad cooling fan had to replace it. They Cleaned(did it very well) all parts. Changed compressor oil. Replaced all rubber seals. vacuumed the system. System filled with refrigerant. Checked and verified the performance.

Cost : 20000

I haven't done a A/C repair before so I'm can't comment on the price( Feel like bit hight but I wouldn't mind since I got job done well.

Don't know about Mazda spare part costs, but did the 20k include the price of condenser as well? Otherwise it seems to be a ripoff! But if they include the original condenser that could be a fair price (depending on the Mazda spare-part prices).

Edited June 10, 2015 by isam

ravindasenarath · June 11, 2015

On 6/10/2015 at 9:41 AM, isam said:
Don't know about Mazda spare part costs, but did the 20k include the price of condenser as well? Otherwise it seems to be a ripoff! But if they include the original condenser that could be a fair price (depending on the Mazda spare-part prices).

Yes it includes everything. Condenser, Fan motor, all rubber seals replaced, new hoses, etc. Mazda spare parts are expensive.

Edited June 11, 2015 by ravindasenarath

GoDDy · June 14, 2015

Hi, can anyone recommend me a good mobile repair service in and around colombo?....I have a Toyota Vitz and its not running(engine stalls) which i believe is because of the rats which had bitten the injector wire but need a mechanic to come and check.

The Don · June 15, 2015

Its obvious that a lot of enquiries in the forum relate to people wanting information on a mechanic or work person for a particular issue.

Now I thought the good mechanics workshops thread will offer a good reference, but frankly a lot of people are too lazy to read.

So I've created this thread to stop the other thread from filling up with irrelevant conversations, and information becoming hard to find.

Please use this for that reason.

ThunderBolt · June 25, 2015

Anyone has any experience with "UR Motor Care" Old Nawala Road ? Owners name is Sampath. Or a Good place to maintain MAZDA AXELA car around colombo. Would appreciate ur help.

Edited June 25, 2015 by ThunderBolt

SamG · June 25, 2015

No experience with UR Motor Care. Best places I know for Mazda's are Mazna Motors, Pepiliyana and Colonial Motors (agents).

Seeker LK · August 16, 2015

Can someone recommend me a mechanic who would come with me to inspect a vehicle. I have seen a vitz and liked it, but since this is going to be my first car I'd need it to be checked by an expert.

Thanks in advance.

top tip · August 17, 2015

Can anyone suggest me a reputed mechanic for SUVs . toyota prado trj150 specually.

sachipahath · August 20, 2015

guys i am having continues problems with my bj5 ecu. the main one is that the unstable rpm meter. some times the rpm goes up & down when its idling. pls help me to resolve this.do i have to replace the ecu? where can i find one? and my car is a 1.6cc manual.

Please help me to find a good place.