SNAKEBITE Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 Howw many of you service your own cars? I try to do what I can to keep costs down, I usually spend a month doing a few things a week. It keeps my hand in and I do enjoy it. Went to do the plugs and leads this week, no leads in stock (well not the ones I wanted, all they had were a set for £36 ) It was bad enough getting 4 plugs for £20! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
08shooter Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 i drive an 04 toledo 20 v and rather than pay 150 quid to have the dealer service i done it myself .it cost me around 60 quid and that was with the best oil i could get.i never scrimp on oil.if i traded it in its 3 years old now ,they would nt offer me any more for a full service history.i have only 41 thousand on the clock.hope she keeps going for another 100 thous.i used to love my fast cars since i got married it is only a mode of transport and i would nt fancy taking a mint car into some of the yards i go to shoot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J@mes Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 I always have, and always will service my own cars - apart from major jobs such as the cambelt on the 3000GT i have just sold. I prefer to have the choice over what oil, filters and plugs go on the car and have the spare £100 in my bank my labour is free.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BSA Shaun Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 I get it serviced by the main dealer at the mo, because of my warranty. But the landy i service myself and have done with previous cars. Just don't attempt the cam belt personally Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKEBITE Posted May 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 With the oil I used to do it myself but now I go to National garages where they do the oil and filter change for less than I could buy the oil for! It is premium grade oil as well, I have seen the 50 gallon drum they decant it from! The book says I should change the oil once a year but I do it every six months, that is one area I never scrimp on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chunk Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 Service my car and bike. It really grips me paying a dealer 150 quid for basically an oil change. If i do it i know its done and no corners have been cut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knocker Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 sadly i run a landrover 90, a range rover and a discovery........this means i service and repair them constantly and have to have a seperate garage for spares and oil i love em though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 Have done in the past but can't be ***** arguing about maintaining warranty now so I go to the main dealers. I fight over the price though, Audi tried to charge me £390 for an oil service, which included 2.5 hours of labour and 6 litres of oil (the manual lists 4.8l as the capacity). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snyper Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 Went to do the plugs and leads this week, no leads in stock (well not the ones I wanted, all they had were a set for £36 :( ) It was bad enough getting 4 plugs for £20! I had a VW Golf VR6 once (god i miss it ) and a set of leads for it ws £130 and £120 for plugs Ive got a Golf TDi now so no plugs or leads, just loads of bl**dy filters and i service my Landy 110 myself as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnGalway Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 I bring mine to the garage twice a year, usually at the beginning and end of winter. If I were to service it myself I'd break it Although I may apply for a basic car course this Autumn just so I'm not completely useless if something goes wrong (which in fairness it doesn't). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magman Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 just run em til they die then sell em anyone want to buy a motor one carefull owner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Browning GTS Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 Just had my jeep done. It is only 2 years old but high milage( 60,000) so i took it in for what i thought the cambelt service to the dealer because no one else had the tools. When i went to collect it a result, there was a recall out and the ball joints and torque converter were replaced. Then found out the cambelt is at 100,000 so it cost £270 insted of £850. If i had gone to a independant garage i think it could have cost a lot more in the long run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gully Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 Have done in the past but can't be ***** arguing about maintaining warranty now so I go to the main dealers. I fight over the price though, Audi tried to charge me £390 for an oil service, which included 2.5 hours of labour and 6 litres of oil (the manual lists 4.8l as the capacity). I got stung for that too. Our car's are pretty much the same age I think. I nearly had a heart attack when they brought me the bill for an oil and pollen filter change. Mine's a company car but I wrote them a very strong letter and they're giving me the next service for free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunter Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 Talking of car repairs, I have just bought myself all the ki including plasma cutter to cut out rusted sections an fit in new plates, via an air tool crimped edge, and plate tig welded on the kit costs more then a secondhand car :( but I enjoy doing it, and may make a few beer pennies out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 I always have, and always will service my own cars - apart from major jobs such as the cambelt on the 3000GT i have just sold. I prefer to have the choice over what oil, filters and plugs go on the car and have the spare £100 in my bank my labour is free.... J@mes, that cambelt is a very easy one to change mate. