Howard Motor Repairs

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A bit of old-school troubleshooting on a true American classic!Today we had the pleasure of welcoming this beautiful 196...
21/10/2026

A bit of old-school troubleshooting on a true American classic!

Today we had the pleasure of welcoming this beautiful 1967 Ford Mustang into the HMR workshop after it decided it wasn't going to start at home.

With a classic like this, you don't want to take any chances! Our team at Wide Bay Towing carefully loaded this beauty onto our tilt tray and transported it safely back to the HMR workshop.

Once she was safely in the workshop, it was time to put the diagnostic skills to work.

Unlike modern vehicles, there's no scan tool to plug in and tell us where to start. Just a multimeter, some electrical knowledge and a bit of old-school fault finding!

We quickly established that there was no power to the ignition coil with the key on, but power was present while cranking.

That had us considering a possible ballast resistor issue, so we investigated the ignition system further.
We confirmed it was running a 12V ignition coil and tracked the fault down to a blown fuse.

Sometimes it's the simplest things that stop a car in its tracks!

A quick fix later and this old girl was back up and running sweet.

While she's here, we're also treating her to a full service and a replacement radiator to keep her cruising reliably.

It's not every day we get to work on something this iconic, and it's a great reminder that whether it's a modern diesel or a nearly 60-year-old classic, good diagnostics are all about understanding how things work and finding the actual cause of the problem.

As a locally owned, family-run business, we take pride in looking after our customers and their vehicles as if they were our own. Whether it's a family runabout, a hardworking 4WD or a cherished classic like this Mustang, we believe in doing the job properly and providing good, honest service.

With HMR and Wide Bay Towing both under the same local family ownership, we can look after you from the moment your vehicle breaks down right through to getting it safely back on the road.

Two local businesses, one family behind them, and a genuine passion for keeping vehicles on the road.

06/10/2026

FLASHING DPF LIGHT… BUT THE DPF WASN’T THE REAL PROBLEM!

Friday night we towed this 2019 Mitsubishi Triton towed into the workshop with a flashing DPF light on the dash.

First priority? We sorted the customer out with a loan car so they could get back to Bundaberg while we got to work finding out what was going on.

The Triton still drove reasonably well and, with only 120,000km on the clock and not overdue for a service, you wouldn’t necessarily expect what we found next…

The engine oil level was massively overfull.

That’s a big warning sign.

Repeated unsuccessful DPF regenerations can result in diesel fuel contaminating the engine oil — so rather than simply forcing another DPF burn and sending it on its way, we wanted to find out WHY the DPF wasn’t regenerating properly.

We smoke-tested the intake system and found the culprit:

A pinhole leak in a boost/charge pipe.

Small fault. Big flow-on effect.

That boost leak was affecting the conditions the engine needed for the DPF system to operate correctly — and it’s a great example of why replacing or cleaning a DPF without properly diagnosing the vehicle can be an expensive mistake.

The fix:

New charge pipe
Intake clean
Fresh engine oil & filter to remove the fuel-diluted oil
Confirm correct DPF operation
Final checks before handing it back

And this Triton is back on the road!

Modern DPF systems are generally pretty reliable. When one starts giving trouble, there’s often an underlying reason — the important part is finding it.

If your diesel has a DPF warning light, is carrying out frequent burns, has rising engine oil levels or just isn’t behaving like it normally does, don’t ignore it.

Diagnose the cause — don’t just treat the warning light.

01/10/2026

𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿! 🐻‍❄️❄️

We all know how 𝘶𝘯𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 those scorching summer days can be - especially when you have to climb into a hot car. 🥵

Book your air conditioning service today so that your car is the coolest place to be this summer!

New truck, straight into the workshop.This morning we had our new Iveco tilt tray in at Howard Motor Repairs for a full ...
18/08/2026

New truck, straight into the workshop.
This morning we had our new Iveco tilt tray in at Howard Motor Repairs for a full service and thorough check-over after its big trip home.
Even though it’s new to us and has already covered plenty of kilometres without missing a beat, we like to know exactly where everything stands before putting a vehicle into regular service.
Fluids, filters, brakes, suspension, driveline and all the usual checks — giving it a proper once-over from front to back.
It’s the same approach we take with our customers’ vehicles. Preventative maintenance and regular inspections can pick up small problems before they become expensive breakdowns.
The Iveco is now serviced, checked over and almost ready to get to work with Wide Bay Towing.

If your vehicle is due for a service or you want peace of mind before a big trip, get in touch with the team at Howard Motor Repairs — we’re here to keep you moving safely and reliably.

Our little Venues have been home for less than 72 hours after their cross-country adventure from Perth… and they’re alre...
17/08/2026

Our little Venues have been home for less than 72 hours after their cross-country adventure from Perth… and they’re already being put straight to work.

After more than 4,500km across Australia proving themselves on just about every kind of road we could find, there certainly hasn’t been much time for a rest.

Right now we have HMR loan cars out helping customers in Sapphire, Rockhampton and Blackwater, while this one is loaded up with Wide Bay Towing and about to head to Brisbane tonight.

Because when your vehicle breaks down hundreds of kilometres from home, getting the vehicle recovered is only half the problem — you still need to get home.

