Mechanical Services
Engine Repairs, Head Gasket & Timing Belt Replacement in Mascot
Head gaskets, timing belts and chains, oil leaks and full rebuilds, with an honest assessment first.
Major engine work is the point where a repair bill starts to rival what the car is worth, so the most valuable thing we do is tell you the truth about what you are facing before you commit to anything.
We pressure-test cooling systems, run compression and leak-down tests, and use a combustion gas detector to confirm a head gasket failure rather than assuming one. Plenty of cars arrive here after being told they need a head gasket when the actual fault was a failed radiator cap, a leaking hose, or a faulty thermostat.
Timing belt replacement is different — it is preventive, and it is not optional. On an interference engine a snapped belt drives the pistons into the valves and turns a scheduled service into an engine rebuild. If your logbook interval has passed, or you have bought a used car with no service history, get it checked.
What's included
- Head gasket testing, replacement and head machining
- Timing belt, tensioner and water pump replacement
- Timing chain, guide and tensioner repairs
- Compression and cylinder leak-down testing
- Oil leak diagnosis and rear main seal replacement
- Engine rebuilds and replacement engines
Signs you need this looked at
- • White smoke from the exhaust, or a sweet coolant smell
- • Coolant disappearing with no visible external leak
- • Milky residue on the oil cap or dipstick
- • Engine overheating, or temperature gauge climbing
- • Rattling from the front of the engine on start-up
Engine Repairs — common questions
When should a timing belt be replaced? +
Follow the manufacturer interval in your logbook — commonly between 90,000km and 150,000km, or by age, typically every 5 to 7 years. Age matters as much as distance, because rubber degrades whether the car is driven or not. If you have no service history, replace it.
Is a head gasket repair worth doing? +
It depends on the car and what else it needs. A head gasket on an otherwise sound vehicle with good service history is usually worth repairing. On a high-kilometre car with a tired gearbox and rust, it often is not. We give you an honest view including what we would do in your position.
My car is overheating — can I drive it in? +
Please do not. Driving an overheating engine is the fastest way to turn a hose or thermostat replacement into a warped head or a cracked block. Pull over, let it cool, and call us on 02 9667 4008 — it is far cheaper to tow it than to destroy the engine.
Do you replace the water pump with the timing belt? +
On most engines, yes, and we strongly recommend it. The pump is driven by the belt and is already exposed once the job is underway, so replacing it then costs a fraction of doing it separately later — and a failed pump takes the new belt with it.
Book your car in with Mascot’s trusted auto specialists
Friendly, honest advice and dealer-level diagnostics on all makes and models. Book a service today.
Mon–Fri 7:30am–6pm · Sat & Sun Closed