Looking For A Decent Car Mechanic

[chiang mai]

Has anyone found a decent car mechanic in Chiang Mai, outside of the large dealerships? A close friend has a fifteen year old Mitsubishi and the automatic transmission seems on its last legs, doesn't want to shift when the engine is cold - by way of trying to help we've tried a few places around town but they all seem to want 20k upwards to replace the trans with a second hand one and oddly, nobody seems to want to take the pan off and take a look - I reckon maybe a blocked fluid filter or even a clutch assembly that's seen better days but everyone seems to just want to replace the entire unit and the person in question can't afford - anyone have useful tips?

[cmsally]

By coincidence we just changed the automatic transmission on our rather ancient Nissan.

We were quoted between 24k-36k by the larger places

Told my husband to get rid of it but he loves it too much!

So eventually ordered new transmission from BKK (6k) and found mechanic who is good at that kind of thing (approx 3k) Cost us less than 10k.

He actually works at one of the big dealerships and fixes private customer cars at weekend only.

Will ask him if he's any good at Mitsu's but I think he should be.

[Tywais]

There is a place that many university ajarns use, including myself, that is close to the university. The map shows the spot. Coming from Kad Suan Kaew to the university, need to turn left into the soi immediately past the Chiang Mai Phucome. Place doesn't look like much but he's proven to be honest and inexpensive for me. He will show you everything that is wrong and explain what he needs to do and estimate the cost.

[chiang mai]

Thanks to both of you for those things.

[chiang mai]

By coincidence we just changed the automatic transmission on our rather ancient Nissan.

We were quoted between 24k-36k by the larger places

Told my husband to get rid of it but he loves it too much!

So eventually ordered new transmission from BKK (6k) and found mechanic who is good at that kind of thing (approx 3k) Cost us less than 10k.

He actually works at one of the big dealerships and fixes private customer cars at weekend only.

Will ask him if he's any good at Mitsu's but I think he should be.

When you wrote that you got a new transmission from Bangkok for 6k I presume you meant a new/used trans? We were quoted 50k for a new new trans and about 20k for a used one with no guarantee.

[cmsally]

Yes 6k was for a second hand transmission. There is no guarantee with those things but seeing as they charge you around 20k for the same thing in CM...!

We actually found someone on the internet who specialises in finding parts for Nissans and so far he has been pretty reliable.

Also the transmission he sent us was in far better condition than the ones in Chiang mai.

[chiang mai]

Yes 6k was for a second hand transmission. There is no guarantee with those things but seeing as they charge you around 20k for the same thing in CM...!

We actually found someone on the internet who specialises in finding parts for Nissans and so far he has been pretty reliable.

Also the transmission he sent us was in far better condition than the ones in Chiang mai.

That's useful to know, many thanks.

[paulchiangmai]

Yes 6k was for a second hand transmission. There is no guarantee with those things but seeing as they charge you around 20k for the same thing in CM...!

We actually found someone on the internet who specialises in finding parts for Nissans and so far he has been pretty reliable.

Also the transmission he sent us was in far better condition than the ones in Chiang mai.

Come on cmsally, share the name with us Nissan owners, I at least will be gratefull.

[chiang mai]

I had a real win today on this topic - after taking our friends car to the Mitsubishi dealer in Hang Dong we were not hopeful of the outcome, Mr Mitsu dealer said said that the transmission and other problems would cost around 40k and we weren't impressed with the level of expertise. So, we subsequently took up a recommendation given to us a few days ago of a small repair shop in our neck of the woods, best directions I can give are:

leave CM over the Nartwat Bridge and keep going, turn left just before the 7/11 on the left (the 7/11 is itself just before the gas station not very far this side of the ring road). Turn left on the narrow soi and stay on it for half a kilo or less, the garage is on the left hand side and the owners house is set further back.

The garage is staffed by two older men and half a dozen younger mechanics, four women in the office take care of the paperwork and they are all just excellent, all problems fixed for under seven thousand including the transmission problem which cost 2k (change the oil and filter and all is now well). Very thorough, very polite, just into good service at a fair price, highly highly recommended.

[chiang mai]

If anyone ever needs it: there's an excellent used car parts shop/warehouse in Lamphun (outskirts, quarter mile from the highway) that does a pretty extensive range of rebuilds on various items, what they don't rebuild they buy in from Bangkok and not too expensive, a second hand trans for my friends car was quoted at 6k. Engines, trans, diffs, body parts etc, it's all there and two of the service girls speak very good English, good service and attitude etc. The name of the shop is, phonetically, Sa Ha At Rai and is opposite the gas station in North Lamphun.

[elektrified]

If anyone ever needs it: there's an excellent used car parts shop/warehouse in Lamphun (outskirts, quarter mile from the highway) that does a pretty extensive range of rebuilds on various items, what they don't rebuild they buy in from Bangkok and not too expensive, a second hand trans for my friends car was quoted at 6k. Engines, trans, diffs, body parts etc, it's all there and two of the service girls speak very good English, good service and attitude etc. The name of the shop is, phonetically, Sa Ha At Rai and is opposite the gas station in North Lamphun.

You don't need to travel that far. Loong Rot right in the city has an excellent selection and is a very well organized junkyard. They also have an operation in Bangkok so they have that resource available as well. Just search on this forum for Loong Rot. I've posted the directions before a few times.

