Attention Northern Territory and WA Prado Owners - Service recommendations

[myminirocks Member Find all posts View Profile Close myminirocks]

Hi all, in a spot of bother. As some might know we are mid way through our round Oz trip and have had a couple of dramas. We are in Katherine now and looking to get the car serviced. Toyota can't fit us in until next week.

So does anyone have a recommendation in Katherine? We have had our check engine light come on earlier (turned out to be related to an alternator problem) and copped a filthy tank of fuel in Alice springs last week (car was gutless, sat on 3000rpm to barely do 100kph) so although I'm capable to do the oil and clean out of everything else, I want somewhere reliable that I know will do a thorough job, and have the diagnostics to confirm everything is happy days now.

So, where does everyone get their prado's serviced round these parts?

(Btw, heading to Kunnunarra in a few days, Halls creek, Fitzroy crossing and then Broome so any recommendation that direction as well would do nicely)

Cheers MMR

[Drosey Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Drosey]

Hi myminirocks
Kunnanarra Toyota seems to be a popular place you should see two other members Prado's there :-(

[sandman Member Find all posts View Profile Close sandman]

MMR, sorry mate I cannot recommend anyone... If you want a BIG throat to choke in case something goes wrong then stick with Toyota....You dont want to break down on the Savannah way, not much out there, better to slow down and get the car fixed properly before you venture out or the towing costs might be HUGE...

Where in Alice did you get the bad diesel from ? Must say I've never had a bad batch from the Shell on larapinta nor the Woolies fuelstop.. Did you fuel on the Stuart Highway ?

Pete

[Bushbasher Out of control poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Bushbasher]

I got my Prado serviced at Minshul Motors in Broome as there was a 3 week wait for Toyota. I had heard mixed reports about these guys but when I discussed with the service manager what I needed the work was done efficiently and at reasonable cost. I booked ahead whilst I was in Darwin as Toyota everywhere were unavailable to suit my dates.

[winniliss Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close winniliss]

Sorry mate,
For Toyota I would have said Katherine, Bridge Toyota Palmerston second... I take mine to Gibbsy's autos next to McDonald's Stuart Park but that has been a hit and miss but he is honest and old school and will bend over backwards to help you. It is hard to find good help and you will find the remote / country Toyota's booked out all the time.

With the northern part of Australia having a transient population due to the weather you may have a different person working on your vehicle every time.

Good luck and safe travels.

Winston.

[rhs58 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close rhs58]

Good experience with Toyota in Katherine a few years ago. But I guess that doesn't help with your timeframe...

[myminirocks Member Find all posts View Profile Close myminirocks]

Cheers thx guys. Managed to get in at Toyota Kunnunarra. Whilst my experiences with Toyota dealerships has been sub par the trouble I've had, I just want to make sure if anything does cock up there is that 'big throat to choke'

Got bad diesel at the BP on the Stuart next to the Bridgestone. I have to admit I broke my golden rule. NEVER FILL UP WHEN THE TANKER IS THERE

We were in a rush, I spoke to the tanker driver and be said there was 25,000ltrs in the tanks, he was only topping up another 7,000. Still, it obviously stirred up all the crap.

On the bright side, turns out Kunnunarra has been the cheapest place so far for a set of BFG ATR's, $390ea so I'll get a new set of rubber while we are there as well.

As it turns out, looks like I'll be dumping a sizable amount of moolah in kunnunara, ouch!

[Guest Close Guest]

It sounds like you have the same issue as 8608 with a split vacuum hose just a couple of days ago.

http://www.pradopoint.com/showthread...ideas&p=420246

[tunnel Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close tunnel]

Hi Myminirocks
Presently sitting in Katherine as well . Heading for Kununurra tomorrow might see you on the trip.
Were you in Mataranka Springs on Sunday?

[sandman Member Find all posts View Profile Close sandman]

Got bad diesel at the BP on the Stuart next to the Bridgestone. I have to admit I broke my golden rule. NEVER FILL UP WHEN THE TANKER IS THERE

Minirocker, sorry to hear but I know the one you mean, its southbound. I've never put diesel in there, most of us fillup on Larapinta (Shell) as they have hiflow pumps or go to the Woolies one that faces Anzac Hill...I put in 160L into the Prado at Woolies yesterday, had to take out a home mortgage to pay for it :-)