How many owners service/work on their own cars?
21 July 2011, 03:52 PM
#1
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How many owners service/work on their own cars?
Personally I always get it done by a reputable specialist for two reasons:
1) It gets done properly as I'm not experienced in changing these things
2) Keeps the history and documentation up to scratch for re-sale
When it comes to general servicing (oil, diff, gearbox, brake fluid, filter, brake pads, disc etc) how many of you do it yourself? How did you learn to do it and what made you take the plunge and do it yourself? I could learn how to do it but would feel braver if someone was on hand to make sure I did it right.
Also whats the biggest job you have done on your own car? I really envy those of you who have no problem in changing a clutch / gearbox / engine parts yourself, I would love to be brave enough to try it, the savings in labour costs would be phenomenal.
1) It gets done properly as I'm not experienced in changing these things
2) Keeps the history and documentation up to scratch for re-sale
When it comes to general servicing (oil, diff, gearbox, brake fluid, filter, brake pads, disc etc) how many of you do it yourself? How did you learn to do it and what made you take the plunge and do it yourself? I could learn how to do it but would feel braver if someone was on hand to make sure I did it right.
Also whats the biggest job you have done on your own car? I really envy those of you who have no problem in changing a clutch / gearbox / engine parts yourself, I would love to be brave enough to try it, the savings in labour costs would be phenomenal.
Last edited by morpheus1870; 21 July 2011 at 03:54 PM.
21 July 2011, 04:02 PM
#2
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i do most of it myself or with my dads mate who is a wicked mechanic.
He has been teaching me & doing my cars since i was 17 & i'm now 32, so an oil change in engine/gearbox/diff, changing plugs, filters, fuel pumps, injectors & even a cambelt (with him watching me do the cambelt) etc is pretty straight forward.
Anything that requires the engine out goes straight to his house
as i see that as a bit much for myself & with being impatient could easily miss or damage something plus i don't have the hoist etc to get it out.
but once out i took headers off, wrapped them, turbo off etc & refitted all the parts to my replacement short block, new gaskets, clutch, heads etc etc & all was pretty easy to do. (did have a data cd on the torque settings etc to refer to) i do not advise any major work to be done unless you have the knowledge!!
You Just need the confidence, but i would not do it unless i new he was there or on the end of the phone to help me out should i 'fudge' up
oil & filters & plugs though, piece of cake & you should give it ago
as for keeping up to date with documents etc, fairplay but on my old motor not really as important to me i just keep all the receipts & a excell spreadsheet of all the work carried out & dates when done so i can just produce that. Its quite easy to see an old classic whether its used & looked after or just used & abused....
He has been teaching me & doing my cars since i was 17 & i'm now 32, so an oil change in engine/gearbox/diff, changing plugs, filters, fuel pumps, injectors & even a cambelt (with him watching me do the cambelt) etc is pretty straight forward.
Anything that requires the engine out goes straight to his house
as i see that as a bit much for myself & with being impatient could easily miss or damage something plus i don't have the hoist etc to get it out.but once out i took headers off, wrapped them, turbo off etc & refitted all the parts to my replacement short block, new gaskets, clutch, heads etc etc & all was pretty easy to do. (did have a data cd on the torque settings etc to refer to) i do not advise any major work to be done unless you have the knowledge!!
You Just need the confidence, but i would not do it unless i new he was there or on the end of the phone to help me out should i 'fudge' up
oil & filters & plugs though, piece of cake & you should give it ago
as for keeping up to date with documents etc, fairplay but on my old motor not really as important to me i just keep all the receipts & a excell spreadsheet of all the work carried out & dates when done so i can just produce that. Its quite easy to see an old classic whether its used & looked after or just used & abused....
Last edited by timmyajmy93wrx; 21 July 2011 at 04:05 PM.
) and he is in Manchester (well Stockport 
21 July 2011, 04:14 PM
#6
I do most things always have, I Changed the engine in my old NA supra and fitted a Twin Turbo engine and fitted all the mods required to produce around 450bhp and the car did produce 460bhp on the rollers when it was finished and never let me down! 
I was 20 at the time and insured it for my 21st was a amazing toy, shame i had to sell it but wanted to start my own business so used the money for that!
Go for it mate its not that hard!
I was 20 at the time and insured it for my 21st was a amazing toy, shame i had to sell it but wanted to start my own business so used the money for that! Go for it mate its not that hard!
21 July 2011, 04:18 PM
#7
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i do most of it myself or with my dads mate who is a wicked mechanic.
He has been teaching me & doing my cars since i was 17 & i'm now 32, so an oil change in engine/gearbox/diff, changing plugs, filters, fuel pumps, injectors & even a cambelt (with him watching me do the cambelt) etc is pretty straight forward.