That’s exactly why we have our loan vehicle fleet.

Between Howard Motor Repairs and Wide Bay Towing, we’re trying to make a breakdown that little bit less painful by not only getting your vehicle where it needs to go, but helping keep you moving as well.

Not bad for two little Venues that only arrived home three days ago.

Safe to say, they’re earning their keep already.

What a week!After a flight from Brisbane to Perth Monday lunchtime and around 5,500 km on the road since then, the great...
15/08/2026

What a week!

After a flight from Brisbane to Perth Monday lunchtime and around 5,500 km on the road since then, the great HMR cross-country adventure is finally over.

Two Hyundai Venues left Perth and somehow survived everything we threw at them — highways, dirt roads, our accidental “rally stage”, the Nullarbor and a whole lot of kilometres without missing a beat.

Then came Wagga Wagga, where we picked up the newest addition to the fleet — our Iveco Eurocargo tilt tray — and suddenly the little Hyundai's that had carried us halfway across Australia got to enjoy the rest of the trip from the tray.

We made it to Moonie, unloaded one of the cars so it could head north to its destination for a week, then pointed the Iveco towards home.

After one hell of a week, I finally rolled back into the Wide Bay late last night.

Perth to home, 5,500 km, two Hyundai Venues, one new truck and plenty of stories along the way.

Safe to say the new loan cars and truck have been thoroughly road tested.

Now I think we’re all ready for a sleep.

Well… the Hyundais didn’t make it home.After 3,500 km since Monday afternoon, we finally had to admit defeat…Just kiddin...
13/08/2026

Well… the Hyundais didn’t make it home.

After 3,500 km since Monday afternoon, we finally had to admit defeat…

Just kidding.

The little Venues have been absolutely sensational. From highways to our unexpected outback rally stage, they haven’t missed a beat.

The real reason they’re on the back of a truck is because we’ve made it to Wagga Wagga to pick up the newest addition to the fleet — our Iveco tilt tray.

With an 8.5 metre tray and 12-tonne carrying capacity, this truck is going to open up a whole new range of jobs for us.

And because driving two cars across Australia apparently wasn’t enough of an adventure, we’re backloading the Hyundais onto the new truck and taking the whole lot home together.

So now there’s just one small job left…

The long haul from Wagga Wagga back to Howard.

At least this time we only have to drive one vehicle.

Another big day on the road, and a fair few kilometres closer to home.We were up early and rolling out of Cocklebiddy, w...
12/08/2026

Another big day on the road, and a fair few kilometres closer to home.

We were up early and rolling out of Cocklebiddy, with our first stop at Eucla for fuel and breakfast.

While we were there, we figured the servo car park was as good a workshop as any, so the Venues got a quick oil change and check-over before continuing east. We even managed to squeeze in a roadside repair, helping a lady travelling in a Fiat Ducato who was having some AdBlue troubles.

Then it was onto one of the highlights of the trip — crossing the Nullarbor and stopping to take in the incredible Great Australian Bight. Photos really don't do that coastline justice.

After yesterday's unexpected rally stage, the little Venues are looking a little worse for wear, but they're still happily clocking up the kilometres.

We stopped in at the very pretty town of Ceduna for another fuel stop and a look around before pointing the cars towards Port Augusta.

It's been a massive few days since leaving Perth, but the adventure isn't over yet.

Onwards towards Port Augusta tonight, and then Wagga tomorrow for something we're pretty excited about.

Stay tuned — tomorrow should be a good one.

11/08/2026

❤️ 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗖𝗔𝗥... 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞! ❤️

Had your vehicle serviced with us recently? Then you're already on your way to winning!

Customers who service their vehicle with us before 30 September, 2026 will have the opportunity to win from a pool of exciting prizes, including:

🚘 5 x $1,000 Repco Authorised Service vouchers
🚘 20 x $100 fuel vouchers
🚘 10 x Car Care Gift Packs
🚘 5 x Supercars Merch Packs

Entering is easy! Simply complete the entry form at repcoservice.com/win and tell us in 25 words or less why you should win!

T&Cs apply. Entries close September 30, 2026.

Today’s instalment of the HMR loan car road trip took a bit of a detour.Google Maps showed us what looked like a handy 2...
11/08/2026

Today’s instalment of the HMR loan car road trip took a bit of a detour.

Google Maps showed us what looked like a handy 200km shortcut, and after checking with a couple of locals that the road was suitable, we thought we were onto a winner.
What followed was about 200km that was more like a rally stage than a shortcut.
In a 4WD it would have been an absolutely amazing track. In two little Hyundai Venues, it was slightly more stressful.
Mud, corrugations, potholes, loose gravel and plenty of moments where we questioned our decision-making, but both cars — and both drivers — made it through in one piece.
Can officially confirm: Hyundai Venues make mint little rally cars.
We said we were bringing home some new loan cars for HMR. Apparently we’ve decided to thoroughly road test them on the way.
Still heading east. Still 3500km to conquer. And the little Venues are earning their keep already.

Address

86-88 William Street
Howard, QLD
4659

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 2:30pm

Telephone

+61741294813

Website

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