[chiang mai]

If anyone ever needs it: there's an excellent used car parts shop/warehouse in Lamphun (outskirts, quarter mile from the highway) that does a pretty extensive range of rebuilds on various items, what they don't rebuild they buy in from Bangkok and not too expensive, a second hand trans for my friends car was quoted at 6k. Engines, trans, diffs, body parts etc, it's all there and two of the service girls speak very good English, good service and attitude etc. The name of the shop is, phonetically, Sa Ha At Rai and is opposite the gas station in North Lamphun.

You don't need to travel that far. Loong Rot right in the city has an excellent selection and is a very well organized junkyard. They also have an operation in Bangkok so they have that resource available as well. Just search on this forum for Loong Rot. I've posted the directions before a few times.

Thanks for the tip, always useful to know these things.

[blakegeee]

If anyone ever needs it: there's an excellent used car parts shop/warehouse in Lamphun (outskirts, quarter mile from the highway) that does a pretty extensive range of rebuilds on various items, what they don't rebuild they buy in from Bangkok and not too expensive, a second hand trans for my friends car was quoted at 6k. Engines, trans, diffs, body parts etc, it's all there and two of the service girls speak very good English, good service and attitude etc. The name of the shop is, phonetically, Sa Ha At Rai and is opposite the gas station in North Lamphun.

You don't need to travel that far. Loong Rot right in the city has an excellent selection and is a very well organized junkyard. They also have an operation in Bangkok so they have that resource available as well. Just search on this forum for Loong Rot. I've posted the directions before a few times.

Could you give us a link to your directions? I just did a search on here for "Loong Rot" and only find this thread. Thanks!

[elektrified]

If anyone ever needs it: there's an excellent used car parts shop/warehouse in Lamphun (outskirts, quarter mile from the highway) that does a pretty extensive range of rebuilds on various items, what they don't rebuild they buy in from Bangkok and not too expensive, a second hand trans for my friends car was quoted at 6k. Engines, trans, diffs, body parts etc, it's all there and two of the service girls speak very good English, good service and attitude etc. The name of the shop is, phonetically, Sa Ha At Rai and is opposite the gas station in North Lamphun.

You don't need to travel that far. Loong Rot right in the city has an excellent selection and is a very well organized junkyard. They also have an operation in Bangkok so they have that resource available as well. Just search on this forum for Loong Rot. I've posted the directions before a few times.

Could you give us a link to your directions? I just did a search on here for "Loong Rot" and only find this thread. Thanks!

Going down Thannon Charoen Muang (towards Bor Sang), turn right on the 1st soi before the soi that goes to the Oriental Dara Devi. On the corner is a huge, very neatly organized junkyard called Loong Rot. There is a large red Chinese-like sign out front. You will see many forklifts parked outside.

[blakegeee]

If anyone ever needs it: there's an excellent used car parts shop/warehouse in Lamphun (outskirts, quarter mile from the highway) that does a pretty extensive range of rebuilds on various items, what they don't rebuild they buy in from Bangkok and not too expensive, a second hand trans for my friends car was quoted at 6k. Engines, trans, diffs, body parts etc, it's all there and two of the service girls speak very good English, good service and attitude etc. The name of the shop is, phonetically, Sa Ha At Rai and is opposite the gas station in North Lamphun.

You don't need to travel that far. Loong Rot right in the city has an excellent selection and is a very well organized junkyard. They also have an operation in Bangkok so they have that resource available as well. Just search on this forum for Loong Rot. I've posted the directions before a few times.

Could you give us a link to your directions? I just did a search on here for "Loong Rot" and only find this thread. Thanks!

Going down Thannon Charoen Muang (towards Bor Sang), turn right on the 1st soi before the soi that goes to the Oriental Dara Devi. On the corner is a huge, very neatly organized junkyard called Loong Rot. There is a large red Chinese-like sign out front. You will see many forklifts parked outside.

Oh ok. This is the place that I just bought my engine from. Its a second-hand japanese auto importer. I wouldn't really call it a scrap yard/junk yard. I need a few random bits and pieces off a Mira but they only have main components. Anyone know where the old dead cars go to be stripped, parted out, and eventually crushed around here? Thanks for the info anyways Elik.

[jayinoz]

ANY decent ones near San Sai Noi---- Rimping Meechok?

I guessing the best deals are at the Ajarns mechanics near CMU?

I need my gears fixed up and the price went from 3K to 7K in a heart beat when they knew I was stuck in Mae Rim. Then wished to get hell out of their and ordered my tow back to town.

Then as about to be towed the guy wanted 2K for 2 hours work. I said 500 bt will do, as we talking some Ajarn wages here. NOPE- they got nasty and we at stale mate.

Being stubborn sort of guy.... involved Mae Rim Police (Big Mistake). From their it all doooownhill- Lol.

Police wanted 4K for tow to town and refused. Called friends and one helped out and found one for 1000 bt back to town then told police where to go (Yer right).

The tow driver was soooo afraid of police he waited around corner for 2 hours before he left. BY the way I could only get 2 hour fee down to 1000 baht with police.

Moral involve any police 'forget it', only friends who been here forever. Should have known better yet did not wish to complain to mates unless necessary.

So now I have back home in San Sai Noi all in bits and i guess ready for gears to be worked on.

Let us hope makes up for the pain and suffering through the day by quoting me 3K- Lol.

Trusted mechanics anywhere in world should be treated as GOLD. Why not share with other forum members.... I thought we here to do this.

Anyway I will tell you how I go with 15 yr old manual trans at ajarn mechanic or other recommended.

Cheers Jay.