DIY servicing - where do we start

CompBunny

Swift1 I totally agree that schools should teach more practical skills in addition to some subjects. I was lucky enough to go to a high school that had a special educational needs unit attached to it and integrated as much as possible. Kids that were unlikely to be able to achieve GCSEs or academic qualifications were taught practical skills instead and when I mentored a student there I was so shocked to find that they had lessons in practical cooking (not just scones and cakes! Things like roast dinners, carbonara, useful every day recipes) basic home DIY, personal finance, understanding and filling in forms, CAR MAINTENANCE, everyday etiquette etc. So many skills that my classmates and I following mainstream curriculum were lacking!

My parents donated their old car to the school and it was in a better condition than the other one the school had so they were able to have driving lessons on the school playing field! I'm only 24 so it wasn't even that long ago.

I also think that driving tests should include a little more than just "show me tell me". You only learn how to appease the examiner presently!

TrickyWicky

I found youtube a very good source of information. It's not like reading a book and scratching your head, watching videos of people doing things and having them explain it step by step was incredibly useful.

Everything from changing a wheel to changing a cambelt. There are probably videos for rebuilding engines too (never needed that). Even changing balljoints was on there along with how to use the extraction tool etc.

Since learning via youtube I have actually done my own oil / plugs, filters, balljoints, brakes, exhaust oh and even the cambelt (after hauling out my engine and gearbox from the car!).

Youtube really is a godsend when it comes to learning about car maintenance.

mikey72

TrickyWicky wrote: »

...........Youtube really is a godsend when it comes to learning about car maintenance.

Well, that made me feel old.

I was re-building engines before the home computer, yet alone the internet, as for youtube........

Haynes manuals always used to have the gearbox section which covered a complete rebuild, not the "these are sealed for life" they have now as well.

But first off, the Haynes manual for the car is the way to go.
(even now)

TrickyWicky

mikey72 wrote: »

I was re-building engines before the home computer, yet alone the internet, as for youtube........

I don't doubt that but how much reading did you have to do and how much experience did you have to gain from helping friends etc?

With youtube you can hit the ground running. Watch as many videos as possible (covering different makes and models so you can get an overall idea and see different ways things can be done) and it helps you to do something far faster than the traditional methods.

I'm not saying youtube is 100% perfect but it is incredibly good at showing you how to do things on a car. Where do you think I learnt how to remove an engine and gearbox on a crane from? - I had no previous experience of this.

mikey72 wrote: »

But first off, the Haynes manual for the car is the way to go.
(even now)

I disagree. Haynes misses out some small details like disconnecting speedo cables "disconnect the speedo cable and pull away the unit" when you have to twist, push to the side and then pull the cable off. Silly things like that are a big problem thanks to their lack of explanation. Add to the fact you need to see page x or chapter y for details on dismantling this bit, then chaper/page z for another part and you need 25 different bookmarks. Oily hands and haynes also don't go well together either.

scotsbob

Go online and find the owners forum for the car that you have and join up.

You will find a help page and a technical page where people offer advice and walk through instructions, you will also find people living near you who will help you. There will also be club meetings where you can get help and advice.

I bought a new car last August but the wheel nut to unlock the wheeel nuts was missing. On the user forum was a fellow owner who was an RAC mechanic. He had me round to his house to get the wheels unlocked.

I fitted fog lamps with the aid of a series of photos by a club member. Another member came to me and showed me how to fit discs and pads.

You go to a college course they deal with cars in general, join the user group for your make and model and it's all specific to you.

in_the_Cotswolds

swift1 wrote: »

I'm currently watching wheeler dealers on tv, you pick up some great knowledge on there - Edd China is just incredible - how does he know so much!

I watch Wheeler Dealers as well. However be careful in following exactly what they say. If you Google Ed China he has made a road legal settee and bed.

Do you know someone in the motor trade who will give you lessons. My brother wanted to know how to do servicing so I told him what to do and watched over.

mikey72

TrickyWicky wrote: »

I don't doubt that but how much reading did you have to do and how much experience did you have to gain from helping friends etc?

With youtube you can hit the ground running. Watch as many videos as possible (covering different makes and models so you can get an overall idea and see different ways things can be done) and it helps you to do something far faster than the traditional methods.

I'm not saying youtube is 100% perfect but it is incredibly good at showing you how to do things on a car. Where do you think I learnt how to remove an engine and gearbox on a crane from? - I had no previous experience of this.



I disagree. Haynes misses out some small details like disconnecting speedo cables "disconnect the speedo cable and pull away the unit" when you have to twist, push to the side and then pull the cable off. Silly things like that are a big problem thanks to their lack of explanation. Add to the fact you need to see page x or chapter y for details on dismantling this bit, then chaper/page z for another part and you need 25 different bookmarks. Oily hands and haynes also don't go well together either.

