Looking for a mechanic in Calgary

[piyeguyo]

Hello all

I'd like to try to get an alternative to Pro-Active here in Calgary.

Does anybody know a reliable mechanic in the Calgary area?

I would like to meet somebody who can do everything on the Deli... From oil change to engine work.

Thx,

Fabio

[Green1]

I don't think there is a "one stop shop" that way, however I use kirkham for most stuff, and the real in depth engine work, well I'm currently just having that stuff finished up in strathmore right now...

[piyeguyo]

Roger thanks for the reply, I was hoping maybe some of the new guys have found someone else.

And I guess it's ok if I can hijack my own post...

I have been away for a month so I don't know how things are around here... I'm curious how is your Deli now? Is it running again?

Thx,

Fabio

[Green1]

I'm curious how is your Deli now? Is it running again?

mechanic said he'd have it done by 2 days ago... but I have been far too busy to check on it, I don't have time to pick it up until tomorrow at the earliest anyway.
but the theory is that I'll be driving again this week... (and I sure hope so, I really need it for next weekend!)

Back on your original topic... The Delica is easy to work on, the trick is finding someone who's not scared of RHD... one thought I've had but never followed up on, was to call around to places that service the Mitsubishi Fuso/Canter, it's another mitsubishi diesel cab-over but it is actually sold in Canada... if you find one that's not the dealership I'd think they might be a good choice.

[turf'd]

I just took my van in to get the timing belt (and all the associated work to do while that part of the engine is exposed) done at a shop called the Nurburgring near Chinook C-train station. I brought them all the parts and the instructions and they said it should be no problem.

These guys work on all kinds of high end German cars, diesels and strange imports. Before I had got the estimate from this place (Nurburgring), I spoke with the Mitsubishi dealership. They said that they'd just had a Delica in, and based on that, their technician said it would take 11 hours of shop time. At $120 an hour. I thanked them for their time. 11 hours? Ludicrous! After that I spoke with the Nurburgring guys. I showed them the engine, and told them what I needed to have done. They agreed when I explained what CCAutos had told me (ie. all the work that it makes sense to do when the timing belt is being done) and gave me an estimate that told me how inflated the dealership quote was.

I have the van in the shop now, so I'm not sure how it's all going to go in the end, but I'll keep you posted when I get it back and see how accurate their estimate was, and how good the work was.

Just out of curiosity, why go away from Pro-Active? I know that the service they gave me was more than disspointing and what they charged me was even worse, did they screw you over as well?

[turf'd]

Well, the Nurburgring guys came through.

Bork is running great, smoother than ever, with more power and even more fun to drive.

The van was ready the day after I dropped it off, when I wasn't expecting it until the end of the week. They said they enjoyed working on it, so I told them I'd tell the folks on this site, and maybe they could tinker with a few more of the strange beasts.

Nurburgring Ltd. - 403.692.9322

It's down near Chinook train station (right across the tracks).

[Green1]

just got my delica back from strathmore... verdict: cheap, seems to be good, but slow (it's not his full time job)
He said he enjoyed the work, however he only has so much time for this sort of thing, so he'll do other Delica work on occasion, but he's not ready to be a full time mechanic.

[robinimpey]

Thanks for training a mechanic for me Green1!

[piyeguyo]

Well, it's not yet like BC, but the list of mechanics is growing. This is good news to all.

[Erebus]

This is great news, and the location right by the Chinook C-train is very convenient. I've noticed it many times (my bus passes right by it on the way to work) and wondered what they were like. Thanks for the heads-up.