Self servicing

shifty_uk

shifty_uk

shifty_uk

Soldato
Joined
27 Sep 2004
Posts
13,758
Location
.
My cars 11 year old, I don't think the resale value will benefit much from having the book stamped every year and I'm tired of handing over £150 for a half arsed service. I'll always get my oil+filter changed at the garage but I think it's about time I learned to do these things myself. Especially when a service kit can be had for 23 quid on ebay.

Do many of you do it? Is it achievable on the driveway and does it have an impact on resale? I have a jack, a few sets of my late grandfathers tools(not sure if they'll suffice car wise but I'll check) and I'll be picking up a manual shortly.

Car is just a 1.2 Clio so I don't imagine it'll be too complicated mechanically but pretty much all I've ever done is change light bulbs and topped all the fluid levels up! Am I doomed? :p
 
Resale value on an 11yr old 1.2 Clio, I wouldn't worry myself.

I used to do all my own servicing, Oil and filter is very easy. You may need some more tools etc, But they can be used for anything and are worth having anyway.

I'd service it myself in your shoes without a doubt.
 
I have always serviced my own cars as long as they are not brand new. I just keep all the receipts etc.

Go to the local motor factors rather than buying a service kit off ebay. What does the said service kit include btw?
 
Yeah, just keep your receipts (the dates will match up to the records you put in the service book).

I tend to do every other service on my ST220. Atleast then someone more mechanically minded can check the car over in more detail for me.
 
Last edited:
I do all the servicing on my car it's a 12 year old mondeo. As said just pop down your local motor factors just to check out the prices.

One thing to note if you are planningon using a jack, make sure you hace some axel stands too. :)

A Haynes manual will give you a good idea where to start with your car, you'd probably be able to pick one up off the bay of e cheaply but there will no doubt be loads of guides on the interwebs.
 
I'm all for self servicing if you know what your doing, I wouldn't buy a car that was self serviced because you miss the detail of prevention as well as just routine oil and filters.

Unless of course you do some research, forums etc and know the detail or what to look for, just changing the oil & filter, air filter and some plugs doesn't constitute a proper service.
 
All I really need is air filter and spark plugs at present. I'll nip up to the local parts supplier tomorrow for pricing.

Just noticed in the opening post I wrote '11 year old'...No idea where I plucked that from when I was writing it :confused: the cars 9 years old.

Maccapacca, is it possible to have the car checked over mechanically in the usual service manner, without any work carried out? I imagine so.
 
maccapacca said:
I'm all for self servicing if you know what your doing, I wouldn't buy a car that was self serviced because you miss the detail of prevention as well as just routine oil and filters.

Unless of course you do some research, forums etc and know the detail or what to look for, just changing the oil & filter, air filter and some plugs doesn't constitute a proper service.
Click to expand...

That varies enormously with the garage though. There are plenty who will do a quick oil and filter change, spray some silicon spray around, put seat protectors on and stamp the book. Often self maintained cars will have had far more time spent on checks and preventative maintenance.
 
a friend of mine popped round the other day with a slightly rough running golf.

i removed the spark plugs, they were completely the wrong spec plug, should be 0.8mm gap and were worn to about 3mm. wrong plugs and they had not been changed for years. his apparently had a fully stamped service book haha
 
Going to go for the old 6 month service on my DERV Car this coming weekend.

Oil/Oil Filter/sump plug washer, possibly Glow Plugs as well.

Got a few other bits to do, checking the bodywork underneath, the hoses condition as well as how the timing belt is.

I checked my fluid levels this morning and they seem to be okay.

Also going to get rid of any scratches etc. on the car and give it a T-Cut...well that's the plan anyway!
 
be very careful with glow plugs as they can easily break and fall down inside the engine (especially the tip).
This can turn a very straightforward 10 minute job into a rather big headache.
 
Cristian said:
be very careful with glow plugs as they can easily break and fall down inside the engine (especially the tip).
This can turn a very straightforward 10 minute job into a rather big headache.
Click to expand...

:eek: that's a scary thought!

Worst bit is, my lump is a Isuzu, so the glowplugs are to the rear of the Engine - whereas the GM lumps have the glowplugs on the front of the Engine.
 
I've recently ventured into self servicing and maintenance on my car. Was slightly daunting to start but I practiced by servicing a friends car first lol. It's actually pretty simple stuff. I was lucky to find a lot of resources on forums and owners clubs and youtube videos that all gave me the confidence in doing it.

I have now fully serviced a friends car (Golf MK4) and my car (MX5) which was easy. Oil change, Oil filter, Plugs and a new sump plug washer. No need for me to do Air Filter as have an after market one which only needs cleaning and re-oiling. I have also just fitted new brake discs and pads on each corner. This, although took about 4 hours was pretty straight forward and next time the pad change won't take long as discs won't be needed. I reckon I could almost half the time now I know what I'm doing though.

I've had to buy a few tools though so initially it's cost to me has been a little higher than just the parts, but these have more than paid for themselves by now in the lack of labour costs I've had to pay.

I'm keeping all receipts and keeping a spreadsheet of work done by me as a record. I'm not planning on selling this car ever and so I don't care about resale value. But if I did sell then I can prove what has been done and when and at what mileage. As servicing is so cheap now, circa £35, I will do it twice a year too which is more than it had before - oil and filter anyway. Plugs will be done once a year.

I'm slowly learning more and more about the car and am now confident to take on most work (except electrical as haven't started learning that yet - thank god the car has minimal electronics).

Next on my list is to change the suspension from standard to coil overs - again, looks like a pretty simple job. I will get it geo'd afterwards though as I don't have the kit to do that properly and WIM do and isn't too expensive.

It's amazing how much money you can save by doing this self servicing and maintaining. It's also spurred friends on to do the same....I guess they thought if he can do it then why shouldn't we.

It's given me a great feeling I can now do this and I almost can't wait for the next job to do on my car.
 
Yeah - it feels good doing the work, even if the initial outlay for tools costs a bit at first.

I have only ever serviced Ford Escort, Corsa (petrol and diesel) and a Triumph Spitfire; but I take on all jobs myself apart from welding and bodywork, because they are what I am weakest in.

Brakes I need to add to my list of things to look at on my Corsa...I just want to see the warning signs now (if there are any) before it gets it's MoT in around 4-5 months time.
 
Gamefreak501 said:
:eek: that's a scary thought!

Worst bit is, my lump is a Isuzu, so the glowplugs are to the rear of the Engine - whereas the GM lumps have the glowplugs on the front of the Engine.
Click to expand...


To be fair it depends on your luck, a lot of them come straight out. But I have seen this happening before my eyes (even though the engine was hot and the correct proedure was followed), not to mention the countless horror stories on the Internet. You can't pull the tips out with a magnet so you pretty much have to take the head off to get it out of there.
 
Gamefreak501 said:
Going to go for the old 6 month service on my DERV Car this coming weekend.

Oil/Oil Filter/sump plug washer, possibly Glow Plugs as well.

Got a few other bits to do, checking the bodywork underneath, the hoses condition as well as how the timing belt is.

I checked my fluid levels this morning and they seem to be okay.

Also going to get rid of any scratches etc. on the car and give it a T-Cut...well that's the plan anyway!
Click to expand...

Unfortunately you can't 'check' a timing belt - if it looks a little frayed/damaged, it's about to let go in a big way. :p

If you don't know when it was last done, do it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom