DIY servicing - where do we start

s_b

rictus123 wrote: »

I am also one that needs to start servicing my car myself as it will soon pay for itself if i do...

we were a bit stuck for cash last year so we cut down on the dogs food
saved loads of money we did

then it died:D

Road_Hog

s_b wrote: »

we were a bit stuck for cash last year so we cut down on the dogs food
saved loads of money we did

then it died:D

Not funny. Many people feed dogs awful food that is not good for it. If you feed your dogs Bakers, then you will go to a very nasty burny place.

Limey

Road_Hog wrote: »

If you feed your dogs Bakers, then you will go to a very nasty burny place.

I find the ones from Greggs don't put up as much of a fight, must be something to do with poor job satisfaction.

Road_Hog

Limey wrote: »

I find the ones from Greggs don't put up as much of a fight, must be something to do with poor job satisfaction.

Don't ever eat anything from Greggs of Twickenham, I know someone who used to work there (probably still does, but I've moved from the area). You don't want to know what he did to the food.

Gurj247

Also I forgot to mention that if you want something a bit more detailed with regard to a DIY Handbook for servicing, then try searching for "Bentley Manuals" thier manual seems to be a lot more detailed that the Haynes Manuals from what I have seen from thier respective manuals on my car.

Andy_L

jase1 wrote: »

I think you're being sexist for assuming that only women have long nails....

Or that "spanner rash" won't knacker short nails either

mallymal

I think half the answer depends what age your car is, how much you want a stamped service book, and generally how complex your car is.

When you look at an invoice for a service, half the things they charge for are ridiculously basic, eg:
>Topping up windscreen washer
>Topping up oil

Then there are things which are a wee bit harder - but easy to learn - eg spark plugs.

If it's an old car & you just want to keep it safe & sound, learn how to do the basics & crack on!

roswell

you have to factor i costs for tools.

While i like tools and have a fair collection they have on the whole cost me money for things ill probably never end up doing again (see spring clamps), on the other had I have replaced a water pump only for the aux belt tensioner to sheer 10 miles later and wipe out the new belt..

sometimes its worth doing DIY, other times its best off just paying the labour.

While i still dont mind doing general air filter / fuel filter / oil change I have now stopped doing things like suspention work spending 4 hours on my back in the cold when I can drop it off at a garage and pick it up 2 hours later.

mikey72

roswell wrote: »

you have to factor i costs for tools.

While i like tools and have a fair collection they have on the whole cost me money for things ill probably never end up doing again (see spring clamps), on the other had I have replaced a water pump only for the aux belt tensioner to sheer 10 miles later and wipe out the new belt..

sometimes its worth doing DIY, other times its best off just paying the labour.

While i still dont mind doing general air filter / fuel filter / oil change I have now stopped doing things like suspention work spending 4 hours on my back in the cold when I can drop it off at a garage and pick it up 2 hours later.

I've still got tools I bought nearly 40 years ago. (I can vouch for budget draper socket sets) A bit rusty from when it rained on me as a student, but still surviving.
Even the little trolley jack is a 40 year old draper one.

Now I can afford Halfords pro tools, and Snap on, I still use the old ones.

red_eye

Gurj247 wrote: »

With regard to a tools to purchase I have used the Halfords Professional Set - it can be expensive, but every not and then they do it at Half Price in sales (circa £100) but i have never really needed to get any other tools since (apart from some specific tools for my car). Also the fact that it has a lifetime garuntee is great. When a peice did break, went to Halfords to show them, they instantly took the broken piece and issued me with a replacement and off i went

Sealys tools is also good they dont have deals every now and then more like every month! http://www.sealey.co.uk/PLPageBuilder.asp?id=26&method=mPromotionTitlesCurrent&
I brought a £350 tool box with £250 worth of tools. all life time warranty. I gave the socket set to my dad as Im still using the sealy set from 1996 I also have a load of halfords stuff not had to warranty anything yet their recipes have faded so its going to fun