How to service your car

Volvoboy

Donned the jump suit today and set about giving a the 'auld girl a service, in liew of the recent thread ''Can you change oil in your car'' thought i'd take a few pics of what to do.

You will need:

• Oil
• Draining bucket (or cut out a side of a old oil bottle)
• 1/2 inch drive socket set (selection of sockets from 10mm to 21mm)
• Funnel (or 7up bottle)
• Airfilter
• Oilfilter
• Jack (in every car)
• Spark plugs
• Rags

The Service Kit

Run the car for 5 mins as hot oil drains out of the car much quicker than cold Oil. Turn off the engine after, if you run the car without any engine oil it will seize and you'll need a new engine!

Jack the car up, locate the sump and oil filter, undo the sump nut so you can take it off by hand be carefull not to drop the sump plug into the hot oil














While the oil is draining, undo the oil filter, you can use many ways to get the oil filter off straps, or by hammering a screwdriver though the filter, because my last oil change was 5790miles ago i can get it off with my hand.

When all of the oil is gone from the engine tighten the sump plug back up and check that the new oil filter is the same as the old one what you're looking for is if they are a diffrent size.

Before ya put the new oilfilter in place smear a small bit of oil around the rubber gasket on the filter, this assures no leaks. And its advisable to clean up excess oil from around the engine.

Drop the car from the jack (very important you do this if you were to change the oil on a uneven surface it could give you a misreading when you check the oil).

If you havent got a funnel take a 7up bottle and a angle grinder and make a home made one!!!

Slowly pour the new oil into the engine occasionally check to make sure that you dont over fill the engine. When you are finished tighten up the filler cap back in place and start the engine (DONT REV THE ENGINE)

And thats it for the oil change, keep the remaining oil in the container and in the boot of your car.

Volvoboy

Next Air filter:

Very simple locte the filter housing usually held with clips pop them up take out the old filter and do the opposite.





Spark Plugs: (I didnt actully change them in the last service i replaced them with 50,000 mile platinum tip plugs)

But heres what to do;

On the top of your engine there are four rubbers with leads called HT Leads, pull them off by the top of the rubber (do not pull it from the leads as you'll damage it by doing so) Unscrew the plugs and screw in new ones. (be carefull to pull the leads out one by one, if you take all the leads out at the same time when you put them back in you could put them back in the wrong firing order)





General

Its always advisable to check all fluild, brakes and tyres.
Have a few thousand on them.

Brake fluid.

Water bottle dry.


The format is the same for most cars, i know it looks like alot but its taken me longer to post this than it did to service the car:)

Spent €37.97 on parts, got the hands dirty for a hour and saved about €230.

Now you've no excuse not to do it.



Job Done

Volvoboy

vengeance52

the pic were ya turned the bottle into a funnel, i looks like ya cut the bottle with the grinder... a bit overkill dont ya think

Nice job VB. good to see it in pics

pvt.joker

nice job mate

Volvoboy

vengeance52 wrote: »

the pic were ya turned the bottle into a funnel, i looks like ya cut the bottle with the grinder... a bit overkill dont ya think

Nice job VB. good to see it in pics

Coulnt find a blade:(

Tipsy Mac

Great work Volvoboy, should encourage more people to have a go.

Vanbis

Tipsy Mac wrote: »

Great work Volvoboy, should encourage more people to have a go.

Great pics, next time post a video up :-)

pvt.joker

this should be made a sticky and people can contribute to it

Volvoboy

Vanbis wrote: »

Great pics, next time post a video up :-)

Better ask the powers that be!

PauloMN

Looks like ye gave your thumb some whack recently.

I started to do the basics like changing oil, oil filter, plugs, air filter and pollen filter myself the past couple of years. It really is pretty simple, and obviously much cheaper, but it's also satisfying and reassuring to know the jobs have actually been done.

IMO investing in a few basic tools is well worth it before starting. A socket set and a torque wrench are essential really - I was dead nervous about over-tightening the spark plugs and sump plug.

