Major Servicing. Parts replacement*

[Tmtemps2w]

they use ACE or ACL engine oil, cannot remember the name exactly.

[Good-Carbuyer]

wat agent?

TTS

[5936]

The advantage of owning a TOYOTA is ease of Svc and repair.

As long you can get mechanics and parts, you can go anywhere to have it maintained.

I jiustt done major Svc last week while in MY for holidays.

Brought own lEO, water pump belt, and bought from local parts shops ATF for GB &rear axle, and oil filter.

Labour for all these Rm$95, and all done in 2 hours.

 

 

 

[Eddielawson]

Done my normal service in JB last week. 4l full synthetic EO, oil filter, blow air-con filter( still usable), air filter( hurricane), Asked my mech to clean up trottle body using carburetor spray since it's accessible now after taking out air filter. Suck out power steering oil( very black) and replenished new oil. Before he drain out old eo, he pour a 1l oil( sort of detergent) to flush engine for about 10minutes with engine running. Total bill after conversion S$132.

[Mits_jc]

After seeing this review, those who bought the recent Groupon for this GSC AUTO for servicing, better think twice!!!!

 

May be agent is still better, if you encounter the same terrible experience as me.

 

I drive a Nissan Presage and in Feb 2012 I sent my 6-year-old car to GSC Auto for a comprehensive service, I was told that it needs an engine-overhaul and cost more than a thousand dollars. The car was absolutely smooth before this as it was well maintained by the agent Tan Chong Motors, but I was told that this is needed to ensure that it runs smoothly for the next few years. I took the advice and paid accordingly as the COE is high and I need to use the car for some important events middle of the year.

 

Within 3 months the overhaul, in May 2012 the engine stopped working for a few seconds while I was on CTE high-way, I sent the car to GSC Auto again and at the same time for another full service. This time I was told that it cost more than a thousand dollars again to replace some parts that were previously not detected. I was assured that this time there will not be any issues. As I need to use the car for some important events end of June I reluctantly paid.

 

One and a half months later this morning my car could not be started. This is possibly due to battery being exhausted but I am surprised that the full service last month could not detect this. When I asked GSC Auto to come and take a look, I waited for more than 2 and a half hours before a staff call me back and informed that if they come they have to keep my car for a few days as they are quite busy this period. I therefore could not use the car during my important event, I am clearly crushed.

 

The above event is true, my car number plate is SJU8292S. One lesson is that I possibly should not have gone to GSC Auto or any workshops other than the agent. I was trying to save my family some money during hard times but it may have been a wrong choice.

 

Any advice, please share.

 

[Mits_jc]

Don't spray too often if you don't take out the TB for cleaning. Some have experience MAF sensor fouling after spraying too much of these cleaners.

 

Best if mechanic can remove TB and spray/clean it, instead of doing the short cut method.

 

Done my normal service in JB last week. 4l full synthetic EO, oil filter, blow air-con filter( still usable), air filter( hurricane), Asked my mech to clean up trottle body using carburetor spray since it's accessible now after taking out air filter. Suck out power steering oil( very black) and replenished new oil. Before he drain out old eo, he pour a 1l oil( sort of detergent) to flush engine for about 10minutes with engine running. Total bill after conversion S$132.

 

[Yuan]

A properly serviced engine will not need any overhaul for at least 10 years, esp a NA engine, so why choose to do overhaul esp when there is no problem? Sometimes it's good to ask around before doing any such major work.

 

Yes and this is correct.

[Yuan]

Don't spray too often if you don't take out the TB for cleaning. Some have experience MAF sensor fouling after spraying too much of these cleaners.

 

Best if mechanic can remove TB and spray/clean it, instead of doing the short cut method.

 

I understand from some mechanics that to remove and clean the TB is the preferred method.

[Yuan]

i did my servicing for my sunny 07' model a few days ago.

Damage breakdown:

eng oil - $70

oil filter - $30

Fan belt - $20

Alt belt - $35

labour - $50

total: $205

is this price reasonable?

 

The oil filter looks very expensive. My previous Jap car oil filter only cost me five dollars.

[Yuan]

May be agent is still better, if you encounter the same terrible experience as me.

 

I drive a Nissan Presage and in Feb 2012 I sent my 6-year-old car to GSC Auto for a comprehensive service, I was told that it needs an engine-overhaul and cost more than a thousand dollars. The car was absolutely smooth before this as it was well maintained by the agent Tan Chong Motors, but I was told that this is needed to ensure that it runs smoothly for the next few years. I took the advice and paid accordingly as the COE is high and I need to use the car for some important events middle of the year.

 

Within 3 months the overhaul, in May 2012 the engine stopped working for a few seconds while I was on CTE high-way, I sent the car to GSC Auto again and at the same time for another full service. This time I was told that it cost more than a thousand dollars again to replace some parts that were previously not detected. I was assured that this time there will not be any issues. As I need to use the car for some important events end of June I reluctantly paid.

 

One and a half months later this morning my car could not be started. This is possibly due to battery being exhausted but I am surprised that the full service last month could not detect this. When I asked GSC Auto to come and take a look, I waited for more than 2 and a half hours before a staff call me back and informed that if they come they have to keep my car for a few days as they are quite busy this period. I therefore could not use the car during my important event, I am clearly crushed.

