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Author: Subject: (UPDATE) broke down in Mulege: I need a decent mechanic...
vandy
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[*] posted on 7-18-2014 at 06:56 AM
(UPDATE) broke down in Mulege: I need a decent mechanic...


I was on my way towards the cool Pacific near Asuncion when my car blew a head gasket.
I got a tow to Autoservicio El Mulegeno.
Is this a reputable shop?
Thanks in advance!

Hmmm...I also need to check the posting forum next time...
"Non-trip reports"
Let's see: I didn't check the Agua Verde pavement.
Best gas station right at Soriana exit La Paz.
Soriana breaking $100 bills if you buy 300 pesos in food for 12.8 per dollar
Police will call a tow truck which costs 1500 pesos for ten miles.
[Edited on 7-18-2014 by vandy]

[Edited on 7-18-2014 by vandy]

[Edited on 8-4-2014 by vandy]
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bajalorena
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[*] posted on 7-18-2014 at 07:07 AM


Find Rudy! Both times we have had problems, he was able to help and very reasonable. He was about 3 streets down the main road to the right as I recall.
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baja2013
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[*] posted on 7-18-2014 at 07:07 AM
Mechanic


I think those guys are good ...However ......if you need another shop use Oscar on the ice house road, on the left, just a few hundred feet from hwy.....!......
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vandy
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[*] posted on 7-18-2014 at 07:16 AM


Looks like I will get it done here since my car ain't moving and I haven't heard any scathing reports
Mechanics show up soon...
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gnukid
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[*] posted on 7-18-2014 at 07:27 AM


A blown head gasket is associated with a range of issues from just blown head gasket to warped head and parts that require re-machining or unfixable. it's up to the mechanic and their experience to note pitting issues after taking off the head and cleaning it up, but often in mexico, they don't have access to tools or environment to skim machine the head or even clean up properly and replacing the gasket won't help much on it's own. The type of motor also may tell a bit by known tendencies and type. Point is, it's not advisable to simply take a quick pass and replace the gasket and head back out to the desert. Whatever the work done, you should stay in town for a while and drive around to heat it up and see what happens. This type of repair is prone to failure in this environment. Good luck
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boe4fun
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[*] posted on 7-18-2014 at 07:33 AM


Ditto on Oscar, he's very good and reasonable.



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vandy
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[*] posted on 7-18-2014 at 07:46 AM


Looks like I will get it done here since my car ain't moving and I haven't heard any scathing reports
Just got quoted 4500 for everything.
I told em to go ahead, please.
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vandy
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[*] posted on 7-18-2014 at 07:49 AM


That includes machining the head in Constitucion and the gasket, oil, filter, etc.
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willyAirstream
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[*] posted on 7-18-2014 at 07:53 AM


You are good where you are, for now. As gnukid said, your head maybe warped, requiring machine shops service. Before assembly have them show you the mating surfaces are true. There is a machine shop in Loreto and CC and Santa Rosalia, but none in Mulege. CC being the ``engine machine shop``.
My recommendations for mechanics here are Pac and Daniel, just north of town and Coche under the bridge.
I live here full time, glad to help, in any way needed. Ck ur u2u




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chuckie
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[*] posted on 7-18-2014 at 08:07 AM


Pac and Daniel are magic guys...and honest...



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micah202
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[*] posted on 7-18-2014 at 08:36 AM


.
..those guys on the hill are great--for my work,,they actually referred me to Oscar..so it's clear they work something as a team anyways!

....to break down and end up in Mulege is but a dream...not the cheapest mechanico's but certainly right for your head rebuild :yes:

....you'll stay long enough,,you might want to check-out some of the cottages available---sweet little town! :yes::yes:
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absinvestor
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[*] posted on 7-18-2014 at 09:04 AM


Agree with Micah202 but Mulege is rather "toasty" this time of year.
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RenoJoe
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[*] posted on 7-18-2014 at 09:06 AM


Bukoveck Auto Servicio did a great job on my Samari. They are very knowledgeable and reasonable. Main highway Km 136. Cell # 615 104 5423. Email was driftgta@hotmail.com
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willyAirstream
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[*] posted on 7-18-2014 at 09:14 AM


Fwiw, Bukoveck auto is Pac and Daniel.
There are other mechanics in town where you may need a year round rental :)
Toasty, yes, but more like scalding hot oatmeal. :)




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micah202
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[*] posted on 7-18-2014 at 09:22 AM


.
....ahh yes,,forgot 'bout the heat...must be why there's so much grumping from the area these days--those palms,,pools ,,the ocean and cantinas must help,,no?

...what kind of temps these daze?
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vandy
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[*] posted on 7-18-2014 at 09:25 AM


Thank you all, but I am hoping just to rent a room for the night and be gone tomorrow evening, after testing the hell out of the car nearby first.

Winters on the Cortez side and summers on the Pacific.
Everybody should have two places in Baja, even if they are just for camping...




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BooJumMan
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[*] posted on 7-18-2014 at 09:33 AM


$4500?? Man, I need to become a mechanic down in Mexico! :)

I guess thats reasonable, I've never paid for mechanic work luckily, but depending on the car, it can be a pretty long process. Speaking of, what kind of car is it? (year/make/model)? How many miles on it?
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micah202
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[*] posted on 7-18-2014 at 10:36 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by vandy
Thank you all, but I am hoping just to rent a room for the night and be gone tomorrow evening, after testing the hell out of the car nearby first.

Winters on the Cortez side and summers on the Pacific.
Everybody should have two places in Baja, even if they are just for camping...


...hmmm,that timeline sounds a tad optimistic

....from -everything- I've heard,,,the only 'place' I have in Baja would be on wheels!:light::light:

...I presume the $4500 is pesos,,,still a fair bit,,and hopefully for NOB quality. Over the years,mechanicos -have- figured out that they can charge that and people are still grateful......you might still find a mechanico in an isolated place that charges 20Ps/hr,,or it could go the other way!!......In any case,I love the resourcefulness,,,but be careful to know what you're paying for --a -proper- job at proper $.....or if it's 'stopgap',,hopefully that's all you pay for...but yeh,,the Mulege mechanics are pretty straightforward.

[Edited on 7-18-2014 by micah202]
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[*] posted on 7-18-2014 at 11:11 AM


Quote:
Originally posted by willyAirstream
You are good where you are, for now. As gnukid said, your head maybe warped, requiring machine shops service. Before assembly have them show you the mating surfaces are true. There is a machine shop in Loreto and CC and Santa Rosalia, but none in Mulege. CC being the ``engine machine shop``.
My recommendations for mechanics here are Pac and Daniel, just north of town and Coche under the bridge.
I live here full time, glad to help, in any way needed. Ck ur u2u


Where is the maching shop in Loreto? I have not found one. There is a guy in Miramar that claims to be a machine shop but his equipment is terrible.
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Lee
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[*] posted on 7-18-2014 at 11:15 AM


Mechanics in Baja thread...

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=57238#pid9039...




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