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Author: Subject: Mechanics in Baja
Alm
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[*] posted on 1-8-2012 at 04:05 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by vacaenbaja
What would also be good would be a resonable towing service if such a thing exists in case you find yourself having
to get your rig back to the border or some major town
with out having to pay an arm and a leg.


Good Sam.
It says "Mexico", doesn't it?
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Loretana
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[*] posted on 1-8-2012 at 05:55 PM


Alm

Personally I think Lee is compiling a pretty useful and necessary list for those of us who drive Mexico 1 at least once a year.

Good Sam Club?? Sure, you're gonna call some alleged Good Sam participating member tow truck service when you're broken down out in the middle of Peores Nada? With no cell service? :rolleyes:

Have you driven the Baja highway lately?

I don't think Lee has any ulterior motive other than to have a list of trusted mechanics so if a Nomad breaks down anywhere out there, they know the closest mechanic (who is not a shyster!) to call.......IMHO




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Lee
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[*] posted on 1-8-2012 at 06:48 PM


I too think a list of mechanics here would be helpful to nomads who might need help while traveling. My too political comment was a response to Osprey's questioning whether I could take heat from a nomad who might have a negative experience with a mechanic from a list I compiled.

From the info I've gotten on Reuben, for example, I can tell that this is a guy I'd trust doing business with. I use the word ''trust'' loosely here.

Got no problems with any nomads here promoting their business either. More power to them.

I'm happily retired and apolitical.

Think I"ll continue soliciting the names of mechanics before making a master list. I've never personally needed a mechanic in Baja so I'm doing OK.

I'll check around and see who I can dig up for Todos to Cabo/SJ.




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Alm
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[*] posted on 1-9-2012 at 03:23 PM


Loretana, towing call and pretty much any other call on Baja roads requires a sat phone, given current cell phone coverage there. 50 minutes card for Isatphone, for example, cost 50 bucks, valid for 2 years. Handset costs around $500. More an insurance than communication tool. Good Sam - I haven't used it for towing here, this was just a suggestion. I understand you call GS operator, not an alleged participating towing company.
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Loretana
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[*] posted on 1-9-2012 at 03:35 PM


Quote:
Originally posted by Alm
Loretana, towing call and pretty much any other call on Baja roads requires a sat phone, given current cell phone coverage there. 50 minutes card for Isatphone, for example, cost 50 bucks, valid for 2 years. Handset costs around $500. More an insurance than communication tool. Good Sam - I haven't used it for towing here, this was just a suggestion. I understand you call GS operator, not an alleged participating towing company.


I'm going with Lee's list.
I have a home in Loreto, I know the cities/towns on my route well, and I speak Spanish.

I like the idea of knowing who can figure out what that nasty noise my Jeep is making might be (just as a example) when I get to that next town.

Just sayin'.




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BFS
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[*] posted on 1-9-2012 at 04:15 PM


I would not hesitate to recommend Ramon Trasviña Leon in Todos Santos. He has done quite a bit of work for mine and various friends cars/trucks over the years and always very satsfied with his work, price and expertise. cel # 612 139-0493 he is located on camino a Punta Lobos s/n



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[*] posted on 1-13-2012 at 01:24 PM


Mulege - I would not recommend Oscar. He has "repaired" 3 locals cars here at Cuesta and none were done correctly.
Coche under the bridge is the best mechanic in town. Reliable and inexpensive. One employee speaks english.
Marcos of the auto parts store is the master auto electrical "go to guy". He takes no short cuts and backs up his work.
Gnukid has a great mechanic in La Paz, rebuilt my carb for $20 and it took him 4-5 hours.




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[*] posted on 1-13-2012 at 04:33 PM


In Guerrero Negro, on the main drag, facing across and left (East) from the great taco stand in front of the Hotel Malarrimo, is a guy named Richard (not Ricardo...), speaks perfect english and is a very skilled and resourceful mechanic. The 19 year old air intake tube on my Dodge Diesel (between the turbo and the air filter box) broke on the crappy section of road (Con-Destruction) north of GN. I asked the guy at the taco stand which mechanic to use as there are a bunch of them across the street. He steered me toward Richard. On foot, with the tube in hand, I headed across the street. We looked around his spares, thinking about a splice, but since the tube is accordion style, he suggested that we cut off the broken lip where the clamp lives and grind the structural ribs enough to make a new clamping area. I said that I knew I could stretch the tube back out an inch, so we proceeded. It worked perfectly and is still on there working. I will, of course, find a new tube, but this quick fix saved my bacon (and my engine). Ask for Richard at the Taller - Mecanico across and left from the Hotel Malarrimo.



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3464james
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[*] posted on 1-13-2012 at 04:50 PM


Great idea for a list of recommended mechanics, having had my trucks rear end blow up outside of San Felipe, I would love for someone to give the name and phone number for a mechanic San Felipe to Gonzaga. Ditto for a boat mechanic. The sat phone is the only reliable phone I have used in that area.
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Lee
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[*] posted on 2-26-2012 at 10:29 PM
LIST OF MECHANICS in no particular order


LORETO:

''Ruben'' (613-114-6191) (His shop is in a large walled compound just past the Loreto Airport turnoff on the International Highway, right side, going south. It sits alone, so you can't miss it.)
__________________

MULEGE:

''Señor Oscar Rodriguez Luna'' (His shop is just off the highway (west side) as you come into town from the north (look for 'Ray's' sign on the highway) - Oscar's shop is less than 100m off the highway.)

''Coche'' (under the bridge)
__________________

GUERRERO NEGRO:

''Richard'' (across and left of Malarinnos)

''Señor Oscar Rodriguez Luna'' (His shop is just off the highway (west side) as you come into town from the north (look for 'Ray's' sign on the highway) - Oscar's shop is less than 100m off the highway.)
______________________________

ROSARITO:

''Jonnie's'' (no number)
______________________________

VIZCAINO AREA:

Refracciones y Accessories DEL VALLE (across from bus terminal)

''Chino's'' (block South of bus terminal)
______________________________

SAN FELIPE:

''Mike Hailey'' (Pete's Camp, North of San Felipe)
______________________________

TODOS SANTOS:

''Ramon Trasvina Leon'' (612-139-0493 -- Punta Lobos road.)
______________________________




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Ken Cooke
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[*] posted on 2-26-2012 at 10:53 PM
Willy (Sergio) in Playas de Tijuana


Event Promoter and 4WD Shop Fabricator, Gear Specialist - Willy (Sergio)!:yes:

Willy - wts_cj7@hotmail.com (I don't have his current phone #).

Willy at his former shop (he has since moved)




Differential service is much more thorough than at EZ LUBE here in Riverside, CA. Save money AND have the job done right the first time.

A clean differential cover (inside and out!)



Willys is a real good guy.




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bajajazz
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[*] posted on 2-27-2012 at 01:18 PM


In La Paz, for transmission work the guy with the open air shop next to the AA Hall on Madero. He rebuilt the tranny on my '93 Dodge Diesel 10 years ago (for $900. USD) and it's still going strong.

For all-around mechanical work I use Bobby Lozano on Oaxaca near Independencia, in the neighborhood of the old bus depot on Jalisco.

For VW's I like Tony Carballo on Oaxaca between Dominguez and Madero. Honest and reasonable.

For VW work that requires sophisticated equipment the go-to guy is Rogelio at Geraldo's VW on Madero near Allende.

For electrical work on VW's see David, Rogelio's brother, a few blocks farther south from Rogelio's shop, also on Madero.
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Bajamatic
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[*] posted on 2-27-2012 at 01:57 PM


this is a great idea for a list. Should be a sticky under "the List".



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vacaenbaja
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[*] posted on 2-27-2012 at 02:47 PM


A real good start that should be fleshed/flushed out
as time goes on.
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[*] posted on 2-27-2012 at 03:06 PM


In Rosarito: Johnny's
Phone: 661-612-1033 or 661-612-2885
Address: Rene Ortiz Campoy No. 30, Zona Central

Have always treated me very well.
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bajadock
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[*] posted on 2-27-2012 at 03:43 PM




Victor Manuel Dominguez is the mechanic at "Taller Marquez" in Primo Tapia. He is 3 doors south of Pemex Station/Cop shop at KM 43, just off the Primo Tapia/Cantamar exit. (661) 616-8342.

During my mini-drama last week,(this thread on Nomad), he saved my bacon by getting a new rear end for my 1989 Jeep Cherokee and installed it professionally.

All works great, including the various 4WD modes. One day to get parts in Tijuana, one day to install. There is also an auto parts store adjacent with a machine shop.

