G'day fellas, long time lurker, first time poster.

bought a 2001 TJ wagon 6 months back, coming from an accord euro. paid $2500, had done 180k. has been pretty reliable but not without its kinks. Just wondering if anyone from experience can give me a rough idea what I am up for price wise on the following? I took it to midas (LOL) for a $100 oil change and fluid top up and they gave me the usual list of work needing done:

- Heater core blown, and subsequently bypassed by previous owner (low priority)
- Needs 4 new shocks
- nearly at 200k now so new timing belt
- Leaking oil pretty badly possibly from the rear gasket? Worth doing at the same time as timing belt?
- Drive belt needs replacing

Any recommendations for magna mechanics in southern suburbs? (Brighton area)

Cheers

Budget another $2.5K for those jobs.

You won't save any labour doing the rear rocker cover gasket with the timing belt. The drive belts come off when doing the timing belt, so they should do it for just the cost of the belt ($30-$40). I'd get a 2nd opinion on the shocks.

I've TJ 2001 wagon too.

Heater core was bypassed for a reason - bit of a mission to replace aka whole dash out I think, buy some woolly socks

Rear shocks in the Wagon are dead simple to change - shop around for cheap ebay ones if you only want a few years out of them or big brand names for long term, Front shocks are best changed by a professional unless you are somewhat experienced with mechanics as compressing the springs is very dangerous if not done right, the struts are again like the rears, cheap or a bran name

Timing belt at 200,000km if you have no history consider the water pump and tensioner as well - don't skimp buy original stuff as the cheap stuff is no good, budget $1000 for a competent mechanic, at this mileage probably get the cam and crank seals done too - shouldn't add too much to price.

Do front and rear rocker covers and plug stem seals - ls than $100 for parts, the back bank is a pain but a good mechanic should charge a max of 2-3 hours labour. - put new Platinum/iridium plugs in the back at the same time.

Replace the belts as part of the timing belt exercise as they have to come off anyway.

If you did this as a job lot from a good mitsi mechanic you should get out of it for under $2000 just - but have a good solid car after that.

Awesome - thanks for the replies.

From the research I have done, a lot of people mention replacing the rear bank of spark plugs at the same time as the timing belt change, if this is the case I assume i should do the rear rocker cover and plug stem seals then also?

I seriously doubt i can afford to do all of this in one hit - but sounds like a lot should be done when the timing belt is done.

any south aussies recommend a good mechanic?

Buy Original stuff, not on your nelly given that "Original" stuff is not even made by Mitsubishi.....

Timing belt kits, most Japanese parts are fine, Mits use Dayco Belts, Koyo Bearings and NOK seals. We use Sun belts here also Japanese. IF you are going to get your own parts, (timing kit for example from us is $149 posted) then make sure the mechanic is willing to fit it as most will not fit parts supplied by customers.

Do the water pump at 200k for sure, rest is not that big a drama either