I'd like to be able to handle the brakes, must try that at some point.

Vanbis

Volvoboy wrote: »

Better ask the powers that be!

Just post it on Youtube and provide a link & if you do make sure you have a good song in the as the theme

Hal1

Mod's should sticky this, very informative. Thanks Volvoboy
P.S. I'm changing brake pads tomorrow.

Mr. Presentable

Thanks VVB. One question. What do you do with the old oil?

Volvoboy

Hal1 wrote: »

Mod's should sticky this, very informative. Thanks Volvoboy

No bother.

PauloMN wrote: »

Looks like ye gave your thumb some whack recently.

I started to do the basics like changing oil, oil filter, plugs, air filter and pollen filter myself the past couple of years. It really is pretty simple, and obviously much cheaper, but it's also satisfying and reassuring to know the jobs have actually been done.

IMO investing in a few basic tools is well worth it before starting. A socket set and a torque wrench are essential really - I was dead nervous about over-tightening the spark plugs and sump plug.

I'd like to be able to handle the brakes, must try that at some point.

Havent tacked the breaks yet, but they are due in a while.

Vanbis wrote: »

Just post it on Youtube and provide a link & if you do make sure you have a good song in the as the theme

Anybody wanna show me how to make youtube vidjeos?:pac:

Volvoboy

nipplenuts wrote: »

Thanks VVB. One question. What do you do with the old oil?

Pour it into a container and bring it to a scrappy, my local is summerhill spares and they'll dispose of it for ya. The days of pouring it down the drain is long gone!

PauloMN

Volvoboy wrote: »

Pour it into a container and bring it to a scrappy, my local is summerhill spares and they'll dispose of it for ya. The days of pouring it down the drain is long gone!

Your local recycling centre will probably take it free-of-charge, and the old oil carton as well. Mine does anyway, presume they all do now.

Voodoomelon

If people are going to be following this, you might want to mention that you turn the engine off before draining the oil, I know someone would leave it running! Nice job.

Max_Damage

This thread should DEFINITELY be a sticky.

macshadow

Do you need to gap the plugs anymore?

skyhighflyer

macshadow wrote: »

Do you need to gap the plugs anymore?

I've always wondered this as well, the only thing putting me off changing the plugs in my yoke is that the sevice manual says they have to be gapped to a certain tenth of a millimetre with feeler guages. I would have thought some plug manufacturer would have come up with ready - gapped ones at this stage

unkel

Thanks, volvoboy. This thread has a lot of potential. I'd like to see it become the n00bs guide to doing a basic oil + filter service. Other DIY maintenance jobs (air filter, pollen filter, plugs, brakes, etc.) can be added as separate threads at a later stage

Anyone please feel free to add your suggestions here. I'll get the ball rolling:

- needs a lot more comments between the pictures
- explain the service kit
- explain exactly what you are doing at each stage
- videos would be great. As suggested, use youtube and add links to the clips here using youtube tags

Darragh29

Is that an empty windscreen washer reservoir I see just a few inchs to the left of your thumb in the last pic OP!?!?!

Volvoboy

Darragh29 wrote: »

Is that an empty windscreen washer reservoir I see just a few inchs to the left of your thumb in the last pic OP!?!?!

:eek: I'll fill it tonight at the end of me shift.;)

Volvoboy

unkel wrote: »

Thanks, volvoboy. This thread has a lot of potential. I'd like to see it become the n00bs guide to doing a basic oil + filter service. Other DIY maintenance jobs (air filter, pollen filter, plugs, brakes, etc.) can be added as separate threads at a later stage

Anyone please feel free to add your suggestions here. I'll get the ball rolling:

- needs a lot more comments between the pictures
- explain the service kit
- explain exactly what you are doing at each stage
- videos would be great. As suggested, use youtube and add links to the clips here using youtube tags

A Service kit compremises of

• Oil, as per your manufactures recomendations. It differs on viscosity
• Air Filter
• Oil Filter
• Spark Plugs

The days of gapping plugs are gone!

eringobragh

Volvoboy wrote: »

Pour it into a container and bring it to a scrappy, my local is summerhill spares and they'll dispose of it for ya. The days of pouring it down the drain is long gone!

