Thinking of doing my own servicing - advice please

C

Caveat

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Hi

As far as I can see, from talking to people and from looking at my Haynes manual, most of the routine jobs are easy.

Are there any circumstances where it would be regarded as essential or even 'highly desirable' say, to source the manufacturer's own parts (filters etc)?

We're not talking high spec cars here: Almera + Micra.

Also, any basic tools that I would not be able to do without?

Thanks
 
to be honest with you mate and do not take this the wrong way but if you have to consult a haynes manual about servicing i dont think you are experianced to do it yourself that is if you plan in charging people, however if its your own cars and you want to learn by all means fire away as we all need to learn and in these times save money by doing our own servicing

what id suggest to you to get:
a complete socket set and rachet going from 10mm to say 24mm (wont need all of them but handy to have)
a spark plug removal socket
an oil drain pan
a trolley jack

things you'll need for a basic service:
new oil most cars take between 3-5litres
new oil filter
new sump plug and washer
new air filter
new fuel filter
new set of spark plugs
 
Good advice Andy. A trolley Jack is a bit over the top but you may need a strap wrench to take the oil filter off. Please remember safety, never go under the car and rely on the Jack alone, use a belts and braces aproach, support the car by 2 methods, so that if one fails the other will save you.
 
then by all means fire away mate its a great way to learn and save money in time, dealerships charge €250 onwards for something you can do yourself for under €100 ive been doing my own cars for years
 
Thanks Andy - what about parts then - filters, plugs etc - is the like of Halfords OK for these?

Any reason or circumstances where I should really get the original parts?
 
Caveat said:
Thanks Andy - what about parts then - filters, plugs etc - is the like of Halfords OK for these?

Any reason or circumstances where I should really get the original parts?
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i dont like halfords for parts tbh you will find better deals in your local motor factors dont get me wrong halfords can be good but better deals in a motorfactors, personally i only use genuine oil filters on my cars when servicing these are about €10 for your local genuine dealer but you can get aspurious ones in the motor factors for €3-8 give or take your car make depends on what ur servicing for the likes of almera/micra type cars aspurious filters will be fine
 
OK thanks for that - maybe for the sake of something like €2 -3 I'll just use the genuine parts then.
 
You will also need a way to dispose of the waste oil.

I'm not sure if any of the bring centres will take it.
 
Caveat, apply to Halfords for a Trade Discount Card and get 20% off service parts - they don't apply the discounts to all their lines, but you'll save something no doubt. Ask the store manager for one, they can process it immediately

When you have the Halfords' trade card, use it to negotiate a similar discount at other motor factors.:)
 
Interesting thread. I have only recently started to take an interest in my car (I helped a friend fix up some rust on my car) and have been thinking of doing what Caveat is doing. You mentioned a book, is it worth reading? Any knowledge is always helpful!
 
The Haynes manuals are probably the best known - but not necessarily the best - of these types of publications. They provide easy to follow, step by step instructions on virtually every aspect of car maintenance/service - you buy a book specific to your car e.g. Nissan Almera 1999 - 2005.

Definitely worth getting this or something like it especially if like me, you can't do anything except check oil level and change a wheel.
 
Keep an eye on Aldi and Lidle for axel stands.

Otherwise always used the spare wheel under the side of the car to act as a rest jack up and rest on the wheel with a bit of timber to make up the heoght you need.

Running on side of the car up on the kerb then jacking the other can make life easier for getting underneath.

New sump plug is excessive never even replaced the coppper washer meself.

Just be careful when emptying the oil. Messy stuff, a few old rough towels and rags are a god send.

Very satisfying to do your own work on the car as well.
 
I'd love to start doing this as well, my car is 10-years old, has high miles and is worth nothing, but is going strong and I would keep it another 10-years if it lasts. It was always been main-dealer serviced, but I can't continue to justify the cost of this for a car of its age/condition.

Aren't there certain things tho that come up at certain service intervals which are well beyond the standard servicing thing?

I'm thinking of things like the Timing belt - which is coming up to be done on my car and which the dealer-garage always made a bit of a deal over.

What about this business of the plug-in diagnostics or computer engine management? Is that a gimmick or are there certain things on modern cars that owners just can't do?

Tip also for amateur mechanics - watch the threads on the sump plug - they are usually aluminum and not very resilient!! As a poor student trying too save a coupla££, I managed to strip all the threads to the point that I had to get a new plug fitted.

Also, my 165,000mile car needs its sump rethreaded because I'm told the plug cannot now be removed because the 12 or 13 odd times it was removed and rescrewed by the dealer have worn the threads to the point that it'll not be oiltight if taken out again. At the last service, the dealer used a pump to pull out the oil rather than letting it drain.
 
Paulone said:
... What about this business of the plug-in diagnostics or computer engine management? Is that a gimmick or are there certain things on modern cars that owners just can't do? ...
Click to expand...
Hand-held versions (€100 - €200) of these can be sourced from motor-factors, e-bay or specialist tuning or tool supply sites; they are readily available for various makes, models, years, protocols and connector types - just make sure to match your needs to what's for sale. (In recent times there has been a much greater degree of standardisation in protocols and connectors

There are certain functions that these may not access, but without getting into the arcane art of modifying the software for engine control units, it shouldn't bother the DIY mechanic.

BTW, resetting indicator / warning lights after a service is normally achieved without needing access to a diagnostic / handheld computer, just refer to mondeoman's very useful threads here.
 
mathepac said:
...
There are certain functions that these may not access, but without getting into the arcane art of modifying the software for engine control units, it shouldn't bother the DIY mechanic....
Click to expand...

Is it really that simple though?

I have serviced my own, and the families cars for years, just changing oil filters, plugs etc. But I wouldn't attempt a timing belt or computer. Not unless it was a weekend car that isn't needed daily.
 
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