SF Bay Area Mechanic/Dealer Recommendations?

[Dick Kurtz]

Hi Folks
My 96 OBW has turned 100,000 and has the teltale leaking front cam
seal that needs replacing. I have ALWAYS done my own work on all of
my vehicles for the last 25 years but I have reached the point that I
just simply do not want to deal with it anymore. I am looking for a
mechanic or dealership that people have been happy with. The engine
needs the front accessory end revamped, new seals, new timing belt,
check Idler, H2O Pump, Oil Pump.
Does anyone have a mechanic or dealer in the area that they can
reccommend? It would be very much appreciated...

Dick

 

[Particle Salad]

'tis a big place. I guess you don't mind ndriving.

Anyway, Kunos in Redwood City is EXCELLENT.

 

[Leo Lichtman]

: 'tis a big place. I guess you don't mind
driving.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Driving will get you there, but how about getting home? And then back
to pick it up when it's ready? So, if you'd like a place around
Albany/El Cerrito,I had a good experience with Foreign Auto Clinic on
Stockton near San Pablo. They did a timing belt/water pump/belt
tensioner for me in less than 24 hours for a reasonable price. It's a
small shop that does a lot of work for the Albany Ford-Subaru used car
department--he was sent to school by them.

 

[Jim Stewart]

: 'tis a big place. I guess you don't mind
driving.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Driving will get you there, but how about getting home? And then back
to pick it up when it's ready? So, if you'd like a place around
Albany/El Cerrito,I had a good experience with Foreign Auto Clinic on
Stockton near San Pablo. They did a timing belt/water pump/belt
tensioner for me in less than 24 hours for a reasonable price. It's a
small shop that does a lot of work for the Albany Ford-Subaru used car
department--he was sent to school by them.

Hey, I know you. Don't you post on
rec.crafts.metalworking alot?

Small world. I lived in San Pablo for
ten years, have a machineshop in my garage
and drive 2 Subarus.

 

[l.lichtman]

Jim Stewart wrote: Hey, I know you. Don't you post on

rec.crafts.metalworking alot?

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yeah, I post to metalworking some, as well as woodturning,
welding/joining and a couple of bicycle groups. I guess you don't live
in San Pable any more--too bad--I wish I knew a friendly machinist. My
metalworking consists mostly of a Portaband saw and a couple of
welders. I am new to Subaru--just bought a '99 Outback, and I love it.
Where can I try it out off-road in the Bay Area, just to get the feel
of it?

 

[Jim Stewart]

Jim Stewart wrote: Hey, I know you. Don't you post on


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Yeah, I post to metalworking some, as well as woodturning,
welding/joining and a couple of bicycle groups. I guess you don't live
in San Pable any more--too bad--I wish I knew a friendly machinist. My

I'm in Davis now, not that far away.

metalworking consists mostly of a Portaband saw and a couple of
welders. I am new to Subaru--just bought a '99 Outback, and I love it.
Where can I try it out off-road in the Bay Area, just to get the feel
of it?

We bought a '99 Outback new shortly after
we moved to Davis. My wife used it as her
ski car and I use it as my primary vehicle.
Last spring we splurged a little bit and
traded her Accord for an '04 WRX. She
(and I) love it.

We've not done much off-road stuff with the
Outback. While I was in Washington state
a couple years ago, I did some traveling on
logging roads - dirt, twisty and washboarded,
and the Outback was just a joy. Nice smooth
ride, great control, everything you'd want
from a car.

I also had to make an emergency trip up to
Bend Oregon last winter. It involved 15 miles
of glare ice at midnight on highway 97 that
the car got me through with no incident.

Sorry I can't help you with a mechanic as
I've always done most of my own work. My
wife used to use Beyond Repair in Berkeley,
but that was 15 years ago.

 

[l.lichtman]

Jim Stewart wrote: (clip) Hey, I know you. Don't you post on
rec.crafts.metalworking alot?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I post to metalworking some, and also to woodturning welding/joining
and a couple of bicycle groups. I guess I'll have to start watching
for you among the metalworking posts. I take it you don't live in San
Pablo any more--too bad--I wish I knew a friendly machinist. My metal
working conisists mostly of a Portaband saw and a couple of welders. I
am new to Subarus--just bought a used Outback, and I love it. Where
can I go off-road in the Bay area just to get the feel of it?

 

[David]

Sorry I can't help you with a mechanic as
I've always done most of my own work. My
wife used to use Beyond Repair in Berkeley,

I used to use 'em when I worked nearby. Good shop.

For Subaru warantee repairs, Diablo Subaru in Walnut Creek has been good to me.

 

[l.lichtman]

David wrote: (clip) My wife used to use Beyond Repair in Berkeley,
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I was standing at the counter at Beyond Repair one day when a guy in
grungy clothes came in and said, "Are my brake shoes ready?" The
counterman asked,"What's the name of your shop?" The guy answered,
"Midnight Oil." Only in Berkeley. So that got me thinking, and I
started looking through the yellow pages and found a deli called Lox,
Stock and Bagel.

 

[bg]

Found this somewhere http://www.askimsauto.com/

Hi Folks
My 96 OBW has turned 100,000 and has the teltale leaking front cam
seal that needs replacing. I have ALWAYS done my own work on all of
my vehicles for the last 25 years but I have reached the point that I
just simply do not want to deal with it anymore. I am looking for a
mechanic or dealership that people have been happy with. The engine
needs the front accessory end revamped, new seals, new timing belt,
check Idler, H2O Pump, Oil Pump.
Does anyone have a mechanic or dealer in the area that they can
reccommend? It would be very much appreciated...

Dick

 

[y_p_w]

Hi Folks
My 96 OBW has turned 100,000 and has the teltale leaking front cam
seal that needs replacing. I have ALWAYS done my own work on all of
my vehicles for the last 25 years but I have reached the point that I
just simply do not want to deal with it anymore. I am looking for a
mechanic or dealership that people have been happy with. The engine
needs the front accessory end revamped, new seals, new timing belt,
check Idler, H2O Pump, Oil Pump.
Does anyone have a mechanic or dealer in the area that they can
reccommend? It would be very much appreciated...

Art's Automotive on San Pablo Ave (near Ashby) in Berkeley. They are
a Japanese car specialist and now service Subarus.