When the check engine light comes on, the clutch starts slipping or the temperature gauge creeps up, you need a mechanic who will find the cause before replacing parts. Andrew’s Mechanical is a Kings Park mechanic for engine diagnostics and repairs, timing belts, gearboxes and cooling systems, and we handle clutch replacement for Blacktown and surrounding suburbs from our workshop at 3 Goulburn St, near Marayong station.
What’s included
- Engine diagnostics and electronic tune-ups – reading fault codes and then testing the sensors, ignition and fuel systems they point to.
- Engine repairs – from misfires and gasket leaks through to larger mechanical faults.
- Timing belt replacement – at the interval your manufacturer sets.
- Clutch replacement – for manual cars, utes and 4WDs.
- Gearbox and transmission repairs – manual and automatic.
- Driveline and CV joint repairs – CV joints and boots, tailshafts and related parts.
- Cooling system and radiator work – radiators, hoses, water pumps, thermostats and leaks.
Signs you should book
Engine
- The check engine light is on. If it is flashing, the engine is usually misfiring badly – ease off and have it looked at soon.
- Rough idle, hesitation, loss of power or a jump in fuel use.
- The temperature gauge rises, coolant keeps dropping, or you notice a sweet smell or steam from under the bonnet. Stop and let the engine cool rather than driving on.
Clutch and gearbox
- Engine revs climb but the car doesn’t speed up to match – a slipping clutch.
- The clutch bites high on the pedal, shudders when moving off, or the pedal feels heavy or spongy.
- Gears grind or are hard to select, or an automatic shifts harshly, slips or flares between gears.
Driveline
- A clicking noise when turning on full lock, often a worn CV joint.
- Grease sprayed around the inside of a wheel from a split CV boot.
- Clunks when taking up drive, or vibration that changes with speed.
Timing belts: don’t leave them too long
Many engines use a rubber timing belt that must be replaced at a set distance or age, whichever comes first. The interval is in your logbook and varies widely between engines. On many engines a belt that breaks can let the valves hit the pistons, which turns a scheduled job into a major engine repair. Engines with timing chains usually don’t have a fixed replacement interval, but a rattle on start-up is worth checking. Call us with your make, model and kilometres and we’ll tell you what your engine uses.
Why book with us
- We are a licensed NSW motor vehicle repairer, licence MVRL47744.
- We work on all makes, including European, 4WD and diesel vehicles.
- We’re also an Authorised Inspection Station and carry out AUVIS inspections, so a pink slip can be done on the same visit.
- We’re a local workshop in Kings Park, near Marayong station, handy for Marayong, Seven Hills and Blacktown.
- Call the workshop during opening hours to book.
If the fault turns out to be electrical, such as a starter motor or alternator, see our auto electrical page.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep driving with the check engine light on?
If the light is steady and the car drives normally, book it in soon. If it is flashing, the engine is probably misfiring and can damage the catalytic converter, so drive gently and get it checked as soon as you can. If the temperature gauge is high, stop driving.
Does a fault code tell you exactly what’s wrong?
Not always. A code points to the system with the problem, but the cause still needs testing. A misfire code, for example, can come from a spark plug, coil, injector or a mechanical fault.
How do I know when my timing belt is due?
Check your logbook for the replacement interval, which is set by distance and age. If you don’t have the logbook or don’t know whether it has been done, call us with the make, model and kilometres.
Do you replace clutches in 4WDs and utes?
Yes. We do clutch replacement on manual cars, utes and 4WDs of all makes.