I still have my Haynes beetle manual from the 80's (still have the car for that matter)
It's 50/50 paper/oil by now.
Having a netbook with wifi balanced on the inlet manifold isn't quite the same.
Let alone plugging it into the car for a conversation.

I think it was all hands on experience, I used to help friends who didn't know anything. about cars.
I figured someone put the engine and gearbox in, so I could take it out.
Some just took abit longer than others, and required a bit more juming on occasionally.

It was nothing to take the head off, to change the gasket on a saturday morning then.

But cars were easier to work on, Haynes manuals were better, and more bits were expected to drop off, and you could put them in the boot and do without them for longer.

swift1_2

mechanic wrote: »

I watch Wheeler Dealers as well. However be careful in following exactly what they say. If you Google Ed China he has made a road legal settee and bed.

Do you know someone in the motor trade who will give you lessons. My brother wanted to know how to do servicing so I told him what to do and watched over.

I've seen the sofa, think he's done some other concoctions too - pretty incredible stuff. I've heard some people comment on how he should have done things differently, but guess thats just nit-picking. My only criticism is that they should go into more detail about how various parts work, with perhaps animated illustrations - something that the 'The Garage' used to do.

That Mike Brewer - he really takes the p**s, gets Edd to do all the hard-work - and then its Mike who gets to do the test-drive! Do like his cockney rhyming slang!

My 9yr old is getting into Wheeler Dealers - he's stopped watching his cartoons - which can only be a good thing - he's trying to get me to sell my car to wheeler dealers!

Most guys I know are just as useless as I am, I've been fleeced from plenty of "mechanics" over the years - one mechanic who went to change the wheel bearing ended up smashing the abs sensor and wouldn't accept any liability!

Road_Hog

puddy wrote: »

We need to get car savvy as we are paying a lot for things that are fairly cheap except for the labour costs, ie oil changes, changing discs and pads etc etc

Are there courses that the general public can access to be more car aware, I mean I dont even know how to change a wheel, are there manuals, advice etc.


Do you do your own servicing and if so how did you know what to do?

Oooh, where do I start. Starting with your last question, I and I suspect many others, started back in the '80s (or whenever) when cars were simpler and Haynes manuals covered most things.

In those days, even a relative novice could whip off a carburettor and service it. I doubt these days, even with many more years experience, that I'd like to tackle a state of the art fuel injection system.

Haynes manuals used to be good, but I get the feeling that they skip over a lot of stuff these days, because it is out of the reach of the DIY mechanic. Forums are helpful for specific questions and Youtube videos (if you can find a specific one) are also helpful.

Whilst a starter mechanics course is always useful, do bear in mind that they usually offer you a nice clean warm environment, with powered ramps, vehicles that have been taken apart and you can undo every nut, bolt, plug etc. with your fingers.

The reality is different. You're doing it in the cold/rain on your uneven drive, you don't have a complete set of Snap On tools chest sat next to you and you have to make do with a set of axle stands/ramps and a trolley jack to squeeze under the car. Plus everything is always seized up and you lose much knuckle skin and there is plenty of swearing and going back inside for a cup of tea before you try again.

That said, there is immense satisfaction in doing the work yourself and learning something. Many of the jobs are relatively straightforward, but can have disastrous if not done properly. Changing a set of brake pads will cost £120 at Halfords on a standard run of the mill car. You can buy standard pads at a decent motor factors for £20 and do it with minimum tools - standard set of spanners and a G-clamp. It can be done in less than an hour (probably less than 30 minutes for someone experienced with all the tools to hand).

You will need to spend a bit to get started. Decent range of spanners including larger ones (20mm+), socket set, G-clamp, trolley jack, axle stands, spark plug spanner.

That should do you fine to, do oil & filter change, air filter, spark plugs, front brake pads and discs.

PS Don't ever get underneath the car without axle stands (or ramps), never using just a jack, not even a trolley jack. Axle stands and trolley jack are my preferred option. There's always something unnerving being under a ton+ of metal fighting with a spanner trying to remove the sump plug that has seized.

atrixblue.-MFR-.

haynes manual for your car good set of sockets and spanners, get an oil wrench and catch bucket antifreeze tester for water drains, some nitrile gloves to protect the hands of any harmfulls, and follow haynes manual step by step, start wicth basics.

look in you cars manual for the specific oil grades and how many liters you require, some engine run with 4.7 litres while some oil manufacturers have only 4.5ltr cans, so an extra 1 liter will be required and will last an extra change later on changes. when disposing of oils seek out local tip that has a oil waste drum you can tip it in to dispose.

do research, call up a few local area motor factors see how much air filter oil filter oil and pollen filters plugs cost for your car, if one is only down the road and is priced say £54.00 but another is priced £49.00 but is 5-8 miles away would you save in fuel costs to collect and return home?

some cars like french have sump keys to undo the bolts invest in a multi set sump sockets for around £5.99.