Anything that requires the engine out goes straight to his house as i see that as a bit much for myself & with being impatient could easily miss or damage something plus i don't have the hoist etc to get it out.
but once out i took headers off, wrapped them, turbo off etc & refitted all the parts to my replacement short block, new gaskets, clutch, heads etc etc & all was pretty easy to do. (did have a data cd on the torque settings etc to refer to) i do not advise any major work to be done unless you have the knowledge!!
You Just need the confidence, but i would not do it unless i new he was there or on the end of the phone to help me out should i 'fudge' up
oil & filters & plugs though, piece of cake & you should give it ago
as for keeping up to date with documents etc, fairplay but on my old motor not really as important to me i just keep all the receipts & a excell spreadsheet of all the work carried out & dates when done so i can just produce that. Its quite easy to see an old classic whether its used & looked after or just used & abused....
He has been teaching me & doing my cars since i was 17 & i'm now 32, so an oil change in engine/gearbox/diff, changing plugs, filters, fuel pumps, injectors & even a cambelt (with him watching me do the cambelt) etc is pretty straight forward.
Anything that requires the engine out goes straight to his house
as i see that as a bit much for myself & with being impatient could easily miss or damage something plus i don't have the hoist etc to get it out.but once out i took headers off, wrapped them, turbo off etc & refitted all the parts to my replacement short block, new gaskets, clutch, heads etc etc & all was pretty easy to do. (did have a data cd on the torque settings etc to refer to) i do not advise any major work to be done unless you have the knowledge!!
You Just need the confidence, but i would not do it unless i new he was there or on the end of the phone to help me out should i 'fudge' up
oil & filters & plugs though, piece of cake & you should give it ago
as for keeping up to date with documents etc, fairplay but on my old motor not really as important to me i just keep all the receipts & a excell spreadsheet of all the work carried out & dates when done so i can just produce that. Its quite easy to see an old classic whether its used & looked after or just used & abused....
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21 July 2011, 04:21 PM
#8
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I do most things always have, I Changed the engine in my old NA supra and fitted a Twin Turbo engine and fitted all the mods required to produce around 450bhp and the car did produce 460bhp on the rollers when it was finished and never let me down! I was 20 at the time and insured it for my 21st was a amazing toy, shame i had to sell it but wanted to start my own business so used the money for that!
Go for it mate its not that hard!
I was 20 at the time and insured it for my 21st was a amazing toy, shame i had to sell it but wanted to start my own business so used the money for that! Go for it mate its not that hard!
21 July 2011, 04:21 PM
#9
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I do nearly all the work on my car, even built my forged EJ257, on 7000km now still going strong.
I wouldnt trust anyone with the car, had to many bad experiences with mechanics
I wouldnt trust anyone with the car, had to many bad experiences with mechanics
21 July 2011, 04:24 PM
#10
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Done everything myself bar a gearbox change, as I couldn`t be asked lol.
I`ve removed and fitted a new engine, do all servicing myself, and always have.
A garage is only as good as the YTS people them employ.
Tbh I couldn`t care less about re-sale value with service stamps, the stack of receipts will say a LOT more.
I`ve removed and fitted a new engine, do all servicing myself, and always have.
A garage is only as good as the YTS people them employ.
Tbh I couldn`t care less about re-sale value with service stamps, the stack of receipts will say a LOT more.
21 July 2011, 04:24 PM
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I do oil changes, brakes etc. myself but as I dont have a ramp there are some jobs I simply can't do without risking an injury.
14+ years in the auto industry working on everything from building engines, running engines on dyno and calibrating/mapping engines/ECU's has tought me enough to be able to do the work on my own car with a fair bit of confidence.
With regards to the documents, I keep detailed records of what Ive done and the receipts for all parts and I stamp my own service book.
14+ years in the auto industry working on everything from building engines, running engines on dyno and calibrating/mapping engines/ECU's has tought me enough to be able to do the work on my own car with a fair bit of confidence.
With regards to the documents, I keep detailed records of what Ive done and the receipts for all parts and I stamp my own service book.
21 July 2011, 04:32 PM
#13
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21 July 2011, 04:59 PM
#19
21 July 2011, 05:12 PM
#20
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21 July 2011, 05:20 PM
#21
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I do oil changes, brakes etc. myself but as I dont have a ramp there are some jobs I simply can't do without risking an injury.
14+ years in the auto industry working on everything from building engines, running engines on dyno and calibrating/mapping engines/ECU's has tought me enough to be able to do the work on my own car with a fair bit of confidence.
With regards to the documents, I keep detailed records of what Ive done and the receipts for all parts and I stamp my own service book.
14+ years in the auto industry working on everything from building engines, running engines on dyno and calibrating/mapping engines/ECU's has tought me enough to be able to do the work on my own car with a fair bit of confidence.
With regards to the documents, I keep detailed records of what Ive done and the receipts for all parts and I stamp my own service book.
21 July 2011, 05:22 PM
#22
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21 July 2011, 05:42 PM
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It's a shame the industry as a whole is getting this rep.
I work in a small independent garage as the mot tester
Morpheous. If you are serious about doing your own work but are hesitant then if you buy all the parts etc I will let you come and do the work here on a ramp where I have all the tools etc and I can keep you right.
Sundays are best for me as I come down to do work on my toys lol
Jay Allan it was nice meeting you and the exhaust is spot on thanks mate
I work in a small independent garage as the mot tester
Morpheous. If you are serious about doing your own work but are hesitant then if you buy all the parts etc I will let you come and do the work here on a ramp where I have all the tools etc and I can keep you right.
Sundays are best for me as I come down to do work on my toys lol
Jay Allan it was nice meeting you and the exhaust is spot on thanks mate
21 July 2011, 05:47 PM
#24
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It's a shame the industry as a whole is getting this rep.
I work in a small independent garage as the mot tester
Morpheous. If you are serious about doing your own work but are hesitant then if you buy all the parts etc I will let you come and do the work here on a ramp where I have all the tools etc and I can keep you right.
Sundays are best for me as I come down to do work on my toys lol
Jay Allan it was nice meeting you and the exhaust is spot on thanks mate
I work in a small independent garage as the mot tester
Morpheous. If you are serious about doing your own work but are hesitant then if you buy all the parts etc I will let you come and do the work here on a ramp where I have all the tools etc and I can keep you right.
Sundays are best for me as I come down to do work on my toys lol
Jay Allan it was nice meeting you and the exhaust is spot on thanks mate
21 July 2011, 05:56 PM
#25
I do all work myself, I started with rebuilding a classic mini when I was 17 I did everything with help from my dad except the paint, still have it, then have had a sierra cosworth since 1992 done everything on that including full engine rebuild had to invest in some special tools for that though, still have it and engine running well, one challenge I had was rebuilding a gearbox and replacing all bearings for the mini but that is still ok after 20+ years. Only thing I would have done in a garage on the scoob is a cambelt change as new owners would prefer a specialist to do this although I am capable, other one is a clutch change as getting to old to lie on my back dropping gearboxes now. But to me it is all part of the fun of owning cars maybe I am sad in that way
21 July 2011, 07:04 PM
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My car has had all main dealer stamps up to after I first got the car including me paying out for the mega service 10k before it needed to be done to be on the safe side.
From 46k the car has had oil changes (every 2.5-3k),sprak plugs,filters ((every 2.5-3k), etc all changed by myself and my mate who is the AA.
Nothing has be done to cut corners in terms of costs. It's just I would rather get my hands dirty and spend a few hours with a mate doing it.
Only had the belts etc changed again (Cosworth one this time) to be on the safe side as the power hicked from 280bhp / 450bhp since the belts last done and then they had only been on the car for 8k.
As long as IF you have done it yourself and you have proof oil receipts for re-sale for parts etc whats the big deal?
Steve
From 46k the car has had oil changes (every 2.5-3k),sprak plugs,filters ((every 2.5-3k), etc all changed by myself and my mate who is the AA.
Nothing has be done to cut corners in terms of costs. It's just I would rather get my hands dirty and spend a few hours with a mate doing it.
Only had the belts etc changed again (Cosworth one this time) to be on the safe side as the power hicked from 280bhp / 450bhp since the belts last done and then they had only been on the car for 8k.
As long as IF you have done it yourself and you have proof oil receipts for re-sale for parts etc whats the big deal?
Steve
21 July 2011, 07:20 PM
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I do all my own work, and will take on any job big or small on my own car. I was working on cars with my uncle when I was 12 he was a 210 national kart racer and taught me how to build and tune 2 stroke engines so I just progressed to car engines from there.
There is nothing quite like the feeling of satisfaction you get from building an engine and knowing every part was lovingly assembled by your own hands, I used to shy away from building gearboxes until I bought a wr1 with a broken box and thought why not give it a go, it turned out to be not as hard as I thougt and im glad I did, all fixed now and more knowledge gained, it saved me a fortune and at least I know its done with care.
I doubt any gararge would love my car as I do
There is nothing quite like the feeling of satisfaction you get from building an engine and knowing every part was lovingly assembled by your own hands, I used to shy away from building gearboxes until I bought a wr1 with a broken box and thought why not give it a go, it turned out to be not as hard as I thougt and im glad I did, all fixed now and more knowledge gained, it saved me a fortune and at least I know its done with care.
I doubt any gararge would love my car as I do
21 July 2011, 07:29 PM
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I do it all myself but then again I do have an MSc in Motorsport so I've been trained to do it.
If it requires something beefy like changing a clutch or I'm just plain lazy I'll take it to Thwaites Developments.
The only problem I have is I haven't got the service book stamped over the years but I have all the receipts.
If it requires something beefy like changing a clutch or I'm just plain lazy I'll take it to Thwaites Developments.
The only problem I have is I haven't got the service book stamped over the years but I have all the receipts.