LEE, THANKS for putting this list together. It will come in handy for stranded Nomads along Hwy1. cheers

[Edited on 2-27-2012 by bajadock]




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[*] posted on 2-28-2012 at 03:47 AM


There is a fellow in El Pescadero by the name of Richard who seems to be held in high regard by the region's expats. Bet anything that the folks in "Baja Beans" the coffee place can fill in his last name and cell #. He speaks Ingles.
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bajadock
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[*] posted on 3-3-2012 at 08:20 AM
Munchie in Punta Banda








Ok, he is 7 miles west of hwy1 on carretera La Bufadora, but, his trophy case indicates he may know a few things about vehicles. His shop looks like many in Mexico. Old vehicles and parts are everywhere and a couple of dogs complete the scene.

If you wander back behind a couple of old VW bugs, you find the trophy wall. "Munchie"(Ramon Fernandez) is all over the record books in SCORE racing his VW bugs in Class 11.

He is thorough, inexpensive and calls when he discovers other problems on your vehicle. 646-154-2624 Campo LaJolla, hill side, south across street from church.

Munchie and team are prepping for San Felipe 250 next week, so his wrenching will be limited next 10 days.

[Edited on 3-3-2012 by bajadock]




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[*] posted on 3-9-2012 at 09:47 AM


Hi Lee, This is Don. I was in G Negro in need of some mechanical/welding work on the airstream and looked for Richard across from Malarrimos and Oscars out on the Hwy north of town. We need a little better description on the locations. There is a shop across and left of Malarrimos. It was closed when we were there. Oscars does not exist at the location described. Searching for Oscars, I did find a good welder approx in the area. Chino Gutierrez 615-155-96-22 is fairly new to G Negro. He has a full shop w/ milling machine, lathe and other machinery. He specializes in off road vehicles. He welded/repaired the steps to airstream and it cost $250p. Chino speaks 70% english (his description). We had a nice conservation. His grandfather was Japanese, and he said the Mexicans refer to all Asians as China so he got the nickname Chino and it stuck. He also related a story of two gringo off roaders who came to him w/a broken spindle on the off road vehicle. He milled a new part and worked until 11pm to get them on the road, and his reward was they would only pay him 1/2 his asking price. Ugly Americans.



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Lee
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[*] posted on 5-12-2012 at 02:32 PM
Mechanics in Baja -- update 5/12


Updated with a guy in GN who does welding (from Goldhuntress on another thread) and a guy in San Ignacio (from windgrrl):


LORETO:

''Ruben'' (613-114-6191) (His shop is in a large walled compound just past the Loreto Airport turnoff on the International Highway, right side, going south. It sits alone, so you can't miss it.)
__________________

MULEGE:

''Señor Oscar Rodriguez Luna'' (His shop is just off the highway (west side) as you come into town from the north (look for 'Ray's' sign on the highway) - Oscar's shop is less than 100m off the highway.)

''Coche'' (under the bridge)
__________________

GUERRERO NEGRO:

''Richard'' (across and left of Malarinnos)

You might try these places. Noe speaks some English.
Taller De Fuel Injection.
Owner: Noe Villavicencio
Cell # 01 (615)106-68-94
Email:noemmv@hotmail.com
first building on right as you enter G.N. Across from E.B.J. Whale Tours Office. I know it says Fuel Injection but he does lots of stuff and has a welder. If he can't do it he may be able to point you in the right direction.
Also, Taller Bucho's, Martin owner, no English, is a welder located across the street from the Bus Station. A few years ago Martin was trying to get a MIG welder but we don't know if he ever got one.
______________________________

ROSARITO:

''Jonnie's'' (no number)
______________________________

VIZCAINO AREA:

Refracciones y Accessories DEL VALLE (across from bus terminal)

''Chino's'' (block South of bus terminal)

''In San Ignacio, just a few blocks down the hill past the Mission and museum, there is a pretty white house on the left. It's just before a small, but very good grocery store. There is a mechanic who speaks English and is very kind and helpfu with car mechanical problems. He may have some ideas.''

______________________________

SAN FELIPE:

''Mike Hailey'' (Pete's Camp, North of San Felipe)
______________________________

TODOS SANTOS:

''Ramon Trasvina Leon'' (612-139-0493 -- Punta Lobos road.)
______________________________




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