TheSamba.com :: View topic - recommended garage in nanaimo or victoria?

Tue Mar 02, 2010 1:03 pm

Hi guys,
i drive a 1972 westy, when i turn the key to "off" my engine still turn or want to turn a few times + sometimes i have backfires (when i turn it off)

it started 2 days ago when i changed my oil for a 20w-50 instead of a synthetic oil 10-40.
when i looked at my valves and putted the cover back to it's place, it wasn't at the right position. so i drove for maybe 5-6km to go to canadian tire, that's when i realized what was going on...i lost like 0.5L
and i know that my batterie connection needs to be tightened

so i'm looking for a good aircooled garage near nanaimo or in victoria.
do you have any suggestion?

or idea what's going on?

Tue Mar 02, 2010 2:54 pm

Sorry can't help with the probem as you're probably carbed and I am not familiar enough to help.

I can help with the garges though.
In Victoria the two I would recommend are

Beetle Auto Service
629 David St
250 382 1815
I use this shop when I need a mechanic

Ellice Automotove is another good one, also close to Beetle
545 John St
250 385 8224

In Nanaimo I would recommend Bavarian Imports
1712 Kidson Rd
250 729 8993
I worked with the owner Bill at the VW dealership in the late 80's early 90's.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 3:06 pm

sweet! thanks
i found bavarian imports on google, i was hoping to have a reply about them.
i think i only need a small tune-up, can i show up there and ask for an appointment or i need to call them before?

Tue Mar 02, 2010 3:25 pm

Doesn't hurt to give them a call first, but they are usually more than happy to help someone in need get back on the road.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 3:49 pm

ok thanks :)

Tue Mar 02, 2010 3:52 pm

As mentioned, Beetle Auto & Ellice are your best bets for buses in Victoria.
Have you tried the local forum there? www.vvwc.ca

Tue Mar 02, 2010 6:17 pm

right now i'm in nanaimo, i would prefer to stay here, but bavarian imports seems to be a good place to go, i don't know what's going on on my van, so i guess it's safer to stick around....it's not a good sign when your engine want to keep running and have a backfire (from time to time) when you're shutting it down

unless it would be cheaper! ahah but i would have to pay a full tank just to get there and come back to take the ferry... :(

Tue Mar 02, 2010 6:26 pm

Manual transmission? You could stall it in 4th gear when you turn it off ...that would shut her down. :) Sounds like a timing and/or fuel mixture issue. An oil change alone wouldn't cause what you're experiencing.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 6:43 pm

yeah i think it's probably the timing, the rpm is high when i'm not in gear. so yes it's a manual transmission.
not sure about the gas tho, cause i fueled it 2 time and it's the same. but it was always half a tank....so we'll see tomorrow, i hope it's only the timing!

Tue Mar 02, 2010 7:38 pm

Sounds like a carb issue to me, like a stuck choke linkage or loose solenoid , or a vacuum leak combined with rich idle mixture.
What carbs do you have Cornestache?
Definitely ask on the VVWC forum or on the airspeedparts.com forum for shop recommendations, you'd be a fool not to.

Tue Mar 02, 2010 8:05 pm

If you end up coming down-Island I've used Ellice and Beetle Auto Service many times, I'm now a convert and only use Beetle. Those guys have been exceptional. On the Malahat there is also Rick Hogg at Hogg's Auto Repair. Another good guy who has been specializing in VWs for many years.

Andre

Tue Mar 02, 2010 8:10 pm

It's not worth driving to Victoria just for a repair because Bavarian is a good shop (and don't risk any damage). The owner, Bill worked for VW as a mechanic and I think his shop does great work. Essentially all VW owners I know of in Nanaimo go to him, unless it's a warranty issue. He's always looked after my parents VW's (a list as long as my arm, good German family you know) and sisters '70 bus. He's also done work for me and I have no complaints. Tell him Aaron, or the Haegele's, sent you :wink:

x2 on the Beetle recommendation, oh and by the way I used to drive up there for repairs because it was a good deal, so I don't think you need to worry about getting hosed