A fellow Bangernomics Pioneer lives quite close to me as well! Summerhill spares I use for some for my bits, can't go wrong, Exhaust backbox for €30! Still on the car 12 months later!


Good guides I must post up some when I change the oil in the primera again 5,000 miles to go. But the filter a Pain in the ass to get at and I don't think its applicable to most cars.

eringobragh

Volvoboy wrote: »

A Service kit compremises of

• Oil, as per your manufactures recomendations. It differs on viscosity
• Air Filter
• Oil Filter
• Spark Plugs

The days of gapping plugs are gone!

Yup NGKs gapping is OK out of the box. I chnaged the sparks every 10-12 thou!

Fuel filter??? I changer mine recently and I reckon it was the original one in the car!

unkel

Volvoboy wrote: »

A Service kit compremises of

• Oil, as per your manufactures recomendations. It differs on viscosity
• Air Filter
• Oil Filter
• Spark Plugs

The aim here is not to answer specific questions but to keep editing your original post (with the help and suggestions of all of us here) to make it better and better. It will become the guide that will give n00bs the confidence to try and service their car for the first time!

Volvoboy

eringobragh wrote: »

Yup NGKs gapping is OK out of the box. I chnaged the sparks every 10-12 thou!

Fuel filter??? I changer mine recently and I reckon it was the original one in the car!

If ya can i'd go platinum, good for 50,000 and save a few €€€ too!

eringobragh

Volvoboy wrote: »

If ya can i'd go platinum, good for 50,000 and save a few €€€ too!

I've my next set bought already not sure if the car will go another 50K 190,000miles on it already. Its 13euro for 4 NGKs from Nissan

Volvoboy

eringobragh wrote: »

I've my next set bought already not sure if the car will go another 50K 190,000miles on it already. Its 13euro for 4 NGKs from Nissan

Pfft dont be so sure, wait untill ya see my new purchase tomorrow.:D

eringobragh

Volvoboy wrote: »

Pfft dont be so sure, wait untill ya see my new purchase tomorrow.:D

Interesting sent you a PM btw;)

1987 Carina I like??

Barr

Great post Volvoboy - looks straight forrward , mite give it a go myself next weekend

L-M

I wouldn't should we do this for a few bits that can be done to cars. I'll be changing the front pads, and lowering mine soon. Might do likewise. Could become something:D

eringobragh

Limerick-man wrote: »

I wouldn't should we do this for a few bits that can be done to cars. I'll be changing the front pads, and lowering mine soon. Might do likewise. Could become something:D

lol your Oil Filter experience would put off most!

Bobo78

Lads one question from me, when you start changing spark plugs how do you know not to overtight the spark plugs?

Guy:Incognito

I went at my brakes on Sunday. New set of pads and disks were needed on the front. The first side took a bit of messing about but once that was done and I new what I was at the second side took about 25 mins. Handy job tbh.

Been doing my own services for a few years now, started on the Missus A class first.

Darragh29

Volvoboy wrote: »

:eek: I'll fill it tonight at the end of me shift.;)

If you could get a Nigella Lawson type character to take over your role there OP you'd really be onto something!

Fair play to you for going to the effort with that though...

kluivert

Bobo78 wrote: »

Lads one question from me, when you start changing spark plugs how do you know not to overtight the spark plugs?

All you have to do is tighten like a normal screw say, when you feel that it cant go no more and you would normally give it a bit extra to tighten that bit more......dont! Just gently tighten them, they dont have to be super tight.

Well done Volvo Boy. Theres something satisfying about servicing your own car.

There should be a sticky or seperate place to post "how to's"

Might have to put a disclaimer on it though.

