Drive Solutions. Auto Electrical and Mechanical

13/10/2024

Another Toyota 1kz rebuilt. This Prado had a knock/tapping noise from the engine. No.4 cylinder was worn with a 1.5mm lip at the top. The piston was slapping its way up and down to bore causing the noise.

Other common issues with these engines can be a cracked cylinder head from poor cooling like a blocked radiator. The engine control computer also can cause a range of performance issues as the internal electronic components age.

Get in touch today if you have any vehicle problems.

Mechanical and Auto electrical repairs
$92+ gst per hour.
All vehicle or equipment problems

15/05/2024

Cant ask for a better clutch aligning tool.

11/01/2024

Engine work, servicing, air conditioning, electrical. Call us today for a solution.
0273346660

29/11/2023

Avoid the Ranger Danger
Mazda BT-50 and Ford Ranger, Everest and transit with the P5AT engine have a nasty habit of breaking the vanes in the oil pump.
This will show as an oil pressure warning light and possibly a horrific screech from the turbo charger.
Fortunately this owner was on-to-it and shut it down immediately and preserved the engine.
The upgraded oil pump does away with vanes and rather utilises a gear type internals.
I also replaced the turbo, and fitted a new clutch while I was in there.

If you know of anyone driving one of these vehicles do them a big favour and recommend they have the pump replaced BEFORE a major failure occurs.

14/08/2023

A big thanks to Keoghan contractors from Maungakaramea for the new ramp.

21/07/2023

Servicing all makes and models

10/07/2023

Had to buy a new kit today

2018 Holden Captiva 50000km on the clock

Battery went flat, AA tested and replaced battery. A couple days past and the Captiva cut out while driving. Tow truck driver recommends the alternator be replaced ($700 retail plus fittment) seemed odd the alternator had failed so early in its life.
Modern smart charge systems are controlled by the engine computer by PWM. This signal was present and there was no warning light on the dashboard. The main power cable back to the battery was in good order too. Still battery voltage wasn’t indicating any output from the alternator. With the Autel scan tool I was able to “ramp up” the alternator command still no change in voltage.
After removing the alternator and bench testing components individually I found the over run pulley to be free wheeling in both directions robbing the alternator of drive. Replaced the pulley and reassembled. 14-15volts = job done.
Over run pulley $150 plus time spent= happy customer

06/07/2023

Fitted some new aftermarket CV joints to a Hyundai recently. A quick visual comparison has me convinced they were the correct part.
Only when I went to back it out of the workshop did I notice a strange vibration.

Back on the hoist I found the ABS tone rings were fouling on the Wheel speed sensors. I managed to straighten the sensor core and measured the tome rings. They had the same amount of teeth but the overall diameter was different to standard. A bit of heat and tapping and the tone rings swapped out.
It sure pays to triple check aftermarket parts!

05/07/2023

Ford Courier WLT engine gets a rebuild after a broken con rod event.
Yes it’s true increasing the boost pressure will give a noticeable power increase. Sadly; cheap mods can yield expensive repairs.

Contact Drive solutions today for all your automotive issues.

13/04/2023

Drive Solutions is now Air Conditioning systems ready. R134a refrigerant gas.

11/04/2023

This Holden had 3 out of 4 door lock actuators burnt out and a blown track in the body control module. All this stopping keyless entry from working.
I added a jump wire to the BCM and refurbished the actuators. All factory systems are go.

21/03/2023

BMW E36: clutch won’t disengage, pedal feels normal.
Spot the problem?

Dual mass flywheels are common in many modern vehicles and are fitted to enhance drive ability and smoothness in the drivetrain.
As with anything with moving parts they are subject to wear and can create unwanted noises, jerkiness and have been known to even cause starting issues from false electrical signals picked up from the crank sensor.

This BMW got a solid flywheel fitted in place of the worn dual mass, the difference in smoothness is barely noticeable. The cracked pressure plate however is most probably the result of sidestepping the clutch pedal.
Oh well, we live and learn!