Can anyone recommend a general mechanic in downtown Van area? My car needs work and it has to be towed to the shop... Thx.
Help - I need a mechanic in downtown Van
- Thread starter Willingham
- Start date
I can wait until tomorrow - it makes a loud squeal when I start it up and start moving. Once I move about 50 feet, the squeal stops and then it will make a slight squealing sound on idle.
I think its a belt or maybe the water pump...like I said I can wait until this week. I just want recommendations on a shop close to me in downtown.
I think its a belt or maybe the water pump...like I said I can wait until this week. I just want recommendations on a shop close to me in downtown.
Yep, sounds like a belt problem. Short term solution is to run a bar of soap on the sides of the belt which somehow decreases the vibration.
(note, all noise is a function of vibration of some sort)
Better to get a good mechanic though, some will go to town on your vehicle add on as much "make work" billing as possible. BCAA have a list of mechanics who are affiliated with them. In cases of disputes BCAA will act as an arbitrator.
Tip, the best are normally very busy and you will need to book with them.
Stay away from Canadian Tire, reputation is pretty bad.
Good Luck
(note, all noise is a function of vibration of some sort)
Better to get a good mechanic though, some will go to town on your vehicle add on as much "make work" billing as possible. BCAA have a list of mechanics who are affiliated with them. In cases of disputes BCAA will act as an arbitrator.
Tip, the best are normally very busy and you will need to book with them.
Stay away from Canadian Tire, reputation is pretty bad.
Good Luck
Soap will act as a home-remedy belt dressing - makes the belt sticky so it won't slip and squeal. Like other belt dressing remedies you want to avoid it in general, cause it is temporary and just makes things messy. (and makes whoever works on it after less happy cause they have to clean it up when they change the belt
)Ideally you (and/or a mechanically competent individual) want to make the belt is not just loose and slipping. Overtightening the belt will be hard on bearings (especially idler and/or alternator bearings), which is where the judging acceptable belt deflection as a measure of tightness comes in.
If the belt has run loose awhile, it will develop glazing and also polish up the pulleys so the belt will slip even when tightened. One trick for getting the glaze off pulleys is to (CAREFULLY
) rub a piece of chalk on the running belt (after checking for tightness and possibly replacing a badly worn belt - the chalk acts as a mild abrasive to condition the pulley surfaces). If you are stuck away from a repair shop with a beater, and are comfortable assessing belt tightness, this would be one way to see if it is a simple belt problem (squeal goes away when you tighten the belt and/or lightly chalk it) or a more serious bearing death squeal (alternator/idler/water pump). On the other hand if this is your semi brand-new baby and you're not comfortable working under the hood, best to take this to somebody competent (which sorry being in Saskatoon I am no help recommending for BC!)Good luck!
Its a 5 year old Mazda - the sound has been happening on and off for 6 months - I need a new belt I guess.
check your owners manual,,get the specs,,,go buy one at cambodian tire,change said belt,,,,,if ya can't do it,,Pm me,,and we'll set it up for me to do it,,only $100 cash,,you get the right belt Now,,if your close,,and you buy the beer,,,,we can talk about that $100.
I take my truck to the same place as yellow cabs take their cars. they are cheaper than some other places, have never tried to hustle me to fix other things, and they are fast. every time i've been there i'm in and out in an hour or two. they are located on knight between 1st and venables. i'd reccomend them to any one. not excactly down town, but close. probably cheaper than any place down town by 10 to 30 dollars an hour.
Don't go there....go to Ootmar's on Hornby and Davie. Good guys, descent work.I take my truck to the same place as yellow cabs take their cars. they are cheaper than some other places, have never tried to hustle me to fix other things, and they are fast. every time i've been there i'm in and out in an hour or two. they are located on knight between 1st and venables. i'd reccomend them to any one. not excactly down town, but close. probably cheaper than any place down town by 10 to 30 dollars an hour.
I've been a few times to a place just south of Pacific on Howe Street. Pretty honest guys and reasonable prices. Not too many garages left in the downtown area.
Panther
Panther