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duster Posted May 26, 2007 Report Share Posted May 26, 2007 I'm a mechanical engineer by trade, so do all servicing myself where possible. Trouble with modern cars is the ECU - many need hooking up to a diagnostics computer, something I dont have. That's what I like about the old Land -Rovers, so easy to work on. Just as well, really. Duster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKEBITE Posted May 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 27, 2007 The cars have definatley got more involved! I remember (around the same time NGK plugs were £1.25 each and came seperatly!!) changing the engine in my Mk1 Sierra and standing in the engine bay as it was lowered in, you can't get a rizla between most bits in a modern car now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natures_son Posted May 28, 2007 Report Share Posted May 28, 2007 Im currently doing a mechanics course at college. Bought myself a project car to do up as well needs a fair bit of work but will be worth it in the long run have a lot lined up for it. A 1976 toyota celica Lt. Will be taking the 18rc motor out in a couple of weeks and droping in either the 18rg or the 2tg motor. Then further down the line when i have more funds will be dropping a v8 in there. But alot to do till then. The 18rc needs a new manifold gasket fitting. Car needs respraying ill be a diy job got the spray guns here and the workshop to do it in. Will be resprayed a nice metallic royal blue. Then interior retrimmed in black leather with royal blue stitching. Alot of work but will leave me with a classic ride that goes hard. Then after that have an old 1982 hilux to do up. But that will be a work vehicle so just make the ride comfier raise her up and stick some off roaders on her. Will put up pics of both projects when i have the chance. B) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKEBITE Posted May 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 28, 2007 Sounds a bit more involved than just a service! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Natures_son Posted May 28, 2007 Report Share Posted May 28, 2007 Servicing is easy mate i like a challenge instead B) And trust me this celica is going to be one hell of a challenge. Sorry for side tracking the thread if anyone is interested in it ill start up a seperate thread with pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJaxeman Posted May 28, 2007 Report Share Posted May 28, 2007 Lukily all my motor's are old ones so do the servicing myself the only thing I didn't do myself recently was the Cambelt on the shogun it's her's didn't want to muck it up My defender 90 who cares Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Axe Posted May 29, 2007 Report Share Posted May 29, 2007 I wouldnt know where to start on my 53 plated Volvo and wouldnt even if I did. Too much bother with warranty etc. And i've had some issues too. The so called built for life Volvo has had a new steering pump, steering rack, steering wheel! I've had repeated problems with the nearside front suspension unit and now the rear suspension units have begun to knock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted May 29, 2007 Report Share Posted May 29, 2007 Service? When the oil disappears.....I add more equals an oil change If the oil filter springs a leak.......I pry it off with screw driver and replace When the exhaust rusts away.....I add a new one If some thing breaks..... I weld it back on If the rad gets low while out hunting......I have a cup of coffee and fill it back up My toyote truck is a 1985 with 680000 k never had a cam belt done, and still passes its tests Unfortunatley the frame has had it and there is no where to weld back onto anymore. Will have to replace it soon. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunkield Posted May 29, 2007 Report Share Posted May 29, 2007 I wouldnt know where to start on my 53 plated Volvo and wouldnt even if I did. From memory Axe it took 4 of us about half an hour to find the battery in that Volvo! I 'service' my Pug as it is deisel and only needs a filter/oil + any water and/or air taking out of the fuel line. I put it into a main dealer to have the belt done, but that is only every 72,000 anyway. I had a VW Golf VR6 once (god i miss it ) same as that. Mind you my licence spends at lot more time with me than it did when I had mine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hodmedod.one Posted May 29, 2007 Report Share Posted May 29, 2007 Service? When the oil disappears.....I add more equals an oil change If the oil filter springs a leak.......I pry it off with screw driver and replace When the exhaust rusts away.....I add a new one If some thing breaks..... I weld it back on If the rad gets low while out hunting......I have a cup of coffee and fill it back up My toyote truck is a 1985 with 680000 k never had a cam belt done, and still passes its tests Unfortunatley the frame has had it and there is no where to weld back onto anymore. Will have to replace it soon. NTTF When you sell it don't forget to include the immortal phrase.. "Fastidiously maintained, regardless of cost" in your advert. You will have the punters queueing up to buy it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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