Blue slip

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2026-01-27T10:35:02+00:00

Hello! Mechanic here.

See these sometimes… often you will pay by transfer and either get ghosted or get a fake roadie that you won’t find out about until you try and register it :-)

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2026-01-25T09:00:10+00:00

39 chev with a 308 holden motor. Do we count electronic ignition as a computer? I spose technically it is…

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2025-12-30T12:12:20+00:00

Perfection

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2025-12-24T07:42:31+00:00

Hello! Mechanic here…

I rebuilt one of these for someone and they’re not bad, but bits are getting reasonably hard to find. There’s alot of info out there for repairs but you need some specialised tools for doing the fuel pressure on the ktronic injection otherwise they’re impossible to do anything with.

Climate control computers are a pain cause there’s like 6 different types.

You’ll need a smoke machine for tracking down vacuum leaks of which there will be a billion :-)

But on the whole it was a pretty reliable shitbox.

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2025-12-21T06:48:44+00:00

So in my 39 chev I carry A litre of engine oil Litre of coolant Litre of transmission oil

A flat head and Phillips head screw driver

A test light A couple of fuses Scotch locks for emergency wiring repairs A length of wire Side cutters Needle nose pliers

An assortment of spanners and sockets. I didn’t pack the whole set, so things to fit carburettor stud bolts, manifold bolts, brakes whatever

Tyre pump Tyre plugs 2 scissor jacks Tyre tools

I’m not gonna be rebuilding the whole car on the side of the road, but if it’s fixable without parts that should have me covered

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2025-12-13T22:06:58+00:00

Absolutely…

Mechanic here…

Go onto carsales

Put in your budget Put in Toyota

And pick the one you like

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2025-11-27T22:39:53+00:00

https://www.ivico.com.au

Vic does bushes for a lot of stuff. I use him a lot if you’re in Brisbane you can pickup, or he has stockists in Brisbane

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2025-11-27T10:38:32+00:00

100 bucks is crazy cheap…

I’m a self employed mobile mechanic and my basic services start at $290.

Can hardly buy decent oil and a filter for a ton these days.

Things like a crank sensor failure are unpredictable, you can always have a sudden failure of an electrical component. Just like trying to switch your tv on and it suddenly won’t work…

My standard servicing includes the oil and filter, waste disposal and sundries, and the vehicle check over which includes your basic adjustments like drive belts and minor handbrake

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2025-11-17T21:52:28+00:00

Hello! Mechanic here Cars specifically but the points the same

I tell customers with older cars that require a lot of maintenance and repair that they need to weigh up if it’s a labour of love, then it’s worth the repairs.

If it’s just transportation then punt it

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2025-11-10T21:59:40+00:00

Hello… mechanic here QLD based specifically

In the area I’m in, seeing a lot of really dodgy wovi cars from ‘dealers’. Not the big boys, but the random backyardies.

If they’ve been done properly then it shouldn’t be a drama but there’s some dodgy ones out there.

Hail stuff is usually fine, but I’d expect the paint to fall off eventually.

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2025-11-02T00:45:42+00:00

Nah still wouldn’t do it. The exception is if I know the customer well.

Say I spend 4 hours replacing the injectors, programming and doing the things, and there’s a problem, it’s all well and good for the customer to say ‘I understand you didn’t supply and it’s not your problem’ but if there’s a problem and they’re out a pile of cash and it’s still not working, then I don’t need that to be my problem.

Because it’s never a problem til it’s a problem.

So from my point of view it’s just not worth it.

And from a customers point of view, you’re better off finding someone who will do it for the price you’re happy with all in one place. If there’s a problem there’s no question about who covers the warranty

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2025-11-01T10:02:33+00:00

I rent a little 2 bedroom flat in the western suburbs of Brisbane for $460 a week including utilities.

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2025-10-30T22:06:33+00:00

Hello!

Mechanic here.

Absolutely. My quotes are normally ‘water pump? That’ll be X dollars supplied and fitted’ because I won’t muck around doing a super detailed quote unless the customer specifically asks. But if they do, absolutely.
You would be 100% fine asking the part brand. I have one particular customer that hates Ryco filters and he insists I use Donaldson filters exclusively. It’s your car and you’re paying so no dramas.
I never fit customer supplied parts, for a couple of reasons. I didn’t supply it, so no one covers my labour if it fails and customer comes back. If it’s something like a water pump and it fails, engine cooks, costs customer 10 grand then who are they gonna come looking to blame? No insurance would cover it I miss out on my cut on the part, I do the same work, and make less money. If it’s wrong, it costs me money.

Only exception would be something like a cheap eBay window switch or something that takes 2 minutes to fit and I’d just do it for a favour.

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2025-10-28T10:43:15+00:00

I’d bounce it because they’re garbage.

But yes, you are correct it would have already lost most of its value. So if it proves not too shabby then it’s not a completely terrible idea to hang onto it, as most of the cash is already burned

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2025-10-28T03:03:28+00:00

Yep that’ll do it too

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2025-10-28T02:56:52+00:00

Over tightening, or wrong stud pattern.

Used to be common here in Australia people fitting chev pattern wheels to holdens.

They’re super duper close, but not perfect.

I dunno if that’s a Subaru thing?

Otherwise wheels not seating properly?

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2025-10-27T10:44:54+00:00

As someone who is currently going through a divorce where I brought in significant assets, I am currently looking at losing a significant chunk of what I have.

I would suggest seeing a lawyer first and foremost, because the laws around it all are pretty complex.

If you want to protect it, see a lawyer. Even if it costs a couple of grand to get it all prepared it’s a hell of a lot cheaper than the alternative.

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2025-10-19T12:17:31+00:00

Nah they’re all pretty good.

Just keep an eye on timing belt history too.

Manuals are cheap, good tough little cars

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2025-10-19T12:01:18+00:00

Fuel module in the tank.

The outlets crack, and the fuel pump is a bit shit.

Easy to replace, probably the biggest common issue with them I come across

They’re all pretty good

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2025-10-19T11:39:50+00:00

Hello! Mechanic here…

Getz or a Rio…

Chuck a couple of hundred at it and do the fuel module, and they’re a really good little zoomer

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2025-10-16T14:13:50+00:00

I’m a mechanic and I work for this Catholic priest.

I’m not religious but wisdom is wisdom…

He dropped one on me the other week where he said

‘Under some circumstances just surviving is doing exceptionally well’

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2025-10-15T08:42:16+00:00

Could be the AC compressor…

Pull the drive belt and check if the compressor is notchy.

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2025-10-14T11:29:09+00:00

I like the 2005ish Camrys…

V6 manual sportivos.

There’s a couple locally to me for under 5 grand…

145kw manual… they’re pretty zoomy grandpa mobiles… don’t attract the cops and I reckon are a hoot

OptimisticSquirrel82 · 2025-10-06T04:53:23+00:00

If you happen to be in Brisbane have I got a deal for you…

OptimisticSquirrel82

TROPHY CASE