Sean Quagmire

lads what about dashboard warnings? before the last service my car had warning lights up to get a service..if i do the process my self will they turn off or should i do it before any warnings come up?

DublinDilbert

Bobo78 wrote: »

Lads one question from me, when you start changing spark plugs how do you know not to overtight the spark plugs?

One very important thing when changing spark plugs is not to cross thread them, cause its a right mess if you do!!

To avoid cross threading i always turn them anti clock wise, and you'll feel at a certain point the ends of the threads passing over each other.... do a few turns anti clockwise to feel this point, then when you feel it change direction and it should thread in fine.

Always thread them 90% of the way home by hand (with the deep socket + extension over the plug), then use the ratchet handle for to nip them tight....

The haynes manual normally suggests using a small piece of rubber tubing over the plug, but if you do the above you should need this...

cuculainn

Sean Quagmire wrote: »

lads what about dashboard warnings? before the last service my car had warning lights up to get a service..if i do the process my self will they turn off or should i do it before any warnings come up?

You will probably need to buy a gadget to turn off the service warning once you have the service done

cuculainn

Bobo78 wrote: »

Lads one question from me, when you start changing spark plugs how do you know not to overtight the spark plugs?

1. Always change the sparkplugs when the engine is cold

2. always tighten down by hand as much as possible ensuring they are not to cross thread.

3. if the plugs are the washer type (and new) tighten with the rachet by a further 90 degrees.

This should have them to the correct torque

Cookie_Monster

Nice one VB.

I recently did this (except for plugs) on my own car with the help of a friend and was suprised how easy it was. due to do it again over xmas and the plugs need doing too.

On a side note can anyone recommend a good place to get all the parts required around Dun Laoghaire area? Went to Halfords in Carrickmines last time but have been up there occasionally since and they never have the filters I need, didn't even get a pollen filter the last time and i can feel/hear that its getting blocked up with crap at this stage.

BrianD3

Volvoboy wrote: »

While the oil is draining, undo the oil filter, you can use many ways to get the oil filter off straps, or by hammering a screwdriver though the filter, because my last oil change was 5790miles ago i can get it off with my hand.

I disagree with the hammering a screwdriver through the filter part. I have done this once and never again. If someone cannot get the filter off by hand or doesn't have a suitable tool then my advice would be to leave the filter in situ and think about what to do next.

IIRC "limerick man" who posts in this forum also had major hassle with an oil filter after he hammered a screwdriver through it

Bobo78

Thanks lads you made it much more clear for me now I ll only have to drive for another 3k miles and then i ll give it a go at trying to service it myself.

craichoe

cuculainn wrote: »

You will probably need to buy a gadget to turn off the service warning once you have the service done

Usually you can turn off the service indicator with a combination of the Dash controls and key

Volvoboy

Today i've purchased bit of elderly jap steel, 1989 Toyota Carina II 1.6 manual Tax and Nct'd. Was used as a taxi up untill last week she was put out to pasture and i knocked into the house and it was mine picked her up tonight.

She started without failure, the chap who owned it kept it in reasonable condition, interior very clean. Bodywork as you can assume it a bit tatty.

So There's a few jobs need doing

The clocks have packed in it's stopped at 248K miles nct that was done in Jan the mileage was 237K, so i need to replace the pinacle

Next up a service

Maybe a new radio

Timing belt

And replacing a interior door handle.

Think of it as the Boards.ie resto project, i'll take a few pics when i'm doing it as post it the same as the 1st post.


-VB-

qz

Much obliged for the very informative posts VB, and I was actually going to suggest a thread or two devoted to a particular project if anybody had one!

biggus

i think thats called a binacle

Volvoboy

biggus wrote: »

i think thats called a binacle

Yea that too.

Rowley Birkin QC

Good thread VB.

I've been servicing my own car for a few years now and there it's hugely satisfying. I won't touch anything in the brake system though.

A Haynes manual is invaluable for anyone thinking of starting to work on their own car.