DIY Car Servicing - happy or dont touch?

[magpie215]

Happy to tackle most jobs.

I Have in the past done cambelts, engine swaps clutches gearboxes etc.

Currently running a JDM vehicle, which a lot of none specialists don't really want the hassle of (parts sourcing etc).

Therefore I try to keep as much as possible "in house".

[Neil.C]

I owned a tuning firm and garage years ago so I've done it all. Modern cars, apart from the basics often require computers/special tools and even changing a headlamp bulb can be a nightmare.

I've done my time messing about with cars and getting dirty so I let a friend of mine service and MOT ours.

I've better things to spend my time on.

[ralphy]

I like doing my own DIY on cars and motorbikes. Older vehicles (pre-ECU) are easier as they're more intuitive to diagnose and fix and for modern stuff a good OBD code reader is a great tool for identifing problems.

Older car example:



A Vauxhall estate that belongs to a neighbour and for which he was quoted over £200 to replace the roof aerial, I managed the job in two hours and less than £10 in parts.


Modern car example:



10 year-old car presenting multiple issues (16 in fact) but with OBD diagnostics, two hours spent and £60 parts it was all sorted.

R

[TheTigerUK]

What I can do service wise myself I will because apart from it saves a good chunk of money I think we do a better job on our own cars than a third party will do, for example I changed the plugs recently in one of my cars but while doing that I checked and cleaned everything I could get too in this part of the engine, a third party would have just changed the plugs, job done.

Last week I had two track rod ends fitted to my MR2, simple job but after fitting a wheel alignment is needed so these were fitted at a garage and a good job done but if I had been able to do the job myself I would of cleaned the area, treated any rust in reach, sprayed WD40 on nuts/threads and perhaps replaced any unimportant screws/nuts/bolts with stainless etc.

Plus doing it myself I find it satisfying and keeps the brain and hands going.

[adrianw]

What I can do service wise myself I will because apart from it saves a good chunk of money I think we do a better job on our own cars than a third party will do, for example I changed the plugs recently in one of my cars but while doing that I checked and cleaned everything I could get too in this part of the engine, a third party would have just changed the plugs, job done.

Last week I had two track rod ends fitted to my MR2, simple job but after fitting a wheel alignment is needed so these were fitted at a garage and a good job done but if I had been able to do the job myself I would of cleaned the area, treated any rust in reach, sprayed WD40 on nuts/threads and perhaps replaced any unimportant screws/nuts/bolts with stainless etc.

Plus doing it myself I find it satisfying and keeps the brain and hands going.

You can do it yourself, string it

[Dave+63]

What I can do service wise myself I will because apart from it saves a good chunk of money I think we do a better job on our own cars than a third party will do, for example I changed the plugs recently in one of my cars but while doing that I checked and cleaned everything I could get too in this part of the engine, a third party would have just changed the plugs, job done.

Last week I had two track rod ends fitted to my MR2, simple job but after fitting a wheel alignment is needed so these were fitted at a garage and a good job done but if I had been able to do the job myself I would of cleaned the area, treated any rust in reach, sprayed WD40 on nuts/threads and perhaps replaced any unimportant screws/nuts/bolts with stainless etc.

Plus doing it myself I find it satisfying and keeps the brain and hands going.

You do realise that WD40 is a penetrating oil, used to help loosen tight and corroded threads? It doesn’t protect against corrosion, grease in one of its many guises (normal/copper/aluminium etc) is what should be used in this instance.

[adrianw]

You do realise that WD40 is a penetrating oil, used to help loosen tight and corroded threads? It doesn’t protect against corrosion, grease in one of its many guises (normal/copper/aluminium etc) is what should be used in this instance.

Unless specifically waterproof, most greases are hydroscopic

[Mouse]

Unless specifically waterproof, most greases are hydroscopic

I think you mean 'hygroscopic'

[TheTigerUK]

You do realise that WD40 is a penetrating oil, used to help loosen tight and corroded threads? It doesn’t protect against corrosion, grease in one of its many guises (normal/copper/aluminium etc) is what should be used in this instance.

Thats why I use it in preparation of replacing rusty bolts etc.

[Dave+63]

Thats why I use it in preparation of replacing rusty bolts etc.

My mistake, that wasn’t what I read from what you wrote.

[Enoch]

You do realise that WD40 is a penetrating oil, used to help loosen tight and corroded threads? It doesn’t protect against corrosion, grease in one of its many guises (normal/copper/aluminium etc) is what should be used in this instance.

Sorry to disagree Dave.🤓👍 It’s a moisture dispersal spray with some lubricating qualities. But as a penetrating oil it’s pretty poor. It’s a general purpose spray and will help in many situations, but it just doesn’t compare to a proper dedicated penetrating oil.

[adrianw]

Sorry to disagree Dave.邏 It’s a moisture dispersal spray with some lubricating qualities. But as a penetrating oil it’s pretty poor. It’s a general purpose spray and will help in many situations, but it just doesn’t compare to a proper dedicated penetrating oil.

Out of interest this has to be the best penetrating oil on the planet

https://htsupplies.co.uk/products/in...ck-oil-aerosol

[Neil.C]

What I can do service wise myself I will because apart from it saves a good chunk of money I think we do a better job on our own cars than a third party will do, for example I changed the plugs recently in one of my cars but while doing that I checked and cleaned everything I could get too in this part of the engine, a third party would have just changed the plugs, job done.

Last week I had two track rod ends fitted to my MR2, simple job but after fitting a wheel alignment is needed so these were fitted at a garage and a good job done but if I had been able to do the job myself I would of cleaned the area, treated any rust in reach, sprayed WD40 on nuts/threads and perhaps replaced any unimportant screws/nuts/bolts with stainless etc.

Plus doing it myself I find it satisfying and keeps the brain and hands going.

Next time you can DIY and clean up stuff as much as you like.

Just count the turns as you remove the track rod ends and refit the new ones the same number of turns. Tighten up and either string track or take it to a tyre shop for tracking.