Any mechanically minded people out there?

Posted by Thames (44 days ago)

Got a 1998 Mitsubishi Galant that has a very slow leak thus requiring a new drive shaft oil seal. It's due for its MOT next month and last year the garage I use told me to scrap it and buy a new car ahead of the MOT as it's not worth it/too expensive to fix. Apart from this leak, though, the car is in excellent nick and a friend - who has far more knowledge of engines than I do - reckons their advice is nonsense and it should be fairly easy to repair. But why would my garage want to talk itself out of a job?

I guess the best thing to do, before I trundle off and spend money I don't have on something I don't want or need, is to get a second opinion before the MOT looms. Can anyone recommend garages that they use, preferably in the Sai Kung area? Thanks!

Find what you are after in our Hong Kong A-Z Directory
Need a Moving Quote? Click Here

Posted by beancurd (44 days ago)

That is always what the garage people do scrap the old car and buy a new one. Same advise for hubby few years ago. But he insisted it to repair and after repaired, still used for another 5 years.

Posted by talllatte (44 days ago)

Most probably it is due to access and needs engine removal. Most times when you are having an engine out it makes sense to also renew a few other things like the clutch at the same time. It is a pain as at the end of the day it is just a few $ for an oil seal but the labour is the cost.

Of course get a 2nd opinion, plenty of garages in Sai Kung round the back of the paint factory.

Posted by jobin (44 days ago)

Google this problem. You will be surprised at the range of responses, esp from USA where lots of guys fix own car. I have had many japan and euro cars in usa and when the garage said thousands to repair, i did the job, with advice and a few tools for a fraction. Got the time, do the job yourself. The american way!!