 

The above event is true, my car number plate is SJU8292S. One lesson is that I possibly should not have gone to GSC Auto or any workshops other than the agent. I was trying to save my family some money during hard times but it may have been a wrong choice.

 

Any advice, please share.

 

There is some information about the workshop GSC Auto in this forum. You may wish to go read it.

[Edstan]

Interesting topic close to the hearts of many car owners.

 

Servicing at ADs' workshops is better THEORETICALLY because:

- they have specific workshop manuals and updates;

- they have correct tools for the job;

- they have correct and authentic replacement parts.

 

Said THEORETICALLY because reality of it is different. Have experienced 2 different ADs, and must say the experience has been far from satisfactory. Worst experience has been with M**d*. I documented and confronted them on their incompetence and failure to perform what they were supposed to do on several occasions. Once they did a job (alignment) which was totally wrong and tried to BS me. I insisted that the service manager retrieve M**d*'s workshop manual for my car model and proved to them that they were wrong. List of rubbish from them goes on, but let's spare further details.

 

There's nothing wrong with independent workshops, provided you've found their mechanics to be competent. Once you've found such mechanics, STICK WITH THEM! Follow them to their next workshop should they move. Such mechanics are getting very hard to find. But of course, in the first place it pays to be better educated so you actually know and understand what's going on, and this really is the only way you can tell if they are competent. IMHO, the industry has become rampant with sheer incompetence, cutting of corners and even fraud.

 

 

[Dumb]

My car is serviced by AD from day one cause I never trust outside WS except for change of tyres and battery.

 

Nearly 6 years and after 182k mileage I spent $3,937 on service package which include servicing and parts like brake pads, belting, wipers. wheel alignment, lightings etc according to the service manual.

 

Besides servicing cost, I paid extra $1,311 for some major parts like suspension, radiator. brake leak etc. Excluding tyres and battery, to-date the above is ALL I paid for using the car almost 6 years with another 3 servicing to 210k mileage paid in advance.

 

Using AD gives me peace of mind, knowing my car is in good hand and in good condition even after 182k mileage. I dont even bother to open my bonnet to check for issue all these years. Even day trips to JB and Mid Valley twice, I dont bother check anything except tyre pressure.

 

To-date, most costly is petrol that came close to $25k.

 

[So_nice]

May be agent is still better, if you encounter the same terrible experience as me.

 

I drive a Nissan Presage and in Feb 2012 I sent my 6-year-old car to GSC Auto for a comprehensive service, I was told that it needs an engine-overhaul and cost more than a thousand dollars. The car was absolutely smooth before this as it was well maintained by the agent Tan Chong Motors, but I was told that this is needed to ensure that it runs smoothly for the next few years. I took the advice and paid accordingly as the COE is high and I need to use the car for some important events middle of the year.

 

Within 3 months the overhaul, in May 2012 the engine stopped working for a few seconds while I was on CTE high-way, I sent the car to GSC Auto again and at the same time for another full service. This time I was told that it cost more than a thousand dollars again to replace some parts that were previously not detected. I was assured that this time there will not be any issues. As I need to use the car for some important events end of June I reluctantly paid.

 

One and a half months later this morning my car could not be started. This is possibly due to battery being exhausted but I am surprised that the full service last month could not detect this. When I asked GSC Auto to come and take a look, I waited for more than 2 and a half hours before a staff call me back and informed that if they come they have to keep my car for a few days as they are quite busy this period. I therefore could not use the car during my important event, I am clearly crushed.

 

The above event is true, my car number plate is SJU8292S. One lesson is that I possibly should not have gone to GSC Auto or any workshops other than the agent. I was trying to save my family some money during hard times but it may have been a wrong choice.

 

Any advice, please share.

 

certain work$hop cannot go one lah.

[Eddielawson]

Don't spray too often if you don't take out the TB for cleaning. Some have experience MAF sensor fouling after spraying too much of these cleaners.

 

Best if mechanic can remove TB and spray/clean it, instead of doing the short cut method.

Noted with thanks. Indeed after driving off, experience fluctuating slow on the first part of my journey back to SG. There after, smooth driving.

[LinWencheng]

Latest update, I got an outside battery supplier (dail-a-car-battery), fixed the car within 45 mins and carried out my event.

 

I then complained to GSC Auto, after discussions GSC Auto offered to provide a free service check or calibrate the battery (since it is installed by a third party).

 

I am going there this afternoon and hope it will be improved.

[Pplater]

Battery must calibrate meh?

[Mcfguy]

shell autoserv 60K servicing package using Shell Ultra Helix at $118. Any one tried? Do they recommend things to change outside of the package? Like belt or anything? My is Old Altis.

[Loki]

shell autoserv 60K servicing package using Shell Ultra Helix at $118. Any one tried? Do they recommend things to change outside of the package? Like belt or anything? My is Old Altis.

 

I drove a PI Wish for 4 years and serviced with Autoserv from Day 1. Absolutely no problem but you gotta know and tell them at the relevant intervals to flush ATF, change timing belt etc. Normal servicing items they will do but ATF, belts etc you have to tell them cuz they will not track for you