Hey guys, just had my magna serviced and the mechanic found quite a few things in need of replacement, just hoping someone can give me some advice on whether or not he is being fair with his prices

he gave me the following approximate quotes for parts + labor:
replacing muffler - $300
replacing both drive shafts - $500
replacing all engine belts - $100
replacing timing chain - $800 (requires engine block be lifted out)

I dont have the tools or experience to do this kind of work myself so DIY is out of the question.

as far as the timing chain goes, there is a rattle when the car is first started for about 2 seconds then it goes away when the oil pressure builds up, does this mean the timing chain needs replacing? the mechanic told me that the chain would get progressively looser over the next 12 months or so until the rattle was permanent at which point the car would no longer be driveable until the chain was replaced. Is this the case or are there other possible (cheaper) problems that could be causing this rattle?

would really appreciate any advice here, cash is in short supply right now (new baby)

thanks,

What is the breakdown of cost of labour and parts (you have put total cost quoted per item) If you are not sure ask him to tell you,

What muffler is he proposing to fit? $300 seems excessive to me if just replacing with a standard TR/TS muffler.

Drive shafts price you were quoted also seem bit dear too (the actual shafts are not that expensive, i just bourght a pair for my TR)

Replacing the engine belts for $100 seems ok though. (Alternator belt and A/C belts)

Timing chain for $800 seems about right as they do require quite a bit of work to replace.
I've heard that its a suggested to replace timing chain @ 150,000kms.
However i'm at 200,000kms on the same timing chain for my TR and all is good for the moment. Touch wood

I think it best you ring around for more quotes. Have another mechanic check if what has been told to you is really what is needing to be fixed.

What problems are you experiencing with your TS that lead you to take the car to your mechanic? Was it just a general service you went in for?

Yeh i just took it in for a general service, was told to expect problems with the muffler/exhaust during the last service 6 months ago, and the rattling from the chain had been noticeable over the last few weeks as oil leaks were leading to low oil levels at times and the low pressure exacerbated things

He told me the drive shafts would be $220 each, so $440 for parts +$50-100 for labour
the muffler he said would be about $200-250 (he wasnt certain) +$50 for labour

It may pay for you to ring around for quotes at different places, I think my driveshafts cost me about 400 fitted through adelaide cv joints

All those things are problems that are normal for the car of its age and Km. Prices quoted seem ok. It's up to you, to get the mechanic to do the jobs, or do them yourself, or think about another car. Something younger and with less km. A lot of TS 4 cylinder Magnas are at the wreckers in same condition as yours. It's called the "end of life" syndrome.:eek2: There will be other problems as well, that would surface in the future.

If you are short on $ just drive it until it dies.

thats a good point, although the car has been running on LPG since about 100,000km, as far as i know that means less engine wear and a longer life, is that correct? if not and the car is just going to keep needing work then something newer might be the better way to go.

Yah up to weather to spend the money on a older car or get something newer with less kms.

Personal my TRactor is over 300xxx kms and still going strong lol But I have pour money into it and wont see it back :) But it a very reliable car and hasn't let me down. So I'm in the process of making it better and saving it from the wreckers. Which means pouring more money into a car that has no value what so ever :D

How much rego is left on it?
Bin it and get a KS Verada instead. You can find them for around $1500 these days with all power options etc. etc.

thats a good point, although the car has been running on LPG since about 100,000km, as far as i know that means less engine wear and a longer life, is that correct? if not and the car is just going to keep needing work then something newer might be the better way to go.

I know this is used as a "selling point" for LPG, but the exhaust and timing chain aren't affected by this, In fact, if you got 245,000 km out of the original chain and guides, you have done extremely well. There's nothing else in the front of the engine that could rattle so the timing chain problem is easy to diagnose. Most mechanics can pick chain rattle just by listening to the car idle. lol

I worked out many years ago from keeping records that running a 10 year old car required $1 extra for rego, tyres and general maintainance for every $1 you spend on petrol, if you do the work yourself. It only gets worse as the car gets older. If you add up all of the quoted work, and look around at what is available at that price, it might make your mind up on what to do. In the meantime, drive it until it grinds to a halt.

Just don't buy a third gen Magna near the 100 or 200 thousand Km mark as the timing belt replacement is expensive. lol

thanks so much for the help/advice guys, much appreciated :)