Monday, July 28, 2008 - 03:06 pm, by: Perrin Leong(Pleong)
Hey guys!
Well my Celsior has a lot of things that need addressing which I can't fix myself and I was wondering if anyone knows a good mechanic in Perth that deals with Japanese cars which can help me fix my problems. I want to get these fixed relatively soon so any recommendations would be appreciated.
Thanks
Perrin
Andrew Ferres DieHard WA '90 C-F Celsior V8, '84 Soarer V8, '91 Supra V8
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 - 11:44 am, by: Andrew Ferres(Peewee)
Out of curiousity, are you prepared to spend the money to get it all fixed, or just looking for someone to tell you whats wrong and how much its going to cost ?
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 - 03:26 pm, by: Keenan Edinger(Keenan585)
Hi Perrin, in terms of mechanics in Perth that I would recommend for work on Japanese imports, I use X-Speed in O'Connor for the mechanical work on my UZZ31 Soarer. Hollywood Joe is also another soarer mechanic that gets recommended a lot from Perth owners, I'm sure he'd work on Celsiors too?. Some one can post up his details if your interested.
In terms of non-mechanical work, such as interior etc. I'm sure you have a little bit of DIY in you?! After all, it is half the fun in owning an import!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 - 06:14 pm, by: Perrin Leong(Pleong)
Andrew - Yeah I'm prepared to spend the money to get it all fixed, but mainly I want to know everything that is wrong with it and how much things are going to cost so I can take things as a step by step basis. I've given up trying to work out some of the stuff myself, so now I'm seeking professional help lol.
Keenan - Thanks for the recommendations. In terms of the non-mechanical work, I like to do my own diy work if its possible, as I really enjoy getting stuck into it. So far only just finished the first stages of the sound system upgrades. Mechanical side, if I can do it myself I would as well.
Andrew Ferres DieHard WA '90 C-F Celsior V8, '84 Soarer V8, '91 Supra V8
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 - 06:37 pm, by: Andrew Ferres(Peewee)
If you are somewhat mechanically minded and are willing to give it a go then most things can be done at home.
They way I look at it is that for the cost of the labour to do something, you could have bought the tools to do it yourself, and then you have the tools (and knowledge/skills) forever.
For anything engine and ecu related the Soarer is 99% identical and tutorials are everywhere. (note, ecu and pinout are different, but engine bay stuff is 99% identical).
*Most* decent manufacturers are starting to list Celsior in parts books now, but for the most part LS400 stuff is the same.
Bushes can be sourced from Vlamos (about $1000 for the whole car), and ball joints can be rebuilt locally ($100 a joint, there are 4 in the front).
I just replaced my front pads and skimmed the discs and it only cost me $100 and a few hours.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 - 08:13 pm, by: Perrin Leong(Pleong)
A number of the problems I have can be fixed at home. They are minor so I just haven't gotten around to doing anything to fix them yet. The main thing I want someone to look at is the vibration that comes through the whole car when above 60kms. The thing is its not constantly there every time I drive the car. Most days it will surface after a short drive, then maybe it'll go away for a while, then come back. Its definitely there under above average acceleration after 60kms, but when you take it really slow, there doesn't seem to be a problem, even up to 90kms. That's the big one I'm most concerned about. The suspension guy we take our cars to thinks its the outer cv's because there is a bit of sideways movement on the left one, not so much on the right one. I'm not sure Whats the condition of the bushes yet, he never took a good look at them, just a glance and said they were fine. Another guy reckons its the Center bearing/hanger. So yeah time for a third opinion.
Thanks for the number Robin, I'll have to give him a ring soon.
Andrew Ferres DieHard WA '90 C-F Celsior V8, '84 Soarer V8, '91 Supra V8
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 - 05:51 am, by: Rich O'neil(Kiwiinaus)
From the sound of it your vibration is down to engine and G/Box mounts , this is a good place to start as they are most probably due to be done anyway so even if that doesn't fix it you are still really not out of pocket . I have done three lots of engine and G/box mounts and everytime it has fixed the driveline vibration . Sometimes the engine and G/box are sitting in the right place , but most times they are not and then sometimes it shifts a bit more than other times . If you can feel engine vibrations of any sort at idle then they need to be done .
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 - 12:57 pm, by: Perrin Leong(Pleong)
Yeah I was going to do those sometime down the track as I've only just recently started to get a small vibration at idle when in drive. Since I most likely will have to change the rear main seal as well I'll get the gearbox mount done first and see how I go. Thanks for the tip! Now I just have to source a new mount.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008 - 04:40 pm, by: Rich O'neil(Kiwiinaus)
I get all and my fellow Celsior/LS owners stuff from the States , G/Box mount $69.00 , engine mounts the pair $236.00 plus any freight in Australia . Just send me an E-Mail .