D.I.Y. Car Service

Alpha99

I'm not much of a machanic. However, I'd like to be able to service my own car and perform routine maintainance. I can't find anything on the internet about D.I.Y. car services. Anybody got advice on how to go about it or where to find information.

Thanks...

guil

get yourself a haynes manual for your car, it will save you a lot of hassle in future
make sure ya get a good jack and decent axle stands aswell

jaffa20

There is loads online about oil changing etc. What is your car OP?

corktina

basic servicing is easy....go for it...

Bonito

Doing full services or just oil & filter changes?

If it's the 1st, get a haynes manual, a set of feeler guages and a good quality hydraulic jack and if you haven't already, a good socket set.

Also, don't skimp on your oil, filter & plugs.

Bonito

Bonito wrote: »

a set of feeler guages .

Not really needed in most cases nowadays for plugs. I wouldn't bother splashing out on a Haynes manual really for basic servicing, waste of cash. You'll need

- axle stands
- 2 ton trolley jack (minimally)
- oil filter removal tool
- socket set
- coorect oil, oil filter, air filter, spark plugs.

For the oil change have the engine warm, jack up car (using central jacking point ideally, by the towing eye quite often), place axles stands under car (at the normal jacking points). Remove the engine under tray if fitted and you need to for access to the oil filter and the sump plug & take off the oil filler cap. Using the correct sized socket crack open the sump plug, place a bucket/tray whatever under the sump to catch the oil, loosen the sump plug until it comes off, be careful the oil will be hot, drain off all the oil into the bucket. Remove the oil filter using the tool. Fill new filter with oil and smear the rubber seal on the filter with clean oil too, handtighten on new filter being careful with the threads. Put back on sump plug (manufacturers recommend you change the washer too), tighten up with socket. Lash in new oil slowly with a funnel. Back on the undertray and drop the car to the level. Check oil level with dispstick. Top up if required.

Air filter is really easy, screwdriver at most usually required. Spark plugs are fine too on most 4 cylinder cars, some V6s and V8s are an awful ball ache to do though. Pull off the plug lead and the plug just loosens out with a spark plug too and you replace it with a new one (with gap set correctly), ensure plug leads go back on the correct plugs.

You should have no bother if you have a run of the mill car. Some cars require extra care and some precautionary steps when refilling oil and priming etc but most don't.

(the above is a very rough bla bla, not a guide at all, get a Haynes if you so desire but I reckon it's not necessary.)

pARTner81

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Car_Care/DIY/How_to_Change_Motor_Oil_and_Oil_Filter.aspx?pg=2

try this site, it should help.

Bonito

pARTner81 wrote: »

http://www.mobiloil.com/USA-English/MotorOil/Car_Care/DIY/How_to_Change_Motor_Oil_and_Oil_Filter.aspx?pg=2

try this site, it should help.

That's very bad. It looks as though hey're suggesting you allow the engine to drain through where the oil filter goes.

Bonito

Bonito wrote: »

That's very bad. It looks as though hey're suggesting you allow the engine to drain through where the oil filter goes.

You're only looking at page 2 of the guide, they describe draining through the drain plug on page 1

Bonito

RoverJames wrote: »

You're only looking at page 2 of the guide, they describe draining through the drain plug on page 1

Well I got linked to page two. I don't have time to be going backwards through things. :P

"In step 2, we want you to do this. To do this, you must perform steps 1, 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4 & 1.5. When you've performed these steps, continue with step 2, then step 3, and so on."

pARTner81

Yeah I should have linked the first page of the oil change. There's alot of stuff on this site, much like what you will get in any haynes manual, only you'll not get the processes for your own vehicle.

alias no.9

RoverJames wrote: »

Not really needed in most cases nowadays for plugs. I wouldn't bother splashing out on a Haynes manual really for basic servicing, waste of cash. You'll need

- axle stands
- 2 ton trolley jack (minimally)
- oil filter removal tool
- socket set
- coorect oil, oil filter, air filter, spark plugs.

For the oil change have the engine warm, jack up car (using central jacking point ideally, by the towing eye quite often), place axles stands under car (at the normal jacking points). Remove the engine under tray if fitted and you need to for access to the oil filter and the sump plug & take off the oil filler cap. Using the correct sized socket crack open the sump plug, place a bucket/tray whatever under the sump to catch the oil, loosen the sump plug until it comes off, be careful the oil will be hot, drain off all the oil into the bucket. Remove the oil filter using the tool. Fill new filter with oil and smear the rubber seal on the filter with clean oil too, handtighten on new filter being careful with the threads. Put back on sump plug (manufacturers recommend you change the washer too), tighten up with socket. Lash in new oil slowly with a funnel. Back on the undertray and drop the car to the level. Check oil level with dispstick. Top up if required.

Air filter is really easy, screwdriver at most usually required. Spark plugs are fine too on most 4 cylinder cars, some V6s and V8s are an awful ball ache to do though. Pull off the plug lead and the plug just loosens out with a spark plug too and you replace it with a new one (with gap set correctly), ensure plug leads go back on the correct plugs.

You should have no bother if you have a run of the mill car. Some cars require extra care and some precautionary steps when refilling oil and priming etc but most don't.

(the above is a very rough bla bla, not a guide at all, get a Haynes if you so desire but I reckon it's not necessary.)

This is a good rough and ready guide, some additional points, access to oil filters is a bitch on some cars, the Ford Ka and Nissan Primera (p11) diesel being the worst I've experienced in my own DIY tribulations. Be careful refitting spark plugs, you can get then cross threaded very easily, also use some copper grease on the threads to prevent them seizing, especially if they're long life.

True, hard not to get oil up the sleeve with the ka filter , awkward to get at but well do able.